Mountain Biking - Ride Today

Today, I went to my most favorite trail, the 17.5 miles long Potawatami trail. It was a beautiful, if slightly chilly day for some Michigan riding. I was using tips from the thread about commitment, and it was working out well. The 4600 took a thrashing, but kept right on moving. I was blasting at about 20-25 mph down most of the hills, hitting root drops and babyhead rock gardens. My wheels are true, and my SRAM X.7 stuff worked without flaw, every time, over the roughest terrain that I could point it down. The guy I was riding with hasn't been riding much recently, so he got a little smoked by me, but I really don't care, we weren't racing. With some new re-routes, the trail is about 18 miles long, give or take a few tenths, and it is fast, very hilly, and an absolute blast. A few things that we had to be ready for was the start of deer hunting season. Nothing beats flying down a hill, and then seeing a guy in your line, holding a gun, or wondering if someone is going to mistake you for a deer and shoot. In all, a truly beautiful day in the mid-west, and I hope that everyone took advantage of it.

Sounds like a great time. We are still having great weather in WNC. Took my kids bike club out on Sat. Today we went out for a ride and saw a trail building crew. We got to talking and one guy told us where the new trail was. He told us it was closed but we could go run it if we would e-mail him and tell him what we think. We think its great and will be better when it packs in. Yea, great weekend.

Isn't trail building illegal?

Might be different for you guys south of the border.

This made me think of a good suggestion for the forum. Why not have a sticky thread about the rides we take? I mean, so many freakin people here post about what bike to buy, or what gear they need, for the most part NOBODY posts about their rides. KonaRider, Mealstorm, can we get this to happen?

We have discussed this before. I think it was decided not to do it. (before I was a mod)...not enough people post rides. During the summer I tend to post a ride report once a week, but most riders don't...if we can see some consistent ride reports it might be worth looking at :)

Isn't trail building illegal?

Might be different for you guys south of the border.

Hahah if anything they have a harder time getting trails. I assume you are from canada, trail building 'rules' and 'laws' change per district/location. It isn't illegal to build in Canada, you just need permission, which isn't usually to difficult to get, with permission, its all out fun :)

I'll post a ride review of this trail:
http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/NewMexico/,Alien,Run-UFO,Crash,Site/PRD_169129_4565crx.aspx

..when I get around to it (My mom and I rode about a mile into it, but we didnt have time to do the whole thing)

Yes, I think a sticky thread would be great.

This is a new connector trail between 2 older trails. Yes it it illegal to just build on public land but this was a workshop to teach how to build good bike trails. Trail Dynamics did a great job, and even a crew from Canada was here.The trails T.D. build are good multi user trails W/ tight switchbacks to check speed and long runs in between. They put in good berm turns,small table tops,and the like. Things that aren't obvious to hikers but bikers see them right away. If people started building illegal trails in this area there would be big problems.

then seeing a guy in your line, holding a gun, or wondering if someone is going to mistake you for a deer and shoot.

Anyone ever seen that film Hot Shots? :) Just dont get a branch stuck in your helmet...