Less Traffic This Year?

[destrago]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Leb gets a little less traffic this year than it did last year (don't know much about years before that!)? I'm wondering if the opening of Theo Wirth so near downtown has aleviated some of the congestion at Leb. Again, this might just be my perception, but it always seems less full than last year it when I go riding these days. I'll be interested to see what the lap counter from this year shows.

-Tony

[ryno lite]

I know I rode Leb less this year. I spent more time at Theo and some other less used trails to break it up more. I rode Leb almost exclusively for a couple of years.

[Tetreves]

I know I rode Leb less this year. I spent more time at Theo and some other less used trails to break it up more. I rode Leb almost exclusively for a couple of years.

Ditto, plus Theo is biking distance. :D

[manual63]

Are you trying to say Theo is better than Leb?? ......:D......I am going to get it for that one.....:p

[fatbaldpop1]

Same here on the Theo comment. within riding distance of home...time & $. I have ridden Leb once this year vs. 15-20x in years past. I know several who have defaulted to same decision. It is nice to have good choices.

[bikeoutback]

I just started riding a few months ago and was going to Salem because I didn't want to hold anyone up and it seemed like a better trail for a beginner, I also remembered driving by Leb and seeing parking lot packed. Lately I have driven by just to see how full and the parking lot hasn't been full lately so Sunday I went and rode it in the morning cause I had time. It wasn't busy at all, in fact I ended up following a few people riding dh bikes which was nice being my first time riding there to follow someone else, I also didn't hold anybody up. I remembered Leb as being alot of up and down hills, it wasn't as bad as I thought and I can tell these boards are helping cause as I was riding I caught myself braking too much with the rear brake and skidding a little (sorry) and thinking 'braking bumps bad, use more front brake, less rear...' It was good ride and I'll be back there this weekend weather permitting to ride it again.

[socrates]

Well I was riding LH daily last year....0 times this year :(

[bigwheel]

Before Leb got MORCed, it was tough to find a parking place at Terrace Oaks. Then, Leb showed up as a first-rate place, and took the heat off of Terrace. Now, there are a lot more options, which for many people are way more convenient. As a result, the increasing number of trails seem to be taking the heat off of Leb, as was expected.

However, I also wonder if mountain biking, in general, is experiencing a popularity decline. I'm not saying that everyone is melting down their bikes for scrap. I'm saying that maybe people are not riding their bikes as much this year. These things tend to go "in cycles" :laugh:

[destrago]

However, I also wonder if mountain biking, in general, is experiencing a popularity decline. I'm not saying that everyone is melting down their bikes for scrap. I'm saying that maybe people are not riding their bikes as much this year. These things tend to go "in cycles" :laugh:

Or maybe, like me, everyone's riding their bikes to work this year for whatever reason suits them (gas prices / war protest / environmental / more regular exercise) (all of the above for me) and is often too tired out to get in a good trail ride. I went riding at Theo with Mr. Claw a few weeks ago and it was the first time either of us had been on dirt in almost a month.

-Tony

[gopherhockey]

I wonder if we are getting less soccer mom traffic in the lot this year... that might cause a perceived difference.

I know I've ridden Leb a TON less this year since I got my road bike. I think I've done more night riding than day riding at Leb as well.

Kinda had to have a change this year. Leb is great, but riding it every day or every other day can get a bit old. If it didn't take multiple laps to get in a good ride it would be different maybe.

I'm hoping Murphy will be that place where one lap is a good afternoon ride... we'll see.

[manual63]

Before Leb got MORCed, it was tough to find a parking place at Terrace Oaks. Then, Leb showed up as a first-rate place, and took the heat off of Terrace.

I thought MORC dumbed down the trails.....:laugh::laugh::p:crazy:

[bobbkr]

I think the traffic at Leb is less this year mostly due to the fact that Theo and Salem are open (and very nice) and Terrace and the river bottoms have been improved. Also I think people get tired of riding the same laps over and over.
I think mountain biking in general has plateaued in popularity for the last few years. My guess is that a lot of people started road riding when Lance was in the limelight. People may return to mountain biking now.