The Nick and Steve School of Mountainbiking, South Mountain, Bethlehem, PA

Single Track Sunday
Event: The Nick & Steve School Of Mountainbiking (and a whole lot more) Sunday Morning Ride
Place: South Mountain Bethlehem "Lehigh", PA
Ridden: June 2014

These are our local trails and thus the trails we ride the most.  They are an easy ride from our house, so we often take Cliff in his cart to get there.  If driving, we can be there in a few minutes. Lehigh is most often the location of Sunday morning group rides. These rides are part ride, part social time, part listen to Nick talk about inappropriate things.  I have learned a lot over the years on these rides; a lot about how to be a better rider and a lot about things I never wish to hear about ever again.

Cliff ready to go in his cart 

The Lehigh trails have been around for at least 20, maybe even 30 years.  They were built when mountain biking was just starting.  Many of the people who built these trails still ride there; we often hear stories from the builders themselves about the early days of riding at Lehigh with fully rigid frames and V-brakes. We certainly are glad to have our full suspension bikes to navigate the terrain.  Trail maintenance is done by the people who ride there (in fact saws are carried on Sunday morning group rides and tree clearing often occurs)

Sunday morning group rides, just as much about socializing as riding

With names such as Bones (and The Bone Stretcher), Superman, Witch, and Dude Where's My Ball one may wonder what type of trails these are. They are rocky, gnarly, and unforgiving.  There is never an "easy ride" done at Lehigh,.  The majority is single track, with a couple of old jeep trails and power company access roads here and there. A few miles of downhill trails have been built that include bermed corners, jumps, and tabletops; adding to the fun.  The trails climb up and down the side of South Mountain with a few miles looping all around the top of the mountain. There are some spectacular views of South Bethlehem and Hellertown from the top.

A dirty, stinky, happy Cliff

Total mileage is at least 15; probably even 20 or more if one doesn't mind looping back onto the same trail for a bit to reach a different trail.

- written by Jess
- video by Joël