Medora in the STrib

[Trevize1138]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/917/4750559.html

With press coverage like this, there should be even *fewer* people out there this year! :crazy:

Seriously, the more press coverage I see of the Maah Daah Hey, the fewer people I see out there. Ask anyone about this trail and they'll tell you how utterly amazing it is ... yet last year we only saw 16 people or so in our 3-day trek and many camp grounds looked deserted.

[Panman]

What is this event? When is it? Sounds like fun!

[bradpartyka]

What event???

It's the Maa Daa Hey Trail. And by the artical it looks like they connected that other 30 miles of trail this year.

I would love to do the whole thing with the Dakota Bike shop setting up camp for you every day. Thats a service you can pay for.

We did 40 miles of it last year. And only saw a horse or two. One mad horse that was left by himself loose at a camp ground (all camp grounds are gated) he was totaly stalking us. He had an issue with bikes or something. By the time we returned his owner was back and he was much calmer and just starred. :crazy2:

That place is awesome. I wish it was closer.
:banana:

[Panman]

Is there some kind of trip planned to go there? Sounds fun and much closer than MOAB.

[jitterjepp]

What's up with some of those trails on the Minnesota map being called mountain biking trails. I'm not buying it. I guess it depends on what your definition of mountain bike trail is. I see miles and miles of riding on lumpy grass lands, sand and washouts. That doesn't sound like fun to me. One of them is 107 miles. Am I wrong. Are the trails better than that? If so why haven't I heard of them already?

[Trevize1138]

The Maah Daah Hey is still largely undiscovered. It's in North Dakota, fer cryin' out loud, so I think most people largely discard the notion that there's great off road biking there.

Of course, I have to laugh every time Minnesotans claim that North Dakota couldn't have decent riding because it's "so flat." This from a state where the highest point is called Eagle Mountain and it's barely over 2,300 feet high. In Western ND there are buttes over 3,000 feet high. We had more sense than to mistakenly call them "mountains," they're just really big hills. ;)

My friends Shad, Andy and I are currently training to haul Bob trailers along the full length of it and back over 4 days this year. 60 miles a day. Ouch ... wish us luck!

[bradpartyka]

My friends Shad, Andy and I are currently training to haul Bob trailers along the full length of it and back over 4 days this year. 60 miles a day. Ouch ... wish us luck!
How do you plan on keeping the trailers DRY? There is no way accross that river at the trail head in Medora, but through it.

[Trevize1138]

How do you plan on keeping the trailers DRY? There is no way accross that river at the trail head in Medora, but through it.We did it fine last year. Just double-team the bike and trailer up across the river. There are only two crossings over the Little Missouri, one at the trail head in Sulley Creek and one around mile 47.

We all pack sandles for the crossing at mile 47 due to the extremly muddy conditions. The one by Sulley Creek you can amost ride through because it's much rockier. Our Bob bags are pretty water-resistant, too, but we won't be tempting fate by submerging them in silt-laden water ;).

There are definitely a few areas where you have to use a couple of guys to haul one bike/bob combination at a time to get through them, but overall the trail's very ridable with equipment.

If you ever want to do something similar, don't be surprised if you're not averaging faster than 4 mph for the whole trip. There are some long, gradual hill climbs out there that give you no choice but to spin for 45 minutes or more in granny gear while hauling a trailer. Before the Maah Daah Hey, your ass is a wad of cookie dough. After the Maah Daah Hey, you're carved out of wood.

[bradpartyka]

If you ever want to do something similar, don't be surprised if you're not averaging faster than 4 mph for the whole trip. There are some long, gradual hill climbs out there that give you no choice but to spin for 45 minutes or more in granny gear while hauling a trailer. Before the Maah Daah Hey, your ass is a wad of cookie dough. After the Maah Daah Hey, you're carved out of wood.
Avg 4 MPH for 130 miles... that's crazy. :crazy:

[jitterjepp]

When I ride that slow you know its hard to steer. ..and I can't get my bike out of second gear.....:sick:

[Trevize1138]

Avg 4 MPH for 130 miles... that's crazy. :crazy:
Keep in mind that's hauling 40-50 lbs of gear behind you in a Bob trailer. Simon from Dakota Cyclery in Medora rode the whole thing in a day (13 hours) so his average speed was a lot higher. Still, that's an 8 1/2 mph average, not exactly screaming along. I usually average 10 mph for an easy lap at Lebanon and up to 12 mph per lap if I'm pushing myself.

What really slows you down out there are the long hill climbs.

[bradpartyka]

Keep in mind that's hauling 40-50 lbs of gear behind you in a Bob trailer. Simon from Dakota Cyclery in Medora rode the whole thing in a day (13 hours) so his average speed was a lot higher. Still, that's an 8 1/2 mph average, not exactly screaming along. I usually average 10 mph for an easy lap at Lebanon and up to 12 mph per lap if I'm pushing myself.

What really slows you down out there are the long hill climbs.
I know... I wasn't knocking ya. I was in awe that your going to push yourself that hard. My walking pace on a treadmill is 4 MPH. I just can't imagine walking for 130 miles. And some of those steep climbs are hugh there, but the best scenery is at the top of the climbs.

I wish that place was closer.

Good Luck!!!

[Trevize1138]

I know... I wasn't knocking ya. I was in awe that your going to push yourself that hard. My walking pace on a treadmill is 4 MPH. I just can't imagine walking for 130 miles. And some of those steep climbs are hugh there, but the best scenery is at the top of the climbs.

I wish that place was closer.

Good Luck!!!
Didn't think for a minute you were knocking me! :) I presumed you meant something like 4mph average = tough-as-hell trail.

Yeah, I do and I don't wish the trail were closer. If the trail were closer it'd certainly be easier to get to, but that would mean it'd start getting crowded with people and would lose that remote, out in the middle of nowhere feel. Part of why I love it so much is that it IS 9 hours away from major airport hubs. Keeps the riff-raff out ;)

[bradpartyka]

Part of why I love it so much is that it IS 9 hours away from major airport hubs. Keeps the riff-raff out ;)
Ahh, that is from Minnesota. The Bismark Airport is a bit closer... :cool:
I've thought of flying there...

[Trevize1138]

Ahh, that is from Minnesota. The Bismark Airport is a bit closer... :cool:
I've thought of flying there...
I did say MAJOR airport hub. ;) I grew up mostly in Bismarck where your plane either departs from terminal 1, 2 or 3. None of this A-E Concourse crap, just gates 1-3.

In other words, fly into Bismarck instead of Minneapolis and expect to pay several hundred dollars more. :shocked:

[Arlyn Aronson]

:alien: A strange group of us have organized a trip on the Maah Daah Hey trail this spring. We'll begin riding the trail at the CCC camp and coming down it in 4 days. We're hiring a van (likely Dakota Cyclery) to sag our gear each day and camping at rustic camp sites along the trail. At this time we can still fit a few more folks in and we're charging our cost which is $250. That includes food and transposition to the CCC from Medora. We'll start riding on May 21 which is Memorial Day. Email or call us if anyone is interested in joining us.
Arlyn Aronson (906) 370-2911 arlyn@superiortandems.com

[Trevize1138]

:alien: A strange group of us have organized a trip on the Maah Daah Hey trail this spring. We'll begin riding the trail at the CCC camp and coming down it in 4 days. We're hiring a van (likely Dakota Cyclery) to sag our gear each day and camping at rustic camp sites along the trail. At this time we can still fit a few more folks in and we're charging our cost which is $250. That includes food and transposition to the CCC from Medora. We'll start riding on May 21 which is Memorial Day. Email or call us if anyone is interested in joining us.
Arlyn Aronson (906) 370-2911 arlyn@superiortandems.com (arlyn@superiortandems.com)
Uh ... Memorial Day weekend starts May 28th! At least, that's when we'll be there (well, starting Saturday, May 29th, to be specific.) If you actually meant the 28th, we'll look for ya there at the beginning of our journey (starting from CCC as well)! If you really meant the 21st, have a blast, and post your stories here. I love a good MDH story :).

[soupboy]

...mean old lady that works in the main convenience store in DT Medora. Do NOT look her directly in the eye or she will steal your soul (and your $).

Highly recommend bringing all the food you intend to cook yourself from home - there ain't much to choose from in the grocery stores nearby and the restaurants are somewhere between bad, and really bad. That said, the big steak place on the hill, which is supposed to be solid, was closed by the time we got there last fall post tourist season.

Also, you may want to check with the local DNR-equivalent in Medora before splashing around in the Lil' MO, especially if you plan to camp in the campgrounds in town at any point. When we were there last fall the open-air wastewater "lagoon" - i.e. poop pond - had leaked out into the water supply. Having no formal wastewater treatment facilities meant turds were floating with the fishies in the Lil' MO.

No, that's not a Snickers!

Sean

[ryno lite]

Actually, I like the pizza place in town, maybe I'm weird. The bar has tolerable food. I guess I am not that picky, maybe that's why I'm fat!



...mean old lady that works in the main convenience store in DT Medora. Do NOT look her directly in the eye or she will steal your soul (and your $).

Highly recommend bringing all the food you intend to cook yourself from home - there ain't much to choose from in the grocery stores nearby and the restaurants are somewhere between bad, and really bad. That said, the big steak place on the hill, which is supposed to be solid, was closed by the time we got there last fall post tourist season.

Also, you may want to check with the local DNR-equivalent in Medora before splashing around in the Lil' MO, especially if you plan to camp in the campgrounds in town at any point. When we were there last fall the open-air wastewater "lagoon" - i.e. poop pond - had leaked out into the water supply. Having no formal wastewater treatment facilities meant turds were floating with the fishies in the Lil' MO.

No, that's not a Snickers!

Sean

[bradpartyka]

We ate at some restaurant on the far West end of town on the North side that you had to walk to the second floor to eat. It was very good. It was a steak house.

Also, in town off the main street a block or two North there is a great old time ice cream shop.

My sense of direction may be a little off.... :crazy:

Also, when we went last year we had to stay in the town about 10 minutes before Medora because everything was filled, 4th weekend. However, this one family owns all of the business off the interstate, gas station, hotel, restaurant, etc. We'll the restaurant is awesome and they have a breakfast buffet on the weekends. We're talking real thick bacon for you carbo counters!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All you want..................:D

[bradpartyka]

One thing about Maa Daa Hey that really bugs me is that they have No GREAT T-shirts or jerseys to buy as souviners. The bike shop had nothing. We even went to there home store in Bismark and they said everything gets shipped to the Medora store.

I have searched the net many times for something. :mad:

[Hawkens]

If the weather improves I hope to see some fellow MTB'rs on MDH over Memorial Weekend as that is the same weekend I will be riding.

I looks like it will be raining the entire time and from my understanding the trail becomes unridable after a good rain.

I am formally of Grand Forks and heading back to vist for a few weeks which includes riding the MDH.

Are there any good Epic's in MN as well?

-Erik

[Trevize1138]

If the weather improves I hope to see some fellow MTB'rs on MDH over Memorial Weekend as that is the same weekend I will be riding.

I looks like it will be raining the entire time and from my understanding the trail becomes unridable after a good rain.

I am formally of Grand Forks and heading back to vist for a few weeks which includes riding the MDH.

Are there any good Epic's in MN as well?

-Erik
The forecast keeps gradually improving for Memorial Day Weekend. I've got high hopes. It's an arid part of the country, so if they're getting a lot of rain now, chances are it'll be followed by a nice dry period.

Of course, I could be thinking hopefully, not realistically :).

[Hawkens]

The weather stayed fair with little sprinkles here and there, but nothing that really stuck.

Who would of expected such a great trail in North Dakota, a good time was had by all.

-Erik