Mountain bikers get a world-class course with Wausau's new Sylvan Hill trails

Wausau Daily Herald

WAUSAU - A new trail system designed specifically for downhill, flowy-style mountain biking is open for business in Sylvan Hill Park on Wausau's north side.

The mountain bike park includes a pump track (an oval, undulating loop of a trail that allows a mountain biker to use the terrain "pump" along with minimal pedaling), a small skills area, created to help riders to hone their abilities, and a larger loop system that essentially circumnavigates the 70-acre park.

The loop system, which has about three miles of trails, has four downhill options designed for mountain bikers of differing skill levels. The easier options feature berms and curves and offer a more "flowing" experience. The higher-level trails add jumps and table tops tailored for skilled riders.

Riders will need to have high mountain biking skills to ride on the advanced trails at Sylvan. The easier trails will be more accessible to beginning riders.

The Central Wisconsin Offroad Cycling Coalition, a Wausau-area mountain bike advocacy group, spearheaded the development of the project in partnership with the city of Wausau. In its effort to expand riding experiences in the region to become a mountain-biking tourist destination, CWOCC began efforts to bring mountain biking to Sylvan Park in 2014.

Final costs of the project are still to be determined, but the park's cost is about $206,000. CWOCC fund-raising efforts garnered about $170,000, said Matt Block, the group's vice president, with area foundations and businesses contributing to the effort. The city of Wausau contributed about $40,000, said Bill Duncanson, director of the Wausau and Marathon County parks department.

Most mountain biking in Wisconsin is categorized as "cross-country." Think trails cutting through woods, fields and other areas without a lot of grooming, such as those at Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area in Rib Mountain. Sylvan offers more managed and manicured riding options, with features designed into the trails to give riders a variety of challenges and experiences.

"There really is nothing like this in the state of Wisconsin, in terms of the quality of the build," said Jahn Martin, the president of the CWOCC. "This is a significant step for us. It's the first brand-new trail (system) that we've opened."

The trails at Sylvan Hill were build by Rock Solid Trail Contracting of Copper Harbor, Michigan.

CWOCC chose Rock Solid Trail Contracting of Copper Harbor, Michigan, to build the park. Rock Solid helped develop the renowned trail system around Copper Harbor that attracts riders from across the Midwest and beyond, and is a International Mountain Bicycling Association Ride Center.

A mountain biker takes to the air on the advanced trail of the Sylvan Hill Mountain Bike Park.

One of CWOCC's primary goals is to get the Wausau area designated as a IMBA ride center. The designation is a marketing boon, and helps attracts riders to the region. To gain the designation, a region has to have a variety of riding experiences. Sylvan trails put Wausau a significant step closer.

But just as important, Martin said, the Sylvan Hills trails will help bring new bikers into the mountain biking community and give the city another feature to add to the quality of life. "We would like to see (Sylvan) in the same conversation as the the (whitewater) kayak course in the downtown or ArtsBlock," Martin said. "It's just one more reason why Wausau is a great place to be."

Riding Sylvan Hill Mountain Bike Park

► Riders should use the new trail heading parking lot at 3298 Coates Lane, Wausau. The lot is located at the top of the hill, adjacent the pump track.

► Some of the trails require advanced riding and jumping skills. There are signs explaining difficulty levels, and "filter" features at the beginning of the more difficult runs. It a rider can make it through those filter jumps, she will feel comfortable riding the rest of the trail.

► Sylvan Hill is a multi-use park that also include hiking trails. Riders are asked to be courteous and always yield to pedestrians.

► There is no fee required to ride on the trails at this time. Bill Duncanson, the director of the parks department, said that a fee will likely be required in the future.