My mother-in-law lives in Camp Hill, and we go to visit once a month or so. Is there any good, moderately technical XC riding in the area? I'm not impressed by the entries in my PA Mountain Biking guidebook. It seems as well that a lot of the trails in the review section are on state game lands and have been all but closed to mountain bikes.

So is there any good dirt in the Camp Hill/Harrisburg area, or should I just keep bringing the road bike?

Thanks,

Drew

You got to drive a little to get to some of the best trails in the state...Michaux state forest. There is soo many trails there. If you can, try to ride the April and July races there to get to know some of the trails. Otherwise, try to track down some local riders to learn the trails. Or get a Forest service map, a compass and put on your climbing legs. Michaux is about 35 miles SW of Camp Hill. I live in Lebanon an it's about 70 miles for me, but well worth the trip at least a few times a year.
I don't know the Camp Hill area that well, but I know there are some short tech- north shore type stuff off the Greenbelt in Harrisburg.
York county you have Rocky Ridge and Lake Redman, but again its a drive.
If you shoot down the turnpike east 25 miles to Lebanon exit, you will be right at Mt. Gretna which is my local stomping grounds. Lots of fun trails around here.
D

What part of he Harrisburg Greenbelt is the North Shore type stuff? I ride around Harrisburg on my lunch break.

you best bet really is .Michaux state forest, that is where we ride, its only 15 min from carlisle so its not bad, and there is so much out there, can always find new stuff, if you want you can email me and tag along with us sometime if you want

There are some good trails closer to Camp Hill -

Wieser State Forest, about 1/2 hr N, great singletrack
http://home.epix.net/~rebjsw/RCSTWeb/

or go about 1/2 hr S to York (Rocky Ridge, Kain, & Spring Valley parks)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yorkareamountainbikers/ and
http://www.epgsoft.com/MBYork/

over on the east shore at the top of the mountian in linglestown is the blue mountian park.I ride from there out to the radio towers west of the park. about a 2 hr. ride. just watch out for hikers.