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Tags:
Level: Beginner
Length: 10 mi (16.1 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +167/ -50 ft
Total: 45 riders
Mountain Biking Calverton Trail
#109 of 301 mountain bike trails in New York
The trail has an 8.5 mile beginner loop with advanced rider add on as you ride.
First added by trek4900 on Jun 17, 2004. Last updated Oct 20, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: no
- Lift service: no
- Night riding: no
- Pump track: no
- Restrooms: no
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: no
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Take the Long Island Expressway, I-495, to exit 69, Wading River Road. At end of exit ramp make left going North. Follow Wading River Road North a couple of miles to Route 25. Make a right going East on Route 25. About a quater of a mile on the left you will see the Wading River Motel. Park next to the motel at the grass field off the road East of the motel. The trail head is there.
Definitely a beginner trail, but at 8.5 miles not including the black diamond loops (which really are just glorified blue squares which you'll see a lot on L.i.) there so enough distance to get a good workout in if you are a more advanced rider. It is incredibly flat in the first 3 miles and the last mile as well, with quite a bit of winding switchbacks with literally no berms, but I appreciate how aesthetically pleasing these sections are with the white oaks everywhere. The trail is very hard packed and dries out very fast. The middle gets more fun and flowy and begins to ad in minimal climbing and descent. I use this trail to train for xc when I really want to get my pace up and never slow down. There are minimal roots/rocks soft sand/whoops and it allows for a crazy high pace if you want it. I will note the seedy motel next to the parking lot and the Suffolk county bus stop will frequently result in some sketchy ass people hanging out about 30' from your car so make sure the car is locked. There is also a paved 10 mile trail you can access across the street (with a safer, and well lit parking lot) that circles the entire Grumman property where if you're curious there are plenty of dirt trails mostly used for hunting access in January but are fun to ride other times of the year. To the first commenter whose comment was "tick infested" welcome to Long Island buddy, throw some taller socks on you're not riding anywhere east of glacier ridge without the ticks trying to hop on board!
| ThankExtremely tick infested
| ThankWell maintained. Just not very interesting. I wouldn't choose Calverton as a destination ride (no restrooms, mostly farm country). Parking lot was in terrible shape. In fact, it was a little creepy. People parked there sitting in their cars (alone). Didn't feel safe to me. Mostly narrow single track. I didn't think the trails were well marked. Having the dirt road to bail out came in handy.
| ThankI must say that I think this is an underappreciated trail. I will agree that for the advanced XC rider there is not much flash to be found. As others have said it is an essentially flat unidirectional singletrack with a few diamond sections: a roller coaster thusly named, a few downhills and climbs, and a section of log rolls. The trail is incredibly condensed and so it is very winding. The ground is nicely packed dirt that is smooth with very few roots. Tree spacing is par for the course in relation to Long Island trails. As others have mentioned, this trail dries very quickly.
There are a two cases for which I'd recommend this trail:
1) Beginners- this trail offers a concise 101 on XC cycling, it gives newcomers a solid impression of what Long Island XC cycling is all about: several miles of wooded single track where one can hone their skills in bike handing as well as gain power and cardiovascular endurance in preparation for moving onto other trails. The trail features miniaturized examples of what one can expect to encounter in other trails (log rolls, roots, climbs and descents).
2) Cyclocross bikes- If you are a somewhat advanced mountain biker and you happen to have a CX bike, I highly recommend taking it through Calverton. I have done this numerous times and I feel like my skills on both road and mountain bikes have improved as a result.
| ThankSo if you are a beginner or if you are riding with a beginner I'd say Calverton offers a nice beginner's introduction. Also if you think you're above riding your mountain bike there, try doing it with a cyclocross bike. And, of course, if you find a trail too easy, you can always ride faster!
The trail is great for beginners with little experience under their belt. The main loop is 8.5 miles with an additional 2.0 miles of SBDs. Half of the trail though is spent going and coming back in the oak maze section that is nothing but relatively flat switchbacks. Parts of the forest have burnt down. The best section by far is a quick flowy downhill section that takes you thru scuttle-hole. At the lowest depression is a natural pond/lake. It's an amazing view in the winter time as you climb back out of it and get a great view looking down upon it.
Not a bad trail depending on the season and level of experience.
| ThankNot the most glamorous. Decent distance and relatively flat. Some diamonds with log rides. Great for speed and does dry quick.
| ThankGreat trail.......Cant wait till spring to get back riding it !!
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