Lutsen in July

[cobra!]

I'm heading up to Lutsen tonight. Has anybody been up there for the past few days? And if so, what sort of shape is it in?

[homebrewbiker]

I'm heading up to Lutsen tonight. Has anybody been up there for the past few days? And if so, what sort of shape is it in?
Me too! Heading there tomorrow morning.:crazy2:

[Panman]

Dang it, I want to go sometime but I canoe this weekend. We should organize a big MORC Lutsen trip or somewhere.

[fatbaldpop1]

check this out from today's paper in Duluth www.duluthnewstribune.com/duluthsuperior/9119517.htm (http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/duluthsuperior/9119517.htm)

Good description of what northern riding can be...

[homebrewbiker]

Just got back from Lutsen. No riding on Sunday as it was raining all day so we headed back early.

The trails around Mystery Mountain are very fast and require little to no work. One exception is number 40 right off of the lift which is in the woods and technical. I think it was run number 7 where I was going so fast I thought for a second I was going to endo after going over a bump, and did end up coming out of my toe clips. Probably going close to 40 (my buddy ahead of me said his computer said 38 and I was going as fast as he on that section).

Moose mountain has one very long run that is pretty nasty. Tight, tons of rock, and some uphill sections that get very tiring when combined with all the manuevering through rocks (this was the site of my most major crash). There is also a run down large granite rocks called the Cascades. Only caveat there is watch your speed cause there is a big dip at the bottom and you do not want to crash on the rocks.

Overall it is fun. I think full suspension is not required but suggested. If I want back I think I would re-adjust my fron to be a lot softer. Also gets tiring hanging on to the handlebars (sometimes for dear life).

Overll a fun trip, worthwhile if you are in the area (now I need to check my bike for any loose screws from all of the punishment!):crazy2:

[Thewavebb]

How were the black flys. I went up earlier this summer and they were horrible. I pinch flatted once and it was pure torture changing my tube, thank god for C02 pumps.

[homebrewbiker]

How were the black flys. I went up earlier this summer and they were horrible. I pinch flatted once and it was pure torture changing my tube, thank god for C02 pumps.Not terrible but they were there. I think on the second ride my buddy got a flaot, repaired rode up a hill only to discover that the reason for the flat was a bare spot in his tire!
:shocked:

[soupboy]

...that they will have all lifts running you expect them to have running. I've been there on at least 3 occasions when they confirmed by phone on a Friday afternoon that all lifts would be running only to arrive late Friday and head out Sat AM to find only the Mystery Lift was operating. Totally blew, but they comped our lift tix.

I know they often run the gondola on Saturdays but this is not as convenient as actually running the "Bull" or "Moose" chair - forget what they call it. You can still get to the Cascades and above but its a real butt kicker just getting up there from Mystery - I think you take #6 and have a long, steep cat track ascent to get up there to the scenic lookout area which is the main spur. The trails on Moose are worth the effort at least once if you've never been. If the Bull Chair is not running you need to cut/climb back over to Mystery to make another run. Mystery is fun at first because of the speed available, but gets boring as it is not very technical the section (Dave's Glade) right along the chair towards the top.

It also gets muddy as heck there so you may want to bring fenders if you got them.

Have fun at Poppin' Chubby's - I recommend the walleye with wild rice soup and as much brewski as you can swill.

Sean

[cobra!]

What sort of bike were you riding on Saturday, homebrewbiker? We probably crossed paths. I was the slow, short guy.

[homebrewbiker]

What sort of bike were you riding on Saturday, homebrewbiker? We probably crossed paths. I was the slow, short guy.
I was riding a White Rock Hopper FSR. My boddy was on a GT, probably a blur flying by you. He has no fear of downhill
I got a lot more conservative in my riding after my biff on Trail 31(?) on Moose Mountain. That is a long butt kicker. I know on trail 31, we ran into some guys who were apparently lost, they still had about 1/2 of the trail to go whgen we ran into them (I think it was a family).