Western: Yankee Springs

[davedejonge]

Rode tonight 8/15 Trail is good shape, was a great run. Sand isn't bad.

Have to confess this is the second time I rode here... first thru in December I thought that the trail was kinda a dud.
After tonight I retract my initial thoughts, the trail was a blast. Lots of fun though out.

I'll work to get back here again.

[G.R.XC-MTNBKR]

How does one remove a hill from a mountain bike trail?

Are you serious? Instead of letting those of us that liked the climb have the option they blocked it off and made a easy flat bypass around it. I guess if everybody cant do it then nobody can, they do love to dumb down the trails.

[mntn-biker]

How does one remove a hill from a mountain bike trail?

Are you serious? Instead of letting those of us that liked the climb have the option they blocked it off and made a easy flat bypass around it. I guess if everybody cant do it then nobody can, they do love to dumb down the trails.

I do believe Bigtymer was joking....

From what I was told a few years ago is that when a re-route is done on DNR public rec. area, game area, etc. trails, the old trail needs to be covered up and made to look somewhat "natural" as if the trail never existed. That, my friend, is why I was told the original trail gets blocked off.

[G.R.XC-MTNBKR]

How does one remove a hill from a mountain bike trail?

Are you serious? Instead of letting those of us that liked the climb have the option they blocked it off and made a easy flat bypass around it. I guess if everybody cant do it then nobody can, they do love to dumb down the trails.

I do believe Bigtymer was joking....

From what I was told a few years ago is that when a re-route is done on DNR public rec. area, game area, etc. trails, the old trail needs to be covered up and made to look somewhat "natural" as if the trail never existed. That, my friend, is why I was told the original trail gets blocked off.

And that would be fine with me(us) if the reroute was close to what it was replacing in difficulty. As can be clearly seen from the race times out there year after year the mmba continues to dumb down the trail out there. I dont know if they do it on purpose or not but it doesnt really matter.

[Slimm]

stoopid mmba

[LuckyCharm4x4]

And that would be fine with me(us) if the reroute was close to what it was replacing in difficulty. As can be clearly seen from the race times out there year after year the mmba continues to dumb down the trail out there. I dont know if they do it on purpose or not but it doesnt really matter.

This reroute has all been covered before, possibly even a few pages ago in this thread. Right about now is usually when people chime in and say something like "If you don't like the way that reroutes are being completed, show up to a trail day and give your $0.02, otherwise don't complain about it later."

[irishpitbull]

How does one remove a hill from a mountain bike trail?

Are you serious? Instead of letting those of us that liked the climb have the option they blocked it off and made a easy flat bypass around it. I guess if everybody cant do it then nobody can, they do love to dumb down the trails.

I do believe Bigtymer was joking....

From what I was told a few years ago is that when a re-route is done on DNR public rec. area, game area, etc. trails, the old trail needs to be covered up and made to look somewhat "natural" as if the trail never existed. That, my friend, is why I was told the original trail gets blocked off.

And that would be fine with me(us) if the reroute was close to what it was replacing in difficulty. As can be clearly seen from the race times out there year after year the mmba continues to dumb down the trail out there. I dont know if they do it on purpose or not but it doesnt really matter.

Been saying since I moved to Mich. Our trails get called "get for beginners" by national bike mags.

[flamingo]

Was on business last week in Grand Rapids area. Decided to take my bike with me to try after work the trails around the area . Was going to do Merell, Ionia, and Yankee Springs. Started with Yankee Springs on Tuesday night. Liked the trail so much that Wednesday and Thursday went there as well. What a great trail !!! It has a combination of almost everything. Had a blast!! I wish I did not live 2 and half hours away from it. I have to say that in my personal ranking of trails of lower peninsula it will occupy second place after Highland. I guess I might have been a bit lucky because due to the rain and moisture the sandy areas were not as bad.

[whitmyer870]

Rode Yankee on Turesday (9/11/12). Good ride except my tool bag zipper got shaken so bad it opened and I lost a multi tool, CO2 inflator and a couple of CO2 carteridges. If anybody happened to pick them up could you please let me know. Thanks.

[flamingo]

Found a blue water bottle around the fifth mile. Left it at the Kiosk at the trail head.
The ride was great. Did two full loops.

[the Putti]

I have been warned that now that hunting season has started, Yankee might not be the safest place to ride. Is this true? I have a yellow commuter vest that I could wear.

[meangreen]

Bright colors are a good idea, but I wouldn't worry about hunters until rifle season for deer in Nov. Most people know that the MTB trail gets frequent use and plan accordingly. If you're really concerned, avoid riding at dawn & dusk when most hunters will be in their stands.

[dirtjunkie]

I have been warned that now that hunting season has started, Yankee might not be the safest place to ride. Is this true?.

No, it's not true.

I would only advise not riding there Nov 15-20th, as this is when firearm deer season is at its peak. Being mistaken for a deer isn't the concern....it's the idea of being in the line of fire that I would be concerned with.

Small Game season is open now. Bow season opens on Oct first. Riding in the middle of the day is smart.

I ride Yankee very often. I also have a treestand that is within eyesight of the trail. It's pretty cool watching riders negotiate the trail...but it's also entertaining ...I've heard a number of riders "coaching" themselves ..."come on!"...."that line didn't work!"...."WHOA...almost crashed!".
Pretty funny!

~Mark

[the Putti]

Road it today. Loved it, but lost a cleat mid ride, only being clipped in on one side makes for a really un-economical pedal stroke. It also makes descending rather frustrating as your foot continually comes off the pedal over bumps.

I rode about 2 pm and besides a few hikers with dogs, I didn't see anyone on the trail. I didn't hear any guns so I felt safe.

[dirtjunkie]

There are a few trees down at Yankee. Otherwise, the trail is in excellent condition. The rains only make it better!