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Lake Crabtree County Park

Description
Location: Just south of the RDU airport, off Aviation Parkway.
Miles: about 5
Skill Level: Beginner
Contact: Park office (919) 460-3390 (call to see if trails are open)

Map
Park Hours and Fees
Directions
Pump Track
Rules of the Trail

Lake Crabtree County Park singletrack is by far the most popular place for beginner riders in the Triangle. Its central location is also great for relieving weekday stress if you work in RTP. The wooded trails connect to Umstead State Park and Cary's Black Creek Greenway.

Since it's so popular, plan on passing lots of other riders when the weather's good. Please be courteous and cautious with the riders you meet here. It is a great place to learn to ride and don't expect to come here and hammer people out of your way. Stopping to help out beginner riders does a world of good for our sport. Four short loops all connect to a single jeep trail, making it hard to get lost and easier to get to the car if you run into equipment troubles.

The trail is maintained by NCFATS volunteers. These guys plan on extending the trails soon, to connect a couple of the loops that are out there.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Crabtree trails are closed when they are muddy. Call ahead to see if they are open. Please respect the rules of the trail and don't ride on closed sections.

Directions
Go towards RDU airport on I-40 and exit onto Aviation Parkway going south. Crabtree County Park entrance is on the left. Park in the first gravel parking lot. One of the main trail entrances is across the road from the parking lot.

Park Hours
8:00 am to sunset, seven days a week. The park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Rules of the Trail

1. Trails may be closed for repair stemming from wet conditions or overuse. Respect these closures.
2. Respect the rights of all other trail users and obey park rules and regulations. Bikers must always yield to walkers.
3. Plan Ahead.
4. Ride only on officially marked trails.
5. Keep your bike under control.
6. Do not disturb or alarm wildlife.
7. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
8. Leave no trace (don't litter).
9. Set a good example and report violators/hazards.
10. Allow time to finish outings before the Park closes.
    

Pump Track

Thanks to the wonderful staff of Lake Crabtree Park and TORC volunteers, the first public pump track in the triangle area has been built. The pump track is located near the "old field rows" label on the map near the intersection of Connector A and Loop 1. A pump track is a series of rollers and berms. Its intended to teach one to learn how to pump their bike over ups and downs on a trail, which when mastered, a person will be able to accellerate their bike with out pedaling. The pump track is not really intended to be jumped, which defeats the purpose of the track. The official opening of the pump track is coming soon. Please stay off the track until it is officially open. Rules/Guidelines The building of the pump track involved uncounted hours of planning, negotiations, and construction labor. Please follow these guidelines to help perserve the pump track in a good condition. no skidding no pedaling no braking helmets required lower your seat body position should be more upright as you approach the roller push down as you come over the roller easier on a hard tail but can also be done on a full suspension bike Note that if feels awkward at first. But once you get use to it, it's a lot of fun and a really good workout. Pedaling and braking destroys the rollers and berms. Especially when you "catch" a roller by pedaling over it.

This trail is not open for night riding except under organized night ride events coordinated with cycling clubs and park staff. Stay tuned to this site for upcoming night rides.

"Our paths to off-road mastery reflect our personalities."
-Hank Barlow