Northwest Ohio Rides

Local Rides

Check social media often for updated listings of cycling events in and around our area. Rides require, at minimum, an appropriate bike in good working order, water, and a helmet. We suggest a spare tube, energy food, maybe a little cash in case we stop, and your biggest smile! Many rides are held subject to weather. It’s also a good idea to confirm dates, times, and any specific requirements. We’ll see you out there — and have fun!

Annual Events

  • January 1 – Resolution Ride
  • Intro to Gravel (TAB) -April – October
  • MTB Skills Camp – April – September
  • Biketoberfest – October
  • Winter Warrior – November through April weekly rides

Local Ride Info

Favorite Trails

The Towpath Trail connects three Metroparks along the Maumee River: Farnsworth, Bend View and Providence. 8 miles.

The University/Parks Trail connects the University of Toledo with Wildwood Preserve and continues to Silica Road in Sylvania. 7 miles.

The Wabash-Cannonball Trail connects Side Cut, Fallen Timbers Battlefield, and Oak Openings Preserve, among other attractions. It is the region’s longest off-road bike trail. North Fork is 15 miles paved, and South Fork is 10 miles paved.

The Chessie Circle Trail connects North and South Toledo, numerous schools and other places of interest along a former rail line.

Mountain Biking – Beachridge Trail

Northwest Ohio is not known for hills, but a singletrack trail at Oak Openings Preserve delivers thrills for mountain bike fans. The Beachridge Trail is 11 miles with challenging bridges and other obstacles along the narrow, scenic path. Start at the Springbrook Area of Oak Openings Metropark on SR 64 and follow the Wabash Cannonball Trail east to the start of the Beach Ridge Bike Trail.

Shop Favorite! Not long ago, garbage dotted the 500-acre Novi North Park. However, the park has become an example of urban renewal under the dedicated care of local Michigan Mountain Biking Association members. Most garbage is gone, leaving a pleasant, underused trail with trilliums and marigolds highlighting the spring months. The singletrack meanders through an old fruit orchard and a Christmas tree farm. Local riders are meeting ongoing interest from the City of Novi in developing the area into a golf course. The trail, however, needs more riders to justify its existence. Tree Farm map PDF AllTrails.com

More than half of what will be an 11-mile singletrack trail for mountain bikes is open for use. With six bridges and unique obstacles, such as an optional teeter-totter bridge, this trail is unlike any other in the Metroparks. Start at the Springbrook Area of Oak Openings Metropark on SR 64 and follow the Wabash Cannonball Trail east to the start of the Beach Ridge Bike Trail.

Toledo Free Ride is a group of volunteers developing and building mountain biking trails in Toledo, Ohio. They’ve built a mountain biking XC loop at Jermain Meadows Park and expanded it into Ottawa Park. Another addition is a bike skills park at Jermain Park, which includes dirt jumps and a pump track!

  • The trail is about 6 miles long with beginner through expert skill features.
  • The bike skills park area contains dirt jumps, a pump track, and a skills area with progressive stunts for beginners to experts, similar to the Plainfield, IL, Bike Park.
  • Parking with easy access to both the trail and park will be available.
  • Jermain Trail Map Singletracks map

Slippery Elm Trail is a 13-mile asphalt trail between Bowling Green and North Baltimore. Access points at Sand Ridge Rd., Gypsy Lane Rd., Portage Rd., Mermill Rd., Freyman Road, and East Broadway (North Baltimore). PDF MapPDF Map

Creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people! Top 10 Trails in Ohio Trail Link Ohio Trail Link Michigan

Here, 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, you’ll find three trails: the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail, the 5.1-mile Crooked Lake Trail and the 1.9-mile Silver Lake Trail. The routes are shared with hikers. If you double the length of Pontiac Lake and replace the rocks with roots, you have Poto. Trails from 1.9 to 17.5 miles round trip. Biking season: All year (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Poto Trail Map Trails.com

One-way, closed-loop, singletrack can be ridden all in one shot or divided between two loops. The terrain is primarily flat through gentle rolling grasslands with medium-length gradual climbs. While weekends are very crowded (50+ cars parked), the trails are almost empty during the week (3-5 cars) except for evenings in the Fall. More experienced riders will find these trails a great place to spin all out. Some can finish all 13 miles in less than 45 minutes. The yellow trail is more technical but not overly challenging. The Blue Trail is primarily flat, with a couple of hills that can catch you off guard. There are some nice downhills and uphills. These trails are a great place to introduce a beginner to Mountain Biking. Experts will find it mildly entertaining. It is a good intermediate-level trail. Island Lake Map Trails.com

There are two trails: Torn Shirt and Murray Lake. Murray Lake is the easiest of the two and is a total of 9.2 miles in length. There are tight singletracks as well as fast sections. I would recommend it for beginner to intermediate riders. You can cut the loop by 2 miles by forgoing the Lost Loop at the 2.7 mile marker. Torn Shirt is about 6 miles in length and is a little bit more technical. Both loops start and return at the same parking area. Brighton Trail Map Trails.com

The DTE Energy Foundation Trail is a new project consisting of five distinct, singletrack loops totaling approximately 20+ miles of trail in Waterloo Recreation Area. For more information about the DTE Energy Foundation Trail and the building project, visit DTEtrail.org. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can ride DTE and Poto in one day via the newly opened Poto-DTE Connector Trail

In Boston Heights, Ohio, The East Rim Trail has a northern (Lamb) loop, and a southern loop.  Both are moderately difficult runs on a bicycle that require significant aerobic capacity. The MTB Project Page has more on this fast and flowing singletrack and the first mountain bike trail in the National Parks. This park webpage has videos and more information. Check Facebook or X for open and closed information.

There are seven miles of trails in the Hampton Hills Metro Park Mountain Bike Area (2092 Theiss Rd., Akron). Trails are for bikes only and helmets are required. Very fun, challenging trails that fly under the radar with so many other trails in the area. Some climbing, speedy descents, cool obstacles, water crossings, switchbacks, and banked bridges. This place is really cool and gives local riders another option to test their skills. MTB Project Page


Interactive Map – Washtenaw Co. Park Finder

It offers miles of different trails to accommodate various types of riding. A multi-use paved trail spanning five miles is available for general bicycle riding. About three miles of nature trails of grass, limestone, and crushed stone are available for mountain biking. This challenging trail is narrow and best used by more experienced riders. Washtenaw.org

Features a beginner-friendly, 3.8 mile mountain bike trail with scenic views of open fields and the Sharon Millpond, part of the River Raisin. Info

Indiana border to Lorain Ohio OhioBikeWays.net

This ride starts out with a steep climb on a gravel road but quickly becomes fast and fun when it tops out on a ridge. Several fast singletrack sections thread tightly through the trees, and some off-camber rock sections will test any rider’s skills. Trail Surface: Singletrack and gravel roads.

Trails.com