Steeplechase this Sun

[Matthew]

This Sunday is the second race in the mnscs series Steeplechase is one of the newest trail systems in minnesota and was professionally designed by IMBA. The trail is in great condition and features more singletrack for all the classes, as well as another big climb and downhill for the advanced classes. Preriding is open all this week. The kids comp course will be great for the youngsters so bring out the whole family. Our goal is 300 riders this year so come on out and help us make this our biggest race yet. Also if you need additional motivation we have great prizes after the race and we will be doing call ups for the top ten from the first series race.

[Dhallaway]

I rode most of the course Thursday evening, the "Zumbro Zipper" is a blast!! And the new trail past the cave and along the river should offer more places for riders to pass. It's a great course, still lots of tight single track but with more fast wider trail too.

[jag]

Is there going to be a downhill race there on Saturday?

[Matthew]

No there will not be any dh race.

[Buck]

It should be noted that several DHers and a local shop stepped up to the plate and were ready to do one but got the no go from Steeple Chase....so its not like we haven't been tryin'!Hope the weather holds for ya!weRd!Buck

[MisterClaw]

This Sunday is the second race in the mnscs series Steeplechase is one of the newest trail systems in minnesota and was professionally designed by IMBA.
I've done some searching online but still have a few unanswered questions...

What are people running there for gearing on single speeds?

And how well does the trail drain/dry after heavy rains? (since we are looking at a rather wet race there!)

[MisterClaw]

Since Steeplechase's address does not work on *ANY* online maps, and the instructions on Steeplechase's website are impossible follow,
I thought I'd share this link to a image with Steeplechase's location.

http://www.rasc-mn.org/Events/Steeplechase/SCDirections4.jpg

[Matthew]

If you type in Steeplechase ski area in the place names part of map quest it brings you right there. The singletrack was imba designed and as such it drains as well as can be expected. Both Saturday and Sunday only have a 40% chance of rain. So we are keeping our fingers crossed.

[gpzrider]

For what its worth, unless it has very recently rained, you won't find much pooled water or really soft spots, but the trail can be expected to be pretty slick unless we get a lot of sun and heat over the next couple of days. Since there are a fair number of rocks and roots, this can make things tricky if you don't have the right tires (and for people like me, its tricky even if you do have the right tires).

[MisterClaw]

If you type in Steeplechase ski area in the place names part of map quest it brings you right there. The singletrack was imba designed and as such it drains as well as can be expected. Both Saturday and Sunday only have a 40% chance of rain. So we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Mapquest just brings up a random point in the middle of Mazeppa.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=Steeplechase+ski+area&address=&city=&state=&zipcode=

[Matthew]

Take US Hwy 52 south from the Twin Cities to Minnesota State Hwy 60 East (just south of Zumbrota and near mile marker 76) Note, you will pass MN 60 west in Zumbrota, do not confuse with hwy 60 east) Take Minnesota Hwy 60 East to the village of Mazeppa. Just as you enter Mazeppa and before the bridge, you will see Wabasha County 1 to the right. Turn right on Cty 1 and go approx 3.5 miles to 585th St. (there is a small brown sign on the shoulder of Cty 1 with an arrow that will direct you onto 585th St) Turn onto 585th and follow the arrows. Total distance from the Hwy 52/55 split in SE Metro is 55 miles.

[Matthew]

There are brown signs that say steeplechase as you get near as well.

[Trevize1138]

There are brown signs that say steeplechase as you get near as well.

I think this info needs to be added to the directions. The confusion comes when you try to follow the directions looking at a map on-line. The on-line maps I've seen (Google) don't show any 585th St. and I was initially left scratching my head as to where exactly this ski place was supposed to be :).

A mention of how far you'd have to go on 585th St. would be helpful, too, as it seems it's at least a couple miles down that road.

[AndrewMay]

What do you guys think about a pre-ride today? Think its too wet?
I really dont want to do any damage right before the big race...

[zaskar]

Per the Steeplechase website:

Trail Update
6/1
Friday
Trails Closed at 4pm due to rain. Hope to re-open for Saturday.

[AndrewMay]

crappy... I really wanted to ride tonight.

[Dhallaway]

I created a quick map from Zumbrota to Steeplechase on Bikely.com. You can see it here. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Steeplechase-Mountain-Bike-Park

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o117/dave6167/Steeplechase.gif