Bits & Pieces
Paired Up!
In central Wisconsin, weekends mean two free days which also means two days of riding. This weekend, we visited Nine MIle County Forest near Wausau and Standing Rocks, east of Plover.
Both are great trails, but each offer a different type of ride.
If you're looking for fast more technical trail, Nine Mile County Forest is where you want to go. The lower numbered trails are fast and fun. Not a lot of obstacles to hinder you pace. One exception is trail number 1. This is a very technical romp either direction. In the middle, is a rock garden reminiscent of something out west. Move to the higher numbers in the trail system, 11, 12, 13, 14, your ride is riddled with rocks and logs that make the ride very technical. Nine Mile has been open for just under a month and is in very good condition.
Standing Rocks is a series of tight single track that winds around in a small area and outputs about 14 miles of tight switchbacks and rooty terrain that can slow the pace. It is a workout--there are many hills cut into the ridge lines that ignite the quads. Current conditions are great except for the many branches littering the trails from the high winds in the last few weeks. Warning, call the park (715-824-3949) before you ride, the County is extremely sensitive over any rainfall and the possible erosion, so it can close at a moments notice.
These two trails are only 45 mins apart. Do both in a day or hang out and stretch it over the weekend.
Building Big
April 26, 2010
This weekend the Wausau Wheelers with trail crew organizer by Matt Block, gathered to continue working on what will be a 12 mile continuous loop at the Big Eau Pleine Park, near Mosinee, WI. A few years back the project was started, but put on the back burner, now, people are working to revive the once delayed project. In the Wausau area, Nine Mile County Forest is the main attraction for riders from May 1 - October 15. It is a large window for riding, but unfortunately, there is still some prime riding to be had after the 15th. Nine mile riders have to go else where to get their fix.
The Eau Pleine will be designed and strategically located to feed the need. Riders can ride year round weather permitting with no hunters of skiers to get in their way.
Currently, the trail has about 3.5 miles with some crazy rock gardens. Look for this up-n-comer in the next year, we are sure it will add to the rich mountain biking that Central Wisconsin has to offer.
We Love Emma
April 26, 2010
Not that going south is the only way to get on a trail this season, but Fat Tire Guides headed down to the Southern Kettles near Whitewater, WI, and rode John Muir and Emma Carlin and of course the connector. It is important to note that we rode this trail about three years ago and John Muir and the connector was worth the ride, however, Emma Carlin was pretty boring. Lots wide trails with big climbs and nothing to break up the monotony. Three years later, Emma Carlin was a riding treat.
Singletrack has been built weaving in and out of the main loop with a smattering of riding obsticles thrown into the mix, adding a technical challenge for high skill riders. The Southern Kettle Trail Crew is carving these routes and should be given a party for all their hard work. In all, we rode 23 miles starting from John Muir, riding the connector to and back from Emma Carlin. It all was a blast. If you want a coaster ride with bit of work in between, this is the trail to ride. Check out the links, for general weather and directions, we'll be updating the maps soon.
The Ride Is On
April 12, 2010
It's early April and the weather is unseasonably warm which means the mtb season is upon us much earlier than expected. Trails are opening all around the state and we are stoked. The idea of having so many trails to choose to ride is mind blowing, but we are up to the task.
One of the first trail systems open this year was Smoke N' Spoke in Rhinelander. We've ridden it twice and both times the conditions were fantastic. Trail builders have already cleared the trail as well as building a new piece of technical single track--awesome.
During 2010, we'll be out riding while documenting more trails and updating the one we already have. We will keep you posted on new trails opening and current trails expanding.
