Memphis has experienced a bit of cycling renaissance in the last several years. There are bike lanes criss-crossing the city and a sprawling rails to trails system that will eventually connect Overton Park to Shelby Farms Park and beyond. Here’s a short list of the places that you can ride in the Memphis area.
Shelby Farms Park – Shelby Farms is literally exploding with things to do. However, in this segment, we’ll focus on the riding. With the Shelby Farms Greenline running through a large portion of East Memphis, Shelby Farms Park is accessible by bike to anyone who lives in Binghampton, High Point Terrace, Pidgeon Estates, Avon or any area in East Memphis between Sam Cooper and Walnut Grove. Using bike lanes, you can get there from the University District as well. Shelby Farms Park offers great cross country riding through the Wolf River bottoms as well as paved bike paths for cruising. There’s also a BMX track here too. This is a great place to go for a pretty day to ride.
Stanky Creek – Stanky Creek is in Nesbit Park in Bartlett and offers some of the most technical Cross Country mountain biking in the Memphis area. With lots of drops, tight chutes and trees, this will be a more challenging trail day.
Lakeland Trails – Memphis Arlington Rd and Canada Rd. These are another set of technical cross country mountain bike trails.
There are LOTS more trails than these in and around Memphis, but this will get you started, and I’d recommend checking out the Mobile App called Midsouth Greenways which has more current information on the everchanging state of the trails in Memphis.
Gear to Go: Memphis Bike Shops
Peddler Bike Shop has been around Memphis forever. I can remember going in there while I was in school and watching their bike techs work in sheer awe. These guys know biking and they know the area. I bought my last bike from them and have been really happy with it and their support. They’ve three locations in Memphis, so they aren’t that far away.
All About Bikes – I stumbled into All About Bikes when I was looking for a kiddy trailer to ride the Greenline with. All About Bikes is relatively new, but they’re located between Broadway Pizza and the Belmont Grill, both of which I eat at frequently. I had a great experience. The owner’s name is Victor Ghosheh and he is as knowledgeable and nice as can be. We bought the trailer and have loved it. There’s an added benefit for All About Bikes because anytime I eat at either of those two restaurants, I stop by and browse for stuff that I NEED.
Stanky Creek Team – I don’t know the Stanky Creek Team personally, but I’ve heard about them for years. From what I know, they’re the Merry Band of Hooligans that love biking Nesbit Park and participate in the local bike events in the Mid-South Area. If you’re looking to get more involved in the local bike scene, these guys would be a great place go in addition to the local bike shops.