Park City, Utah

The Mid Mountain Trails feature classic Wasatch singletrack with lots of climbing, descending and ridge-top riding through aspen and pine forests. Be sure to give yourself a bit of time to acclimate before this ride, as the trail sits around 8,000 feet above sea level.

Poncha Springs/Salida, Colorado

The Monarch Crest ride is a segment of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), a 3,100-mile shared-use route from Canada to Mexico. The Monarch Crest segment offers more than 30 miles of trails and incredible mountain scenery. Commonly done as shuttle ride; expect to encounter a few thousand feet of climbing and more than 6,000 feet of fun, non-technical descending.

North Conway, New Hampshire

The Lower Nanamocomuck Trail is two hours North of Boston just outside the mountain playground of North Conway. This out-and-back ride parallels the boulder-strewn Swift River and includes tight singletrack, log bridges and plenty of rocks and roots. Located in the White Mountain National Forest, the trail is just one of many backcountry rides in the area. In true New England style, the Nan begins at a restored covered bridge.

Location: North Conway, New Hampshire.

East Burke, Vermont

Slippery roots. Exposed wet granite. Impossibly steep climbs. Black flies. Tight singletrack beneath a deep green forest canopy. As any hearty Vermont mountain biker will tell you, these are the traits that distinguish New England riding. Some of the best riders in the world got their start in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Chances are, if you can handle the technical challenges found here, you can stay upright anywhere.

Morgan Hill, California

Located only 30 miles southeast of San Jose, Henry Coe State Park contains an extensive trail system. Be prepared for long, lung busting climbs and fast, rolling descents on more than 50 miles of ranch roads and singletrack.

Location: Henry Coe State Park, Morgan Hill, California

Directions: From Interstate 101, travel east on Highway 152 approximately 20 miles to the Bell Station/Dowdy Ranch trailhead.

Epic Ride Length: 24 miles

Elevation Range: 830 - 2,200 feet

Pigeon River Country State Forest, MI

An awesome ribbon of trail looping through the heart of elk country, the High Country Pathway (HCP) embodies the classic definition of an IMBA Epic Ride. The first IMBA Epic Ride in Michigan will take you far into the backcountry with beautiful lowlands and panoramas in the highlands.

Slatyfork, West Virginia

Like any vintage West Virginia ride, the Gauley Epic begins with a plunge into a classic East Coast hardwood forest. Thank your fork manufacturer as you bounce over a long section of 80-year old logging railway, complete with original ties. It's all about rhythm and momentum here. Keep it up and you'll sail through the day.

Northern GA

Think of it as a "Super Epic." The Pinhoti Trail covers about 140 miles of prime terrain in northern Georgia -- nearly 100 miles of this is off-road, the other 40 are blazed road routes. The Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association (GPTA), in conjunction with the Conservation Fund, is continually acquiring land and easements to move as much of the trail to off-road status as possible.

Fruita, Colorado

Standing on top of the Book Cliffs, more than 2,000 vertical feet above the Grand Valley basin, one begins to realize why The Edge Loop in Fruita, Colorado, is indeed epic. A steady one-hour climb delivers you to this fascinating viewpoint. East and south loom the mighty snowcapped Rockies. The canyons, arroyos and red rocks that mark the beginning of the great American desert unfold to the west. There is nothing to do but stand in awe, and then head DOWN. Tight, slalom-like singletrack defines The Edge Loop and guarantees ear-to-ear grins.

Sumter National Forest, South Carolina

Forks Area Trail System - better known as FATS - is a testament to the power of a well-organized mountain bike club. The Southern Off- Road Bicycling Association (SORBA) has harnessed the power of more than1500 volunteer hours and grants totaling over $200,000 to create one of the Southeast's premier trail systems. "Beautifully built trails with swooping turns and rolling hills" raves one web review - and that's from a hiker's perspective!