MTB Project: Making it Easy To Find a Great Place to Ride

MTB Project is new initiative for IMBA's mapping program supported by Shimano and in partnership with Adventure Projects, LLC.  It is billed as "The next generation ride guide and trail map website."  The partnership's goal is to produce the most extensive mountain bike trail catalog in the country making it easy for anyone to find a great place to ride.

Since the launch of MTB Project last spring, there has been more than 17,000 miles of rides and trails published to the site including trail descriptions and photos. 

Find a ride on the MTB Project website by browsing the map, using the search box or by picking a state.  A Feature Ride is a recommended route that might include several trails.  A Trail is just a single trail, as you would find on a traditional map.  Once a Trail or Feature Ride has been selected, detailed information is displayed.  View the overview, description, trail stats (length, % singletrack, ascent, descent and high & low elevation) photos and a map with elevation profile.  There are even options to obtain directions from Google Maps, download a gpx file or send to phone.

Create an account or log in to add or view your Your To Do List, add or view your Check-Ins and share a page via Facebook or Twitter.  Selected Trail or Feature Ride pages can be improved by adding content like photos, video, adding symbols and editing a description or gpx track.  All content  must be approved by site administrators before it goes live. 
 

To make it easier to take all of this information with you to the trails, the website is now mobile friendly and there is a MTB Project app (free) available for Android on Google Play and for iPhone/iPad on the iTunes App Store.  Use the app to sync your To-Do list & Check-Ins, view trail information, get directions to a selected trail, download trail maps for offline use and show your location while on the trail.

Download MTB Project App

Once the MTB Project app is installed on your gps-enabled smartphone, it is easy to search for a Trail or Feature Ride by selecting the "Near Me" or "Search" button. 

When a Trail or Feature Ride is chosen, it is easy to switch between the details, map, elevation profile and photos.  The details page has options for downloading the map for offline use and getting directions to the trail from your current location.

The app also helps keep track of recently viewed trails/rides, your To Do List, Check Ins, Conditions and Saved Trails for offline use.

MTB Project makes it easy to find a great place to ride near you and provides all the information needed if you are unfamiliar with the trail.  Both the website and the app sync together when logged in so you'll always be able to keep track of your rides/trails.  To see an updated list of all MTB Project rides and trails in Minnesota, visit my MN MTB Project Trails page.  MTB Project is still a developing project and has limited content, but more is being added every day and you can contribute.  Visit my post, How You Can Contribute Your Favorite Rides or Trails to MTB Project to learn more.

Note:  All screenshot images are from the Android version of the MTB Project app.