More Ways to Ride at Mt. Airy Forest

Aug 11

Mountain biking programs at Mt. Airy are helping more people discover the trails, build new skills and experience the outdoors.

Mountain biking can be exhilarating, but getting started can also feel intimidating. Do you have the right bike? Do you know how to ride a trail? Where can you safely practice?

At the Mt. Airy Bike Skills Course, Cincinnati Parks Foundation and our community partners are helping remove some of those barriers.

Through Cincinnati Parks + Rec for Wellness, free mountain biking programs give riders opportunities to learn, practice and connect with others in a supportive environment. The Mt. Airy Bike Skills Course has become a hub for programming designed for different ages, experience levels and abilities.

Building Skills and Confidence

A rider with the Cincy Mountain Bike Club.
Photo: Marie Asbury

Beginner-friendly clinics led by Cincy Mountain Bike Club introduce riders to the fundamentals of mountain biking, from balance and body position to braking, shifting and basic bike control. Participants can then put those skills into practice on the course with guidance from experienced riders. A limited number of bikes are also available to borrow, helping make it easier to try the sport before investing in equipment.

Making the Trails More Accessible

An Adaptive Mountain Biking Skills session with The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation.
Photo: Colleen O’Connor

Our partnership with The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation expands who can experience mountain biking at Mt. Airy.

Adaptive Mountain Biking Skills Sessions are designed for individuals with disabilities ages 16 and older. Using specialized adaptive bikes, participants can develop skills, build confidence and experience trail riding in a safe and supportive environment. Upcoming sessions continue through the fall as part of our Cincinnati Parks + Rec for Wellness programming.

Accessibility means more than creating a place to recreate. It means creating opportunities for people to participate — and providing the equipment, instruction and support that can make those experiences possible.

Creating Opportunities for Young Riders

Through our work with Adventure Crew, young people also have an opportunity to experience mountain biking at Mt. Airy.

Beginner-friendly youth rides introduce participants to the Bike Skills Course while helping them learn new skills, gain confidence outdoors and connect with other young riders. A limited number of bikes are available to borrow, further reducing the barriers that might otherwise keep someone from giving mountain biking a try.

These rides continue throughout the fall, giving young people more chances to get outside and discover a form of recreation they may not have experienced before.

There’s a Place for You on the Trail

Whether someone is getting on a mountain bike for the first time, developing their trail-riding skills or experiencing adaptive mountain biking, the goal is the same: create more ways for people to get outside, get moving and find connection in Cincinnati Parks.

Explore upcoming mountain biking programs at Mt. Airy Forest and other free Cincinnati Parks + Rec for Wellness activities on our event calendar.