“Single track, a trail that is only wide enough for a single rider or groups in single file”
What is the difference between singletrack and doubletrack?
A singletrack is a narrow trail that is about as wide as a mountain bike. A doubletrack is typically an old overgrown dirt road, that has two paths that were created from the wheels of vehicles.
single track/singletrack
“Single track are narrow and wind around obstacles, such as trees, so that riders experience a highly technical ride at relatively low speeds ”
Single track / singletrack
A single track is a narrow mountain bike trail
Only wide enough for one rider as the trail width is about that of the bike
One rider must yield the trail to another when passing
Single tracks are ridden in single file
More difficult trails are narrower
Singletrack width is a ranking factor in the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) trail difficulty rating system
Basically, a single track is a narrow path for mountain bikes. However, many singletracks are also multi-use trails and are shared by hikers.
Double Track / doubletrack
Double track / doubletrack
A double track, by contrast, has two paths that were created from the wheels of vehicles
Often resource roads closed to motorized vehicles
Fire roads, old logging and mining roads, power-line roads, and former jeep trails are examples of double track
Two bikes can ride side-by-side
Sometimes called two-track or twin-track
Gravel Roads
Many mountain bike routes are a combination of gravel roads, doubletrack and singletrack.
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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, snowboarding, reading, weight-lifting, taster of craft beers, & researching.
Sources:
IMBA, 2004. Trail solutions, IMBA’s guide to building sweet single track, IMBA, Boulder, Colorado, United States.
IMBA, 2007. Managing mounting biking, IMBA’s guide to providing great riding, IMBA, Boulder, Colorado, United States.