The Giant Trails

[martini]

Ok, Troy may remember what I'm talking about here from a ride he took with me about 5 years ago now. I went back out to the trails in the valleys on the outskirts of LeSueur last night. Typically, they're pockholed and hummocky from horse traffic. In other words miserable to ride. That's why I haven't really been on them for the last year and a half. They sucked. I thought I'd risk it yesterday though and try it out. Its been so dry that I thought that there wouldn't be much trouble with them.

I couldn't have been righter.

They were perfect.

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/79Giant_4rocks-med.jpg
This is a steep down hill with lots of ricks and a few lines to pick from. fun little challenge. All the hills here are either hiking up, or ripping down, they're that steep, but MAN are they fun.

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/79Giant_1-med.jpg
Most of the trail looked like this though. 10 to 12 inches wide, smooth and a pure joy to ride. Something thats really hard to come by here in the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant.

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/79Giant_8-med.jpg
Just another shot of a steep downhill. This section is an out and back, so what goes down, must be hiked up, or ridden if you have the legs and skill.

I guess what I'm getting at, is if you like nice swoopy singletrack that is well established and deserted of other users. YOU NEED TO COME DOWN HERE SOON! The horse tarffic has taken all the stickers off the brambles, beaten the trail smooth and in general made the riding here at home a pleasure. Come on down soon, before the itchweed grows to shoulder hieght and you'll get a great ride in. Let me know if you're coming, and I'll see what I can do about leading a tour. These trails need users.

[Mateo]

So how do you find these trails? How far would you guess from the metro? Thanks!

[martini]

40 minutes or so from 494/169. Go south on 169 to Le Sueur. Find my house at 119 South 4th St. and ring my door bell. I'll jump on my bike and show you the rest. Its kinda hard to describe how to find the trail here. The trail head is about 1½ miles from my door.

[Mateo]

Sounds great... door to trailhead service... We're outta town for a week and a half, but I'm sure we'll be down shortly after!

[Dr. Guitar]

It would probably be a better attraction to more bikers if there was some sort of dirrections on the forums here. My friends and I usually chose where to go, based on impulse. I know I wouldn't want to head all the way to Lesure and find that you're not home.

Plus, it might get the trail "claimed" more as a bike trail.

BTW, aren't there supposed to be some more undeclaired trails down in the Mankato area?

[gopherhockey]

It would probably be a better attraction to more bikers if there was some sort of dirrections on the forums here. My friends and I usually chose where to go, based on impulse. I know I wouldn't want to head all the way to Lesure and find that you're not home.

Plus, it might get the trail "claimed" more as a bike trail.

BTW, aren't there supposed to be some more undeclaired trails down in the Mankato area?
If this is indeed a legal mountain bike trail, I'd be happy to add it to our trails section. I'd just need some more pictures and some assistance filling out the necessary trail info, review etc.

[martini]

From information I've been given/seen, it is a legal trail. I've met up w/several horsey types, and they claimed the land was ok to be on. Which I do belive. As far as trails in Mankato, other than 7 mile and Mt. Kato there ain't much other than random ATV trails. The reason directions are murky, is that there's really no parking to be had, I'll have to do more research into it. We could get more users here, and that'd be fantastic, but the weeds in the woods grow remarkably fast, and by say, mid June, will be mostly unridable due to itchweed and poison ivy. Some sections do remain open though.

[TML]

Ok, Troy may remember what I'm talking about here from a ride he took with me about 5 years ago now. I went back out to the trails in the valleys on the outskirts of LeSueur last night.
I do remember riding those with ya! At that point I think you had just found them and hadn't explored everything yet. What we did hit was a hoot! Glad to hear they're in good shape (for now at least).

I'll have to make a Giant trails/High Island run sometime.

fyi- I think I'll be hitting Holzinger on the 22nd but I'm sure you'll have your hands full at that time. ;) :)

[jaybird]

Let me know when you plan to go out again this week. I'd love to give them a try after work - it's so far from my office you know. ;)

[martini]

Yeah Jason, we'll have to go out and hit them up. Dunno what this rain did to them, but there are several low spots that will be destroyed if a horse gets anywhere near them! Give me a call sometime, numbers 665-4086. I'm off owrk about 3ish now and home by 3:30. I live up on 4th St. This week might be kinda tight though. I've got a baby due next Sunday (the 16th), so I might not be able to get out. Tuesday, I've got an interview in Plymouth, so I'm probably gonna hit up RB or something on the way home. Rest of the week is good though. We'll just have to play it by ear.