Sprain Ridge has some very technical sections of log crossings, often two or three in a row spaced about a bike length apart just to make things difficult.
Here is the description from the official website:
http://www.westchestergov.com/parks/brochures/Trailways/SprainRidgeMain.htm
Sprain Ridge Park is a large land preserve with a variety of landscapes, ranging from heavily wooded areas to large and impressive rock outcroppings. The park was previously owned by the Boyce Thompson Institute, a botanical research center, and a result, contains many unusual and exotic woodland plants. The five miles of mountain bike trails at Sprain Ridge offer challenges to cyclists at every level of ability and are a great complement to the parkís other recreational facilities, which include a swimming pool, playground and picnic areas. The trails wind their way through 278 acres of varied terrain that offers challenges for beginner, intermediate and advanced cyclists. The beginner trail provides cyclists with challenging curves but a relatively level topography.
The intermediate and advanced trails provide experienced cyclists with more of a challenge with trails of increasing grades and challenging topography.
There are picnic areas available near all three parking lots and a snack bar is open in season near the swimming pool area.
Remember, people judge all cyclists by your actions, so please act courteously and responsibly. not build new trails or stunts. Have a good time and enjoy your ride.
This is a good place to go riding. The trail difficulties vary based on the trail you are riding. The trail difficulties are blue to black(or intermediate to expert.) This is not a good place to take a beginner. Overall good trails close to the city.
| ThankPretty typical tech for the area. Lots of rocks and roots, with some big boulders to get over. Some climbing, but not a ton.. a few real punchy uphills. The trails are marked better in some areas than others.. there are a bunch of spurs to hit features that can throw you off course.
| ThankI moved to NY from Western Ma. and this is the first place I ever road since the move. Its fairly close to my house so its become my go to area. For me it has it all, small drops, rock gardens and plenty of downed trees to hop. I usually ride for about two hours and this place it fun for that length of time. It offers plenty of challenge for the intermediate rider to advanced. There is an easier loop which I think is called the B loop, which I always warm up on. Not as big a Blue Mt but nice just the same.
| ThankMy local spot. I live only 5 minutes away. Sprain has rocks, roots, drops, skinnies...just not a lot of climbing.
| ThankLots of fun! Fast with fun little climbs and technical sections with all of the ledge.
| ThankI personally live very close to this park, and I ride it quite often. I am new to MTB, and these trails are very good for starting out. The climbs push you, but are still doable, and the downhills can be tricky but very fun. Although some parts are very easy, they offer a good challenge for beginners and experienced riders alike. There were some technical sections that I decided to not risk throwing away a days worth of riding from an injury, but I'm sure a more experienced rider would have loads of fun on trails like these. It is a great place to MTB if you live in the city or within 30 mins from it, and I would recommend this to other riders. Overall, the trails are very challenging, and the other riders were very friendly and I would recommend this trail to other beginner/intermediate riders, but experienced riders will enjoy these trails a lot.
| ThankSo you just hit NYC and wanna sample the areas mtn biking hot spots? This is it! Northeast mtn biking at its best! Lots of hills, rock and technical. Will test your skills so shin and knee guards minimum and of course helmet. Been riding all the trails for years but a good 1 1/2 hr to 2 hr ride with lots of the above follow the outer perimeter trails. Real nice mix of the best in the northeast! Go to www.wmba.org for maps!
| ThankWhow. I usually use the paved paths in the East Bronx. Whitestone, Hutchenson River, Pehlam areas. Orchard Beach has a wooded area, Hunter Island", which is real beginner compaired to Sparian Park. What fun. Had to walk it a lot. Only did 3 miles.
IKYR
| ThankOf the Westchester parks Sprain is probably aerobically the easiest (the climbs are punchy but short) but technically the most difficult. My first time there I found the main trails to be well marked but all the alternate lines made it confusing and I kept getting turned around. This said, the alternates are nice since riders of different abilities can ride together. But, despite some flowing sections there is definitely a lot of unavoidable technical challenge here ranging from tons of big log rides to tricky rock gardens and tight, rocky switchbacks - not to mention the rollers and drops Sprain is known for. To fully appreciate the park riders will have to be intermediate-advanced with strong technical skills. This doesn't mean beginners shouldn't try Sprain; they should just come expecting to be humbled and work their way up from the easier trails. Kicked my ass the first time but its a great place to build skills.
I'll give it a 4 for excellent use of a small space, unique, challenging terrain, and accessibility to NYC. Deduct a bit for confusing signage. Try to ride it with someone who knows the loops first time out. Also, despite Sprain's reputation you don't need to be a freerider or ride a big suspension bike to enjoy the trails. Plenty of people ride hardtails, they just ride more carefully.
| ThankGreat Trails! Rode 10 miles here 4/5/15 with Northeast XC Mountain Bikers
| ThankMeetup group ride. Did it all, super fun, 2nd ride of season. Trail conditions were perfect, like winter never made it here.
This place is awesome. It has alot of rollers and drops. Some pretty big log crossings scattered throughout as well that will test your manliness.
| ThankDef more of a cross country oriented place but you do these trails on a downhill bike.
Not for beginners thats for sure
Really technical trails for advanced and intermediate riders. Lots of rock gardens, drops, jumps and some stream crossings. Some areas have nice switchbacks. Full suspention bike is the best for this area but you can get away with a hardtail. Bring your legs it's quiet a work out. Up and down continuously.
| ThankAwesome trails. Definitely enough difficulty to be deemed intermediate. The trails are more cross country oriented. A lot of steep short technical climbs. Set your tire pressure fairly low. I ran 27/24 f/r, and I should have run lower pressures.
| ThankFirst, I use a single speed full rigid 29er. For the advance/Techncal tracks, they were kicking my ass. My ratio was all wrong. Lots of pushing the bike up and thru the tough spots. Everything else in the park is pretty doable. Plenty of challenges await. Some longer switchback climbs on the north end. Although its pretty small it's still a lot of fun.
| Thanksprain is the business if you live in the city and dont want to travel far for some good stuff. first time i rode there some dude had sick downhill bike and immediately i was surprised and nervous but even with a hardtail you can really enjoy sprain. almost endless fun with obstacles for every level. keep a look out for local master ripper JOJO.
| ThankGreat technical trail.
| ThankI really enjoy it !
Real nice trails. Good length overall. Loop in the front parking lot rocks! Explored back parts of park on advanced trails. Probably more fun for advanced riders. Me, lotta pushin and carryin the bike. Some crazy tech back there and lotta deer.
| ThankMy Buddies and I tried this trail out for the first time it was conveniently close to where my friends live in Queens so we had to try it out. We were surprised as to how technical the trail really was unfortunately in some areas so much that this is definitely not a trail for beginners...but everyone should try at least once if challenge is wanted just were some protection. The trail is short and had a very cool wide slopping rock covered trail going downhill that is very exhilarating and the most fun we had on this one.
| ThankMy Buddies and I tried this trail out for the first time it was conveniently close to where my friends live in Queens so we had to try it out. We were surprised as to how technical the trail really was unfortunately in some areas so much that this is definitely not a trail for beginners...but everyone should try at least once if challenge is wanted just were some protection. The trail is short and had a very cool wide slopping rock covered trail going downhill that is very exhilarating and the most fun we had on this one.
| ThankFeels like a bigger park when you're riding it for the first time. Exposed rock along parts of this ridge are fun to ride. BTW more than summer I love riding Sprain in the winter. This park is very challenging when covered in 2-4 inches of snow. There are a lot of deer in Sprain and sometimes they can surprise you. I would only consider driving 30 minutes to ride Sprain. I skip riding the wide hydro dirt roads because they aren't that fast or challenging.
| Thank