NewsLocal NewsBoone CountyBurlington

Actions

'Unconventional fun' found on two wheels at free northern Kentucky event

Mountain bike time trials underway
Mountain bike trail
Posted
and last updated

BURLINGTON, Ky. — Are you up for some unconventional, heart-pumping fun? Mountain bike time trials might just be the thing for you.

The event is hosted on Wednesday nights by Boone County Parks through July 3rd. It's at England Idlewild Park.

Mountain Bike Time Trials
Mountain Bike Time Trials

What exactly is this? It's a timed mountain bike course back in the woods with dips, turns and climbs. Some participants were as young as four!

The kid's loop is 1.5 miles long and the adult loop is 2.7 miles long. Participants can do as many laps as they would like as long as it's within the window of time given. Kids have 30 minutes to bike and adults get a little over 1 hour.

And they want to spread the word so more people come out and try this.

"We are hoping for an awesome turnout, we ended up with around 90 folks toward the end of the time trials last summer. We are hoping to maybe exceed that this year. We just want people out on their bikes enjoying this great weather," said Brian Bozeman with CORA, Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance.

Bike time trials
Bike time trials

As daunting as it may sound for some, beginners are welcome to try this!

"We have a great workshop set up for kids, even adults can do it," volunteer Kristine Hess said. "I did it. That's how I first learned with Olivia and it teaches you all the basics and it gets you really in tune with your bike so you know what to do when you are out on the trails."

Kids Mountain Bike Workshop
Kids Mountain Bike Workshop

And there is no shame in walking your bike! Kids and adults alike can be seen walking their bikes up the more difficult portions of the course.

I did the time trials last year and know from experience that the end is the hardest part; so I asked organizer Brian Bozeman if that was by design.

"Yeah, I think that's torture picked on purpose. It will make you want to go for another lap, right?!" Bozeman said jokingly.

All kidding aside regarding the end of the course, the mountain biking community is a friendly and welcoming crowd. You'll hear people encouraging you along the way and helping you when needed.

So if you are up for a physical challenge or a new cardio calorie burner, you've found it in northern Kentucky!

Kids Riding Bikes
Kids Riding Bikes

Watch Live:

WCPO 9 News at 11