Lebanon Hills is OPEN!

[gopherhockey]

MORC members hear it first... Lebanon Hills is now OPEN!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

I just got off the phone with Dakota County and verified that the lot is open. We rode the trail twice yesterday to clear out all the eye-pokers, trees etc.

There are some ruts out there left by riders who were out there too early - most on the Dream II trail (the one right out of the parking lot by the double jump) - if you can, try pack those tracks in rather than riding around them.. its still somewhat soft so now is a good time to help out by riding over those ruts. We like to open up just slighly on the soft side so that the trail can pack in prior to any significant rains.

So... call in sick, see you on the trails!!!

I'll post this in the non-members area soon.. for now, its just between us MORC members. ;)

[Buck]

w00t, I'm headed out right now, to bad for all you desk jockies!!! hahaha suckas

L8Rz
Buck

[Thewavebb]

i'm totally going riding. I love my flex shift hours. Thanks for the heads up:banana: :banana:

[ppgc]

Oh I work so close the Leb and the bike is on the car.... Leaving... Early... Woooo!!! Thanks for the update John!

[col200]

OMG! I'm stuck here at my desk. But, congrats to all who make it out today. It'll have been worth the wait!

[mara]

Bad news quoted from Weather Underground:

Showers will move into the western and southern suburbs of the Twin Cities by 300 PM...and southward by 330 PM. These showers may briefly be heavy at first...with one tenth of one quarter of an inch within a half hour. Afterwards light shower activity will continue through late afternoon. Isolated lightning is possible.

I think it is a conspiracy to keep me from riding my bike in seventies and sunshine.

[berrywise]

Bad news quoted from Weather Underground:

Showers will move into the western and southern suburbs of the Twin Cities by 300 PM...and southward by 330 PM. These showers may briefly be heavy at first...with one tenth of one quarter of an inch within a half hour. Afterwards light shower activity will continue through late afternoon. Isolated lightning is possible.

I think it is a conspiracy to keep me from riding my bike in seventies and sunshine.

Has MORC ever investigated the idea of using a tarp system similar to what they use at sporting events to keep the trails from getting wet? Maybe have it on some sort of automated system that would be connected to the national weather center?

[gopherhockey]

Its a good reminder to always stay off the trail after a rain - especially in the spring when the ground has not hardened up... remember that because the lot is open doesn't always mean the trail is in riding shape.

We will be monitoring conditions as we did last year and will ask Dakota to close the lot and trails if conditions get bad. (remember last June?)

[destrago]

First to biff it that is. The chain of events

1:04 John posts that Leb is opened
1:31 Tony reads John's Post.
1:32 Tony begins changing into biking gear.
1:38 Tony leaves for Leb (~2.2 mile road ride).
~2:00 Tony meets Buck in parking lot, rides with him to the entrance to X.
~2:25 Buck leaves via the bypass due to time constraints.
~2:38:04 Tony's mind wanders for a moment on the downhill in Dream
~2:38:07 Tony hits the dirt.
~2:38:42 Tony gets out of the dirt, collects the pieces of his shifter, wipes the blood off his handle bars (not kidding) and continues down the trail with no ability to shift front derailure (no real loss, never use that anyway).

3:05 - Tony arrives home, bleeding, broken-biked and smiling because

dirt is goood!!!




The trail is looking great. There are a few ruts, though most of the damage is on the beginner/warm up loop, and even those aren't more than about 1" deep at their worst. The trail is still a touch damp but it's definately firm. There's a couple spots where it looks soft off to the sides of the trail, but the trail itself looks to have weathered the thaw and the collected poachers well.

Get out there and ride. And if you see a gash in the middle of the trail right before the hairpin at the end of the descent in dream, that's from my handlebars, my knees, or my nose, I don't really know which one dragged that out.

Buck: Was nice get to chill with you finally and ride with you. We'll have to do so again.

-Tony

[manual63]

Has MORC ever investigated the idea of using a tarp system similar to what they use at sporting events to keep the trails from getting wet? Maybe have it on some sort of automated system that would be connected to the national weather center?

I think we would be a bit looney to spend the time and money to do such a thing. We are all volunteers you know.....and as MTBers, we can deal with the wet times throughout the summer.......right??....:)

[mara]

I think we would be a bit looney to spend the time and money to do such a thing.

Yeah, but getting a whole bunch of us to stand on the trail with umbrellas would be cost effective and wouldn't be looney at all.

[Paul Swenson]

.....and as MTBers, we can deal with the wet times throughout the summer.......right??....:)

Yea that's what these are for:

http://www.xoomgear.com/i/p/l/TIRE-128.jpg

;)

[destrago]

... and now it's raining! ....!!!!!

[transplant]

Has MORC ever investigated the idea of using a tarp system similar to what they use at sporting events to keep the trails from getting wet? Maybe have it on some sort of automated system that would be connected to the national weather center?

Like the soccer dome in Stillwater? Or the dome over the tennis courts at White Bear Racquet that they take down in the spring. That Stillwater dome is HUUUUUUUUUUGE! With the right time, money, people, etc. that would make a killer year round park ala Ray's.

[Ish]

... and now it's raining! ....!!!!!
serious?

I am at Wescott and 149 in Eagan and it ain't raining here.....although it looks like it couuld. crap:mad:

[manual63]

... and now it's raining! ....!!!!!

Blame mara, she said it first...:)

[berrywise]

Like the soccer dome in Stillwater? Or the dome over the tennis courts at White Bear Racquet that they take down in the spring. That Stillwater dome is HUUUUUUUUUUGE! With the right time, money, people, etc. that would make a killer year round park ala Ray's.

Totally. I think for maybe five or six million dollars we could have some kind of tarp that would cover the trails. Not to mention that if we added lighting we could have 24 hour access to the trails with no need for lights on our bikes. I'm gonna start writing up a grant tonight.

[gopherhockey]

Where did that shower come from... ?? :mad:

[Paul Swenson]

Totally. I think for maybe five or six million dollars we could have some kind of tarp that would cover the trails. Not to mention that if we added lighting we could have 24 hour access to the trails with no need for lights on our bikes. I'm gonna start writing up a grant tonight.

You would only need to add a 1/4 of penny sales tax to purchases in Dakota county to pay for it.

Kids or trails? I choose Trails!

[bigwheel]

Where did that shower come from... ?? :mad:

It's Mara's fault.

[bigwheel]

First to biff it that is. The chain of events

1:04 John posts that Leb is opened
1:31 Tony reads John's Post.
1:32 Tony begins changing into biking gear.
1:38 Tony leaves for Leb (~2.2 mile road ride).
-- SNIP --


Tony needs to get a job!

[destrago]

Tony needs to get a job!


Aaah the glory of grad school.

-Tony

[transplant]

I've got sun! No rain. I'm at 35E and Maryland.

[berrywise]

I've got sun! No rain. I'm at 35E and Maryland.

I'm hoping for sun along that route as I rode in today.

[mara]

Blame mara, she said it first...:)

It's Mara's fault.

I have skills that way. Unfortunately, they're not very useful skills ;)

You should see how I can attract headwinds . . .

[bigwheel]

The moving map shows that the band of rain went by and stayed mostly south of us. We didn't get any here (north end of Eagan) Does anyone know if we got any (real) rain at Leb?

Tony, what happened at your house?

[Ish]

Still no rain at Wescott and 149 (3 miles north of Leb) and it is sunny now.

Did it actually rain at Leb? I NEED to ride!!!

[Thewavebb]

I saw the dark clouds as I was finishing up my second time thought and decided it best to head back to the car. As I was driving away I started to rain a bit. Not sure how long since I drove out of it wihin a few minutes, but it did stay dark in that area. It felt so good to get out on the trails.

Thanks again for letting us know. :banana:

[dopey048]

It rained in Apple Valley. I'm going to Leb around 6:30 to 7 for a lap.

I was so "Nuckinfutts" at work because I couldn't leave. I need my 40 hours.

[RedSquirrel]

Yea that's what these are for:

http://www.xoomgear.com/i/p/l/TIRE-128.jpg

;)

I really really miss these tires in the 2.0 size. My all time favorite. Your all tourturing me with the Leb situation, old school tires and all.....

[gopherhockey]

Not much rain and the sun is out... those that planned to ride tonight should keep their plans and enjoy!!

Looks like rain this weekend... would be nice to get things packed down before then. If you are out there, push yourself to do that one extra lap ;)

[bigwheel]

It's bright sun and windy here right now.

I'm going to head over for a lap (maybe two). Prolly get there around 6:00. But, if the trail looks damp, I'm not riding.

I will be on the bike with the squeaky crank. (or is that my knees ?)

[dopey048]

Aye, Aye Mr. Lundell.

An extra lap for you.

Those are orders I like.

[Danimal]

Crap! I gotta work! :mad:

[destrago]

The moving map shows that the band of rain went by and stayed mostly south of us. We didn't get any here (north end of Eagan) Does anyone know if we got any (real) rain at Leb?

Tony, what happened at your house?

It poured pretty hard for 30 seconds.
It rained lightly for another 2 minutes.
Then it was over.

Probably less than 1/10 inch total. I'm sure the trail won't have any problem with that rainfall. it's now sunny here again.

-Tony

[Kosk]

I rode late this afternoon, the rain slid south of Leb, only a smattering of light sprinkles, hardly even noticeable.

Dream II (entrance climb) is in really rutty shape from being ridden too early. Ride it now to sooth it out, it needs it, bad.

Tacky is word of the day, grip it and rip it!

[gopherhockey]

Dream II (entrance climb) is in really rutty shape from being ridden too early. Ride it now to sooth it out, it needs it, bad.



I don't know who did that but it really did some damage. People can see first hand what riding too early can do to a trail. For those that may have hiked the trail you can even see erosion starting.

I think the poacher must have turned around and headed back out the way they came rather than damaging the entire trail... which was probably a good thing.

Its never fun to ride over the top of ruts, but if everyone could please do it we'd be able to firm things up and require less damage control.

So... besides extra laps your mission is to "ride" out those ruts as suggested. :)

[dopey048]

Just returned from Leb. I did 2 laps as requested. If I had another 10 mins to spare I would have done 3.

One word to sum it up...Righteous!

[Buck]

I don't know who did that but it really did some damage. People can see first hand what riding too early can do to a trail. For those that may have hiked the trail you can even see erosion starting.

I think the poacher must have turned around and headed back out the way they came rather than damaging the entire trail... which was probably a good thing.

Its never fun to ride over the top of ruts, but if everyone could please do it we'd be able to firm things up and require less damage control.

So... besides extra laps your mission is to "ride" out those ruts as suggested. :)


Wierd I didn't notice any ruts...maybe that's b/c of my finely tuned 8x8 shreddin' it :D ...I have a dream to aad to dream II but I won't be able to make it to the next work section cuz I have night class...:cryin:

L8Rz
Buck

[Ish]

Its never fun to ride over the top of ruts, but if everyone could please do it we'd be able to firm things up and require less damage control.

So... besides extra laps your mission is to "ride" out those ruts as suggested. :)

Calling all Pugsley's. Report to duty ASAP!

[jag]

Dam, it just rained out here in the north end of eagan. Hoping to ride around 3:30.

[soupboy]

You can do a lap in 10 minutes? Jeebus you're fast.

Just returned from Leb. I did 2 laps as requested. If I had another 10 mins to spare I would have done 3.

One word to sum it up...Righteous!

[dopey048]

You can do a lap in 10 minutes? Jeebus you're fast.

Nah. I'm not that fast. I had to be home at 7:30pm and finished the last lap at 6:50. Takes me about 25 mins per lap (I don't do the XX loop cuz I dont think I got the chops for it)

Anyone know if its doable today? I wanna ride again.

[gopherhockey]

Anyone know if its doable today? I wanna ride again.

Its in good shape...

[ryno lite]

It sure was great getting a lap in yesterday. I sure did miss mtn biking! Thanks Bob for sticking around and riding a lap with me! It's going to be another great mtn biking season! Now if I can just get in shape.

[jeffgude]

Still in good shape. Parking lot pretty full tonight.

[dopey048]

:banana: Yeah buddy. 3 laps tonight. Better Git R Dun tomorrow or Saturday morning before it rains.

[bikeoutback]

I did 1 lap intermediate loop last night, great time. There was about 8 cars in the lot when I got there around 6pm and about 2/3rds full lot when I left around 7pm. I need to get in shape, that trail kicked my butt, oh well I just keep saying at least I'm out here on a bike, figure as long as I keep repeating that I'll be fine and by fall lookin to keep up with the fast group at night rides.

[icculusjr]

Great day for riding. I got out at about 4 and there were only three spaces left. Trail is in good condition. I can remember one log pile in particular that seemed a lot higher than last fall. See everyone out there.