Author: Shop Crew
Colonel Francis Beatty Park in Matthews delivers a simple mix that WORKS: two directional MTB loops (green + blue), an optional black-tech add-on, and a big paved pump track—so you can choose mellow mileage, rooty practice, or full-body pump laps in one stop!
The Layout: Two Loops, Easy to Stack Miles
Colonel Francis Beatty is built around two primary loops—about 4 miles each—with connectors that let you build longer rides fast!
The Green Loop – Generally smoother and more forgiving. Great for newer riders, recovery spins, and skills reps at lower speed!
The Blue Loop – More roots, more tight turns, more “read the trail” moments. Expect sandy patches, small gullies, and frequent line-choice decisions!
The beauty? These loops start from separate parking areas, so you can line up the ride you want right from the start!
And because the system connects well, it’s easy to combine sections for custom distance + difficulty. Green for volume. Blue for skills. Mix both for a “little of everything” lap!
Beatty's Black: 1.4 Miles of Tech (Roots + Wood)
Beatty's Black is a ~1.4-mile optional section branching off the blue loop!
Expect tight corridor riding, constant roots, and repeated sharp impacts—so your setup matters. Tire pressure too high? Ping-pong. Too low? Rim strikes. Rebound too fast? Bucking. Too slow? Packing up in root webs!
Wood features show up too—bridges and elevated sections—so clean braking + eyes up is the move!
If Beatty’s Black feels harsher than it should, that’s usually setup (or maintenance) talking. Swing by Spirited Cyclist and we’ll help you get sag, rebound, and tire pressure in a better window for roots and repeated hits!
Hairpins, Roots, and Natural Flow
Even outside of Beatty's Black, the main loops at Colonel Beatty keep things interesting.
You'll hit hairpin turns that require actual braking and cornering technique (not just "point and pray"). Root-laden sections pop up throughout the ride, forcing you to stay alert and choose smart lines.
But here's what makes this trail system special – it feels NATURAL. The trails work WITH the terrain instead of forcing some artificial flow pattern. Yeah, there's sandy soil. Yeah, there are gullies. That's what makes it feel like you discovered these trails instead of just riding someone's engineered masterpiece.
The technical features are frequent without being constant “hike-a-bike.” Great zone for intermediate riders dialing cornering, braking control, and root-reading at speed!
The Colonel Pump Track: High-Repetition Skills (and Bike Stress)
“The Colonel” pump track is big, smooth, and FAST! Perfect for repeated reps: pumping timing, berm cornering, and body-bike separation—without needing big trail speed!
It’s also a high-load environment. Lots of compressions. Lots of side load in berms. Lots of drivetrain “on/off” pedaling if you’re not fully pumping the whole lap!
Pump tracks are HARD on equipment. Quick checklist before you lap it!
- Tires: check pressure before every session (a few PSI changes everything!)
- Wheels: listen for new pings/creaks; check spoke tension if things start sounding “different!”
- Suspension (if you’re on it): confirm sag and rebound; repeated compressions expose bad settings fast!
- Chain + cassette: clean/lube if it starts sounding dry; pump tracks amplify drivetrain noise!
- Brake rub: berm load can reveal rotor rub you won’t notice on straight trail!
Need a tune before your next Beatty session? Book service at Spirited Cyclist and we’ll get it sorted!
Trail Etiquette: The Counter-Clockwise Rule
Here's something SUPER important that'll save you from awkward trail encounters...
Bikes go COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. Hikers go CLOCKWISE.
Yep, Colonel Beatty has a directional system to keep everyone safe and happy. If you're on two wheels, you're riding counter-clockwise around the loops. If you're on two feet, you're walking clockwise.
This setup massively reduces head-on collisions and makes everyone's experience better. But you HAVE to follow the rules for it to work!
Watch for hikers coming the opposite direction. Give them space. Say hi. Be friendly. We all share these trails, and a little courtesy goes a long way toward keeping Colonel Beatty open and awesome for everyone.
Thank the Trail Builders: Tarheel Trailblazers
None of this would exist without the Tarheel Trailblazers – the volunteer crew that builds and maintains these trails.
Seriously, these folks put in WORK. They're out there clearing brush, repairing erosion damage, building features, and making sure Colonel Beatty stays rideable year-round.
If you love this trail system (and you will), consider volunteering for a trail day or donating to support their efforts. Mountain biking doesn't just magically happen – it takes dedicated people giving their time and energy to keep trails in great shape.
Ready to Ride?
Colonel Francis Beatty Park delivers everything you want in a Charlotte-area mountain bike trail. Technical challenges? Check. Flowy fun? Check. A pump track that'll make you feel like a kid again? DOUBLE CHECK.
Whether you're testing your skills on Beatty's Black or just cruising the green loop with friends, this Matthews gem should be on your regular rotation.
Before you head out, make sure your bike is ready for the challenge. Roots, sandy soil, and pump track sessions can reveal maintenance issues FAST. Swing by Spirited Cyclist for a pre-ride tune-up – we'll make sure your suspension is dialed, your tires are fresh, and your drivetrain is smooth.
Because the best ride is always the one where your bike works as hard as you do!
See you on the trail (going counter-clockwise, of course).