Thanks, Matt! Sometimes while editing, I'll question myself because I compliment trails so regularly - but it's just my passion for mtb breaking through. I simply love riding and nearly any trail in the world has something unique and positive to highlight! I'm sure that you can relate!
Last summer was my first time ever mountain biking. This exact same trail. This summer I spent shredding Colorado, and it’s going to be so tough going back to the Wisconsin trials.
Fully understand that! But WI still has plenty of trails worth appreciating, even the XC stuff. If you’re unfamiliar and looking for the real good stuff, be sure to check out Little Switz bike park In Slinger plus Cam Rock and Quarry Ridge near Madison
While you're in town you should check out the Lake Geneva Canopy Tours trails. There are some pretty cool features there and it has some of the biggest descents around!
@@GlobalTrailGuide Hey so I test rode some MTBs yesterday (good pricing in off-season) and I can't decide between 27.5 and a 29er. I'm 5'4" and new to the sport. Have you an opinion on this? Thanks so much!
@@bjkbaum it’s really all personal opinion, but the majority of riders now feel 29 is best. Very few are rolling on 27.5 anymore. I agree, especially for XC style terrain. Faster rolling and better for maintaining momentum. But as you’re learning the sport, it’s more important to be comfortable and go with whichever feels the most natural to you. That will help you increase your skills faster
@@GlobalTrailGuide Interesting choice of words ad when I test rode the 29er, that actually felt more natural. Granted was on city streets. But my last MTB was a Klein Pulse Comp from 20 years ago so as it's all new to me, might just go for 29er and get used to it if I would eventually be headed that way anyway! Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated!
@@bjkbaum if it feels good on the streets it will feel good on the trails! Sounds like 29er is the answer for you. Sounds like new bike day is in your near future - enjoy!
Pretty well marked! Just choose the color of the loop that you want to do and follow along! Always safe to have a map on your phone though, just in case - never know when you might need to detour to get back more quickly. MTB project is helpful too.
What kind of travel would you recommend for riding a place like Kette? I have ridden mostly in the rockies (Utah and Colorado) but will be spending time in Chicagoland again. Wondering if I can run my hardtail (100mm front fork) up at Kettle?
Pretty much any trail in the Midwest can be comfortably handled on a hardtail. I’m riding a hardtail in this video, Trek Roscoe. Depending on your style though, a 100-130mm full squish can serve you very well too. Especially for longer rides I enjoy the comfort of some squish. If you’re looking for fun, lift served trails - check out Little Switz in Slinger WI (hardtail is fine there too)
Hey Carlos, did my first race ever at Palos back in 2016. Can’t remember it super well, Kettle certainly has a lot more trail available though and I think a bit more variety in the terrain
I'd love to know how you think John Muir trails compare to Alpine valley trails?? Hope you'll be making that comparison some time soon? In fact, it would be great to hear your thoughts an what you think are the best 5 trails in Se Wisconsin and NE Illinois!!
Hi Tim! Alpine has one of the toughest climbs I’ve found in the area, those first couple of miles just keep going up! John Muir is tough to compete with in regards to overall length and variety of terrain. Hoping to make an Alpine video this fall! Regarding the top 5… great idea! Though I might change it to a Top 3. The real question… does Madison area count as SE Wisconsin?? Because they’ve got some contenders!
If your looking for a top five I would recommend looking up Little Switzerland it might be a tad bit further then kettle but probably the best bike parks around here
@@unvisualdemonetization3440 I’ve been, check out my video from a couple weeks ago where I showcase every feature in the park ruclips.net/video/cAfwrxuz7n4/видео.html
Hey, thanks for the recommendation. I’ll keep this in mind! I have ridden Palos, it was actually my first MTB race I ever did! I’ll see if I can fit it in the next time I’m in town.
Find this route on my website! globaltrailguide.com/MTB-Routes/
John Muir is amazing. First place I rode as well! I miss is dearly.
After having been out of mtn biking for 30 years, at 62 years old, I've returned to one of MY first trails, New Fane. I love your videos!
Welcome back! Thank you! I'm into photography as well!
Nice video man ! Muir/Carlin are my favorite local trail systems !
Thanks man! They are certainly great and provide massive amounts of riding space
Ivan, your enthusiasm is infectious! :D
Thanks, Matt! Sometimes while editing, I'll question myself because I compliment trails so regularly - but it's just my passion for mtb breaking through. I simply love riding and nearly any trail in the world has something unique and positive to highlight! I'm sure that you can relate!
Use to ride full on rigid bikes back in the early nineties. Then we got smart.
Full rigid can spice things up… but the abuse on the body 😬
Try Carver Park in Woodbury Minnesota. Multiple short trails in one park. Really well designed.
I haven’t been to Minnesota in my adult life and I really need to change that - thanks for the tip!
Sweet local trail 👍
Agreed! Not too shabby!
Last summer was my first time ever mountain biking. This exact same trail. This summer I spent shredding Colorado, and it’s going to be so tough going back to the Wisconsin trials.
Fully understand that! But WI still has plenty of trails worth appreciating, even the XC stuff. If you’re unfamiliar and looking for the real good stuff, be sure to check out Little Switz bike park In Slinger plus Cam Rock and Quarry Ridge near Madison
Bro I live so close to their I go. Mountain biking here all the time, I wanna take my traxxas slash their soon
One heck of a trail system to live near!
my mountain biking team (lcc) has been coming here as well as 2 other places and this was where I had the most fun at
Awesome! Where else have you been riding?
@@GlobalTrailGuide john muir and emma carlin
@@dillpicklebeast8521 nice! Depending on where you’re located, I highly recommend Alpine Valley or Silver Lake as well. Very good areas for training.
@@GlobalTrailGuide ok, thanks
While you're in town you should check out the Lake Geneva Canopy Tours trails. There are some pretty cool features there and it has some of the biggest descents around!
Thanks! The Canopy is one of the few places around here that I have not been too, I'll have to see if I can squeeze it in!
Atwood mountain bike park Rockford Il
Just rode there for the first time last year at 48yrs old. I'm hooked on the sport! Great video. Can you please tell me what camera you are using?
So glad to hear - mtb has so many great benefits! This would have been my GoPro Hero 7. I now use the Hero 9.
@@GlobalTrailGuide Hey so I test rode some MTBs yesterday (good pricing in off-season) and I can't decide between 27.5 and a 29er. I'm 5'4" and new to the sport. Have you an opinion on this? Thanks so much!
@@bjkbaum it’s really all personal opinion, but the majority of riders now feel 29 is best. Very few are rolling on 27.5 anymore. I agree, especially for XC style terrain. Faster rolling and better for maintaining momentum. But as you’re learning the sport, it’s more important to be comfortable and go with whichever feels the most natural to you. That will help you increase your skills faster
@@GlobalTrailGuide Interesting choice of words ad when I test rode the 29er, that actually felt more natural. Granted was on city streets. But my last MTB was a Klein Pulse Comp from 20 years ago so as it's all new to me, might just go for 29er and get used to it if I would eventually be headed that way anyway! Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated!
@@bjkbaum if it feels good on the streets it will feel good on the trails! Sounds like 29er is the answer for you. Sounds like new bike day is in your near future - enjoy!
Do you need any sort of mapping like trailforks as a guide or is everything well labeled
Pretty well marked! Just choose the color of the loop that you want to do and follow along! Always safe to have a map on your phone though, just in case - never know when you might need to detour to get back more quickly. MTB project is helpful too.
What kind of travel would you recommend for riding a place like Kette? I have ridden mostly in the rockies (Utah and Colorado) but will be spending time in Chicagoland again. Wondering if I can run my hardtail (100mm front fork) up at Kettle?
Pretty much any trail in the Midwest can be comfortably handled on a hardtail. I’m riding a hardtail in this video, Trek Roscoe. Depending on your style though, a 100-130mm full squish can serve you very well too. Especially for longer rides I enjoy the comfort of some squish. If you’re looking for fun, lift served trails - check out Little Switz in Slinger WI (hardtail is fine there too)
Have you been to palos? What trail do you prefer? This one or palos?
Hey Carlos, did my first race ever at Palos back in 2016. Can’t remember it super well, Kettle certainly has a lot more trail available though and I think a bit more variety in the terrain
@@GlobalTrailGuide thanks
I'd love to know how you think John Muir trails compare to Alpine valley trails?? Hope you'll be making that comparison some time soon? In fact, it would be great to hear your thoughts an what you think are the best 5 trails in Se Wisconsin and NE Illinois!!
Hi Tim! Alpine has one of the toughest climbs I’ve found in the area, those first couple of miles just keep going up! John Muir is tough to compete with in regards to overall length and variety of terrain. Hoping to make an Alpine video this fall!
Regarding the top 5… great idea! Though I might change it to a Top 3. The real question… does Madison area count as SE Wisconsin?? Because they’ve got some contenders!
If your looking for a top five I would recommend looking up Little Switzerland it might be a tad bit further then kettle but probably the best bike parks around here
@@unvisualdemonetization3440 I’ve been, check out my video from a couple weeks ago where I showcase every feature in the park ruclips.net/video/cAfwrxuz7n4/видео.html
Ride the northern kettle moraine forest. Glacier blue hills rec area west bend. New fain trail in kewaskum greenbush trail in sheboygan wi
Thanks for the recommendations! I'll keep them in mind the next time I'm back and can make it further North
I think I know your Dad! He was an emergency room Doc and mentioned his son was a guide in Italy.
Nope - not me! Dad is an IT guy haha
Can you try the trails at Palos Hills Forest Preserve in Cook County, Il?
Hey, thanks for the recommendation. I’ll keep this in mind! I have ridden Palos, it was actually my first MTB race I ever did!
I’ll see if I can fit it in the next time I’m in town.