Like marbles on a marble run, two toddlers roll over the seemingly endless bends and waves of the new flow country trail in the Willingen bike park. The younger one is probably barely older than six, but is already having a lot of fun pushing his 20-inch bike into the crushed sand bends. The flow country course principle is nothing new. But at the BIKE Festival in Willingen, it really became clear that this variant of biking on built trails is the ideal playground for the whole family. Moderate gradients, a grippy surface and the combination of bends and waves are the ingredients for riding fun for all age groups. Like magnets, the two newly created trails draw fathers, mothers and children from the festival site to the summit of the Ettelsberg. While the older ones use the hills as a launch pad, beginners ride the course like an endless wave. After just under three kilometres, the flow trail spits them all out back down in the valley, beaming with joy.
Flow trails: MTB fun for everyone with and without a lift
It's not just the Willingen Bike Park that proves that biking in the park doesn't mean full-face helmets and full armour. Marble runs like these can now be found all over the country. We show flow trails that are not only easy to reach with lift assistance, but also under your own steam.
Flow trails in the Willingen bike park
- 2900 m length
- approx. 250 metres in altitude
Trail guru Diddie Schneider has dug two new runs into the Ettelsberg. Both are absolutely suitable for beginners and wind their way down into the valley like an endlessly curled ribbon. At the bottom, you can either climb into the brand-new Achter chair or climb the 250 metres in altitude on moderate forest trails. The freeride route offers fun for more experienced skiers. www.mtbzone-bikepark.com
Flow trail in the Black Mountain Bike Park
- 1500 m length
- approx. 110 metres in altitude
The bike park at Schwarzenberg is as tranquil as the small town of Elstra in Upper Lusatia. The flowline winds its way through the dense forest over an altitude difference of just 110 metres. You can easily cycle up the small hill yourself several times. Alternatively, a platter lift takes you to the start of the extremely flowy bike descent. More information about the flow trail in the Black Mountain Bikepark Elstra: www.black-mountain-bikepark.de
Flow Country Trail Bikepark Geisskopf
- 2500 m length
- 260 vertical metres
The 2.5-kilometre Flow Country Trail on the Geißkopf is the mother of family roller coasters. Trail builders Diddie Schneider and Hans Rey dug their first work into the slope here. The wide crushed sand track is suitable for bikers of all ages and can be reached by chairlift or drag lift. An ascent via two forest tracks is also somewhat arduous, but doable. More information about the Flow Country Trail in the Geisskopf Bike Park can be found at www.mtbzone-bikepark.com
Flow trail in the Oberammergau bike park
- 2000 m length
- 220 metres altitude
Two drag lifts take you to the start of the flow trail in the relatively new Oberammergau bike park. The more natural, upper section is more suitable for advanced riders. Beginners take the first exit and roll down the extremely fun, never steep rollercoaster descent into the valley with a big grin on their face. Every bend and every wave is fun here. www.bikepark-oberammergau.de
Family trail in the Bikewelt Schöneck
- 1350 m length
- 140 vertical metres
The "Erich Popp" is the family trail in the Bikewelt Schöneck in Vogtland. Countless bends, waves and small jumps make children's hearts leap for joy. Roots and stones disappear under an artificial surface, making the trail suitable for all skill levels. The short climb is quickly overcome on the forest path and then it's on to the next lap on the flowing downhill trail. www.bikewelt-schoeneck.de
Interview with Joscha Forstreuter about flow trails in bike parks
BIKE: Why are flow trails so much fun for bike beginners in particular?
If a flow trail is well designed, the barrier to entry is very low and even the little ones can have fun. Ideally, the terrain should be very flat and without any big surprises. If the terrain is right, you will only get faster if you push over the waves. What do you pay particular attention to when building a new course?
That the course is easy, but still playful enough for better riders to have fun on it. This requires elements such as wave combinations that beginners can roll over, but where a good rider can jump.
Doesn't boredom quickly set in on the levelled pistes?
Of course, I view this just as critically and try to incorporate natural obstacles wherever possible. On a straight section, there can be a few roots to get into the terrain. However, this makes route maintenance more difficult.
Doesn't riding technique fall by the wayside on flow trails in the long run?
Flow trails are the perfect introduction for beginners. In the long term, however, you always need a diverse range of natural single trails and built routes. Flow trails are important, but they have little to do with natural mountain biking.
Stefan Frey
Editor
