Poto: Olson Park/Ann Arbor Loop

[Bcar]

I did find a long muddy downhill, but found routes around that section before crossing Main Street, where the train is. Saw several tents in those hills near the trail.

yep. that section is in bluffs, and one we're going to consider proposing to close, very rarely is it rideable, without leaving pie cutters at least formulating a plan now on how to work with the city, that section may be one we offer up for sacrifice.

other than that, trail is in amazing shape, best its been in a while. going to need some trimming in the next few weeks, but we'll be on top of that!

story time:
Had a closer call yesterday with an elderly couple in GS camp, riding along at a pretty good clip, saw them, rang my bell (wink wink), it startled them as did the sound of us slowing down rather quickly, she gave me the stink eye and proceeded to try to block the trail, until she actually realized that we were actually using bells to alert people, and as we smiled and said hello and "sorry for not ringing the bell sooner" she withdrew and moved aside... But she looked like she wasn't going to move at first... not good, bad perception on her part of riders i'm guessing
moral of the story (yes, i'm beating a dead horse!) is to try to be nice, take the high road with walkers/hikers/dogs(even off leash dogs...), say hello, smile, get/use a bell or let them know you're coming etc. basically be a kiss ass... its the only way we're going to keep the trail we have and HOPEFULLY push for MORE trail in A2 (wink wink wink wink...). it just takes one *beep* escalating a situation like that to make them go to the city and try to get bikes banned from trails.

[Steve_Balogh]

I did find a long muddy downhill, but found routes around that section before crossing Main Street, where the train is. Saw several tents in those hills near the trail.

yep. that section is in bluffs, and one we're going to consider proposing to close, very rarely is it rideable, without leaving pie cutters at least formulating a plan now on how to work with the city, that section may be one we offer up for sacrifice.

other than that, trail is in amazing shape, best its been in a while. going to need some trimming in the next few weeks, but we'll be on top of that!

story time:
Had a closer call yesterday with an elderly couple in GS camp, riding along at a pretty good clip, saw them, rang my bell (wink wink), it startled them as did the sound of us slowing down rather quickly, she gave me the stink eye and proceeded to try to block the trail, until she actually realized that we were actually using bells to alert people, and as we smiled and said hello and "sorry for not ringing the bell sooner" she withdrew and moved aside... But she looked like she wasn't going to move at first... not good, bad perception on her part of riders i'm guessing
moral of the story (yes, i'm beating a dead horse!) is to try to be nice, take the high road with walkers/hikers/dogs(even off leash dogs...), say hello, smile, get/use a bell or let them know you're coming etc. basically be a kiss ass... its the only way we're going to keep the trail we have and HOPEFULLY push for MORE trail in A2 (wink wink wink wink...). it just takes one escalating a situation like that to make them go to the city and try to get bikes banned from trails.

Better luck than I at the Poto two days earlier, only one other biker out there, everyone else was hiking. A couple times I slowed down to a track stand, said hello real nice, only to get a "BIKER!" yell to the group behind, and a real nasty, dirty look, no hello. I'd say 2 out of every 10 hikers did that to me. At A2 that day lots of people hiking the bluffs, or reading a book on the benches, all friendly.

[Bcar]

Big tree down just north of where Brooks dead ends and heads north. Right by the diving board across the stream.
Kinda scary, my wife was riding last night, rode that section ~5:30 and it was clear, but tree was down when she rode back on her way home, woah...

[georgemra]

Rode part of the loop this evening. Some debris on the trail but I cleared much of the small stuff. There was a big tree down a little north of the Barton bridge across from GS. There was another one down on the section of trail along the river by the bridge by the dam. Both trees need a chainsaw to be taken care of. There are also many leaners over there that look like they will come down in the next storm.

Someone took care of the widow makers on the connector between 14 and Pontiac Tr.; can't decide if I miss them or not. Trail is in fantastic shape otherwise. Go ride before the next rain.

[Bcar]

Rode part of the loop this evening. Some debris on the trail but I cleared much of the small stuff. There was a big tree down a little north of the Barton bridge across from GS. There was another one down on the section of trail along the river by the bridge by the dam. Both trees need a chainsaw to be taken care of. There are also many leaners over there that look like they will come down in the next storm.

Someone took care of the widow makers on the connector between 14 and Pontiac Tr.; can't decide if I miss them or not. Trail is in fantastic shape otherwise. Go ride before the next rain.

Sorry I missed ya last night...

C and I did end up riding, him with a chainsaw. Cleared the stuff across GS/HRD and a few in bluffs as well. Didn't get any farther due to nightfall.

[Bcar]

trails-are-a-rockin! get out and ride!

[daveat]

A couple wet spots yesterday but trails were in pretty good condition overall. I have been working on a bikely map of my Ann Arbor Loop (this is without A2DH/Ridge Trail) so check it out and let me know what you think. On Bikely it shows about 12 miles, but it is closer to 13.5-14 miles from my GPS/bike computer.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/ann-arbor-loop

[mmrobertson69]

suweet map. Thanks a bunch, as I'm still trying to figure this one out.

[Bcar]

Olson got a nice bikini wax this weekend, no more eating weeds while riding. Thanks C, N & B! There were a few wet spots last night, but overall its in great shape!

[georgemra]

Rode much of the local loop yesterday. The RR section needs some cleaning, it's a bit overgrown and there are about 5 trees down (need chainsaw). The rest of the trails were fast, and could probably use a bit of a trimming.

[georgemra]

Trail is dry and fast. Rode most of the loop with the exception of Olson and Ridge. Trail needs a trim, I might get on some of that this weekend with the extra day. Anyone want to help?

[Hench]

Cleared the downed trees at Traver Creek, it still could use a trim though. Other than the usual late spring growth the trails are top notch.

[havlidan1]

First of all what's up everyone, this is my first post. I'm just getting into the trail maintenance scene after discovering the local loop this summer. I'm lovin it, but on my ride today I ran into a couple things.

There is a VERY large tree down in the "Kuebler Langford Nature Area" near the stream crossing. Looks like it's going to need some serious chainsaw work to get rid of it, if it's even possible. It's huge. I'd be willing to help clear it, but since I'm a student I don't have any tools here in AA. I'll work on that for later in the summer (I'll be going to the hardware store soon), but for now I'd need some tools to help out.

That's the most pressing problem but other than that much of the trail is overgrown, especially in the part connecting Olson with the rest of the loop (I don't really know what this is called, Leslie Park maybe?) Also, parts of Olson are pretty annoying with all the weeds.

If you guys are heading out let me know and I'll come help.

-Dan

[Bcar]

Im going to get out and ride the whole loop this evening (have been out of town) and see where the trail is at. Then prob sch a mini trail day to do some trimming.

for those that dont know, poto chapter mmba meeting tomorrow in A2 at ABC.

as a reminder, feel free to pull face slappers down as you're riding

[Hench]

Whats up with the new built up bunny hills at cedar bend? They seem a bit too short, and steep, especially when your riding rigid; however, it may just be me, and the fact I was already so used to that section of trail.