Cuyuna Lakes IMBA Ride Center

Mountain biking in my home state of Minnesota has really matured.

Cuyuna has the funnest "Easy" or beginner trails that I have ridden! They have a pretty sweet flow and are far from boring. Conversely, many of the Expert trails (Black) are not really more difficult that the "Most Difficult" trails (Red) or even "More Difficult" trails, in some instances. Timber Shaft in the Yawkey unit is an exception and is an awesome skills section, that needs to be sessioned! Bobsled is a favorite of those I spoke with. Nice twisty berms, gravity fed of course. I need to learn to berm!

The main unit, Mahnomen, has the bulk of the trails. One of my favorites is Mucker Mountain, a "More Difficult" trail with really nice flow. The Chute earns it's "Most Difficult' rating, while Ferrous Wheel really only has a hard fast switch back. The trails are pretty well marked in general, but the entrances to many of the trails are across a dirt road from Easy Street are not that obvious. But many of the exits are well marked to let riders coming off of them, know that the trail is now two way. For fun and safety, many of the trails are one way only. Mountain bikers have their own parking lot, but for someone new to the system and kiosk or a sign pointing to the trail head would be nice. I ran into Joel Hartman, who recently was interviewed on the local news. I mentioned it and he said he would bring it up at the club meeting that night. Pretty cool.

Leave the Sagamore unit for winter riding, like the signage says. At this point the trails look more like XC ski trails and the flies are ferocious!

Now understand that Minnesota does not have huge elevation changes that some of other venues. I think only Florida had a lower elevation per mile ratio. Not surprisingly these trails have some striking similarities to both Alafia and Balm Boyette in florida.

CLMTBT (Friends of MORC) has really done a great job here, making MTBaide out of strip mining lemons.  It is awesome that the state of Minnesota is working with local groups to make such great resources that so many can enjoy!

Cool upcoming event September 14th  http://www.cuyunalakesklunker.com/events

Copper Harbor IMBA Epic

Most fun trails yet! Can I back this up?

I think I can. Plenty of elevation gain, but not just up a mountain across a ridge and and back down, like Shenandoah Southern Traverse. Not nearly flat like in Santos or Alafia River State Park.

Nice stiff climbs, that reward you with that gravity gain, every so often. Not a fan of climbing, just wait a few minutes and enjoy a technical descent. Don't like it rough, smooth flowy trail is right around the corner, need to drop in or ride some banked planking, they got you covered. Just got to have a bermy flow trail, they named it The Flow, just so there would be no mistake. You can even choose Daisy Duke for a side dish of table tops and doubles towards the end.

It is weird though, cause I really am not fond of all the planking. particularly banked planking. I watched their video of the Edge and I saw the rider rail it, but I guess it is part of that berm thing I still am working out. Michigan, like Wisconsin, use a lot of planking. Going down Stairway to Heaven, had me say "Here We Go", ironically the name of my favorite downhill trail here, followed closely by the red trail. Stairway to Heaven, had me thanking deity when I finally made it to that nasty rock drop at the end, of which I was much more comfortable with! Those twists and turns while gaining speed or trying not to lock up the rear tire, rivaled any pucker factor I can remember. AND it is a two way trail. Luckily, out of 3 times down, I only came across one rider coming up. He stopped and luckily again, it was one of the few places that you could step off the planking with less than a 2 foot drop or greater. I would vote for this one becoming one way.

While the IMBA Epic loop described here can be ridden in full, they have taken Paul's plunge and John Lincoln Green off the the map. Deep in the woods there is a sign for Paul's Plunge, but I saw nothing for John Lincoln Green (it may be what another map called Kamikaze XC trail).
Note: Go Left, when taking the turn off of Say Hello on to DZA Beet.

There are new trails and with this being one of the shortest Epics, I think some of the new stuff needs to be added to the Epic.

Mango could replace Paul's Plunge altogether. Mango is a funner, well thought out trail. Paul's Plunge is old school and could be prone to erosion. While Paul's Plunge is still there, but taken off the map, it is best if Mango takes the majority of the traffic. You will lose about a mile from this already short epic, but add Bullwinkle in to get it back. I put it all together for a still short 14 mile funfest;

Copper Harbor Loop, Garden Brook, Woopidy Woo, Bullwinkle, right on Garden Brook, Blue Trail, (do not go to the lodge, go down the water line to) Dza Beet, Here We Go, Ma Maki, Say Hello, left on Dza Beet, Simeh, De Deet, Red Trail, Mango, right on Ma Maki, right on Manganese road, left on Clark Mine Road, left on Pauls Plunge, left at bottom (John Lincoln Green maybe), stay right after the bridge, left on  Manganese Road, right on unnamed trail, Ma Maki, Der we Went, Stairway to Heaven, Copper Harbor Loop to Trail Head

Note: Very easy to miss towards the end. Once you start up the Manganese road a steep trail juts off to the right.  It is a fall line trail and steep (the only place I needed the granny ring)

Most riders will be happy going left on Ma Maki off of Mango. Paul's Plunge is definitely a double black diamond and the unnamed climb is just to say you are a tough guy!

I wish there was a way to add in The Flow and keep it a loop. There is a slight duplication on Ma Maki as it is. So what's a racer on sabbatical do?  He does three 11 minute intervals up Brockway mountain road, then took a right down The Flow twice, Daisy Duke on one of them. And then took a left down The Edge. And filled in with things I missed the previous ride and tried some things in reverse.

Race Memorial Day Weekend http://www.keweenawadventure.com/fat_tire.htm

I followed Dave down the red trail to get this video:

Here are some links that might help you out:
http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails
http://www.imba.com/epics/copper-harbor-trails
http://trailgenius.com/trail-genius-map/copper-harbor-trails
http://www.keweenawadventure.com/CH_trail_map_1000.jpg
http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-michigan/trail/copper-harbor-pathway/prd_325209_4555crx.aspx
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/red_trail.html
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/dancing_bear.html
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/pauls_plunge.html
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=jl
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/
http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails

Levis-Trow Mound Epic

Let me start of by saying that I always feel a little funny with more than a few days off of hard riding. From the various sources I was expecting 25 miles plus of riding, so I stayed mellow as  I followed the IMBA Epic arrows. On the Onset, I often fear that I will be disappointed, I am looking for Epic rides you know. This feeling grew as I continued on Lower Glen and Swamp Cut. I was like"This is nice" but it seemed like I was getting closer and closer the north end and the miles were really not adding up. But 15 minutes to warm up is not a bad thing eithrt, then I get onto Yellow Jacket and I started to get interested. The Goat Dance climb started to bring it and the backside delivered the goods. I prefer the Yellow jacket climb up to the top of Buck hill, but there is less doubling back using Secret trail out and the Buck Hill switchback up to Sidewinder to Upper Hermosa (one of my favorite flows), finished up Hermosa and Lower Hermosa and use Dead Turkey to connect to the Corkscrew climb to Toad road that leads to (the banner trail) Plumbers Crack, Switchback, Cliff Hanger, North Face by the bench if you need a rest and a view. Continue in Porky's Point to Upper Glen. Part of which is under a reroute. Back down to Lower Glen and the IMBA loop is complete.

The Reroute did not move the IMBA sign yet, so I missed it at first.  It looks Like that reroute will eliminate a fall line portion o f trail and also connect to other parts of the trail system. The North Face DH looks to soonly boast a bunch of berms, as well. Maybe making a flow trail finish near the trailhead. Being an old fogie I like old school trails best, but flow trails are a fun variety, getting very popular, they help get new riders hooked and are good for a change. I have to learn to berm.

Levis Mound is a well marked trail system. For the most part, the IMBA loop is marked and easy to follow, mostly. The IMBA sign after Dead Turkey for the turn on to Corkscrew needs to be replaced, or you might just go down the wrong part of Toad Road and miss Plumbers Crack.

 The IMBA loop is a little short as Epics go, at just 17 miles, not 30 as the IMBA website states (did I miss something?). There are about 25 miles of single track in total. Only a few trails are one way; Sidewinder and Lucy's trail (Which I never found the start of) for example.

After my recon IMBA ride, I rode a bunch of the trails in reverse, that and being warmed up led to a much better experience on Lower Glen/Swamp Cut. So I made sure to warm up for ride two a couple days later, which made Lower Glen/Swamp Cut come alive in the IMBA direction as well! Other trails I liked in both directions were; Toad road (including Plumbers Crack), Corks Screw, Yellow Jacket, Select Cut, Snodgrass.

The sandy switchbacks become a climb in reverse on Goat Dance and Switchback and are definitely best in the "IMBA" epic direction.

The Reroute did not move the IMBA sign yet, so I missed it at first.  It looks Like that reroute will eliminate a fall line portion  of trail and also connect to other parts of the trail system. The North Face DH looks to soonly boast a bunch of berms, as well. Maybe making a flow trail finish near the trailhead. Being an old fogie I like old school trails best, but flow trails are a fun variety.  They are getting very popular, they help get new riders hooked and are good for a change. I have to learn to berm.

Levis Mound is a well marked trail system. For the most part, the IMBA loop is marked and easy to follow, mostly. The IMBA sign after Dead Turkey for the turn on to Corkscrew needs to be replaced, or you might just go down the wrong part of Toad Road and miss Plumbers Crack.

 The IMBA loop is a little short as Epics go, at just 17 miles, not 30 as the IMBA website states(did I miss something?). There are about 25 miles of single track in total. Only a few trails are one way; Sidewinder and Lucy's trail (Which I never found the start of) for example.

After my recon IMBA ride, I rode a bunch of the trails in reverse, that and being warmed up led to a much better experience on Lower Glen/Swamp Cut. So I made sure to warm up for ride two a couple days later, which made Lower Glen/Swamp Cut come alive in the IMBA direction as well! Other trails I liked in both directions were; Toad road (including Plumbers Crack), Corks Screw, Yellow Jacket, Select Cut, Snodgrass.

The sandy switchbacks become a climb in reverse on Goat Dance and Switchback and are definitely best in the "IMBA" epic direction.

They have a 100 miler next Saturday August 24th .

They have a 100,50 and 25 miler on Saturday August 24th http://wemseries.com/levistrow-100/

See other Links Below.

Great views abound. Be sure to hit Clarence for the coolest overlooks, like:

http://www.levismound.com/conditions.html

Here is a Singletracks.com article on Trevis Mound And Trail Info

Here is one From Greg Rides Trails

Balm Boyette

Balm Boyette is not on the IMBA Epic list, but if Alafia River State Park is on the list so should Balm Boyette!

SWAMP puts up an impressive network. Brian McInnis (from JRA (Just Riding Along) Cycles just outside of Boston in Medford, Ma) and I discussed connecting these two parks,. With the facilities and sweet trails at Alafia and the even better trails at Balm Boyette, Swamp, may just have the makings of a IMBA ride center.

I actually like Balm Boyette, just a little bit better than Alafia. More over all mileage and Ridgeline does give Moonscape a run for it's money! There seems to be more advanced trails, Abyss, Pandemonium, and Garry's loop, at Balm Boyette. I admit it is a close call. Spider Berm  and a few others are better too, but North Creek and Roller Coaster at ARSP, have to be given there due. The Quadrants at Balm Boyette, do pretty much blow away any of the easy trails at ASRP though! Picture Endor with palm trees.

Pictures Maah Daah Hey 30 miles

For the story see Maah Daah Hey 30 miles + 50 dirt roads

Maah Daah Hey 30 miles + 50 dirt roads

If it rains wait at least 2 days to ride the following part of the the Maah Daah Hey trail!

Don't take my word for it, click on the picture for a closer look



A good storm passed over the National Grasslands Monday night. So I decided to not ride on Tuesday and extend our stay one day, enabling a Wednesday attempt of the Maah Daah Hey. After getting the 411 from Dakota Cyclery in Medora and my second ride to the south, I opted to start at road 50, about mile marker 73, instead of at CCC trail head at mile 98. Tammy waited at the trail head for half an hour in case I found that it was still too bad to ride. But it sucked me in and was just OK enough for me to keep going, thinking "This is not too bad and it should get better as the nice sunny day and low humidity goes on". Well I was so wrong. I would get the bike muddy and then shake some off on a fast section. This pattern repeated over and over again. Each time adding a little more than would shake off. Then the turn for the Ice Caves. "Oh, I want pictures of that!" I thought to myself. I had to give it up, after only a tenth of a mile, maybe less. I had to find a stick and dig mud and grass out of the bike, only for it to start building up immediately again. I am glad I brought the derailleur free bike with lots of mud clearance. While there was some sweet single track, it was too far and in between mud, creeks, rivers, deep ruts and trails overgrown with tall grass, sometimes all at once! The scenery is spectacular in places, but starting from Bully Pulpit was pretty damn scenic too and I could see most of this scenery from the dirt roads. I have over four hours of video, I doubt that any of it is that interesting. Just tall grass, cows and me finding my way through creeks, rivers and bogs.

Maybe after a drought, this trail may be OK. But fun, I am not sure. If you want to test your resolve and stubbornness, this is the place. Ride south of Medora if you want. I considerthat  fun single track, before it overgrows. According to the shop, the sequester has taken a lot of park workers out of the equation and trail upkeep has been suffering. Hopefully they get it together for the August race.

I wanted to stay on top of my H2O. I filled up a bottle at the camp Magpie hydrant, with water nearly as brown as the creek of the same name that I just crossed. I still had most of my Camelbak and part of the other water bottle.

Then at about 29 miles, "I had all I could stands, could stands not more!" to quote Popeye. With no race on the line, I jumped on the fire road for the next 50 miles or so. I did detour to the camp Elkhorn trail head in hopes of finding clear water. The water was clear, cool and refreshing. As it was a long down hill dirt road to camp, I thought I would try the trail again. I soon turned back and took my knocks on the dirt road, preferring the climb to the mud and the tall grass trail, that only hinted of a trail.

I was temped once more. With less than 10 miles to go, the dirt road crossed the trail again. The trail I saw from the road looked good. It turned out that once again the cow path was rideable, but the MDH only paralleled it for a short while before getting back into deep ruts obscured by tall grass (a bad combination!). I went back to the dirt road. There was a short section on 94 (apparently legal to ride a bike on, in North Dakota), before exit 24 to Medora and paved bike path into town, where Tammy was waiting for me.

I will reiterate,  for a good time, ride the Deuce from the Bully Pulpit trail head a few miles south of Medora!

Maah Daah Hey Epic

Day one found me starting at the Sully Creek trailhead of the Maah Daah Hey.The creek crossing itself was not bad, only a couple feet deep and water was only moving moderately swift. But don't be deceived by what appears to be almost dry or dried mud. The mud on the MDH is insidious all by itself! Put that mud on a partially dry river bottom and surround that with at least a quarter mile of river sand! Let's just say it does not make for a good time. I tried to talk a group of helmetless riders, some on rental bikes and hybrids, not to start there. In this case, ignorance is not bliss, but they thought better of my advice. Another couple of mountain bikers saw my bike after I cleaned it up after just a couple mile jaunt and chose another trail head and told me about the Bully Pulpit trail head just down the road.

I had the good fortune to run into Lance Larson, Kelly, Steve and Ashley, just as they were getting ready to embark from the Bully Pulpit trail head. See them in action in the preview below. The trail for 15 miles south of Bully Pulpit was really nice and easy to follow and seemed to be getting ridden in. These are newer but more mature than the trails out of Tom's Wash.

It had rained early on day two. I had planned to do Buffalo Gap out and back but the north sections were still wet at noon, so I drove the dirt roads south until the mud did not instantly accumulate on my shoes.

Maah Daah Hey from Tom's Wash south was a lot of hunt and peck for the trail and crossing a lot of fields with no apparent tread. Although there was machine packed trail up to the gate and a new bridge near the next trail head (which I turned around before); I had had enough. But was glad I did not stop when I got back to the car. The trails north of Tom's Wash, were hard to follow in some places, all in all it was much better with more steady riding. The views were great from both sections.I did not make it up to the new campsites for water, but it was getting late anyway, due to the late start letting the rain soak in. The whole ride was less messy than the few miles around Sully Creek trailhead. The first one to ten millimeters seem to dry quickly, but in some areas a greasy goo awaits the uninitiated. particularly where the hillside has sloughed off due to a previous rain.

It is hot today with severe thunderstorms forecast from this afternoon into tomorrow. Ride tired today or see what the ever changing weather brings tomorrow? Hmmm.