What is Flow Country?

All trails have a 'rhythm', a place where mountain bikers can find their groove. They call it flow. Flow Trails take mountain bikers on a terrain-induced roller coaster experience, with little pedaling and braking necessary. This style of trail typically contains features like banked turns, rolling terrain, various types of jumps, and consistent and predictable surfaces; conspicuously absent are abrupt corners or obstacles. As a rider carves back and forth, and up and down, he or she develops a rhythm and soon flows down the trail.

Unfortunately, riders today have to cross a high bar to ride most flow trails. They are often located far from population centers or are otherwise inaccessible. The flow segments themselves usually require long or steep climbs to gain access. Many flow trails have been built or enhanced by more experienced riders and include intimidating features that are too difficult for the average mountain biker to navigate.

The mission of Flow Country is to deliver this rollercoaster-like experience to all mountain bikers no matter their location, fitness level, or skill set. Flow Country Trails will bring exciting and dynamic riding to trail users in any community by not just defining the experience, but by providing guidance to riders, builders, and land managers/owners on how to make flow trails a reality.

How did the idea for this movement get started? Read more about the background of the Flow Country Trails concept here.

See the Development Guidelines section for the details on how to build Flow Country Trails.