US Midwest - Best Mountain Biking

1. Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. Harleys hog the blacktop here, but the trails and fire roads are blissfully free of black leather. Try the entire 100 miles of the Centennial Trail or, for a quick overview of the surrounding Paha Sapas (Lakota for, what else, "hills that are black"), veer off on the connecting seven-mile Old Baldy Trail. Call forest headquarters at 605-673-2251 for details.

2. Pines and Mines Mountain Bike Trail, Michigan. Short on technical challenge but long on North Woods beauty, the 300-mile system takes full advantage of the old mining and logging roads in the Upper Peninsula's Ottawa National Forest. For starters, try the hilly, wooded 21-mile stretch from Hurley to the mouth of the Saxon River. For trail maps, call the Iron County Development Zone Council at 715-561-2922.

3. Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin. More than 300 miles of Forest Service roads crisscross the Chequamegon, which is also home to America's favorite transplanted Scandinavian tradition, the Birkebeiner ski race. Try the 42-mile series of hilly loop trails that start on County Highway M near Hayward. For more information, call the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association at 800-533-7454.

4. Flint Hills Death Ride, Kansas. Think the name's a bit overstated? Well, keep in mind that there's an elevation gain of 5,300 feet on this 70-mile trail, which starts in Madison, passes decrepit ghost towns and moon-faced cows, and climbs deceptively steep grades amid fields of Indian paintbrush. Call John Hobbs, organizer of the Flint Hills Death Ride (800-792-2453), for more information about the route.

5. Scioto Trail, Ohio. Singletrack abounds on this 12-miler through Scioto State Forest. Given the short-but-steep climbs, plentiful creek crossings, and occasional oh-my-god dropoffs, you'll be especially thankful for the extra cushioning provided by the musty oak leaves carpeting the trail. Call 740-775-7873 for details.