Southwest: Fort Custer

[TenSpeed]

Awesome. Today the trail was awesome. A bit sandy, but other than that, perfect. Thanks to the two gentlemen in the parking lot that helped me get onto the blue trail. MMBA sticker on his truck, but I didn't want to be that gushing guy saying oooooh, are you on the forum???? What's your username?

[grinder]

Awesome. Today the trail was awesome. A bit sandy, but other than that, perfect. Thanks to the two gentlemen in the parking lot that helped me get onto the blue trail. MMBA sticker on his truck, but I didn't want to be that gushing guy saying oooooh, are you on the forum???? What's your username?

Hey, I think that was me...I am only on this forum once in a while. But just read this and thought I would say "hey". There is a lot of new stuff about the Ft Custer trails of very recent...some signage will be happening soon and it will make navigating the trails quite a bit easier. I have been on these trails since the mid 90's so I kind of know most of the sections- but I still get a little disoriented when trying to rush back to the trailhead when a storm is conming in or I have a mechanical that causes a walk back.

Ride on!!!

[reidabel]

I didn't want to be that gushing guy saying oooooh, are you on the forum???? What's your username?

Hey, I do that all the time ... Hmm ...

There is a lot of new stuff about the Ft Custer trails of very recent...some signage will be happening soon and it will make navigating the trails quite a bit easier.

Oh-oh ... I've never been to Ft Custer before, and am considering going there tomorrow to try it out. I'm looking to try the most advanced trail(s) - can anybody give me any pointers regarding what freeway exit to take, what roads to follow, what parking lot to use, and how to get to the fun stuff? Thanks ...

[MtBikeTom]

What direction are you coming from on I-94? Coming in from the East or West? The trails you will likely want to run are either the red and/or green trails. They are the two technical trails.
Link to trail map:

http://mmba.org/library/maps/fortcuster ... terMap.pdf

[xcrdr]

I didn't want to be that gushing guy saying oooooh, are you on the forum???? What's your username?

Hey, I do that all the time ... Hmm ...

There is a lot of new stuff about the Ft Custer trails of very recent...some signage will be happening soon and it will make navigating the trails quite a bit easier.

Oh-oh ... I've never been to Ft Custer before, and am considering going there tomorrow to try it out. I'm looking to try the most advanced trail(s) - can anybody give me any pointers regarding what freeway exit to take, what roads to follow, what parking lot to use, and how to get to the fun stuff? Thanks ...

I'm going sunday morning. leaving lansing area around 10:15. If you wanna go around that time I can show you where to go.

[vintagefisher]

i think there is a trail day scheduled for saturday morning so you may be weaving in and out of people with shovels and chainsaws if you go then...

[reidabel]

i think there is a trail day scheduled for saturday morning so you may be weaving in and out of people with shovels and chainsaws if you go then...

Thanks for the warning!

I'm going sunday morning. leaving lansing area around 10:15. If you wanna go around that time I can show you where to go.

That sounds good, thanks for the offer. I will check with the wife to see if I can do that, but I think it will be a yes. Interested in carpooling? I'm in Holt ... so we'll be coming from the East (and thanks for the map link MtBikeTom).

[xcrdr]

i think there is a trail day scheduled for saturday morning so you may be weaving in and out of people with shovels and chainsaws if you go then...

Thanks for the warning!

I'm going sunday morning. leaving lansing area around 10:15. If you wanna go around that time I can show you where to go.

That sounds good, thanks for the offer. I will check with the wife to see if I can do that, but I think it will be a yes. Interested in carpooling? I'm in Holt ... so we'll be coming from the East (and thanks for the map link MtBikeTom).

Possibly. I'm riding with someone else and not sure who else is going. If driving myself I would have already put it out there.

[MtBikeTom]

Well, if you do end up driving over by yourself, take exit 92 (Columbia Ave) exit, turn right (North) and then where it splits, follow the business loop to the left (Skyline Dr) until you hit Hwy 96 (*beep* Rd). Turn left (west) on *beep* and stay on it for like a couple miles (give or take) until you see the Ft. Custer Park Entrance on your left hand side. Follow the park road past the entry booth (no longer manned) and the road will veer to the left. Keep on it until the see the sign for the Bike Trailhead entrance which will be on your right. Hit the parking lot. There is now a new changing booth onsite so you can change at the park which is nice for those that travel over. The trails are straight off the parking lot and as you enter it, turn immediately to your right. The red trail immediately enters to your right. The green you will follow a little longer on the double track and there is a new entrance for the green trail on your left. Watch carefully for it.

Have fun, and hope the directions help

[MtBikeTom]

Wow, those censor stuff is pretty touchy.....let's see if this works.......*D*i*c*kman Rd

[reidabel]

Have fun, and hope the directions help

They look very nicely detailed - thanks very much!

Possibly. I'm riding with someone else and not sure who else is going. If driving myself I would have already put it out there.

Okay, no problem. I will plan on driving on my own unless I hear differently. Which also allows me to schedule it differently if family circumstances require it ...

[xcrdr]

Have fun, and hope the directions help

They look very nicely detailed - thanks very much!

Possibly. I'm riding with someone else and not sure who else is going. If driving myself I would have already put it out there.

Okay, no problem. I will plan on driving on my own unless I hear differently. Which also allows me to schedule it differently if family circumstances require it ...

Ok. I would like to meet the famous Reid. i have ridden your stuff enough I should thank you in person. Sunday might not be a good day for me. I will be riding with a hammerhead and I will be unable to speak (or breathe) for most of the ride.

[Wingo]

Just an alert for Sunday, May 20. Xterra triathlon going on at Custer.

[xcrdr]

Just an alert for Sunday, May 20. Xterra triathlon going on at Custer.

Road or trail? I don't mind full parking lots but I don't want trail ride with racers.

[reidabel]

Ok. I would like to meet the famous Reid.

Suggest a rapid lowering of expectations ...

i have ridden your stuff enough I should thank you in person.

I am grateful that you have ridden and (presumably) enjoyed it, particularly since you have done so without getting hurt.

Sunday might not be a good day for me. I will be riding with a hammerhead and I will be unable to speak (or breathe) for most of the ride.

O-kay ... that sounds interesting ... in light of the event on Sunday, and impatience on my part, I will probably head down there tomorrow and hope the trail day means that only some of the trail is obstructed. I might even learn something new about trail-building techniques - I understand that Ft Custer is a bit different than other places. A guy at work described it as "dangerous" and I'm curious to find out for myself.