Cape Cod Mountain Biking

Cape Cod has a wide variety of mountain biking opportunities for riders of all abilities. And Sea Sports, home to the Cape Cod Mountain Bike Racing Team, is ideally located in the geographic center of the best mountain biking that Cape Cod has to offer. With Willow Street literally right up the street, Trail of Tears a short drive away, and Otis and Nickerson about 20 miles in either direction, Sea Sports is the ideal location to kick off your Cape Cod mountain biking adventure.

Stay safe this hunting season, wear bright clothing and keep track of your pets. This is a guide on Massachusetts Hunting Dates and remember that there is no hunting on Sunday.

Here's a quick guide to mountain biking on Cape Cod:

Trail of Tears, or T.O.T. as locals call it, offers 22 miles of the best all-around mountain biking on Cape Cod. Beginners can get their wheels under them on its vast single and double track trail system, while advanced riders know that the faster T.O.T. is ridden, the more challenging and fun it is. The terrain is mostly rolling and flowing, with some technical trails and features mixed in. There are few demanding hills, but the constant up and down certainly can challenge the fittest riders, and even occasionally reveal how the trail system got its name.

Where to park: Race Lane lot at corner of Race and Farmersville, across the street from 1583 Race Lane, Barnstable, MA.

Group rides? Yes. From Race Lane lot, Wednesdays and Fridays, 5pm sharp. All abilities.

Don't miss: The sandy overlook that marks the Barnstable/Sandwich town line is also the starting point for the steep "Primal Scream" trail to the west, and the long and winding "North Ridge" trail that descends to the east. Danforth cow fields on the east side are also a favorite.

Bonus: At the westernmost side of T.O.T, across Great Hill Rd and along both sides of the power lines, lies the "Sandwich Side." Ridden and maintained mainly by dirt-bikers, these loose and rutted trails are a favorite training ground for local racers and include the steepest and most sandy climbs on Cape Cod.

Trail Map(PDF)

Willow Street is located just down the street from the shop and spans both the towns of Barnstable and Yarmouth.  Great for both beginner and expert riders alike Willow Street has something for everyone from fast and flowy to fun technical sections and steep climbs. 

Where to Park: IFAW parking lot, 290 Summer Street. Park in back, cross Willow Street and head under the over pass to access the Willow Street trails. Or, head right out of the parking lot for the Greenough Camp Trails.

Group Rides: Group rides usually head out on Tuesday nights, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Contact the shop for more info.

Nickerson State Park in Brewster has some of the best riding on Cape Cod with well over 25 miles of singletrack. These trails wind through the park in and around the camping areas and ponds. The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through the north end of the park and many of the trails can be accessed from there.  Heading south out of the park and accross Freeman's Way you will find "The Training Loop" and Highway Trail. These trails were once dirt bike trails with steep climbs and decents, whoops and berms and lots of trail to explore. You can even link to the Punkhorn in Brewster or the Hawksnest in Harwich from the trails.

Where to Park: Park at the Cape Cod Rail Trail lot on Route 6A in Brewster or the ball field complex on Freeman's Way.

Group Rides: Groups head out on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5:30pm from the Rail Trail Lot on 6A and at 8am on Sundays.

The Otis Trails lie inbetween Route 151 and the Massachusetts Militray Reservation.  None of the trails are actually on the base and if you do encounter base property or the National Cemetary, please head back.  Otis offers lots of climbing and technical features and is perfect for a day of exploring.

Where to Park: Best access is from Route 151 at the "Dirt Pile" or the corner of Route 151 and Cloverfield Lane.

Group Rides: Rides at Otis are usually ad hoc, contact the shop for more info.