Since its inception in 2004 Brown County has grown to become one of the most well-known and most-visited mountain bike destinations in the Midwest. Each year it gets bigger and better, and this coming year will be no exception.2011 will be an amazing year to take a trip to Brown County. Whether it will be your first visit or your hundredth, you're bound to have a blast and find something new. Five new miles of trail will be added to the trail system this year when the Green Valley Loop is completed. This will put total trail length within Brown County State Park at well over 30 miles.
There will certainly be no lack of mountain biking events at Brown County in 2011. The mountain bike trail system will play host to the state's largest cross country race, two time trial point-to-point races and the Midwest's premier Super D gravity event. In addition to racing, the park also plays host to one of the longest-running, largest and most popular women's mountain bike clinics in the United States. The season will wrap up with one of the most heavily attended and well-revered mountain bike weekends in the Midwest, the Brown County Breakdown.
If post-ride food and beer are your thing, the quaint, trailside town of Nashville will welcome you with open arms at the Big Woods Brewing Company, Pine Room Tavern and the Bushman Brewhouse. Even nearby Bloomington and Columbus are in on the act with Upland Brewing and Powerhouse Brewing serving up post-ride pints and grub about a thirty minute drive from the trail head.
The lodging in and around Brown County State Park is among the most diverse anywhere. The state park lodge offers ride-from-your-room convenience and a nice water park for the kids. If a historic, rustic bed-and-breakfast or cabin is your thing, there are dozens to choose from. Maybe you're more of a chain hotel kind-of-traveler? No problem. There is one in Nashville and plenty in nearby Columbus right off of the interstate. If roughing it or camping are more up your alley, there are camping options at the trailhead, in a modern campground with full hookups or in the remote back country.
The quantity of high-quality alternative riding options nearby has also grown dramatically. The trails at nearby Versailles State Park and French Lick Resort are arguably of the same quality of Brown County, yet at the same time they are subtly different and unique. It is now quite easy to string together a week's worth of riding in South-Central Indiana without much "windshield" time. Check out southernindianamountainbiking.com to put your trip together. You won't regret it.
