Poto: Potawatomi

[banditx552]

As both a runner and a biker (biker first), I firmly believe runners should go with bike traffic, hikers against traffic. Of course, I also pay attention as a runner and will get out of the way for any biker coming from behind, but it is a simple lesson in physics. Going opposite directions with a biker going 15 and a runner going 7, you have a difference in speed of 22 miles per hour should a collision happen (not to mention the surprise coming over hills or around corners). Going the same direction, the difference in speed is 8 mph. So if both come to a stop in an instant, you have nearly three times the change in momentum for the opposing directions versus the same direction. I know there will be people who disagree, but no one will ever convince me otherwise...

[Leroi Brown]

I always feel safer trail running if I can see who/what's coming at me, despite speed differentials

[G.Cook]

Seems it would better to also see how well an on coming rider does or doesn't have his bike under control .

[Roy]

Unless you have really good hearing (or a third eye ) run towards the bike traffic. Don't trust your fate to a Hellrider!
The HellRider without a helmet should be approached with great care! ( just joking )
Actually, most of Poto is wide open and could be run it either direction.

Roy

[MLKuhl]

I've only been at it a few years but that's the way I have always understood it, hikers and runners opposite direction from bikers...good points both ways though. One thing for sure, very hard to get someones attention when they are listening to music and running same direction as you.

[Geff]

I've only been at it a few years but that's the way I have always understood it, hikers and runners opposite direction from bikers...good points both ways though. One thing for sure, very hard to get someones attention when they are listening to music and running same direction as you.

Take one ear bud out. That is one of my pet peeves being a cyclist and runner.

[jeepskate]

very dry today, almost uncomfortably dry. had alot of traction issues with my tire coices, but that was a personal failure. Trail was great otherwise.

[WildWoody]

Rode the last two nights, trail is good. Hit the shortcut to skip the usual muddy area in the back from the rain. With rain today it will be muddy back there.

[D_man16]

Rode the *beep* out of her yesterday night, skipped the mud pit. The most cathartic ride I've had in ages. Just me and the rain, bouncing of slick stumps, shivering and shaping chains. Totally reminded me of being back out in the PNW best ride of the year.

~D

[MLKuhl]

Rode early this morning, trail was very fast and dry. Entrance to north loop getting a little over grown but not bad. Had a great time out there!

[buster]

I rode my annual ride at the legendary poto and remembered why I love and hate this trail at the same time.

I love it cause it is an all out great trail. I get upset however when I ride it because of how poorly it is marked.

As an outsider who only rides it 2 or 3 times a year I don't have it memorized and not knowing to "ride down this dirt road for 1/4 of a mile" really sucks. (i.e. the gosling lake boat launch area).

How much would it cost to get this trail better marked like the other state parks (i.e. Highland, Murray Lake)? Are we talking a $100.00 donation? $500.00 donation? Here are some ideas for improvement:

Include a post at all points where a decision needs to be made (there are a lot of post but not enough) (red and blue painted on a tree does not count)
Mile Markers
Colored Trail Routes (like island lake)
Mark the areas where the trail is not contiguously linked together (i.e. arrows)

For people who do not have the ability to ride this all the time it is not so obvious of a trail. It might make sense for the TC to ride the trail with someone who has never rode it before and ask for input.

I don't expect someone to do this for me so my question is "How can I help make this a better trial?"?

[cajames]

Can someone give me some insight to Poto? I road Crooked Lake yesterday (and loved it) because I didn't have time to tackle Poto.

How similar is Poto to Crooked Lake? Obviously It's much longer, but how much more technical is it?

Thanks in advance.

[Paul Brown]

About 50% of Crooked is on the Poto. The other 50% is similar terrian.

[cajames]

About 50% of Crooked is on the Poto. The other 50% is similar terrian.

Thank you. That is what I was hoping to hear.

It's a lot of work, but such a great ride.

[mdswmich]

Let me just start this off with "wow". I now know why there is no beginner section or rating for Potawatomi. Today was my first ride out there on my new El Mariachi 2 and at 220lbs, fat and out of shape, I quickly learned why this trail has the perception that it does, at least in my mind. I rode the whole thing, didn't wreck and didn't fall, which is unusual. Well I hiked a few of those hills, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY HILLS?! HOW DO YOU GUYS DO THAT? Mad props to your lean mean jockeys.

The trail was in great shape. Lots of hikers and boy scouts out there. Everyone was polite. The sun was out, gorgeous day. I had a blast even though it's taken me 10 minutes to type this because I'm so beat.