Tour de Wolf

Tour de Wolf

	Tour de Wolf
Location:	Tennessee
Nearest Town:	Memphis
Directions to Trailhead:	In Shelby Farms. Take I-240 to Walnut Grove and go east towards Cordova / Germantown. Pass through light and Walnut Grove and Humphreys Blvd. On your right, you will see soccer fields, a BMX track, and trailheads to the Wolf River trails. Make a left at stop light and go right to enter. Park by Patriot Lake and climb paved road to trailhead.
Trail Description:	Site of 1999 AMBC Finals!!! Site of biggest mountain bike race in Tennessee. Rolling terrain, with a few climbs (not too tough) and some fast descents. Water crossings after heavy rains. Be careful. Beautiful wooded areas with open fields and a short fireroad section. Dry creek bed is popular spot for race watchers.
Trail Length:	5+ miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Trails for all skill levels
Submitted By:	chase

Resource Ranger Doug from Memphis Date: July 1, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: PLACE ALL COMMENTS ONTO THE (PRESS YOUR "BACK" BUTTON) TdW "RENEWED AND IMPROVED" TRAIL REVIEW :) THE TRAIL HAS BEEN IMPROVED AND HAS A LOT OF NEW THINGS AND EVEN THE RACERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CHANGES. ITS BEEN MADE HARDER AND MORE "TECHNICAL" FOR "FLAT LANDERS", BUT OH WELL THE FACE OF THE COURSE IS BETTER... Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Go to V.C. then to top of hill, bear right and down the hill... course goes clock wise. "The Swamp" and uphill is CLOSED with the new trail going around and across Beaver Lake Dam. Also, as you enter AREA 12 'dog off leash area' out by the apartments, the new course goes across the dam so as to avoid the uphill and down hill 'grand canyon' and dogs off leash. New signs are in the works.	Overall Rating:

Resource Ranger Doug from Memphis, TN Date: May 13, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Go to V.C. then to top of hill, bear right and down the hill... course goes clock wise. "The Swamp" and uphill is CLOSED with the new trail going around and across Beaver Lake Dam. Also, as you enter AREA 12 'dog off leash area' out by the apartments, the new course goes across the dam so as to avoid the uphill and down hill 'grand canyon' and dogs off leash. New signs are in the works. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: The trail is under A MAJOR Re-routing and Reclamation Project. Please follow new trail cuts and avoid any other cuts that are closed. Without knowing and at the old speeds, it can get you hurt by running into barbed wire from a fence relocation or trail closing tactics (sorry). The NEW TRAIL CUTS add to the difficulty, is totally ridable and adds about a mile more to the course. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SEEN REMOVING BARRIERS AND CAN RISK PROSECUTION FOR THIS. PLEASE USE TO THE NEW TRAIL...	Overall Rating:

al from Moab, Utah Date: April 13, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Come to moab Utah, Where we have the greatest rides and open minded land managers... Other recommended trails in the same area: They tell me, I should have rode Stankey Creek
Review: The course is OK but needs a lot of, lot of ,a really lot of work... When I visited the V.C., there were actually degrading remarks about your Volunteer Rangers. When I asked the man what was the problem , He told me that they were not needed, he was getting rid of them and this obviously was the reason that your park trails are in poor shape. No one works on the trails, the outward "CURB APPEAL" is beautiful but get down to the inner depths of the park and it is delapadated, uncared for and is a disgace to your Community. If I could give negative wheel ratings this park deserves it....	Overall Rating:

K Swan from Atlanta Date: March 24, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: See above Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I now know why Tour de Wolf crap is like it is. It is the classic follow the money and power. Local trail folks have volunteered to fix the trails. The park administrators refuse their assistance because it infringes on their power. I am just a visitor but I am filing a complaint against the park because it is trashed. Good luck to all in Memphis top get this fixed.	Overall Rating:

K Swan from Atlanta Date: March 22, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Up Road to the gate. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This trail could be fantastic. Unfortunatly there has been no effort at maintaining the trail. Work parties could easily fix many of the problems,- huge mud pits, washouts, erosion damage etc. Where it is "self-maintaining" it is a great ride. Skill Level: All levels, you want more challenge, go faster.	Overall Rating:

Brad from Cordova, TN Date: May 20, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Start below the Visitors center just off Farm Rd. Ride up the rangers' road to the top of the hill then just follow the signs. Other recommended trails in the same area: Lakeland, off of Canada Rd. Herb Pardons, off of Fisherville Lake Rd. Stankey Creek, off of Yale Rd. Lakeland and Herb, bring long pants or Calomine for the poison ivy.
Review: That first climb up the fire/ranger road is a decent warm-up before you ride. It gives you a good point to stop and stretchout before jumping into the trail. The best section of the 5.5 mile trail is the first 0.4 miles. you get everything from XC, to minor downhill speed, to a moderate climb. There is nothing really challenging about this course except the washboard effect it has when really really dry. Once you can see Walnut Grove Rd. again (mile ~4.5) it is pretty much spinning practice. Its a great trail to get in shape if you dont get to ride often. Lap times around 23 minutes. Last years TourDeWolf was 1hr17min in the COLD and MUDD.	Overall Rating:

Eye Doc from Nashville, TN Date: March 7, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Tour de Wolf Other recommended trails in the same area: Stanky Creek, Youth Town
Review: I lived in Memphis for four years while I was in school there, and rode this trail a coulple of times per week during that time. Memphis is fortunate to have a great place like Shelby Farms, and the trails are well maintained. However, this trail is very simple. If you're a beginner, it's a good place to get out and ride. For intermediates and experts, you'll run the big chain ring the entire time, and complete a lap in under 20 minutes. Some redeeming qualities of this trail, however, are that it's easily accessible from several starting points, and there were always other riders to ride with and talk to. The trail has good flow, and the trailbuilders used the natural contour of the land very efficiently. There are no true hills to speak of, but the land around Memphis is very flat. There are no rocks on the trail, but a few roots are present. Once Stanky Creek was completed, I spent most of my time riding there.	Overall Rating:

VooDoo Child from Memphis Date: October 24, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: The regular route-clockwise direction. Other recommended trails in the same area: Stanky Creek, Herb Parsons (if you wear long pants or ivy block), Youth Town in Jackson, TN, the trails outside Oxford, MS, lots of trails in Arkansas but you will have to drive several hours.
Review: I have a love/hate relationship with this trail. This is a local trail for me so I ride it fairly often. It is basically non-technical and flat so it can be kind of boring. However, because you can go so fast and ther are some ups and downs and roots to go over, it can be kind of fun. I really hate this trail in after it has gone a long time without seeing any rain. The trail gets as hard as concrete and all the ruts beat you up. The trail is only 5.5 miles long and doesn't take very long to ride. It is pretty boring to do more than a few laps so this trail alone will not give you anything close to an epic day. However, you can combine a few laps on this trail with a jaunt on the Wolf River trails (blue to white, not yellow) out past Germantown Rd. and you can get in 30 or so miles of off-road riding.	Overall Rating:

Steve Dee from Cordova, TN Date: May 28, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Tour De Wolf Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I ride this course 2-3 times a week and never get tired of it. It is predominantly single-track, and has hill climbs, speed runs on gravel/hard pack, and a short technical area that combine to result in a great aerobic challenge for all levels of riders. Stays wet in the low spots for about 5 days after rain; is very fast when dry! The area is used by pedestrians, runners, and horses, so use caution and good manners!	Overall Rating:

Brian from Nashville, TN Date: May 30, 2000 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: From Trailhead Other recommended trails in the same area: I prefer the trails past the BMX track at the parking area under the bridge. Follow this long trail downstream for hours of riding. The old sand bars riverside make for challenging riding. It is a little overgrown in the summer, but fun. Take water and a patch kit because you can get really far out. Some good side routes to explore. At some point crossing the river to more trails is possible.
Review: Good place for exercise in a nice park. The trail is great for speed with some slower sections winding through the treeline. Any skill level can ride.	Overall Rating:

Chad from Temperance, MI Date: May 10, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Come to Michigan!
Review: Not a bad "quckie" or beginner trail. More advanced riders will find it mildly enjoyable, but not too difficult. Take your muddin' shoes, cause it holds water in places. It was crowded the weekend I was there.	Overall Rating:

michael from collierville tn usa Date: April 20, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: bmx Other recommended trails in the same area: biking
Review: bmxtrack	Overall Rating:

Mtbiker from Memphis, TN Date: February 3, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Tour De Wolf Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This is my favorite couse. I think this has challenges for beginers, and regular things for experts. Try this trail if you're ever in Memphis. It is one of the BEST!	Overall Rating:

Robert from Nashville Date: September 15, 1999 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: See below reviews. Other recommended trails in the same area: Riding outside of the park downstream of the Wolf River there are several hours of singletrack and 4x4 trails. You can ride past Covington Pike and farther depending on the season and water levels. The trails are really muddy after rain. Try it, you'll like it.
Review: This is a good trail in a very nice park. The trail is one of my favorites because you can explore the side routes, talk to the other cyclists that are always there, or run the race course. It is an easy trail with few hazards, so you see lots of different riders. A great trail to go fast on.	Overall Rating:

neil from memphis, tn usa Date: July 25, 1999 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: the bottoms
Review: A great network of trails between the suburbs and downtown. Worth keeping up.	Overall Rating:

chase from Memphis TN / Boulder CO Date: April 27, 1999 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: I like to ride just like the actual race course. Start up the paved road by Patriot Lake and follow the trail signs. I also like doing the full 7 miles. When you are on the back side of the course, there is a new section that's pretty fun. Other recommended trails in the same area: The Shelby Farm trails on the other side of Walnut Grove aren't bad. Last I heard, we weren't allowed to ride on most of those anymore, though. If you don't mind bending the law...you might want to check those out.
Review: This is one of my favorite trails because of it's location. It's right in the middle of the city. I am lucky to live right next to the trail, so I don't have to drive when I want to go ride. It's got a fairly good amount of single track and it is a perfect mix of climbs and decents. There is a short fire road section. It's fairly busy on the weekends, but that just makes it more fun. Now, that I've moved away, I really do miss it.	Overall Rating:

Phil from Germantown, TN Date: April 19, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: There are several entry points for this trail with the most popular being near patriot lake off Farm Road. Shelby Farms is one of the true benefits of being a Memphian. There aren't too many cities where you can get a 5-7 mile trail experience inside city limits! Other recommended trails in the same area: Try the Shelby Farms White Trail which starts on the North side of the Wolf River just off of Germantown Parkway and heads west toward Walnut Grove. For even more fun, Take the same trail east under the Germantown Parkway bridge. This trail has more technical variety and can be a real technical challenge depending on maintenance status....
Review: This has been one of the more popular trails in the Memphis area since it has easy access and is relatively non-technical. The 5 or 7 mile loop is mostly singletrack with a few sections on gravel roads. The trail is best run on weekdays due to relatively heavy traffic on weekends. It's not the most remote, technical or unique trail in the area, but it is an excellent starter trail if you are a beginning mountain biker. There are enough roots, hills and whoop-de-doos to familiarize yourself with off road bike handling without high risk of becoming a human "yard sale". If there is a negative, it's the fact that they widened some sections last summer to accommodate the annual Tour de Wolf mountain bike race. This means the trail isn't as scenic as it used to be. However, considering it's inside city limits and would be the envy of my trail-starved friends in L.A., it gets a high rating.....	Overall Rating: