Feeling the Heat at Elm Creek

Yesterday I had been trying to decide between Elm Creek and Murphy for today's ride... I eventually chose to take advantage of the weekend traffic and drive up to Elm Creek.  Driving from South Minneapolis to the 3rd ring NW suburb where Elm Creek Park Reserve is located on a weekday would be a traffic nightmare.  On a weekend though, it is well worth the drive.

This is definitely where Theo Wirth has an advantage... being able to ride from home to the trail is a big plus in my book.

Like Theo, Elm Creek recently had a new section of trail open up.  The newly opened section is a roughly 2 mile loop that covers some nice terrain on the southern boundary of the mountain bike area.

Elm Creek doesn't have any "expert" or "advanced" trail... all the trails there are either beginner or intermediate.  The new section is simply referred to as the "most difficult" loop (although it is still intermediate level difficulty).  The new loop has a few more technical features (log piles), but otherwise has a similar feel as the rest of the trail.

The most challenging of these log piles is pictured below.  It's a log pile up and over a crooked tree.  A really cool idea, but the ramps are steep enough that most bikes will drag a chainring across the tree.  The ramps were also made up of already rotting logs and dirt.

The cool thing about this feature is that you are riding up over a tree.  My hope is that a more permanent feature will be built with larger, sturdier ramps that create a flatter top to the feature.  This would go a long way to protecting the tree trunk from getting chewed up by chainrings.

I rode from the parking lot to the singletrack via the park's network of paved paths.  Elm Creek Park Reserve has some of the nicest paved paths in the Twin Cities area.  Some day I'll make the trek up there on my other (more road-worthy) Fargo.

It was sunny, hot and humid today and there were definitely points in my ride where I regretted my decision this morning... Murphy has a lot more shade than Elm Creek.  At times the combination of sun, heat, and humidity was brutal.  But it was worth it for a fun ride on a great trail.  I gotta say that unless our warm weather pattern changes soon, it might be a while before I ride Elm Creek again.  That said, I'm really looking forward to riding this trail in the fall.

Stopping can be as much fun as riding...

New Loop at Theo

A new expert loop opened up at Theo Wirth recently... and while it's really short, it's a lot of fun.  I got a chance to check it out and I'm really impressed with some of the features.  It's a welcome addition to one of my favorite trails.  One of the things I like most about Theo is that it's a fun ride to and from the trail, so instead of driving to the trail I rode from home.  It ended up being a nice 27 mile ride on a beautiful summer day.

The fat front Fargo's long wheelbase and low bottom bracket didn't make the new loop any easier, especially the new wooden skinny.  But it's alright, I'm still in love with the way this bike rides...

After riding over a rock qualifier, the narrow trail continues downhill to a turning rock garden, then through a couple armored gully crossings.  Shortly after the gully you climb up to two fun elevated structures.  Here are some pics of the new structures...

Wooden Feature 1:  The first elevated structure is located on an uphill which makes it a bit more difficult, but it's wide enough that you can pedal hard with little chance of falling off.  The feature makes a 90 degree right turn, then slopes downhill to give you momentum for the next feature.

Feature 1 Entrance:  (looking forward)

Feature 1 Exit:  (looking backward)

Wooden Feature 2:  The second feature is a long, low skinny with a tight S-curve and a double camelback at the end.  It is low enough that falling off the feature is not an issue (unless you're at the top of one of the camelback humps).

Feature 2 Entrance:  (looking forward)

Middle of Feature 2:  (looking forward)

Feature 2 Exit:  (looking backward)

The S-curve about 1/3 of the way through is the toughest part... it took quite a few tries but I finally cleared the entire thing.  My rear tire kept dropping off the inside of the first curve.  After walking the bike through the corner I realized that with such a long wheelbase I needed to hop the rear wheel when I was half way through the S-curve.  Once I did that, I was able ride the feature cleanly.

The Fargo's low bottom bracket cleared all the rocks along the new loop, but I dragged my bashguard on one of the camelback humps... it'll be interesting to see if other riders hit their big rings and end up damaging the decking.

After the wooden features, the trail starts to climb back up to the main trail.  The coolest feature on the climb out, and the most impressive from a trailbuilding perspective, is an awesome rock causeway.

After the rock causeway there is a series of rock steps with a tight corner.  I'm not much into slow speed, uphill technical features, but I can see how this could be an appealing challenge for some riders.  If you've ridden Lebanon Hills, it reminds me of a smaller version of Tedman's Curve.  I didn't put much effort into clearing this section, but I'm guessing it'll require one or two hop/wheelie type moves for me to ride cleanly.

This short section of trail has been in the works for about 6 years.  I can only guess what took so long.  Whatever the reason, it's just nice to finally have an expert loop at Theo.  Thanks to all those that approved, designed, and/or built this loop... good job!

If you are looking to try something new, and a bit more technical, keep your eyes open for the entrance to the new loop.


Stopping can be as much fun as riding...

Heat Wave

We are in the middle of a heat wave here in MN...

The above graph is from the University of MN Climatological Observatory, showing the air temp and apparent temp (heat index) for the last couple days.  The apparent temp is what it "feels like" and considers the amount of moisture in the air (dew point).  The moisture is the worst part... the dew points have been in the upper 70s to low 80s, which makes it feel like a tropical rainforest.  By the looks of the forecast we only have a few days left of the heat wave.  I hope so.

When it is this hot and humid, I can't help but think back to winter with fondness...

Stopping can be as much fun as riding...

The Minnesota River

The last 2 days have been ideal weather in my opinion... highs near 80, low dew points, and a perfect mix of clouds and sun.  The forecast calls for rain tomorrow, then a heat wave.  Highs in the 90s through next week.  Lame.

To take advantage of the weather I did some exploring along the Minnesota River.  There are trails on both sides of the river between Hwy 494 and 77, and when the trails are passable, it makes for a fun loop.  Unfortunately, the trail on the south side (MN Valley Trail) has a low spot that's been consistently flooded with a few feet of water.  The river will need to go down several feet before this section of trail is passable again.  Based on how this year has gone so far, it may never be rideable.

My plan was to see the flooded section for myself and go as far as I could on the MN Valley Trail... yesterday I came at it from the north, and today I approached from the south.  Both days involved a lot of sand.

Below is the end of the trail, coming from the north.

By my estimate the flooded section isn't all that long, but it looks deep.  Yesterday's route was straight forward; paved trail from home to the MN Valley Trail, with only about a 1 mile of dirt until it dead ended.  But it was a beautiful day, I had a beer and a snack in the sun, then took the long way back to the pavement via dirt trail.

Today involved a bit more miles and a more varied route... it started the same as yesterday, but I continued on the paved trails to the other side of the river.  Here I picked up the Long Meadow Lake Trail.  I always find it funny that this trail starts just a few blocks from the Mall of America... two extremely different environments (and experiences) in such close proximity.

This was the only water I saw on the Long Meadow Lake Trail... and it was an easy ride through it.  Just needed to stay out of the mud on the sides.  There was nice gravel trail under the water, which was only about 6 inches deep at its deepest.

I continued on the Long Meadow Lake Trail until Hwy 77, crossed the river on the pedestrian bridge, and headed up the MN Valley Trail.

Above is the (flooded) end of the MN Valley Trail when approaching from the south.  Well, at least this is as far as I chose to go.  I could have kept going, but the mud on the other side of the bridge was really thick... the type of mud that sucks the shoes off your feet when you try and walk through it.  So, this is where I turned around.

I stopped for a beer and a snack at a nice sunny spot (as usual) before returning to civilization.  I was pretty beat at this point and there is a light rail station 2 blocks from the trailhead, so I hopped a ride on the train back to Minneapolis.  Unfortunately the bike holders on the train aren't fat bike accessible...

All in all, a great couple days on the fat bike...

Stopping can be as much fun as riding...

Good Canned Beer

I've been partial to bringing a couple beers with me to drink during longer, non-singletrack rides.  I've also been buying canned beer almost exclusively for the last couple years, which is much better suited to bike transport than bottled beer.  Canned beer has really won me over... no broken glass to worry about, the cans are easily crushed and carried after they've been emptied, and some breweries out there are making really good canned beer.

My current favorites are New Belgium Fat Tire, and most of the Surly offerings... good stuff.

I don't drink that much or all that regularly, so I don't really care to drink cheap, watery beer.  And I don't buy into the idea that it's cool and hip to drink crappy beer.  Sorry buddy, but that can of PBR doesn't give you any street cred' when you're standing next to your over-priced bike decked out with carbon fiber and $700 wheels.


Stopping can be as much fun as riding...

Feeling Surly

Yesterday may have been the quintessential Minnesota summer day, so I decided to checked on one of my favorite trails... the MN Valley Trail.

One of the lowest spots in between Mendota and Hwy 494 is right at the beginning of the trail, and since this was rideable I knew I could make it to at least the 494 bridge.  By the sounds of it, the low spot between 494 and 77 is going to take a while to recede enough to allow riding the entire trail.

For the most part the trail was just damp and rode nicely under the fat tires of my Poor Man's Pug.  There was some mud, a few water crossings, and some sections of deep sand (of course), but that's what makes this trail so fun.  And that's what makes the fat bike so fun to ride there.

I installed a Vredestein Black Panther 2.35" on the back recently; it has more bite than the Hookworm but still rolls fairly well.  Even though it's narrower than the Hookworm I'm pleased with how the Black Panther worked in the mud and sand.

I also added a couple Surly decals and put a Surly head badge on the front.  The decal kit is for the Pacer... it sounds kind of stupid, but I like the looks of the Pacer font better than the original 1x1 decals.  I had removed all the decals and head badge years ago to give it an all black look.  I like it even more with the new decals.

I wasn't out for a very long ride yesterday, so I got off the MN Valley Trail at 494.  One of these days I'll see how far past 494 I can ride.  I'm guessing the water will still be too deep at the low spot before 77, but I'd like to see it in person.  On yesterday's ride there was one particularly nice, shallow water crossing where I stopped to take some photos and have a beer...

I brought two beers with me, one can of New Belgium Fat Tire (my ol' standby that's always in the fridge) and one can of Surly Hell.  The Surly Hell is a local seasonal, and one of my favorites.  Going for a nice ride on my Surly, then stopping to drink a cold Surly... tough to beat.

Stopping can be as much fun as riding...

Elm Creek - "Home of the Roller"

This weekend I got out for my first ride on the recently opened singletrack in Elm Creek Park Reserve... and it was a ton of fun.  The trail turned out really nice.  The Elm Creek singletrack is a much anticipated addition to the north metro, and should make a lot of riders on that side of town really happy.

The trail is a well-balanced mix of forest and rolling prairie.  There isn't a ton of elevation and the trail does a good job of making the most of the terrain available.  Despite the fact that it's obviously new, the singletrack is relatively well-packed overall.  There are some sections that were pretty sluggish, but that'll change with time as the trail gets more riders.  From what I could tell the soils are very similar to Murphy, which should make for a fast, hardpacked trail in the woods with some occasionally loose conditions in the prairies.

One of the first things you'll notice when riding this trail is the abundance of rollers.  They're actually grade reversals that are built into the trail to help control erosion.  From the rider's perspective they make for some really fun rollers, especially on the faster downhills.  There were a few rollers that are already perfect for getting air and I'm sure there will be more as the trail packs in.  

The trail is not only a nice mix of forest and prairie, but it's also a nice mix of tight/twisty and fast/flowy.  And most importantly the transitions between the two are (for the most part) well designed.  There are a few transitions from fast to tight that are too abrupt right now... I'm hoping Three Rivers/MORC will fix these spots to allow riders to more safely carry their speed.    

The trail follows the basic route that we laid out on paper 3 years ago, along with some additional squiggles on the map to add length, and a nice addition to the easy loop in an area that wasn't originally available for trail development.  One nice feature of the final trail alignment is that it has multiple access points... more of a headache when it comes to managing the trail, but a nice feature from the trail user's point of view.  There are also 2 different spots in the 8 mile intermediate trail that allow riders to cut their ride shorter, which is nice if you don't have the time/energy to complete a full lap.

If you're a local, I highly recommend making the trip to Elm Creek to give the new trail a try.  The current trail is 10.3 miles, with a 2.4 mile "most difficult" loop opening on a later date.  Click here to download a map of the new Elm Creek singletrack.

I'm really looking forward to getting to know the trail better... there's nothing better than knowing how to hit the corners just right, or when you can let the bike go and carry some more speed.  It'll be interesting to see how this trail matures and develops... where the final tread gets packed in by riders, the kind of technical features that are added, how the "most difficult" loop turns out, and how issues with mud and breaking bumps are addressed when they occur.

And while we're on the topic of rollers, here are some pics of the new features being built out at Theo Wirth.  These are on the yet-to-be-opened expert loop at Theo.  This section of trail has been in the works for 6+ years now, and I'm hoping it'll finally be opening this year.  From those pics, it looks like it'll be fun.

Stopping can be as much fun as riding...