Pinkbike Comes to Tallahassee
While it may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of mountain biking, trails in Tallahassee are a hidden gem offering riders of all levels a variety of options.
What is Pinkbike?
Pinkbike is recognized as the global leader in mountain bike content and entertainment. It’s the go-to resource for all things mountain biking. They recently sent professional riders Tom Bradshaw and Christina Chappetta to Tallahassee to explore the trails this area has to offer.
Tom and Christina followed a route planned by the President of the Tallahassee Mountain Bike Association (TMBA). They explored miles of hand-built single-track, man-made features, and even took a few laps on the Velosolution Pumptrack.
Mountain Biking in Tallahassee
The Tallahassee area has a growing network of trails managed and maintained by the TMBA.
Some of the most popular trails include:
- The St. Marks Trail
- The Miccosukee Greenway Trails
Each trail offers something unique, providing a well-rounded mountain biking experience.
The St. Marks Trail is a great option for beginners! This paved trail runs along with the Apalachicola National Forest, where hikers and cyclists can relax and enjoy the view. The St. Marks Trail is a paved/flat trail… no hills, singletrack, roots, or rocks.
And finally, the Miccosukee Greenway Trails offer more technical riding with tight turns and obstacles.
No matter your skill level, there is a trail in Tallahassee for you. You might be surprised at how much this region has to offer.
A Tour of Tallahassee Mountain Biking Trails
Christina and Tom hit the trails, focusing on two riding zones: Redbug on the Northern edge of the City and Tom Brown Park connected via bike lanes to the East. Here’s a rundown of the trails they covered.
Powerline
Powerline is a great beginner trail. This 1-mile singletrack trail got its name from the powerlines overhead and leads to several other trailheads. This trail runs in both directions and takes about six minutes to complete.
- Difficulty: Green
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Climb: 105 ft
- Descent: -36 ft
- Average Time: 6:45
Redbug
If you’re looking for a technical and challenging trail, Red Bug is definitely worth a visit. This mountain bike trail has everything from tight, twisty sections to rooty challenges and lots of technical features to session. It was fully refurbished in 2020 by Trail Dynamics so it’s in great condition right now.
- Difficulty: Blue
- Distance: 4.3 miles
- Climb: 336 ft
- Descent: -337 ft
- Average Time: 36:15
Tom Brown Park Pump Track
A great place to warm up for the ride ahead, this 10,000-square foot pump track is in Tom Brown Park near the Magnolia Trailhead. Designed by Velosolutions® this track features twists and turns and provides an exciting challenge to riders of all skill levels.
Magnolia
This single-track trail lies inside Tallahassee’s expansive Tom Brown Park, which is located between Mahan Drive and Apalachee Parkway.
Narrow chutes typical of trails in this region wind their way up, down, and around pitched hillsides in an intricate fashion.
There’s a good pit stop on this trail. On the east end, there’s a bike station with water, a shower, and bathrooms.
- Difficulty: Blue
- Distance: 2.9 miles
- Climb: 345 ft
- Descent: -314 ft
- Average Time: 23:29
Kudzilla
From Magnolia, you can jump on Kudzilla. Get ready for a fun ride, this trail features berms for cornering and big jumps. If you like a challenging ride, you’ll want to hit this one a few times. Kudzilla merges into the Magnolia trail at the east end.
- Difficulty: Blue
- Distance: 1,954 ft
- Climb: 75 ft
- Descent: -74 ft
- Average Time: 3:16
Cadillac
A flowy, sometimes tight, and twisty singletrack trail. About a mile in, you’ll reach the halfway point at the eastern end of Piney Z Lake.
There you’ll find a wooden dragon’s tail the locals call “Nessie.” You’ll want to ride Nessie more than once.
You’ll also find a few expert lines heading down to the lake. There’s also a fun gap jump/drop that will get your heart racing.
- Difficulty: Blue
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Climb: 159 ft
- Descent: -159 ft
- Average Time: 14:08
Wrapping up Their Time in Tallahassee
Christina and Tom barely scratched the surface in their short trip to Tallahassee but left pleasantly surprised with the quality and variety of trails in Tallahassee. And we’re excited to catch a glimpse of an alligator floating in one of the lakes.
What Makes Tallahassee a Great Mountain Biking Destination
Thanks to its variety of trails, Tallahassee is a great mountain biking destination for riders of all skill levels. With trails like Magnolia and Redbug, there’s plenty of opportunity for a good adrenaline rush. If you’re looking for an exciting mountain biking adventure, be sure to check out what Tallahassee has to offer.
