Can it be a loop?

[SheBeast]

Is it horribly naivé, stupid and lame of me to think that the river bottoms could become a one-way trail? There certainly looks to be enough land--barring the pedestrian politics. Maybe this has been addressed multiple times but I've had some of my most dangerous encounters on this trail with people going a gazillion miles an hour. You can't blame people getting into the flow and forgetting that someone could approach from the other direction.

On the other hand, many western US trails are two-way.

I'm just sayin'. :crazy:

[nigel]

Is it horribly naivé, stupid and lame of me to think that the river bottoms could become a one-way trail? There certainly looks to be enough land--barring the pedestrian politics. Maybe this has been addressed multiple times but I've had some of my most dangerous encounters on this trail with people going a gazillion miles an hour. You can't blame people getting into the flow and forgetting that someone could approach from the other direction.

On the other hand, many western US trails are two-way.

I'm just sayin'. :crazy:
i think we (the mtn biking community as a whole) and those who want to change the river bottoms need to get that fixed or decided upon first before revamping the trails for mtn biking loops is even thought of. Im sure Don Y has more info on all this than I could ever come up with :)

Douglas

[Beaner128]

I have ridden the river bottoms trail for several years now and in the past a lot of people would continue their eastward journey from Lyndale and continue right to Old Cedar Avenue. There are portions of this that are walking only, and in the past people where fined if they where caught. I highly doubt that there is anybody monitoring it anymore. You really only have 2 options about a 1/2 mile or so east of Lyndale. A. Continue straight up the trail to the Indian Mounds(I've never done this). B. Take a hard right back towards the river, and the trail continues all the way to Old Cedar and the south side of the bridge that's closed. There is a lot of silt on this portion, but as responsible Mountain Bikers it's our job to respect walking only paths etc.

This brings up my next point, somebody has already torn down some of the yellow tape used to mark portions of the trail that are private land. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but this is probably the fastest way to have this trail paved!!!! Any suggestions on what to do when we see this or catch somebody doing it??

Thanks

'Beaner'

[seberly]

I'll address a few of the points below:

-The trail is a multi-use trial first and foremost don't forget that - all users must be respected.

-MTB usage is still a bit tenable so we need to be on our best behavior - illegal trails have been built in the area before with consequences for those who did the building

-We (MTB'ers) have a long way to go in just maintaining what we have now vs. thinking of a loop or one way system - that said sure it is interesting and if you wanna take some initiative in learning how to design trails properly we can always use your help and proposals are good.

-We (MORC) hope to be doing the most major trail work ever this year on the east side - please help - watch this space or send me an E-mail to be added to a special Bloomington list.

-Thanks for the complements about the trail- nice to see that someone noticed.

-Any yellow tape should of course be respected but if you stick to the main trail you will not cause any of us any probs with landowners - also the private landowners don't want paving.

-Loops are already possible go riding with those in the know we'll show you.

[SheBeast]

Thanks for the replies. I figured the possibility for a one way loop might be far in the future. It's been awhile since I actually rode the trail and now that it's in wonderful shape I of course want MORE! :eyeroll:

I will try to help out any way I can.

[manual63]

Chris witnessed me running head on into a guy a few years ago on this trail. It was kind of my fault, but both of our faults (I don't want 100% of the blame :)).

I used to ride mountain bike by looking just a few feet in front of my front tire for some odd reason, probably BMX trick related, but now I look ahead a lot more to see the trail ahead and plan better. Last week I looked down at my crankset to check something and sure enough.....a head on rider was coming and I looked up just in time to slow and move to the right.

Stay on your toes.......trust me....I know from experience....:D.