Poto: Rolling Hills Park

[parttime]

I found 3 ticks on my legs after my ride, but I also rode thru Hewens so I'm not sure if they were from RHP or Hewens. Regardless, be sure to check yourself really well after your ride.

I also had half a dozen ticks on my legs the other day while mowing/trimming at RHP.

We have a log ride now . She's in the section after the gravel road.



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Looks great and can't wait to try it! What did you use to shave the top of the log?

Beautiful day at RHP today. Trail was in great shape...nearly bone dry and fast. The new mounds section is riding in nicely. So much so that I'm thinking that it doesn't need more work. It's bumpy and tight but that makes it interesting and challenging. What do you think?

I think it could use a little work/tweaking, but I'm a pansy... (and it is rideable as-is)

I saw only one other rider out there today. I managed 30:54 today which is a minute faster than my previous best.

Strava! (or it didn't happen!!11!!!)

On my second lap I was cruising at a decent speed to 33:20 but got blown past by the aforementioned other rider. He must have been on a 28:00 lap so my ego got put back in its place.

That was probably jeepskate......

Looks like RHP staff mowed most of the west meadow...or was that you Parttime? Regardless, we are definitely in prime growing season now. Lots of face slappers and knee scrappers out there. My weekend schedule is pretty booked up for the next month so I'll probably squeeze in some trail maintenance in the evening with the Stihl trimmer and push mower. Let me know if you have the time and inclination to come out and help me or to borrow the tools on your own.

Parttime, when do you think you can wrangle up the brush hog? There's still a lot of areas where it could be used.

That was me a few days ago using my regular mower. I wasn't able to get everything that I wanted to get to, because after the 4th rock strike, one blade mount gave up the ghost again. I ordered an extra one last time so all I have to do is replace it and I should be able to get to the SE meadow and a couple more parts I was gonna try near the mounds (I will have to make some 'mower shortcuts') this week. Cleaned up the tight turn near the 'pond' in the west meadow, and also walked and cleared the trail leading down the fenceline into the Munger area because my mowing had been cut short.

Let me know if you need me to pick up the brush mower for you, but I will be out of town this coming weekend.

[john_galt]

Looks great and can't wait to try it! What did you use to shave the top of the log?

A hatchet. I was hoping to keep it natural and uncut but the diameter was just a little too small. I rode it before I cut it about 20 times and couldn't get more than half way. Cleaned it in about 5 tries after I cut it.

[michael48197]

Parttime,
Thanks for mowing the west meadows. I wasn't sure who did it. It's not bad yet, but the open areas along the E-W fence before and after the first mounds will needs some mowing. That area was particularly thick with Goldenrod when it was first cut last year. As for the mound ridge, it's supposed to be hard and sap the energy out of you. I just don't want it to be dangerous. Maybe we can smooth out one or two of the dips and widen the track on the last climbing section past that tree and as it turns the corner at the top.

I don't have a GPS unit yet so no Strava for me. You'll just have to take me at my word. I'm honest. Really. Maybe I can get the wife to get me a GPS for my BD. Anyone have a good recommendation for a bike mount or wrist GPS? Cost?

[ChrisInYpsi]

The new slides in the waterpark look fun. Will make for a great way to cool off after a long ride.


Did a quick lap this morning. The upper mound line is really riding in nicely. I think we just need some infill in the valley between a few of the mounds to lessen the compression at the bottom. Other than that it might be good to go for a while.

[john_galt]

The Bandit line in the crater has been rebuilt. I rode that section Thursday and it was not there. While walking the paved path with the fam on Friday, I saw 3-4 BMXers enter at the trailhead. Rode Saturday and the bandit line was there. Hate to put blame without direct evidence but the coincidence would be pretty amazing.

Anyway, these guys weren't "punk kid BMXers", they were grown men in their 20's. So, if I may offer a suggestion, how about extend an olive branch to these guys and invite them to a trail day or arrange a meeting to talk? A sign could be placed in that section with contact info and some MMBA propaganda. Maybe these guys are the right people to coordinate the long talked about skills park? Or maybe we could just get a little more help with trail work.

Thoughts?

[Mikeyb64]

This explains the ticks. http://www.annarbor.com/pets/ticks-pets-dogs-cats-humans-how-to-prevent-illness-bites/

@michael48197
I like my Garmin Edge 500. Battery life is great, but if I was shopping around for a new GPS I would get the Garmin 510 or 810. Garmin just updated their line and the Edge 510 & 810 are the new models. The 510 & 810 are touch screen and have way better UI than the outgoing 500 & 800. I highly suggest to pick up the heart rate chest strap and the speed/cadence sensor no matter what model you get. The best feature of the new models is cell-phone integration. It adds in live location tracking (great for family), fitness sensor tracking (PRs like Strava), as well as weather information from your phone.

This guy does great reviews if you wan to learn more. http://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-reviews/garmin

[ChrisInYpsi]

Hard to believe it rained this week from riding the trail tonight. It's dry and ready to go. I brought my fatbike expecting some mushy spots but found none.

Lots of face slappers so grab a few as you go. It was nice to see John Galt and Michael out tonight on slapper patrol.

[Mikeyb64]

Hard to believe it rained this week from riding the trail tonight. It's dry and ready to go. I brought my fatbike expecting some mushy spots but found none.

Lots of face slappers so grab a few as you go. It was nice to see John Galt and Michael out tonight on slapper patrol.

After riding RHP today I went to Home Depot and bought some pruning tools and was planning on doing some trimming in the AM. Will there be anything left? I was also planning on taking a shovel to a few spots in the upper mound.