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03-18-2013, 02:05 PM #1
Midwest Mags, what is NEW? (XC drive through, April/May)
So, I will be driving from out here to back east this late April /Early May. Not totally positive my starting point, but it very likely will be Denver > Syracuse.
If plan goes correctly, I will do Salt Lake/Moab/Fruita/Front Range rides, and then head out yonder to points East. I have done this trip 50+ times, and usually with a bike, so I know a few good spots, but I would love o hear what is new, improved, previously not too known, etc that would roughly be in that trajectory. Might be persuaded to go a bit south one way (say, southern Ohio, Indiana, Pa) or North (mn, Ws, etc) depending on what ride opportunities there are.
Probably will blast through Kansas/Neb, I will need a recovery day or two after Co, I hope!
Thoughts, folks?
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03-18-2013, 02:10 PM #2
There are a bunch of new trails in the keewanaw peninsula in the UP, both XC and downhill. Wouldn't be too much out of the way if you cut through Canada. The way things are going though, there may still be snow.
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03-18-2013, 02:20 PM #3
Might be a possibility for the leg back. Do you have any links?
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03-18-2013, 02:32 PM #4
well, if you are willing to make the detour on the way back (which adds around 500 miles to the trip). Then you totally could hit up:
Copper Harbor, MI: http://www.copperharbortrails.org/
CAMBA Trails in WI: http://www.cambatrails.org/
Duluth, MN: http://www.coggs.com/
Including new lift serve at Spirit Mountain
Cuyuna in Central MN: http://cuyunalakesmtb.com/
Spearfish SD: http://www.bhmba.org/
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03-18-2013, 02:40 PM #5
Spearfish is on my hit list, for sure.
Haven't ridden there in about ten years (Flume trail area)
Keep em' coming!
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03-18-2013, 05:47 PM #6Registered User
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Gotta hit copper harbor. Shuttles run on the weekend and if you're hitting it in may and happen to be Memorial Day weekend it's a huge tour of all the trail systems in the keweenaw. Stop by The Bike Shop in downtown houghton, mi for info. Well worth the trip out of the way.
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03-18-2013, 07:13 PM #7
Check out Brown County State Park in southern Indiana, its only about an hour south of I-70. 25+ miles of hilly, flowy singletrack goodness.
http://www.imba.com/epics/brown-county
http://www.browncountymountainbiking.com/
April and May can be sloppy, check the current trail conditions here:
http://www.hmba.org/smf/index.php?topic=5552.15
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03-18-2013, 07:33 PM #8Registered User
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http://www.copperharbortrails.org/
Link to copper harbor trail info
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03-18-2013, 07:51 PM #9
If you're on I-80 through northern Indiana, and want a quick distraction, you could go check out the trails at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI.....T.K. Lawless park in Vandalia, MI is kind of fun, and Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty IN has a decent little singletrack loop. None of these are going to blow your mind, but they're nice, flowy XC singletracks that'll probably be riding nice that time of year. All three are easy to get to from the interstate.
Looking California, feeling Minnesota.
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03-18-2013, 07:59 PM #10
I think just short, fun 2-3 hours worth rides will be ideal for each day, with maybe one longer ride if I find the right place. Going to take the southern route out, I think....
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03-19-2013, 01:50 AM #11
If you'll be on 80 coming through Iowa be sure to let me know; I'd be happy to show you around some of the local trail networks here. http://www.icorrmtb.org has info on Sugar Bottom - more trails have been added since the last map update, 15 miles of directional singletrack. If those trails are closed due to weather there are still plenty of options nearby.
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03-19-2013, 02:08 AM #12
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03-19-2013, 06:33 AM #13Finstah Guest
Copper Harbor is insane, but it is very far north (ie. like 6 hrs north of I-90/94.) Also, that area generally gets like 300" of snow and this year most of it has come after new year's. I don't think those trails are rideable in April most seasons, but May could be possible.
I've heard nothing but good things about Cuyuna in Minnesota. Also, Rock Lake in Wisconsin's CAMBA cluster, or Levi's Trow around River Falls, Wi. Look into Nicolet Roche, outside of Langlade, Wi. or Kettle Morraine in southeast Wi.
In the other direction, Brown Co in Indiana is supposed to be really fun, and may be a safer bet at that time of year.
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03-19-2013, 07:19 AM #14
Yes. Good advice. If you are rolling through the U.P. anyway, you would be crazy not to check out the Marquette trail system. A set of already good trails have been improved and expanded a TON in the last 3 years or so. It's pretty awesome right now.
I'm thinking probably May before the trails are free of snow, though. It looks like mid winter here."Shit, I'll choke her while she's cleaning, and I'll do it wearing a helmet cam mounted on a full-face helmet.
I'll have meatdrink9 do the lighting for the shot. He'll make it artsy as fuck." - Phunk
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03-19-2013, 08:15 AM #15
After Brown County in Indiana, head to Loudonville, Oh and ride the 24 mile Mohican State Park trail . Trail has free parking, and is pretty well marked. And after hit up the Iron Pony for some grub.
Food: http://goo.gl/maps/UqSh0
Trail: http://goo.gl/maps/6PIvt
I was a little south of Brown County racing last week, and the trails were OK even after the 5 inches of slow melted off just a few days before.Since then it's been a book you read in reverse, so you understand less as the pages turn.
The things you find on the net.
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03-19-2013, 10:07 AM #16
I rode Mohican last time I went through with a Maggot, but I forget who. I was really, really impressed. Hoping there is more terrain like that with a large network, I had that in the back of my mind as a 'failsafe' ride, but I am hoping to find a new small gem like that!
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03-19-2013, 12:42 PM #17
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03-19-2013, 01:43 PM #18Registered User
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I just had a skier/rider buddy tell me about Brown Cty this afternoon. I might go there w/my wife & kids because Plan A skiing the Rockies has been delayed under austerity measures due to the lovely economy & Plan B Michigan might be too snowy/muddy for MTBing in a couple weeks for spring break.
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03-19-2013, 03:52 PM #19mental projection
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If you go through LaCrosse, WI on your travels stop in at the Human Powered Trails at the top of the bluff, pretty much rode there all through college before they were official trails, kinda fun....
The Kettle Moraine (John Muir/Emma Carlin) trails area is pretty fun, south of Milwaukee.
Here's a link if you do make it through Cheeseland:
http://www.fattireguides.com/trails/trailLocator.cfm
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03-20-2013, 11:39 AM #20
If you are going through Brown County you could check out Hueston Woods state park north of Cincinnati. Haven't ridden there in a couple years but rode a lot in college. There was a solid crew keeping the trails in good shape and building some new additions here and there. Give Bob a call for current trail conditions. http://www.bikerbob.com/index1.html?ext9.htm&1
"College sailing isn't about who wins the most races, its about who can stand in the morning"
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03-21-2013, 09:29 AM #21
Seriously, if you're going to go north of 80, make it up to Copper Harbor, Houghton and Marquette. Go to The Bike Shop in Hougton and talk to Steve or Caleb or Sammy at the Keweenaw Adventure Company.
Andrew Shandro thought it was pretty cool- http://www.pinkbike.com/video/264030/
Copper Harbor is also a finalist for the Bell Built Grant in the DH category.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Help-Pi...-Vote-Now.html
http://www.keweenawadventure.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The...782516?fref=ts
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03-21-2013, 10:05 AM #22
Unfortunately, it is looking like I need to go through Maumee/Toledo...so UP probably is off the table.
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03-21-2013, 10:14 AM #23Registered User
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You probably drove by Vulture's Knob on your way to ride Mohican. It is one of the few privately owned and maintained mtb parks in the country. It's a pretty wild 8 mile loop that you will talk about for a long time. It's cool in an old school funky way.
Compared to other trails in the area this one also dries out a little quicker.
For info, pictures, and video.
http://www.331racing.com/cms/vultures_knob/index.html
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03-21-2013, 10:35 AM #24
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03-22-2013, 05:21 AM #25Registered User
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Gowboy thanks for the copper harbor pinkbike link. We are going to put that on the trip list for sure. How is MQT for MTBing?
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