Doesn't look like many ride this trail???

[manual63]

I was out there riding and doing trailwork last night and found this to be a fun trail. I know it's not the tight twisty singletrack, yet, of Leb or Theo, but it was actually fun to have the trails out in the open fields. It's a different experience and I rode it on my P.2 singlespeed just fine.

For beginner to intermediate riders, this is a great trail. For advanced riders, it's something different and still fun.

Check it out...wear it in and we will have yet another great trail in the area.

[homebrewbiker]

I rode this trail 3 or 4 times last year. The great thing about the trail is that it dries up really fast because of the sandy soil (at least the part in the open prairie). This will be a great trail once the woods section and the rest of trail are tied together. It is a good place to work on endurance IMHO.

[Shickdawg]

I like Salem. It's the first "real" trail I rode once I got my bike, and meeting Scott Thayer out there really turned me on to MORC. It's got its own simple charm that makes it a unique trail to ride, depending on what I'm looking for. If I want punishing climbs and harrowing descents, I head to Battle Creek. When I'm looking for obstacles and technical riding, to Lebanon Hills I go. When I just want to get out and ride, Salem is my choice. I just wish it was a little closer to where I live (read: we need more trails in the north metro).

[bikeoutback]

I started riding this about a month ago and love the trail, mostly cause I'm too out of shape to do any other trail also. I rode it yesterday and it definatly needs to be worn in. Also Inver grove got hit with some good rain on wednesday night and we rode at 4pm thursday and it was dry enought to ride with one section by the swamp that was muddy. That section has had standing water every time I've ridden, not sure if there are plans to do something there but let me know and I'll try and make it out to help. I'm not sure on the direction of the trail, I think I have it now only but what seems to flow really well and this time I went right on the trail from the lot and down a nice windy single track section, first time I've ridden tahat way and it was great, then back to the starting point and kinda figure eight and head down a new way, I'm sure this was correct only cause I hit a banked corner that seemed like it was banked for goign downhill, then into the swamp/mud section (this is the area that I think needs to be worked on but I don't know how). The field is fun for getting in shape, but the last segment needs to be worn in that I was on. It winds left and right and uphill and you can see the blue water tower the whole time but it's still grassy and getting overgrown quickly.

[bikingbruise]

First, thanks for those who made this trail. I can only imagine what work it must take. That being said, this trail desperatly needs some obstacles. It does not need to be Lebanon but throwing in even a few small logs would really spice it up. Even if this is meant for beginners, it's still too easy. No one is going to keep coming if it stays the way it is.

Also, would there be any way to connect to some road to the South? I would like to ride there but as it is, too time consuming.

[jonbodin]

In my opinion, the lack of obstacles is what makes it unique. I like it for the fact that I can just go and cruise getting a great aerobic workout without worrying stopping and starting. It's just nice to go out and 'pound' on the dirt. The reason why I go to Salem is because it's different from Leb & Theo when the mood hits for something different.

Just my 2 cents!

[bigwheel]

this trail desperatly needs some obstacles. It does not need to be Lebanon but throwing in even a few small logs would really spice it up.

Salem was designed to be rideable by beginners. It is somewhat unique in this respect, and is one of the very few single track trails that appeal to people who are not interested in a technical ride. There are some riders (I know a couple of them) who ONLY ride there, because the other trails are not enjoyable for them. Once the new sections get packed down it will be 5 miles of good easy trail.

Also, Salem is an excellent place for snow/ice rides, and is open all winter.

If you want occasional log crossings, rock gardens and little bridges, there are plenty of other nearby trails to ride, and we are building more.

[dejorn]

I have only ridden Salem once, a few years ago, and found it to be very enjoyable and great change of pace. It is a great place to bring your kids and get them exposed to the sport of mountain biking. There are not many places where kids can go and learn on "real" trails without having to get off and walk over many obstacles.



Each trail needs its own "identity" and not all trails will appeal to all riders.

[Tetreves]

I like Salem. Unfortunatly, there's only a couple trails that are FARTHER from me...

[Yammer]

I was out there yesterday with my wife (her first time ever on mtb). She exceeded my expectations and this trail was great for a first timer. Everything from fieldy doubles, to woodsy single track and some slight hills! We did have a hard time figuring out where to enter though, and once inside there are lots of options because the trail splits everywhere. I am going to go back and explore sometime, but where is the intended trailhead?

Thanks, Patrick

[waitabit]

I was out there yesterday with my wife (her first time ever on mtb). She exceeded my expectations and this trail was great for a first timer. Everything from fieldy doubles, to woodsy single track and some slight hills! We did have a hard time figuring out where to enter though, and once inside there are lots of options because the trail splits everywhere. I am going to go back and explore sometime, but where is the intended trailhead?

Thanks, PatrickIf you're in the parking lot, you look West toward's the wood's and there's 2 entrance spot's, take a right and go down the hill and through some singletrack that loop's around and back up by where you enter and then you go South down another hill hit the berm and keep going clockwise.(we need signage but I hope that helps)

[KleinCrazy]

I was out there yesterday with my wife (her first time ever on mtb). She exceeded my expectations and this trail was great for a first timer. Everything from fieldy doubles, to woodsy single track and some slight hills! We did have a hard time figuring out where to enter though, and once inside there are lots of options because the trail splits everywhere. I am going to go back and explore sometime, but where is the intended trailhead?

Thanks, Patrick

Sigh,

Once again the Park board and us are working on Maps and Signs and hope to have them up soon.

The trail head is directly west of the corner of the asphalt trail south of the parking lot where it tunrs and heads towards the tennis courts.

Once at the trailhead you have 2 options. If you turn right (north) it will take you on about a 3/4 to 1 mile loop on the north side of the park. it will return you to about 50 south of the trailhead. you will be riding in a counter clockwise direction..

If you start out at the trailhead and tune left (south) follow this trail about 50 feet this will come to another intersection, this is where both loops end. continue going south and you are now on the souther loop. This one is about 4 miles and will always go in a clockwise directions. When you come to an interesection on this trail and wish to do the whole thing always stay left.

there are three stacked loops on the south side. one around the pond, one around the big field and one around the small southwest woods.

The one easy one to miss is right after the bridge coming north on the west side of the pond. I am going to clear out that entrance a little today.

As soon as I have an electonic copy of the map, I will post it in the trails section and in a forum thread.

Glad you enjoyed the trail. What did you think of our cool new boardwalk?

L8er
James

[Yammer]

Sigh,


Glad you enjoyed the trail. What did you think of our cool new boardwalk?

L8er
James

It was awesome! Very well done. the best thing about that trail is that it has so much variety that even a beginner feels like they were on an adventure :crazy2:

I heard my wife "wooo!" a couple times in the ride, which is a great start for her mountain biking experience. Thanks guys, I think we'll visit this one again.

Patrick

[syntaxjunkie]

I rode Salem for the first time about a month or so ago. Beautiful location, great trail design, just a very fun cruise through lush prairie with hawks overhead. Unfortunately, I also discovered that said lush prairie was an irresisitble draw for every single species of flying and stinging insect known to man. Wasps, hornets, bees, you name it. They were literally dripping off of the wildflowers, transforming beautiful high-grown meadows into malevolently buzzing corridors of evil hum. For someone with a fairly significant allergy to stings, this was not the place to be. I think the mercury must've dipped below freezing at least once since then, so perhaps I can return without fearing for my life.

[martini]

I"ve been to Salem a few times and really quite enjoyed it. It's a nice mellow cruise that uses the available terrain quite well. Very fun trail for the novice rider. It really does a good job of making riding fun(single track!), showing the best of what riding offers with a taste of the hard parts(climbing).

In fact, I like Salem so much for what it offers the novice, that I'm going to design a trail here in a local county park to closely model what Salem has. The medow we have to work with is roughly the same size and offers the same elevations. We'll put harder stuff in the woods, but the beginner stuff will be much like Salem.

[KleinCrazy]

I"ve been to Salem a few times and really quite enjoyed it. It's a nice mellow cruise that uses the available terrain quite well. Very fun trail for the novice rider. It really does a good job of making riding fun(single track!), showing the best of what riding offers with a taste of the hard parts(climbing).

In fact, I like Salem so much for what it offers the novice, that I'm going to design a trail here in a local county park to closely model what Salem has. The medow we have to work with is roughly the same size and offers the same elevations. We'll put harder stuff in the woods, but the beginner stuff will be much like Salem.

Yeah,

But are you going to put in a 80 foot long boardwalk and and maybe have the oportunity to hold a big event at your trail?

Sounds good Marty.

Keep me posted but maybe depending on the weather I might be able to make it down your way and do a little riding early in November.

[At the Gates 2121]

It was awesome! Very well done. the best thing about that trail is that it has so much variety that even a beginner feels like they were on an adventure :crazy2:

I heard my wife "wooo!" a couple times in the ride, which is a great start for her mountain biking experience. Thanks guys, I think we'll visit this one again.

Patrick

now your wife is ready for leb.. heh heh heh I did that with my wife brought her through everything but xx. All I heard was I don;t like this trail like I like the river bottoms

[martini]

James, Nov 12 there's a cool night race happening over in Decorah. Saturday night, one lap of the trails as fast as you can go, then head over to Tbocks for Beer and regaling, plus some prizes. Most definetly a good time. I'll be there as will one or two of the locals here. Come on down!

[RedSquirrel]

How far is Decorah from Twin Cities? Can my 10 yr old race? If u kno anwers post up tanks

[Ish]

How far is Decorah from Twin Cities? Can my 10 yr old race? If u kno anwers post up tanks

about 2.5 hrs.

[ApValWheels]

Had a chance to ride here for the first time this morning, and had the place to myself. It seems like a great place to give the lungs a workout without having to worry about obstacles. The long boardwalk was looked even better in person than it did on the video.

But it wasn't all a "ride in the park". Just when I was getting complacent, the big rock snuck up on me...I had to backtrack and pay attention to get over it.

Nicely done. I'll ride it again, and bring the family.

[At the Gates 2121]

Nicely done. I'll ride it again, and bring the family.[/QUOTE]

you better mister :D :banana:

[BrightYellow]

Rode here on Sat. morning with the wife... It was her first time riding this year and maybe 5th or 6th time mtb'ing ever. She had a blast and said that was the best mtb ride she has ever been on...

Major props! It was a lot of fun. I liked that big rock near the end...

[MOAB]

I have rode this trail at least once a week since June. . . . great trail and fun to see it evolve over the summer. I brought my wife here at least 4 times, and she loved it. It's not too technical, so it's great for many different skill levels. She isn't to fond of Battle creek because it is a little to difficult. I think Salem flows much better than BC. I'll keep riding this trail to help get it packed down like Theo. :)
Is the trail open in the winter? I am a snowmobiler, so my winters are busy with that, but I would love to get some studded tires and try winter mbiking.
:banana:

I just recently registered to post on this site, but have been checking the site out for at least a year. It's a great resource for finding new trails like Memorial in Red Wing.

[Burke]

I just recently registered to post on this site, but have been checking the site out for at least a year. It's a great resource for finding new trails like Memorial in Red Wing.

Welcome! Glad to see another lurker turned to poster.

Whenever you're ready for the next step, we'd love to have you as a MORC members, as well.

Scott

[KleinCrazy]

Is the trail open in the winter? I am a snowmobiler, so my winters are busy with that, but I would love to get some studded tires and try winter mbiking.

Yes the Trail is open all winter once the ground has frozen and/or there is enough snow to prevent rutting.

There are usually weekly rides out there in the winter to help keep the trail rideable.

If you ride at night, come join us for the night rides out here on Tuesdays.

Glad to see a new faces on here and out there.

James
Salem Hills Trail Steward

[MOAB]

What time on Tuesdays? Do you start at 6 or 7pm? I was there yesterday, wednesday from 4:00 to about 5:30. . . . what a great day. . . 71 degrees and sunny.

[KleinCrazy]

What time on Tuesdays? Do you start at 6 or 7pm? I was there yesterday, wednesday from 4:00 to about 5:30. . . . what a great day. . . 71 degrees and sunny.

We start at 7:00pm.

It is always posted in the group rides forums on here.

Glad you had a good ride yesterday.

James