horse riding, golf & bicycling

Horse riding

Indiana has more places to ride a horse than you can shake a tail at. With stables, ranches and state parks aplenty, we suggest you watch your step, then saddle up and ride.

State parks also offer plenty of saddle barns and bridle trails. For one, Turkey Run State Park (765-597-2280) houses a saddle barn where you can pick a horse and trek through miles of trails. Brown County State Park (812-988-8166) also offers bridle trails, with over 75 miles of trails that wind through hilly forest.

For only about 10 bucks, you can saddle up at Fort Harrison State Park (317-591-0904), McCormick’s Creek (812-829-2235), Pokagon State Park (260-833-2012), Shakamak State Park (812-665-2158), Spring Mill State Park (812-849-4129), Versailles State Park (812-869-6424) or Whitewater Memorial State Park (765-458-5565).

For a few privately owned places to hang your cowboy hat, check out Sugargrove Ranch (317-839-7272) in Plainfield, TBLS Farms in Sullivan (812-268-4089), Whispering Meadows in Martinsville (765-342-1880) or Wilstem Guest Ranch in French Lick (812-936-4484). Or set off in the sunset to one of these …

1. Crooked Creek Horse Riding
7187 W. County Road 250 North, Royal Center, 574-643-9395

Paint, Appaloosa, Pony and Quarter horses can be found at Crooked Creek, where you can choose from a variety of rides. Temperate trails include a river, open country and rolling hills. Prices range from $15 to $20 an hour.

2. Four Seasons
Equestrian Center
4613 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point, 219-663-5968

This 20-acre horse farm features three outdoor riding arenas. Spend a day with Appaloosa, Thoroughbred and Oldenbergs. One-hour group lessons are $20 per person.

3. Schooner Valley Stables
2282 S.R. 46 West, Nashville, 812-988-2859

Hop on for a ride through the rolling hills and valleys of Yellowwood State Forest. At Schooner, a one-hour ride costs $20.

4. Taylor Turn
5751 W. Southport Road, Indianapolis, 317-821-9409

Taylor Turn is a fairly new equine center on the Southside of Indianapolis that offers horseback riding, lessons, horse boarding and more. Fifty miles of trails offer views of open country, road and a river.

5. The Rawhide Ranch
1292 S.R. 135 South, Nashville, 812-988-0085

Get a taste of the Old West in Nashville, where this Indiana dude ranch makes for the perfect equine-enjoying vacation. Trail rides are offered daily, weather permitting, and discounts are given to groups. One-hour rides are $25 per person.

If you’re less inclined to ride, head to Hoosier Horse Park (812-526-5929) in Nashville. The 1987 host to the Pan American Games Equestrian Events, this 200-acre park houses horse events year-round.

Golf courses

Indianapolis offers plenty of places to tee-off this summer, and with natural parklands, winding creeks and scenic lakes, many of the courses offer beauty as well as challenges. For more details than you probably need, check out www.indygolf.com, which is chockful of information on these courses and more.

Coffin Golf Course
2401 Cold Spring Road, 327-7845

Built in 1931, this American-style course was rebuilt in 1995 as a mature, championship-quality course — and its beauty can be breathtaking. Winding along the White River, the course offers scenic views. Six of the holes border the White River. Prices range from $18 to $25.

Eagle Creek Golf Course
8802 W. 56th St., 297-3366

Described as the crown jewel of the Indy Parks courses, Eagle Creek Golf Course boasts the hilly and long Sycamore Course and the Pines Course, considered the tougher of the two. Built in 1974, the course originally had 27 holes, but nine more were added in 2001. Experience the beauty of the natural parkland, with tree-lined fairways, undulating greens and rolling terrain. Prices range from $25 to $28 for the Pines Course and $30 per person for the Sycamore.

Morningstar Golf Course
271 S. Mitthoeffer, 899-GOLF

Two-tiered greens characterize this 18-hole course, with wide-open holes for big drivers. Tree lines, water, sand, mounds and other inconveniences, however, make this a tougher course than a glance might suggest. Several ponds and small lakes, along with a winding creek, are onsite. Prices range from $17 to $20 per person.

Pleasant Run Golf Course
601 N. Arlington Ave., 357-0829

Despite narrow fairways, water on seven holes and sand traps on nine, Pleasant Run remains a fairly easy course. Located in Irvington, this landscaped course features rolling terrain, mature trees and a twisting creek, making it a beautiful retreat in the middle of the city. Prices range from $13 to $18 per person.

Riverside Golf Course
3502 White River Pkwy.
West Drive, 327-7300

The city’s oldest golf course, Riverside hugs the White River and features a flat, open course with few obstructions, so beginners as well as advanced golfers can enjoy the play. Significant elevation changes and small greens test your accuracy. Prices range from $12 to $18 per person.

Saddlebrook Golf Course
5516 Arabian Run, 290-0539

Bring your driver and short/mid irons for Saddlebrook. Built in 1994, this links-style course runs through a large subdivision and sits on mostly flat ground with several mounds and water on all but two holes. Prices range from $20 to $25 per person.

Sarah Shank Golf Course
2901 S. Keystone Ave., 784-0631

Built in 1929, this crowded city course has plenty of water, but it’s still fairly easy to play. Located only 2 miles from downtown Indy, the pleasant woods, open fairways, small greens and rolling terrain make this one of the prettiest courses in the city. Prices range from $13 to $20 per person.

Smock Golf Course
3910 E. County Line Road,
888-0036

A member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, this course celebrates the Great Plains — due to its flat and long makeup with no trees. Environmental habitats populate the course, as well as large greens, 47 bunkers, three ponds and two creeks. What the course lacks in trees, it makes up for in water. Bring some spare balls. Prices range from $18 to $32 per person.

South Grove Golf Course
1800 W. 18th St., 327-7350

The second oldest Indy Parks course and the closest to downtown, South Grove serves as a great beginner course, since there aren’t many chances to get in trouble. Water can only be found at two holes of the sometimes flat, sometimes rolling terrain. Chipping, putting and pitching are key on the small greens. Prices range from $12 to $25 per person.

William Sahm Golf Course
6800 E. 91st St., 849-0036

The busy and mildly sculptured William Sahm is one of famed golf architect Pete Dye’s first designs. Popular with beginning golfers because of its flat course, Sahm features water hazards at six holes, and sand traps at nine. Prices range from $13 to $17 per person.

Winding Ridge Golf Course
5450 Bogey Drive, 826-3020

With an aptly named street address, Winding Ridge Golf Course sits amid an expansive housing development. Trees ring the wide, serpentine fairways and water and sand traps characterize many of the holes. Prices range from $25 to $35 per person.

Winding River Golf Course
8400 Mann Road, 856-7257

With its sculptured, rolling grounds, Winding River stays busy and picturesque. The course, on the Southwestside of Indy, was built in 1963 with only nine holes; an additional nine were added in 1998. Water can be found at three of the holes and sand traps at about nine. When you’re not watching out for those, look for the protected Audubon nature areas. Prices approximately $20 per person.

Bicycling

With more than 150 miles of open rail trails, Indiana allows Hoosiers no excuses for not peddling to their hearts’ content. If membership levels of the Central Indiana Bicycling Association (around 2,000 CIBA members) have anything to say about it, however, Hoosiers are making good use of the available terrain. Whether your idea of fun is recreational riding, long-distance cycling or serious racing, CIBA’s structured bike rides and the city’s many greenways and parks have you covered.

Broad Ripple Training Ride
A “CIBA Classic,” the Broad Ripple Training Ride meets at 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 64th and Riverview Avenue. This ride uses the same (approximately) 20-mile loop that the Butler Training Ride and “46th and Central” use. If you want to give it a whirl, ride tight and dress brightly, the loop includes rush-hour traffic.

Butler Training Ride
Head to the parking lot of Hinkle Fieldhouse (49th Street and Boulevard Place) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. to meet up with this two-wheeled troupe. This course is a variation of the Broad Ripple one, but the Butler ride usually has fewer race trainers. Riders of all abilities are welcome here, though the front of the pack stays competitive, and the ride is described as “high intensity.”

46th and Central
Notorious among cyclists as a super-fast ride, the “46th and Central” takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Riders meet in the parking lot of Northwood Christian Church (at the corner of 46th and Central, of course). This program, on the same loop as the previous two, adds some warm-up miles at the beginning, but cyclists go in expecting to hit speeds of more than 30 miles per hour the rest of the way.

Carmel Training Ride
The Carmel Training Ride meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. for a 10- to 30-mile group outing. The course is mostly flat, with little traffic and no stoplights. Wednesday’s rides are fast, and all three rides begin at Smokey Row Elementary at 900 W. 136th St.

Weekend Group Rides
Regardless of your bicycling stamina, CIBA has a weekend group ride that’s just your speed. Rides differ in length (short, medium and long) and have SAG (support and gear) stops so riders can take a breather, and no one is ever left behind. Rides include the 1040 EZ, which starts on Sundays at 10 a.m. at Stony Brook Middle School (11300 Stony Brook Drive) and lasts anywhere from 15 to 50 miles, and the Tour of the Boonies, which starts on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at Zionsville Lions Park (15 S. Elm St.) and can go up to 49 miles. For more weekend options, head to www.cibaride.org.

Road racing

So you think you’ve got what it takes? As a beginning road racer, you’re going to be classified a “Citizen” or “Category 5,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t test your Trek against the best of them.

Mass-start road and criterium races, as well as individual time trials, are available throughout Indiana. These races are usually sanctioned by either the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) or American Bicycle Racing (ABR). The Indiana Race Series presents races that are perfect for beginners. Go to www.indianaraceseries.com for more information. If you’ve already tested your game in entry-level racing and want to up the ante, head to www.truesport.com, a local Web site with race listings and reports. For basic information on bicycle racing and licensing, cycle on over to www.usacycling.org.

Mountain biking
Tackle the obstacles, conquer the rocks and watch the dust curl up behind you; it’s time to mountain bike. The Hoosier Mountain Bike Association’s Web site (www.hmba.org) is a great source for trail information and off-road events.

Your urban ride
Street, stone or sand, you can create a ride that’s all yours with the Indianapolis Greenways Web site. Pick the Central Canal Towpath or the White River Wapahini Trail — it’s up to you. Go to www.indygreenways.org for printable maps.

Town Run Trail Park
Nine miles with twists, turns, steep climbs and fast descents. It sounds demanding, but this single-track can be great fun — even for newbies. The 96th Street park is just west of Allisonville Road, and it offers ample parking in the gravel lot and well-marked trails. Maps are available on the Indy Greenways Web site.

Washington Township Community Park
Beginners and advanced riders can enjoy the intricate 8-mile trail system here. The single-track features loops suited for all skill levels. Located on Rockville Road (S.R. 36) about 9 miles west of I-465. For a map, go to www.hmba.org.

Westwood Park
For approximately three years, the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association has been working on a 10-mile cross-country mountain biking trail around the reservoir in Westwood Park, just west of New Castle. On May 5, HMBA officials finally cut the ribbon and opened the trail to a celebratory group ride. Now anyone can enjoy the hiking/biking trail that loops around a 180-acre lake and offers a scenic, yet challenging, single track. Approximately 1,000 feet of climbing can be done here, with elevation gains in the 20- to 50-feet range. Though demanding enough for experienced riders, the new trail’s few technical challenges offers ease of use for beginners, too.

Hoosier National Forest
Take your pick: flat and smooth hard-pack or rocky and technical climbs and descents. The Hoosier National Forest offers enough miles for you to find your fill. Nebo and Hickory Ridge are two trails that remain popular. The 8.6-mile (each way) Nebo Ridge trail starts with a steep hill, leveling out for a fast single-track. Take one of the gravel roads from Nebo down to Hickory Ridge, though, and you’re in for an adventure. (Make sure you’ve got water and sustenance.) Hickory Ridge is like spaghetti in tree-land, and it packs in a total distance of 46.7 miles. Choose your mileage and level of difficulty based on the route you take. Rules of thumb: Stay high for rolling trails; go low for difficult climbs and descents.

Trail permits are required for everyone over 16 years old, and they cost $3 a day, or $25 for an annual pass. Pick up a permit at Gilles Cycling and Fitness in Greenwood or at one of the many country stores in Southern Indiana. For maps of the trails in the forest and a list of places to purchase permits, go to www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/recreation/mtn_bike_info.htm.

Gnaw Bone Camp, Nashville, Ind.
You’re going to do lots of climbing at Gnaw Bone — and some pretty fun descending, too. This privately owned piece of Brown County boasts approximately 25 miles of moderately difficult trails. Cough up the $3 fee and a release to sign before riding up Haunted House Road into the woods. Gnaw Bone hosts events and retreats, so make sure you call before arriving to ensure the camp is open to riders: 812-988-4852.

Valley Branch Retreat, Nashville, Ind.
On the border of Gnaw Bone lies Valley Branch. This privately owned paradise has more than 25 miles of challenging single-track and fire roads, including beginner, intermediate and expert loops. You can catch lots of mountain bike races here, as well as hikers, paintball soldiers and campers. Pay $3 per day to ride, or $5 to ride and take a shower afterward. Yearly riding passes cost $50 and last until Dec. 31. For more information, call 812-988-7750 or go to www.valleybranchretreat.com.

Mountain Bike Group Rides

Monday Night Town Run Trail Ride
This multi-skilled group meets in the parking lot of Bicycle Garage Indy North at 5:45 p.m. Preceding Sunday or Monday rains automatically cancel the rides. To check ride status before heading out, or for more information, contact CIBA at 317-767-SPOKE.

Gnaw Bone Mountain Bike Ride
Riders meet at 8 a.m. at I-65 and Southport Road in the northwest corner of the Meijer parking lot before heading to Gnaw Bone Camp on the first Saturday of each month. Bad weather, however, can cancel the plans. Call CIBA before you head over.

Mountain Bike Racing
Check out DINO’s (Do Indiana Off-road) local race series, which includes a “beginner” class that includes low-key competition and meager entry fees. Go to www.dinoseries.com for more info.

Bicycle Motocross
Kids of all ages — including ex-racers returning to bicycle motocross — practice jumps, grinds and 360s on dirt tracks with tight turns and small, steep hills. Lake Sullivan Park offers an outdoor BMX track. Here you can also find the Major Taylor Velodrome and the Indy Skatepark. For more information, go to www.indyparks.org and look under sports complexes.