Mountain Biking in Fort Wayne

Mountain Biking in Fort Wayne

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Indiana’s mountain bike trails are better than most people realize or expect!

Morsches Park

Morsches Park, in Columbia City, Indiana, is just a short drive from Fort Wayne and also offers nearly 10 miles of mountain bike trails. The trails are just off of Highway 30, so are easy to access, and the park also hosts a playground and paved trails for non-riders to enjoy. Unlike Franke Park, the Morsches Park trails are not “leveled,” but  are fun for beginners and advanced riders alike. Current trail information can be found on Instagram at @morschesparkmtb. 

Winona Lake Trails

Just a bit further from Fort Wayne are the Winona Lake Trails in Winona Lake, Indiana. These trails wind around the paved Heritage Greenway trails and offer a wide variety of off-road trails for all levels of rider. The sandy green trails are fast and flowy and the black trails challenge riders with steep, twisting climbs. The nearby Winona Lake Village is a great place to relax after a day of riding, with restaurants and shops for everyone. Trail information is located at https://winonalaketrails.com/ or on Facebook at Winona Lake Trails. 

DTE Energy Foundation Trail

These are by far my favorite trails in the area, and are constantly evolving and growing. As a part of the Michigan Parks and Recreation system, they do require a day (or yearly!) pass for entry, but is is worth both the fee and the 2.5 hour drive from Fort Wayne to Chelsea, Michigan. The DTE Energy Foundation Trail currently boasts 21 miles of built flow trails, all rideable by a beginner, but fun and challenging for advanced riders as well. The trails are bi-directional, so run clockwise on certain days of the week and counter-clockwise on other days, meaning that there are effectively twice as many trails to ride. Information on the trails is available at https://dtetrail.org/, with up-to-date trail closure information on Facebook at DTE Energy Foundation Trail. 

Potawatomi Trail

For a bit of old-school backcountry-style mountain biking, head up to the Potowatomi Trail in Pinckney, Michigan. Like the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, the park requires a Michigan Recreation Pass to enter. The trail is a 17-mile loop, and within about 15 minutes of the DTE Energy Trails if you’re looking for a full-day of riding. The trail is probably best for intermediate riders, though there are no technical features that a beginner couldn’t ride. It is not as smooth as the more modern “built” trails, but has the standard rocks and roots of traditional mountain bike trails, plus plenty of climbing for anyone looking to gain fitness. More information is available on the Pinckney State Recreation Area page on Facebook.

Franke Park

Franke Park, located just behind the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, is home to around 10 miles of multi-use trails. The trails range in difficulty from the green beginner trails to the more challenging yellow and red trails. The park is open year-round, though, like most other mountain bike trails, is closed when weather conditions cause the trails to be muddy, as use during those times damages the trails. Up to date trail conditions can typically be found in the “Franke Park MTB” group on Facebook. 



Franke Park in Fort Wayne has some great trails for mountain biking!

Fort Custer

Also in Michigan, the Fort Custer Recreation Area trails are a great destination for riding (and also require a Michigan Recreation Pass). Just over 2 hours drive from Fort Wayne, the August, Michigan trails include three separate loops. The yellow trail is an easy, moderately flat, loop. The red trail is flowier, with more climbing and technical features. The green trail is a fun mix of the two others, with a bit of climbing and some technical features, but not as much as the red loop. Combined, the three trails are around 20 miles. 

Prairie Creek Trails

A newer trail system within easy driving distance from Fort Wayne, the Prairie Creek Trails are located just outside of Muncie, Indiana. They are growing quickly with the help of a number of dedicated volunteers and host weeknight group rides during the summer months. Information is available at https://prairiecreektrails.wordpress.com/ or on the Prairie Creek Trails Facebook page.

 Indianapolis Trails: Fort Harrison, Southwestway Park, Town Run

Indianapolis is home to several mountain bike trails. Each park has unique features. The Fort Harrison Trails are located at Fort Harrison State Park (you do need a State Park day or annual pass to enter) and are similar in style to some of the trails at Brown County State Park. Information on the trails is located in the “Fort Harrison Mountain Bike Trails HMBA” group on Facebook. The Town Run Trails and Southwestway Park Trails are both city parks with no use fee. Town Run Trail is about 6.6 miles of fast and looping trails just off of 96th street. Trail information is located on “Town Run Trail-Indianapolis” on Facebook. Southwestway Park is on the southwest side of Indianapolis and has a surprising amount of elevation change. It is a multi-use trail, but includes a fun flowy section, as well as some rooted technical trails. Up to date trail information for all users is at “Southwestway Park Trail Users” on Facebook.

Brown County

Brown County State Park is the furthest trail from Fort Wayne on this list, but also widely considered the mecca of Indiana mountain biking. Located in Nashville, Indiana, Brown County has a wide variety of trails, including built flow trails like Hobbs Hollow and the brand new Weedpatch, beginner friendly trails like Pine Loop, and challenging technical trails like Bobcat, Walnut, and the notorious Schooner Trail. As a state park, it does require a day pass to enter, but has fun and trails enough to make the drive and the park fee worthwhile. The most current trail information can be found at “Brown County Mountain Biking” on Facebook. 




Hesitation Point at Brown County State Park

There are certainly other trails within a 2-3 hour radius of Fort Wayne that I’ve failed to mention, such as Rangeline in Anderson, Indiana, Potato Creek State Park in South Bend, Indiana, and others. While northeast Indiana may not be a destination for mountain biking, there are trails enough to keep most riders busy every weekend all summer long–with variety and challenge for all levels of riders. 

Do you have a favorite bike trail to share? Please let us now here!

Local Volleyball Anyone?

Local Volleyball Anyone?

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Volleyball is one of those sports where both elite athletes and non-athletically inclined individuals can have equal levels of enjoyment. Fort Wayne, perhaps surprisingly, is full of opportunities to be involved in volleyball–at whatever level you play.

Fort Wayne’s volleyball scene starts with what was formerly the IPFW Mastodons men’s volleyball team, home of Lloyd Ball, Olympic gold medalist. Even now, years after Ball has moved on, the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons men’s volleyball games tend to be crowded and lively and are a fun, inexpensive way to spend an evening. 

Youth volleyball options are seemingly endless, with club teams all over the area, including Summit Volleyball, Fort Wayne Volleyball Club, and Empowered Volleyball. Many of these programs boast impressive coaching resumes, home and travel playing options, and strong college recruiting statistics. 

But for those of us no longer in highschool or college, yet still wanting to play, all hope is not lost. 

Perhaps the longest-standing host of adult volleyball leagues in Fort Wayne is Fairplay Volleyball. Fairplay offers leagues at all levels, from the “C” social leagues to the elite “A” leagues. During the fall and winter months, indoor leagues are hosted at Spiece Fitness, Concordia Seminary, and the Parkview Fieldhouse, with games happening nearly every day of the week. In the summer, some indoor leagues are still offered, but much of the action moves outdoors to River City, the city’s outdoor beach volleyball hub. The summer beach leagues also span playing levels and even if you aren’t playing, River City is a fun atmosphere for watching and cheering on friends as they play. In addition to the weeknight leagues, Fairplay often hosts several weekend tournaments throughout the year. For more information, go to https://www.fairplayvolleyball.com/. 

Empowered Beach Volleyball also offers adult leagues throughout the year in their indoor beach facility. With five beach volleyball courts in a covered (and heated when necessary) facility, Empowered offers both elite and social leagues on the sand. Empowered also hosts several AVP beach tournaments each year, bringing elite players to Fort Wayne and boosting the level of competition. For more information, go to https://www.empoweredsportsclub.com/adultbeachleagues. 

Sunset at River River City

 

Fort Wayne Sport & Social Leagues also host volleyball leagues as one of their many sport offerings. Currently, their beach leagues take place at the Empowered Beach Volleyball facility, and their indoor leagues will be hosted at Turnstone. Fort Wayne Sport & Social is focused on meeting new people and socializing through sports of all kinds, volleyball being just one of many sport leagues they organize. If you are in it just for the fun and aren’t interested as much in the level of competition, the Fort Wayne Sport & Social Leagues are a great way to get involved. Learn more at https://fortwaynesocial.com. 

If one wanted, they could play volleyball every day of the week in Fort Wayne. It’s a wonderful way to make friends and stay active. 

Cycling Events & Races

Cycling Events & Races

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Are you a wee bit competitive? Do you enjoy challenging yourself to be fitter and faster? If so, then racing might be your thing. If you’re more the type that doesn’t care how fast you get there as long as it’s with friends, then there are events for you too.

Each year, throughout Indiana, Do INdiana Offroad (DINO) offers a number of off-road events, from a series of mountain bike races for all levels of riders (all the way from beginner/base to expert/elite), to trail running marathons, and Xterra off-road triathlons. Many of these events take place at Indiana State Parks, though some other locations include county and city parks around Indiana. The DINO events are a great way to make friends, get outside, and enjoy Indiana’s off-road activities–even if you aren’t “in it to win it,” but also offer solid competition for the more competitive types. Check out www.dinoseries.com for more information.

One of the premier cycling festivals in the Midwest happens each May in Winona Lake, Indiana. For over 20 years, the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest has brought hundreds of people to Winona Lake for BMX exhibitions, Corporate Cruiser races, kids’ bike racing, a casual riding tour, mountain bike races, a road racing omnium (three separate events), and more. Even if you don’t ride bikes, this is a fun week to watch other people ride bikes and enjoy spring in Winona Lake. Get the latest information at https://www.fatandskinnytirefest.com/.


Lining up with friends to race at the Muncie Grand Prix Criterium during the Cardinal Greenway Bike Fest

More locally, the Fort4Fitness Spring Cycle and Fort4Fitness Fall Festival bring cycling and running events to downtown Fort Wayne. The Spring Cycle is a casual tour with a variety of distance options, allowing riders to choose how far (and fast) they want to ride. In the fall, running is the center of attention, with events ranging from 1k to a full marathon. In more recent years, they have also added a Winter Bash with a 2k and 5k through the Festival of Lights. Registration, details, and event information is all at https://fort4fitness.org/.

During the summer months, Team Neighborlink hosts both running and cycling events with an emphasis on raising funds to help neighbors in need. The Hot Laps summer mountain bike short track race series happens at Franke Park and, like the DINO mountain bike events, offer both beginner and expert races, all happening on a short, 1-mile course around Derby Hill. The Night Moves running events give runners the chance to participate in evening runs around the city with a range of distances. Some events are relays, others are individual events, but all of the Night Moves courses happen at night, and usually start or end at fun locations around the city. More information is available on both events at www.teamneighborlink.org.

Fort Wayne Cyclocross hosts weekly cyclocross practices during the late fall and summer months at Franke Park. The practices incorporate some skills work as well as fitness drills, then a mock race. The money raised from the practices goes towards building and maintaining off-road trails at Frank Park. Information is available at “Fort Wayne Cyclocross” on Facebook.

The local cycling association, Three Rivers Velo Sport hosts a cycling tour each year that coincides with the Fort Wayne Three Rivers Festival. The Three Rivers Festival Tour offers a number of mileage options that wind through the roads west of Fort Wayne. Though the weather tends to be hot, the ride is well-supported, with food and drink stops throughout the ride. Check out this event as well as the weeknight and weekend rides at www.3rvs.org.

Usually towards the end of July, the Cardinal Greenway Bike Fest takes place in Muncie, Indiana. This event, like the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest, includes a road criterium race, as well as a country tour. The downtown racing is a fun spectator event and the tour is a great way to explore new roads and greenways with friends. More information on the yearly events is available at https://cardinalgreenways.org under their “Events” page.

If you’re looking for more casual ways to join other people for a ride or run, it’s always a good idea to check in with the local bike shop or running store to see what else is going on each week. There are summer ride events happening nearly every weekend of the spring, summer, and fall months somewhere in the Northeast Indiana area–its just a matter of deciding what event you want to do!

Racing is a great way to make friends!

 

DINO Mountain Bike Series Champs

Do you have a race or an event to share? Please let us know here!

NEIC Mountain Bike Team

NEIC Mountain Bike Team

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The North East Indiana Composite (NEIC) mountain bike team is a local team for middle and high school students in northeast Indiana who want to get involved in mountain biking. The team races in the Indiana Interscholastic Cycling League (www.indianamtb.org) and is a part of NICA (the National Interscholastic Cycling Association). The NEIC team philosophy is fun first and the central goal is for students to develop a strong body, mind, and character through mountain biking. There are no tryouts. Everyone rides, no matter their ability or skill level. Racing is optional.  

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