Illegal Trails?

[homebrewbiker]

Someone told me there is some nice singletrack on the north side (?) of the park which is near the pet area. Are these trails considered illegal and not to be ridden? The main Mountain Bike Trail is kind of dull after you have ridden it a few times, and it is not so good that it is shared with the horseback riders. And the part going on pavement is, in a word, lame. I know Hennepin Parks does not seem committed to having much, if any, trail access for mountain bikers. I won't even talk about the mess that is Lake Rebecca. Great if you want to ride through 6" of mud.

[huntforlife]

There is some very nice single track, but yes, unfortunately it's not entirely legal. Just this morning i got a written warning for being on it. If you go on it, I would recoment not exiting onto a normal paved trail. When i got off, there just happened to be a park ranger going by, who stopped me.
I would agree that the "mountain" biking trails absolutely suck there. Im thinking of starting a petition to get some of the trails open, but im not sure if it would be succesful or not.

Enjoy the trail!

Paul

[homebrewbiker]

There is some very nice single track, but yes, unfortunately it's not entirely legal. Just this morning i got a written warning for being on it. If you go on it, I would recoment not exiting onto a normal paved trail. When i got off, there just happened to be a park ranger going by, who stopped me.
I would agree that the "mountain" biking trails absolutely suck there. Im thinking of starting a petition to get some of the trails open, but im not sure if it would be succesful or not.

Enjoy the trail!

PaulDid you have to pay a fine? I have notice that there is also some singletrack off of the Mountain Bike trail (before you cross the water on that makeshift wooden bridge that is sometimnes partially submerged), maybe that would be OK to try out. I can't figure out why they allow snowmobile and ATV's but not bikes. ATVers are complete morons from what I have observed on the Paul Bunyan trail up North. They are constantly on the trail even though they are not supposed to be there. But that's another rant.

[huntforlife]

No, i just got a warning. I dont think ATV's are alowed in the park, but yeah snowmobiles do a LOT more damage than our bikes do. Hopfully some officials will see this, and alow the trails to be used. I did voice my opinions in a nice manner about how they should open them. Hopefully he will pass it on.

Paul

[mtnbykr]

There is some very nice single track, but yes, unfortunately it's not entirely legal. Paul
then why do you ride it??

makes it hard for legal trail projects to happen, don'tcha think??

kl



.

[mtnbykr]

...but yeah snowmobiles do a LOT more damage than our bikes do. Paul
please explain how this is possible??

kl



.

[homebrewbiker]

please explain how this is possible??

kl



.
I think this could be possible because from what I have heard, snowmobilers will ride some trails even if there is not enough snow coverage. I would assume that this would tear up the soil on a dirt path.

[Panman]

I think this could be possible because from what I have heard, snowmobilers will ride some trails even if there is not enough snow coverage. I would assume that this would tear up the soil on a dirt path.
Very true. And with the past winters there has been little snow. So, that leaves a very small snow pack as the base leaving some spots on the trail exposed to the ground. The studs on the tracks tear up the ground and leave a big mess. Just think, the studs even tear up pavement! ATV's are by far the worst but I'm not going to rant about that. I like all of these sports.

[JayT]

I know Hennepin Parks does not seem committed to having much, if any, trail access for mountain bikers.
I can tell you the park district is committed to bringing single track to it's parks. I was present at a meeting on this very subject today (6-21). The process has been slow, but it is happening.

[huntforlife]

I rode it because it wasnt posted as off limits, therefore there was no reason for me to believe that it was.
And yes, While I'm all for snowmobiling, the treds have a tendancy to dig up the durt if the ground isnt completely snowcovered and frozen.