Before you hit these great bicycling trails, stop by Outdoors Inc. for expert advice, trail maps, and rental bikes

Mountain Bike

1. Shelby Farms: Tour de Wolf Bike Trail

Point of Departure: Visitor Center, Shelby Farms Park

This 5.5-mile rolling off-road loop features beautiful sections of hardwood single track and wide open prairie grass. The trail is marked with signage and is well suited for the beginner or experienced mountain bike rider.

Information:
Visitor Center, 901-382-2249 or Web site
Bike Department, Outdoors Inc., 901-755-2271
Mid South Velo Bicycle Club, 901-722-8988


2. Shelby Farms: Chickasaw Bike Trail

Point of Departure: Visitor Center, Shelby Farms Park

This 3 mile paved trail starts at the visitor center and leisurely winds its way around Shelby Farms. The path is open to pedestrian and rollerblade traffic, so slower, more cautious riding is advised.

Information:
Visitor Center, 901-382-2249 or Web site
Bike Department, Outdoors Inc., 901-755-2271
Mid South Velo Bicycle Club, 901-722-8988


3. Shelby Farms: White Trail

Point of Departure: Under the Walnut Grove Road bridge at the Wolf River

Formerly known as the "Rainbow Trail" this off-road trail runs for 4 miles through technical and narrow single track. The trail starts under the Walnut Grove Bridge at Germantown Road. Round trip is 8 miles, so bring water and spare tubes.

Information:
Visitor Center, 901-382-2249 or Web site
Bike Department, Outdoors Inc., 901-755-2271
Mid South Velo Bicycle Club, 901-722-8988

4. Herb Parsons Lake Trail

Point of Departure: Park office Herb Parsons State Lake. Take Macon Road east past Fisherville, turn right on Fisherville Lake Road, then follow signs.

This 6.5 mile mountain bike trail includes several technical free crossings as it winds its way around Herb Parsons Lake. Watch for poison ivy in the summer and early fall. Directions ­

Information:
Visitor Center, 901-850-0378 or Web site
Bike Department, Outdoors Inc., 901-755-2271

5. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

If you are interested in a scenic road ride around the Chickasaw bluffs of the Mississippi River, Shelby Forest State Park is a great starting point. Located 5 miles North of Memphis. This state park offers moderate to hard climbs up and down the river bluffs with beautiful vistas of the river. Point of Departure ­ Shelby Forest Visitor Center

Information:
Visitor Center, 901-876-5215

6. Stanky Creek

Point of Departure: Parking lot off Yale Road, Bartlett. Take Covington Pike north, turn right on Yale, go to trail head on left side of road.

Memphis newest collection of mountain bike trails, affectionately called Stanky Creek, is a collection of quick-turning single track in the heart of Bartlett. This trail system was the host of the first 12-hour bike race in the city.

Information:
Outdoors Inc., 901-722-8988


7. Arkabutla Lake

This 5-mile loop that leaves picnic area 761 is scenic out-of-town mountain bike ride that offers beautiful fall colors for those willing to drive 45 minutes South. Point of Departure ­ Picnic area 761, Arkabutla Lake Directions ­ I-55 South to Hernando, 304 West to Eudora, South 301 to Pratt Road follow signs

Information:
Bike Department, Outdoors Inc., 901-755-2271
Corps of Engineers, 662-562-6261 



8. Mississippi River Trail: Memphis to Points North

Point of Departure ­I-40 Memphis Welcome Center, on Riverfront Drive just south of I-40

Go cycling and dreaming along Ol Man River. This road ride begins at the Welcome Center, passes the Pyramid, and runs north along shaded country roads. This ride in its entirety is 177 miles long and passes such points of interest as Alex Haley¹s boyhood home in Henning (72 miles) and the Fort Pillow Battlefield (88 miles). Most of the roads are paved, but flooding may affect surfaces from time to time. The 2,000-mile MRT has been awarded Millennium Trail status, one of only 20 in the nation.

Information:
Mississippi River Trail , 901-753-1400
Bike Department, Outdoors Inc., 901-755-2271
Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club, 901-853-0378

9. Mississippi River Trail: Memphis to Helena, AR

This is a newly marked part of the MRT going south, 80 miles, to the historic river town of Helena, AR.

Information: See above