Exciting new mountain bike trails open this weekend in St. Charles County
A new heart-pounding series of downhill bike trails opens this weekend at Matson Hill Park in St. Charles County.
The mountain bike-only trails “Black Powder Run,” “Boone’s Burl,” and “Judgement Tree” will open to the public with a guided introduction Sunday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guides will lead bikers through the courses, which feature drops, jumps, tight turns, and rocky terrain that will challenge intermediate and advanced trail riders.
The new trails are accessed from the park’s Stub Road trailhead, located at 3576 Stub Road, Defiance, MO 63341. Bike vendors will be at the trailhead offering tune ups for visitors during the opening event.
Matson Hill Park has long been known as a destination for mountain biking because of its location in the rolling hills of western St. Charles County. However, these are the first trails in the county that offer one-way downhill courses dedicated solely to mountain bikes.
The new trails were developed in partnership between the St. Charles County Parks Department and Gateway Off-Road Cyclists.
Riders are strongly recommended to scout each trail multiple times before riding at full speed. A full-suspension bike with a dropper post, full-face helmet, and protective pads are also strongly advised.
These trails are not recommended for beginning riders or unsupervised children.