Fort Hood Trailblazers MTB Park

Fort Hood Trailblazers MTB Park

	Fort Hood Trailblazers MTB Park
Location:	Texas - All other cities
Nearest Town:	Fort Hood
Directions to Trailhead:	From I-35 in Bleton take HWY 190 to west loop 121. Take loop121 north to Sparta Road. Turn left on Sparta road and follow FM 439. Cross FM 439 and follow to BLORA entrance on right. Proceed to the Trailblazer MTB Park on the left, look for signs.
Trail Description:	The trail system is designed to accommidate riders of all skill and endurance levels from the first timer to the advanced racer. The trail system was developed using some existing jeep roads and trails with several miles of new singletrack added. It includes downhills, climbs and tight trails winding their way through dense foliage. Use fee is $6.00 per rider or a family mebership is available for $30 for all year.
Trail Length:	4 to 10 miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack
Skill Level:	Trails for all skill levels
Web Link:	http://www.vvm.com/~fhtmbcjr
Submitted By:

vince from college station Date: January 7, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: follow the advanced (red arrows) trails Other recommended trails in the same area: Smithville, Cameron Park, Warda
Review: Wasn't sure what to expect from this trail. On a whim we drove up from College Station and met another rider from Austin. None of us had ridden it before. Besides a bit of mud during the first mile it was a wonderful trail. The advanced sections provide a lot of elevation changes with some pretty tough climbs, though nothing impossible. Lots of rocks, buried in the single track, loose on the climbs and downhills. Trail length was pretty good, though I think I'll ride two laps next time. Price is actually $3.00 per rider now.	Overall Rating:

C. Stone from Austin Date: November 5, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Advanced trails are great if you are a skilled rider. Advanced riders on the back side climb Gappers Gulch, turn right as you come down and stay on Sparta Ridge trail. This turn is sometimes overgrown and easy to miss, very fun ups and downs. Other recommended trails in the same area: Rocky Hill, Walnut Creek, Muleshoe, further south Kelly Creek Ranch is worth the drive.
Review: Best trails within a one hour drive from Austin (maybe a tie with Rocky Hill Ranch), remote feel on the trails, tough climbs, no crowds, occassional sounds of artillery fire rumble in the distance. Trails are mostly rocky, with a good mix of tight/twisty and fast sections. If you are a beginner avoid the advanced trails as there are some moderately technical sections on both the climbs and descents. Trails are well marked and maintained. As you enter BLORA continue past the trail head and pay the entrance fee at the main gate to the park. Trail maps are usually available at the park office.	Overall Rating:

Dave Montgomery from Abilene, Texas Date: May 22, 2001 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: I start out on the Novice and intermediate routes to warm up, then hit the advanced sections.The back forty trails( medivac, chutes) are my favorite. Other recommended trails in the same area: Head up the road to Waco and ride Cameron Park. When out West try San Angelo State Park.
Review: As far as up-keep and facilities this is one of the best places to ride that i know of. The trails are marked very well,(there are sections marked for all skill levels). The trailhead has showers, maps, water, latrine, and a picnic area. The trail itself is great. I enjoyed the twisting through the trees ,the long speed of sound straight-aways, the expert drop-offs and cool views of Belton Lake. Worth the drive.	Overall Rating:

greg from waco, tx Date: April 21, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: turn around an goto waco, (cameron park) Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This trail sucks...goto cameron park for a real trail system...this trail is better if you have a pogo stick than a mountain bike...	Overall Rating:

rick from bloomfield Date: September 17, 2000 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: I generally ride the advanced course a couple of times a year with some of the club members during our annual migration to terlingua. but you could have loads of fun on any of the trails , check for new trails with the folks at the park and get their opinion of a good ride to suit your wants/needs for the days activities. Other recommended trails in the same area: dana peak, glen cameron park
Review: the tight twisty rocky sections in the beginning are excellent warm up for the tight twisty rocky hilly sections that come up in the second half of the trail. the trails offer a serious assortment of technical challenges that are fun at any speed and will allow any rider to work on different aspects of their bikehandling skills or just have a blast riding some great trails. devil's backbone is a sweet piece of riding if you make the first right hand switchback but it's one frustrating%#(&#**#@) if you screw it up. there are a couple of alternate lines on some of the downhills that work real nice if you're on a dual suspension rig but will rattle your cage if you ride a hardtail	Overall Rating:

Joey Roper from Belton, Texas Date: August 24, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Take a different route each time! There are several intersections to choose that branch out and lead back into the main trail. You can ride a slightly different route on several rides. If you study the map closely and learn the area you can come up with a loop as long as 14 miles. Try the blue loop first and get ready to climb at the end. Other recommended trails in the same area: Dana Peak Park on Stillhouse Lake.
Review: It's hard for me to rate this trail because I am the one who helped design and build it all with help from many close freinds and volunteers. It was designed to offer situations that we have experienced at other trails throughout the state, situations to help new riders learn technical riding skills... Sharp corners, off camber downhills, slick limestone, loose rock, roots, obstackles, technical climbs, fast descents, and tight singletrack. The trail system has trails now from 1 to 9 miles with several variations and extensions. The short novice trails are great for first timers and offer a one, two, or four mile loop. The Intermediate course is about 8 miles in length and the race course, which uses parts of the novice, intermediate, and advanced trails is about 9 miles in length. As of now there is over 16 miles of trail within the 700 acre MTB park. Some of the most exciting sections are "Chutes and Ladders", "Apache Run", "Gaper Gulch", "Medavac Mountain", "Sparta Valley Ridge Trail", and "The Snake". The race loop offers a very challenging ride and a good workout. Speeds have been reached in excess of 30 MPH on "The Autobahn" and "Apache Run". Green Arrows for novice trails, blue arrows for intermediate, and red for advanced. Orange arrows designate the race course. Novice and Intermediate riders should pay close attention to the danger signs posted at some trail sections. The trails are well marked and maps are available at BLORA when you sign in or at the MTB Park bulliton board. Park entry fee is only $3.00 per person per day.	Overall Rating:

Cliff from Copperas Cove Date: January 29, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Take the race route and then mix it up a little. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Excellent trails, lots of new trails being cut and a wonderful opportunity for some paydirt. Great place to spend the day, and ride, hangout, ride a BMX track, what ever it is that you do, you can do it there. The intro says $6, now it's $3. Membership as of 1 March is $30 for your family for the year. Great deal if you spend as much time as I do there.	Overall Rating:

Charlie Davis from Killeen, TX Date: December 30, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: I've been riding the cross country race route for about six months. Clearly marked with orange arrows. Other recommended trails in the same area: Dana Peak Park, (Harker Hieghts, Texas). Great network of trails near Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The trails are fast and smooth with many different routes.
Review: Its a good challenging route with great singletrack, some fast downhills and great climbs on the backhalf. The "devils backbone" is especially challenging, but once you knock that out, your only momments from the start point. You can do the route in under an hour if your in average shape and you don't stop. Bring a camelback, as the summer heat can get oppressive.	Overall Rating:

CW2 Kutheis from Temple, TX Date: November 6, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: If just a weekend warrior beginning mtbiking do the beginners loop the first few times out. Eventually add sections of the intermediate loop. Other recommended trails in the same area: Dana Peak Park @ Stillhouse Lake.
Review: The trails are clearly marked beginner, intermediate and advanced. After a while the intermed is not too difficult except that killer climb in area U. There is a variety of riding here. Climbs, rocks (many), roots, twisty singletrack through wooded areas, and some open spaces. Some great views of Belton Lake. Haven't ridden any of the advanced trails yet! Also the park has a nice rest area with tables, club house etc. The Trailblazer membership is well worth it if you live in thr area.	Overall Rating:

Ron Gossen from San Antonio Date: September 6, 1999 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: This review covers the 1999 fall race course, as layed out for the Labor Day weekend race. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Ft. Hoods offers a good speed challenge for expert and sports and a technical thrill for beginners. For all clases, the three awesome hills on the back side of the course are a challenge. In the 1999 race, even demigod Lance Armstrong ran up the final portion of the "wall" or last hill before returning to the finish/start (though won the expert class by 4 1/2 minutes). The first 4 1/2 miles is typical central Texas, with windy, singletrack. Most often dirt-pack, but substantial sharp porous limestone and roots to keep one's attention on the trail. Some moderate ups and downs but all ridable for even beginners (class, that is, not riding skill). There are two rough downs, one rock and caliche,the other soft pack, but, with no drops or jumps, rate as only down-arrow downs. The first half is a hoot for everyone! Mid-course is combined jeep trail and dirtpack singletrack, all mostly flat and always hot, both speed and temperature-wise. Back half of course is three very hard and long hills. The first two being traditional loose rock hills, the third being primarily loose-pack, steep, switchbacks. ALWAYS TAKE PLENTY OF WATER, after the first half, getting back can only be done up hard hills. The folks at Ft. Hood are always working to make this recreation area better and are succeeding. They've worked the course hard, and have just added potable water at the staging area.	Overall Rating: