Looking For Metro Detroit Dirt Roads

[Nazo]

Hello all. I've been stalking this forum for quite some time now. I'd like to thank all the contributors for the great wealth of information I've already found.

As the weather begins to warm up, I'm finding it harder and harder to justify my indoor trainer. With the trails being un-rideable these days I'm looking for some dirt road routes.
I'm in Livonia/Northville but I'm definitely willing to drive. If anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

[parttime]

This is a good resource for some good routes in Washtenaw county, not too far from ya. I ride one of the routes near my house, but plan on doing a few more this spring.

http://dirtroadwashtenaw.com/

[c0nsumer]

If you're willing to head up to Oakland County there is loads of great stuff if you park at Stoney Creek High School and head north.

Here's two good, safe, and fun routes: 1 - 2

[risnewski]

Second on http://dirtroadwashtenaw.com/ Great book.

Here's one from my house in Plymouth that includes a route found in the book: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/155351685

Here's a route to ILRA that I got from Mike over at Trails Edge:

Hines to 5 Mile. Nice climb to Sheldon.
Bike Path on Sheldon to 6 or on 5 mile to Beck and then to 6
6 Mile West (using the bike path till Beck, and Then shoulder or sidewalk for a mile...) 6 Mile turns to Dirt a mile west of Beck.

Take this Napier (also dirt - a great climb up to Napier as well).
Turn right (north) on Napier and follow this as you cross 7, 8, 9 and 10 mile roads.
Turn Left onto 11 Mile (west) and take this to Johns Road (T-intersection)
Turn right on Johns (North) and take this to 12 mile (T-intersection).
Turn right left (west) onto 12 mile and follow this all the way to Martindale (T intersection).
Turn Right (north) on Martindale and follow this all the way to Grand River (T-intersection).
Along grand River is a bike path that you'll turn left onto (West) and head down the hill to Kent Lake Road...Continue following the bike path as it leads you into ILRA at the North/East corner of the park.

You are now inside ILRA...follow this path till the next T-Intersection and head Left (South). If you turn Right at this intersection it will lead to Kensington Metro Park via bike path under the highway.

(You can also route through Maybury to ILRA)

I

[risnewski]

BTW, if you like hills, take Joy across 23 and there are some great very scenic hilly routes just the other side of the xway. You'll find different variations in the Dirt Roads Washtenaw book.

[craig]

If you're willing to head up to Oakland County there is loads of great stuff if you park at Stoney Creek High School and head north.

Here's two good, safe, and fun routes: 1 - 2

Markwood Drive -best climb around this area. Try it with a SS for extra points.

[str8flush24]

Any route suggestions out there for Waterford/Clarkston area?

[utabintarbo]

Any route suggestions out there for Waterford/Clarkston area?

A little route from last year's Gravel Grinder.

[iamkickstand]

str8flush there was some talk about the dirt road routes possible from pontiac lake, holdridge, clarkston, fenton, areas. I can't recall who started the thread, but there are tons of routes out that way.

[str8flush24]

I will search for it. thanks for the heads up.

[BForhan]

Park in the Hartland Meijer parking lot then head east to Clark Road turn left go to Dunham Road turn right. Ride that to Bullard then go North to Hibbner Turn right cross Fenton Road go to Tipsico Lk Road tun Right go to Dunham turn right go back to Bullard Road. Head Norht again to Parsahlville Road Turn left go to Hartland Road turn right this will go all the way to Center Road. Once at Center Road turn around head back South turn Right on Gordon Road go to Runyan Lk road turn left. Take that all the way to Hartland Road turn right. Stay on Hartland thru the round abouts and you are back at Meijer parking lot. This is about 80% or more dirt and mostly back roads and some verry long steep climbs and you are not on flats long it seems. Hartland Meijer is at M 59 and US 23. I ride this all the time now as it is my back yard. PM me if you have any questions.

Brian

[DeJ]

Nazo - The dirt roads around Cherry Hill & Prospect in Superior Township (between Canton and Ann Arbor) might be a good option. These roads are scenic with some nice hills (especially Gale Rd between Cherry Hill and Geddes). I do a lot of Iceman training here in the fall. There is even some singletrack in the Cherry Hill Nature Preserve to mix things up when it’s dry.

[Nazo]

Thanks for all the replies! I don't think I can take one more day of working out in my basement.
If I hear Troy Jacobson's or Tony Horton's voice one more time, I think I'm going to explode!

Tree fort has the "Washtenaw dirt roads" book in stock. Perfect excuse to visit tree fort and buy other stuff I "need".
65° and sunny. On my way to 6 mile and beck!!
Thanks again!!

[KLydesdale]

Any route suggestions out there for Waterford/Clarkston area?

A little route from last year's Gravel Grinder.

Or if you want something that's nearer the Waterford/Clarkston area, check out the FRCC Back 40 route maps on this PAGE.

These Back 40 ride routes show the starting point at Independence Elementary school off M-15/Ortonville road north of I-75 but many local riders also start out at Depot Park in Downtown Clarkston and take Holcomb road out over I-75 to link up with Reese or Allen road on the south end of the routes.

[utabintarbo]

Any route suggestions out there for Waterford/Clarkston area?

A little route from last year's Gravel Grinder.

Or if you want something that's nearer the Waterford/Clarkston area, check out the FRCC Back 40 route maps on this PAGE.

These Back 40 ride routes show the starting point at Independence Elementary school off M-15/Ortonville road north of I-75 but many local riders also start out at Depot Park in Downtown Clarkston and take Holcomb road out over I-75 to link up with Reese or Allen road on the south end of the routes.

Mmmmm, HOTT!!