Chequamegon Weekend

[igor]

Ryno and I hit Rock Lake and Ojibwe over the weekend. Boy is Rock Lake different. Holy smokes, it's nothing like the old one. If you did like the old one you'll be dissapointed. The new trail is much more erosion resistant. Even with some rain it shed the water well and I can't think of any places on the new trail that had standing water. It's not all done yet but it was fun. It still hooks up with the Glacier trail which goes you a break. Lots of rocks and roots and tight turns.

Ojibwe is sick! I am an intermediate rider and this one really worked me over. It was really a mental workout as well. Many tight turns, roots, rocks and some climbs. I handled it ok and am sure improved some of my skill but I'll admit I was off the bike a few times and have some bruises and scratches. :hit: I was in granny gear the whole time. However when I got done I really felt like I accomplished something which was cool. Can't wait to try it again. Three bananas and an alien for the weekend! :banana: :banana: :banana: :alien:

[ryno lite]

Yep, last weekend was some great riding! The Ojibwe Trail is unrelenting and takes forever but is a blast. You're always going up or down and over rocks and roots and around tight turns. None of the trail is too hard to do, but the trail never lets your body have a minute of rest! I've never ridden a 12 mile trail totally in granny gear. Sure was weird!

The new Rock Lake is still under construction and it appears they have maybe 3-5 miles done already? Anyway, Rock Lake will be awesome when completed. I loved the new sections!

Tim and Dale: Great job on the route and the Dingo work you two have done with CAMBA! I've heard CAMBA is leasing equipment now and you two are trail consultants. Do either of you two have an idea when CAMBA thinks this project will be complete? When complete, how many miles of singletrack is expected? Just judging from what I have ridden, I'd say in my opinion that Rock Lake could be one of the coolest sets of singletrack in the Upper Midwest when completed. I guess I'll have to wait patiently for completion!

One thing I did notice when on these trails was that the proper IMBA build of these trails with benchcuts and the whole bit sure made a difference. We rode the next day after a rain and the Ojibwe was perfect! All the other old trails had pooled water in all the low spots. The new trails sure do a great job with water damage prevention!

Another thing I will say is that I've always enjoyed the CAMBA trails and the number of miles they have, but it's now nice to see some quality to match the quantity. These new sets of singletrack so blow away all the other double track, ski trail, forest road and the like. Maybe I'm spoiled now with places like Leb, but I'd rather have 30 miles of sweet singletrack than 300 miles of weedy, boring fire roads and double track! I hope CAMBA keeps this singletrack thing up!

[JHM]

I rode Ojibwe about a month ago. I agree with everything Ryan said about the trail construction. What was really cool compared to Leb is that the trail has many stretches where it seems very little "extra" work was done. The designers took maximum advantage of the nature features. The trail is also narrower than Leb, there isn't as much room for error.

The extensive trail network also allows unlimited options for alternate routes. I was about 3/4 of the way through the trail and still wanted more. I checked out the map, hooked up with the Sleigh and Birky trails for a few short sections and was back on the Ojibwe for a second shot at the southern half.

The Ojibwe doesn't have a long climbs, but if you get on one of the ski trails you can experience some significant hills.

[ryno lite]

Friday was my first Leb ride after Rock Lake and Ojibwe. Boy Leb is easy after that cheq trip! Leb is so smooth, I felt like I was on a road bike compared with the granny gear only Ojibwe!