Mid-State: Anderson Park

[xcrdr]

Rode there today for the first time in a long time. Still confused on the red, and now the blue. You come to a fork in the trail. Left says red. Right says red. Same with the blue. I think I figured out that the right trail takes you back towards the road, at least on red. I went left on blue. For those that know the trail, seems easy. For those that don't, especially first timers out there, very very confusing. Also, a little confused on what exactly is considered the playground. Is it most of the last part of red? Trail was in pretty good condition overall. Hikers cutting through on green, with a dog off leash. Scared the *beep* out of me, since it came bounding my way ahead of the hikers. I am a dog owner, and won't get into the rights and wrongs of dogs off leash on the trails, however, I will say that I cannot stand it on bike trails. Coming to a screeching stop on a flowing part of the trail because some asshat decided that he would let his dog off leash really chaps my ass.

So I'm an asshat?

No, because Logan runs with us. This was just a random dog off leash.

Ah, better practice up those bunny hopping skills!

[TenSpeed]

That would be pretty cool to just hop right over a snarling and snapping dog on the trail.

[rvd]

Tons of people out tonight, including marathoners, fast xc 'kids' (so happy they don't use strava), and FS 'stunters'. Perfect riding day obviously. Trail is in excellent shape, except for one very low branch in the wormhole. If you see any blood on the red trail, it is Allmountin' 's (same for the chain tool). Also wondering when TC brad is going to ride the high drop for the first time...

[AllMountin']

If you see any blood on the red trail, it is Allmountin' 's (same for the chain tool).

I was just marking the trail. I best go log my trail hours.

I did lose a black, lightly rusted Bontrager chain tool, and possibly other items on the first 1/4 or 1/2 of Red. If you find it in the next couple of days, let me know. Otherwise, I'll probably have bought a new one, in which case you can keep it.

[centralRH]

Tons of people out tonight, including marathoners, fast xc 'kids' (so happy they don't use strava), and FS 'stunters'. Perfect riding day obviously. Trail is in excellent shape, except for one very low branch in the wormhole. If you see any blood on the red trail, it is Allmountin' 's (same for the chain tool). Also wondering when TC brad is going to ride the high drop for the first time...

I'll hit it sometime this weekend with no one around
I think we need to get Steve some shoulder pads. No matter how hard you go at them, trees always win a game of chicken.

[bockrona]

Rode this morning, trail looks good. Just a couple tiny puddles left. I moved a little dirt and a few sticks, but nothing major, also cleared a lot of cobwebs with my face and glasses.

Really like the new drops, rode them both a few times. Came off the big one a little tentative the first time, almost endo'd and came close to eating it face first. I think the front shock saved me. The other runs were way better.

Lots of growth, think I might try some weed whipping sometime soon, starting with Blue.

Again, with the log ride on Green. I know there's a few who can ride it already, and they probably think it's just fine, but I really think the top should be shaved a couple inches and it would be a lot of fun for a lot more people. If anyone's been to Brighton Rec lately, there's a new one on the Murray Lake loop like that.

Also on Green, I think that the newest log pile takes a lot of flow out of a fun section, but I like smooth and flowy in general. Some log piles are fun, and some just make you slow down and don't add much to the trail. Maybe if it was buried into a hump, you could pump or jump it a little.

[AllMountin']

If you are referring to the log pile in the area after the two little rock 'piles' and before the 'S' curve where the big vines intersect the trail, then I couldn't agree more. It is a speed bump in a fast section. Vote for remove.

There is a newer one prior on Green, where the trail parallels the river, which can be jumped. I don't mind this one for that reason. I have cooled on log piles in general. I like the ones that can be ramped, because they are fun, but don't find log piles in general either challenging or rewarding. I think tedious is the word.

I've seen a couple of challenging uphill log piles that add technical challenge to trails, and some very large piles that add character to a trail. Standard log piles? Meh. This is just my singular opinion on the matter, and I do NOT expect trails to be tailored to my personal preference.

As for the log rides on green- I do ride both on green as is, with varying rates of success. If you've been to Novi, you'd notice that they have log rides of increasing difficulty throughout the trail. The first is pretty wide, with easy entrance and exit. The next is slightly harder on the entry, with a wide ride and a small drop at the end. The next is elevated, unshaved, and has an easy entry/exit. Then you get an unshaved ride, with tougher entry, and drop exit. Last comes a super fun, shaved log ride on a downhill, with a drop exit. If there is one thing The Farm does right, it is the construction of their optional tech features.

I like the idea of a progression of difficulty. You could shave the one that parallels the trail, for example, and leave the second and more difficult ride natural. It would offer something for a wider array of riders, and perhaps serve as a stepping stone for increasing one's skill set.

I'll reiterate that my opinion is near meaningless. Such critical decisions fall at the feet of the TC and/or trail bandits.

[TenSpeed]

If there is one thing The Farm does right, it is the construction of their optional tech features.

Be careful with this. Certain people on this forum do not take kindly to the comparison or even mention of the stunts at Tree Farm, especially when discussing local trails here.

[jonw9]

If you are referring to the log pile in the area after the two little rock 'piles' and before the 'S' curve where the big vines intersect the trail, then I couldn't agree more. It is a speed bump in a fast section. Vote for remove.

There is a newer one prior on Green, where the trail parallels the river, which can be jumped. I don't mind this one for that reason. I have cooled on log piles in general. I like the ones that can be ramped, because they are fun, but don't find log piles in general either challenging or rewarding. I think tedious is the word.

I've seen a couple of challenging uphill log piles that add technical challenge to trails, and some very large piles that add character to a trail. Standard log piles? Meh. This is just my singular opinion on the matter, and I do NOT expect trails to be tailored to my personal preference.

As for the log rides on green- I do ride both on green as is, with varying rates of success. If you've been to Novi, you'd notice that they have log rides of increasing difficulty throughout the trail. The first is pretty wide, with easy entrance and exit. The next is slightly harder on the entry, with a wide ride and a small drop at the end. The next is elevated, unshaved, and has an easy entry/exit. Then you get an unshaved ride, with tougher entry, and drop exit. Last comes a super fun, shaved log ride on a downhill, with a drop exit. If there is one thing The Farm does right, it is the construction of their optional tech features.

I like the idea of a progression of difficulty. You could shave the one that parallels the trail, for example, and leave the second and more difficult ride natural. It would offer something for a wider array of riders, and perhaps serve as a stepping stone for increasing one's skill set.

I'll reiterate that my opinion is near meaningless. Such critical decisions fall at the feet of the TC and/or trail bandits.

There are some good ideas there Steve. We do appreciate your constructive suggestions, and something to definitely consider. I do not know what Brad has in mind for the playground, but I am sure he is open to suggestions from those willing to come out and help build such features.

[AllMountin']

Did I criticize something? I did expound, perhaps excessively, about my newfound disdain for smallish log piles. This is not trail specific, and the TC had nothing to do with the creation of the one in question as far as I'm aware.

Assuming the above is true, the removal of the log pile in question would be just as legitimate as it's creation.

I was merely sharing my opinion on the alterations suggested by bockrona.

[TenSpeed]

Did I criticize something? I did expound, perhaps excessively, about my newfound disdain for smallish log piles. This is not trail specific, and the TC had nothing to do with the creation of the one in question as far as I'm aware.

Assuming the above is true, the removal of the log pile in question would be just as legitimate as it's creation.

I was merely sharing my opinion on the alterations suggested by bockrona.

No, you didn't do anything wrong, but you did mention Tree Farm, and that kind of talk isn't taken well here I guess. I did the same thing, and my comments were not welcomed at all.

[bockrona]

Sorry if I opened a can of worms.

I was just getting my opinion out about a couple of features, one I wish to take out, and one I wish to help create. Hoping to gain support for the changes from TC Brad, other riders, and someone with a chainsaw.

[AllMountin']

Edited a couple of items on green with the saw. The log pile mentioned is now optional, has been built more substantially, and can be ridden at a pace consistent with the flow of the trail there. I have not ridden the completed product though. Hopefully this will appease all parties.

There is a head hunter also on green that should be taken out. I forgot to remove it while I was out. Blue needs trimming badly. It was on my to do list, but I ran out of time. Red and green are in good shape, with only a couple of minor wet spots.

[bikejoe]

I trimmed part of the Blue loop this evening. I was in the area with my string trimmer, had a little fuel left in it so I did what I could. Starting from the end/parking area I worked backward toward the beginning. Didn’t even get half way around the loop, I turned around right after I lopped off the most offensive low hanging branch on Blue. This doesn’t mean I have dibs on finishing it. The soonest I can get back out there to trim is next Saturday and I won’t be disappointed if someone beats me to it.

[bikejoe]

Trimmed more of the Blue this morning, mostly done except at the start (road entrance). Will finish on Fri or Sat.

Also, Last Sunday I enjoyed the log ride adjustments on the Green. The log pile could have been omitted completely but it was considerate to offer it as an option. I was finally able to ride that tough, downhill log ride thanks to the on-ramp, though I had to put a foot down twice and grab the small tree at the end to keep from falling. Well done Steve! I no longer have any reservations about making that log ride that starts from a Y -shaped crotch more accessible. I have complete confidence in your sawsmanship...