'cross trails/training in Oakland county

[bryou83]

Anyone have any suggestions for places to ride near the Rochester area? Got my first 'cross bike this winter and am looking for some places to test it out!

[VinceAnila]

Anything you're looking for, in particular? Stoney Creek and Bald Mountain are pretty awesome on a 'cross bike.

[Steve_Kinley]

Do you want to test it in a race type condition? We are having two short track races at Lake Orion High School that are similar in length and course type to cyclocross, but without the barriers. The races are May 24 and June 16.

As posted in the previous reply, most all of the trails in the area you ask about can be ridden on a 'cross bike. The three trails already listed are probably the best. Orion Oaks is another place to try but there really isn't any singletrack.

[VinceAnila]

Do you want to test it in a race type condition? We are having two short track races at Lake Orion High School that are similar in length and course type to cyclocross, but without the barriers. The races are May 24 and June 16.

As posted in the previous reply, most all of the trails in the area you ask about can be ridden on a 'cross bike. The three trails already listed are probably the best. Orion Oaks is another place to try but there really isn't any singletrack.

Can you post more info. about these?

[Steve_Kinley]

Here you go. http://www.mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=108244

Thursday evening at 6:45, all classes. Figure 35-40 minutes for A class. About 5-10 minutes less per class as you go down

June 16 is a Saturday race and we are targeting to do this in the evening also.

[VinceAnila]

Nice. I might come to that June short track event.

[Doc_d]

If you just want to get some fitness rides on the cross bike, look at the Thursday night gravel road ride that the Flying Rhino's Cycling club does. There are probably 20 - 40 riders and they usually split into two groups (a faster and slower group). Early season rides are 24 miles and they get longer as the season goes on. The slower group is averaging about 16+ MPH right now. The fast group was 20+ MPH last week I heard.

The ride leaves from Kinetic Systems bike shop in Clarkston. They hit roads NW of Clarkston. There are some nice climbs.

This same club rents the Waterford Race Track on Tuesday night coaching sessions. During this time of year it's all road riding oriented. Later in the season they focus on cyclocross.

Lastly this Sunday there is a large organized back road ride hosted by the same club. It's in the Clarkston area. It's called the "Mother's Day Back 40 Challenge". There are various route lengths (10 ,16, 24, or 48 miles).

Here's the club's website. This club and it's affiliated shop (Kinetic Systems) is extremely active in all aspect of cyclocross.
http://www.flyingrhinocc.com/

[bryou83]

Thanks for all the great info. I'll try and pencil in a few of the races if my schedule allows. I'm mostly interested in trying out racing, but would like a bit of practice before hand. The set up at lake Orion seems to be what I'm looking for...

[mtb_frk]

There is one picnic area at stony that I like to set up a loop in. It is by the north dam on the north side of the road. It has some sand, and some good hills to practice off camber turns etc.

[Steve_Kinley]

FYI, the last short track race of the spring is at LOHS tomorrow. And I hear there may be a cyclocross race there sometime this fall