Holzinger Lodge

[jjrsds]

Just wondering if anyone has ridden Holzinger's Lodge in Winona, Mn.

[martini]

It's one of my favorite spots to ride in Minn. too. It's got a little bit of everything going for it. It starts out on a wider dirt trail that gradually climbs up to a point where you start a single track climb(wonderful climb BTW). It gets steep and ledgy, making you wonder how far the drop is, but never really makes you all that uncomfortable. Up top is some of the best flowing singletrack in the state. It seems to take no effort at all to ride it, that's for sure. A bonus in the last few years is that they've been adding log crossings to liven things up a bit. You can do as many loops up top as you wish, then head down. On the way back down, you'll run into a section that can be quite challenging. It's rocky, off camber, tight and downhill. And big fun. After getting down that, you get back to the entry trail where what was once up and slow, is now down and fast.

It's best to do this with someone who's been there before. while not as confusing as the Farm is for a first timer, you'll miss out on stuff if you don't know where you're going.

ml

[gopherhockey]

Another trail that needs its own forum perhaps?

[KleinCrazy]

Probably,

There is a very large riding community in Winona. The are based out of the college and a very nice LBS. They put on the Cherry Bomb race every year and have done a wonderful job with Holzinger. I found it by way of MTRB about 4 years ago and make it a sat or sunday trip at least twice every summer.

The Climbs are beautiful, the singletrack on top is a great little twisty racetrack that flows like mercury, and the rock ledges and overhangs on the descents are a great adrenalin boost at the end of the day. The Overlook at the top is also well worth the break and carrying a camera. I have an early summer trip planned down there to get some video footage of the trail.

Who wants to come along and be a movie Star!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool:

As an added bonus there are a number of cool places to stop and eat on the way back overlooking the Mississippi.

The only thing you have to look out for are the rattlesnakes that live in the cliff. :confused:

I'll keep everyone posted and we can make a group ride of it.

L8er

[gopherhockey]

Done... and this is really cool. I'm learning a ton about a lot of riding areas I knew little or nothing about.

I'd love a chance to ride this area - sounds like there are many places in so-min worth making a few trips.

Thanks everyone for pointing out these great places - keep it up! Feel free to let me know if there are more great places that deserve a discussion forum...

:p

[jjrsds]

Rattlesnakes, you afraid of a little rattlesnake? James, I would love to ride this area this year. It would be nicer with someone that knew the trails. Memorial Park in Red Wing is a nice change of pace with ski trail and some extremly fun single track, with some good up and down rides. Let me know and maybe we could ride Holzinger.

[KleinCrazy]

we will definitly have too hook up for some Hwy 61 rides.

With you in Hastings your right on my way down to the trails.

To bad welch is only open for racing, the trails are alot of fun.

I live practically on hwy 55.

Nah Rattlesnakes aren't a big deal. Lived in Oklahoma for 6 years. Fried in butter they taste pretty good.

I agree with you on Redwing, definitly some fun trail at memorial. for a real killer park in town and ride up to the top!!!!

I love the swooping singletrack on the West? side of the park.

There are a couple of other motocross/enduro / cross county ski trails on the way to Winona just off of 61 which I have heard about / riden that could extend the riding.

Keep in touch and when the wetaher clears we'll make a trip down to Holzinger and Memorial. at least until the trail building in Inver Grove Heights starts up.

L8er

[TML]

So, I was in SE MN over last weekend. Saturday, did some fly fishing on the Whitewater R., caught nothing, but had a good time. Headed into Winona then, to get a bite and find a spot for the fly rod, myself and my bike to crash in in the back of the truck for the night.

Sunday, I awoke to a beautiful morning. By the time I drove to the trailhead at Holzinger, around 7:30 it was 63 and sunny, perfect longsleeve ridin'.

7:45 Hop on the steed, start ridin'.

7:48 Quickly reminded that I ride this trail WAY TOO INFREQUENTLY!
The first time I rode it was at the Wildwood Climb race in '93 (remember that Marty?!). Since then I've been back a few times but not nearly enough, and none in the past few years.

A while later, after a lap or so around the bottom loop, I headed up what has got to be, the most enjoyable and rewarding climb in the state, hands down. Roots, rocks, views, singletrack, elevation, rocks, length, singletrack, perfect grade, exposure, more views, and did I mention singletrack!

Once on top, I enjoyed a healthy portion of sweet creamy butter buffed singletrack, some more veiws, and headed down. Got pissed off when I came across where some, presumably punks, lugged a computer monitor up to a ledge to do some gravity testing. Now there is plastic bits and CRT glass shattered and scattered across some of the trail. -Thanks. Tried to clean up a bit of that and relished the rest of the downhill and roller coaster return to the truck.

2hrs 20mins later I was back home in Shoreview, thats including a stop for mexican along the way. All in all, like previous posts have said, one of the most worthwhile road trips in the state, and it's not even that far, from the metro at least. I'll be headin back later this summer and I'll post before I go again to see if anyone want to join in.

A great big Kudos and Thank You to the riders of WAMB , for the trail upkeep and signage! Those of us that make it a destination, appreciate all the hard work the hometowners put in, to keep the trail rideable and accessible to all mountain bikers. Thank You!

--TML :D

[martini]

From that race!:laugh: :laugh: Taking a stroll down memory lane there that's for sure. Wasn't that the last race they held there as well? I'll have to scan a few of those pics in and post them up. Should go a long ways to embarassing the both of us!

T, we need to hook up for a ride soon, it's been too long since the last meeting....wait till I finish up finals here though...kinda busy till then!

m

[TML]

Marty- A ride definitely sounds good. Maybe an overnight to somewhere later in the summer. Hope school and everything is going well.

Say hi to Lisa and feel free to post those old pics!

--TML

[igor]

:( I miss Winona. Great trail! I used to live a stones throw from the lodge. Never knew how good I had it. The roots always seemed to get me though. I gotta get back there this summer.

[Thewavebb]

I am the vice president of Winona State Bike club and we ride all the time there. If anybody needs somebody to ride with they are always free to join up with us. If u haven't ridden Holzinger u really need to make the trip. If u have a nice light, this place rocks on night rides. Our info is at our webpage: www.wsubike.com. I will really miss this place once i graduate from school.

[qheuie]

i went to college in Winona. I learned to ride on Holzinger. man was i spoiled. no matter where i go, i compare the trail to Winona.. nothing has beat it yet.
a few years back there were some major washouts on the Wildwood climb, WAMB has done A LOT of work to fix that and keep the trail nice.
Ben, have WAMB and WSU cycling teamed up yet? when i was in the club, the two clubs didn't really get along all that well.

josh

[manitouman84]

so whats the deal, holzinger is posted as closed in the trail conditions page. What time of the year does it open?

[Thewavebb]

It opens in april if it doesn't rain to much. The trails are solid by late may. This trail is awsome in the fall, with the leaves and all being in full color.

[manitouman84]

cool, thanks for the info.

Someone should really update the trail condition.... :confused: