In the deciduous forest "Am Eller", between Aschaffenburg and the border to Hesse, trails were already allowed to be built in 2018. Back then, former Enduro World Cup racer Jordan Hugo had discovered very dilapidated trails in his home territory and made them rideable again with a concept and a few helping hands. But then Jordan moved to Freiburg to study and the trails were closed for three years during the coronavirus pandemic. The bike spot fell into disrepair again and the Mainaschaff bomb crater fell silent.
But since 2023, after massive logging work, the shovels have been unpacked again and all the trails have been revamped. With the Blue Line and the popular Flow Line, completely new curves, waves and berms have been created, which beginners can now also try out. Although that may sound a little too harmless. As the old bomb crater only has a depth of 40 metres, the trail builders had to play some tricks to fit in the 100 jumps they had planned.
That's why the flowline already contains a few transfers and hips. Nothing wild, but you have to concentrate to avoid getting off track. The Enduro and Turbo Lines also surprise with extras such as quarter pipes and gaps - so you need to have the will to take off.
The Jump Line - the Sunday crockery for high visitors
Especially for Mainaschaff's absolute pièce de résistance: the Jump Line. A monster line that is only unpacked for experts and the occasional high-ranking visitor. Otherwise, its 2.5 - 3 metre high kickers and mega sharkfins lie dormant under plastic tarpaulins to protect them from the rain and riders without the necessary skills.
This time, the eight trails were given a professional polish by the company "Schanzenwerk". Under the supervision of Jordan Hugo, who is delighted with what the professionals have conjured up from his old trail network: "I'd say it's the best freeride park in Germany!" The "Vorwärts 1906" Mainaschaff cycling club is responsible for maintaining the trails and organising jam sessions and the legendary "crater festivals".
However, there is one small downer: if you want to ride the trails more often, you have to become a member of the club. Young people up to the age of 17 pay an annual fee of 35 euros, adults 65 euros. That sounds a lot at first, but when you consider that a day ticket costs that much in a bike park, it's an easily digestible investment. After all, the money goes towards these top trails and the aim is to finally maintain them in the third attempt. If you come by as a guest, you might leave a small donation for the trail crew.
The spot in the check
- 8 trails with dirtline character
- Maximum depth metres: 40
- Difficulty: blue to deep black (jump line)
- Shuttle / Lift: no
- Trail character: built
- Trail builder: Schanzenwerk, schanzenwerk.de
- Riding technique training: MTB Ride School
- Info: radsport-mainaschaff.de
Jordan Hugo presents the trails of Mainaschaff in a video
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
