View Full Version : Luce Line is officially open!! (as is all of Theo)
guest_s
07-09-2009, 12:18 PM
That also means the North Loop is officialy open also! Great news!
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
Thanks to everyone who waited patiently and allowed us to do our business.
Go ride and have fun! Trails are a bit dry and there is a new section that needs to get ridden in well. So please use caution.
grimlock
07-09-2009, 12:25 PM
YES! just took a shower after coming back from sloop n brownie
going right back out and hitting the nloop!!!
:banana::banana::banana::banana:
widespot
07-09-2009, 12:35 PM
I haven't ridden Theo since January. I may have to go after work.
Thanks for the news Shad.
DaveSauce
07-09-2009, 12:40 PM
Sweet! That means I don't have to drive all the way to Lebanon anymore! Love Lebanon, but a 3 mile bike ride beats a 20 mile drive any day!
Can't wait to check out the new section! And I was just starting to learn all the fast lines through Theo last year...
I haven't ridden Theo since January. I may have to go after work.
I'm pretty excited to get out there, too!
There may still be residual orange fencing at the trail entry points. If you see any out there, please remove the fence posts and lay them to the side of the trail instead of riding around the fence.
SAAWEEET! Cant wait till i can get my arse out there.
col200
07-09-2009, 01:26 PM
S'Awesome!!!!
See you guys out there. Thanks for the notice, Shad.
Ol Dirty Biker
07-09-2009, 01:56 PM
Holy carp! I can't believe! K, time to take rest of the day off....
soupboy
07-09-2009, 01:58 PM
+33+$
Kingbozo
07-09-2009, 02:00 PM
Sure. One week after I move out of the area!
widespot
07-09-2009, 02:08 PM
I'm pretty excited to get out there, too!
There may still be residual orange fencing at the trail entry points. If you see any out there, please remove the fence posts and lay them to the side of the trail instead of riding around the fence.
will do
Quanz56
07-09-2009, 02:13 PM
I sooooo hope the rain holds off until tonight cause I wanna wait till after rush hour to head out there. This is some of the best news I've heard all summer! :banana:
bakkeb
07-09-2009, 02:22 PM
Sooo cool...I'm changing my plans and hitting it tomorrow instead of my usual trails.:banana:
soupboy
07-09-2009, 02:25 PM
In its honor Big Pu$$y and I will be doing a couple laps and then christening the newly re-opened trail at The Legion tonight.
SLP Punk
07-09-2009, 02:56 PM
Yesssssssss!!! I haven't been able to get to the other trails this summer, so it's good to have the home turf back!
ryno lite
07-09-2009, 04:39 PM
I know what I will be doing when I get back from DC!
Slimpee
07-09-2009, 05:06 PM
I know what I will be doing when I get back from DC!
Posting on MORC?
torisspacedog
07-09-2009, 06:25 PM
:cool:
MrBatzloff
07-09-2009, 06:50 PM
Great ride this afternoon, so nice to have my "local" trail back in the circuit again. Dusty and fast! The paved trail is surprisingly unintrusive. Nice work trail crew.
widespot
07-09-2009, 08:10 PM
The paved trail is surprisingly unintrusive. Nice work trail crew.
Agreed. That ride was therapeutic.
quickerpicker
07-09-2009, 08:36 PM
Can't wait til after work Friday!
Danimal
07-09-2009, 09:45 PM
Hell yeah!
KleinCrazy
07-09-2009, 10:02 PM
Can't wait til after work Friday!
I'll be there on the tank about 4:00.
Will be a welcome ride after Battle Creek on the squish tonight.
gordanfreman
07-09-2009, 10:22 PM
will be a great birthday weekend now! :metal:
At the Gates 2121
07-09-2009, 10:42 PM
will be a great birthday weekend now! :metal:
Time to load the laps up at my home track
jitterjepp
07-10-2009, 12:30 AM
I might do this in the morning on my way out. I'm taking the Luce line from the trail head at wirth to the Cosmos. I mean the town of Cosmos. Don't know if I want to ride through there in fully loaded panniers so maybe I won't. I don't know.
I'm actually excited both trails are open.
Ol Dirty Biker
07-10-2009, 07:38 AM
Having the North Loop back is awesome! Had a great time getting laps in last night. We're so lucky to have this trail. Thank you MORC and especially the Theo trail crew!
guest_s
07-10-2009, 08:27 AM
It's great to see everyone so happy about the trails being open. mara and I walked the trail late afternoon to make sure fencing was not blocking the entrances and exits. While we were there, a ton of people were riding, it was great to see. Many people complimented us on our work and thanked us for doing such a great job. Thanks for the kind words....we really appreciate the compliments.
I know mara and I get a lot of the attention for this trail, but keep in mind that it's our volunteer base that allows us to do what we do. We have a strong dedicated crew that keeps coming back week after week and we can rely on them to get stuff done. Tom, Chuck, Jake, Justin, Steef, Dave, and others all get a ton of credit for being our key volunteers this season. Our President Matt Moore also does a lot of behind the scenes work with the MPRB and community. So please give a thanks to all of our volunteers for being there and supporting Theo!
jitterjepp
07-10-2009, 09:16 AM
It's great to see everyone so happy about the trails being open. mara and I walked the trail late afternoon to make sure fencing was not blocking the entrances and exits. While we were there, a ton of people were riding, it was great to see. Many people complimented us on our work and thanked us for doing such a great job. Thanks for the kind words....we really appreciate the compliments.
I know mara and I get a lot of the attention for this trail, but keep in mind that it's our volunteer base that allows us to do what we do. We have a strong dedicated crew that keeps coming back week after week and we can rely on them to get stuff done. Tom, Chuck, Jake, Justin, Steef, Dave, and others all get a ton of credit for being our key volunteers this season. Our President Matt Moore also does a lot of behind the scenes work with the MPRB and community. So please give a thanks to all of our volunteers for being there and supporting Theo!
You guys are doing an awesome job!!
guest_s
07-10-2009, 09:46 AM
You guys are doing an awesome job!!
Oh yeah.....and Shawn too. You have helped us out a lot over the years. Thanks!
nitrousflame
07-10-2009, 11:21 AM
Woooooooot! :banana:
Can't wait to get home and ride it tonight!
Thanks to all that helped get it ready for re-opening!
arneson
07-10-2009, 11:51 AM
Sweet! That means I don't have to drive all the way to Lebanon anymore! Love Lebanon, but a 3 mile bike ride beats a 20 mile drive any day!
Can't wait to check out the new section! And I was just starting to learn all the fast lines through Theo last year...
Completely agree. On one hand it's been great to get me out to Lebanon more (hit the advanced loop last night for the first time!) but the drive sucks. Theo is about a 6 mile ride from my house, I can't wait!
guest_s
07-10-2009, 12:00 PM
Well, I actually get to ride my bike at Theo this afternoon. After all the hard work, it will be nice to be one of the ones actually riding the trail.....:). Can't wait....been thinking about it all day.....hard to focus on work right now.....:jumpy:
Nicole
07-10-2009, 12:08 PM
Oh Glorious Day! :jumpy:
Been waiting for this all summer! :banana:
And thank you very much to those who volunteer their time and effort at this trail! It is very appreciated.
quickerpicker
07-10-2009, 12:52 PM
I'll be there on the tank about 4:00.
I think I'll be riding the old MT Tam, the Mamsita is gettin' all purdied up from the mud races I've been doin' and I don't think it'll be done. So it'll be tennis shoes and a 90's MT Tam being ridden by a 47 y.o. frame. I'll wear my yellow MORC T-shirt.
If being on the "tank" is where the North loop dirt starts/finishes, I'll be there around the same time. I'll probably park in the Par 3. there'll be a canoe on top of my navy Tahoe, so I ain't hard to miss.
KleinCrazy
07-10-2009, 01:01 PM
I think I'll be riding the old MT Tam, the Mamsita is gettin' all purdied up from the mud races I've been doin' and I don't think it'll be done. So it'll be tennis shoes and a 90's MT Tam being ridden by a 47 y.o. frame. I'll wear my yellow MORC T-shirt.
If being on the "tank" is where the North loop dirt starts/finishes, I'll be there around the same time. I'll probably park in the Par 3. there'll be a canoe on top of my navy Tahoe, so I ain't hard to miss.
Actually the "tank" is the Tank Green In-bred. I am thinking about riding down from work, but will probably park at the main golf lot and ride in. That is still legal right? It feels safer than the Beach Lot.
Might actually be there a little sooner, as I screwed up a meeting date today and was in at 6:00am.
See you all out there.
but will probably park at the main golf lot and ride in. That is still legal right?
It is legal (for now,) but discouraged. On certain summer evenings, mountain bikers pack the lot and displace the golfers.
Have a fun ride!
quickerpicker
07-10-2009, 01:12 PM
See you all out there.
I'm shutting down computer now, heading home to change, and will be out there closer to 3:30 ish. I've got a park sticker so that's why I use the Par 3. Hope to see you!
Craig
07-10-2009, 01:24 PM
Can't wait to ride Theo for the first time this season!
KleinCrazy
07-10-2009, 01:46 PM
It is legal (for now,) but discouraged. On certain summer evenings, mountain bikers pack the lot and displace the golfers.
Have a fun ride!
hmm... I wonder if they have expanded the parking over at Schaper Park. Now that the Luce Line is in, no longer a no-no to hop the tracks and come in the back way. maybe somewhere to park father west along the Luce...oh the increase in possibilities...
Maybe just park at the shop and ride Glenwood in.
hmm... I wonder if they have expanded the parking over at Schaper Park. Now that the Luce Line is in, no longer a no-no to hop the tracks and come in the back way. maybe somewhere to park father west along the Luce...oh the increase in possibilities...
Maybe just park at the shop and ride Glenwood in.
It isn't illegal; you can certainly park at the main Chalet and (for now) have every right to do so. That said, there are reasons to ride over from Kenwood, too :) Watch out for a fallen tree on the west side of Glenwood.
arneson
07-10-2009, 02:01 PM
Is there any description out there of what's been added in the new line or do I need to wait and see for myself?!?
quickerpicker
07-10-2009, 02:07 PM
hmm... I wonder if they have expanded the parking over at Schaper Park. Now that the Luce Line is in, no longer a no-no to hop the tracks and come in the back way. maybe somewhere to park father west along the Luce...oh the increase in possibilities...
Maybe just park at the shop and ride Glenwood in.
They haven't done anything more with Schaper, as I rode the new Luce last Saturday, but it is certainly safer then Wirth beach!
At the Gates 2121
07-10-2009, 02:21 PM
Is there any description out there of what's been added in the new line or do I need to wait and see for myself?!?
Its a surprize
guest_s
07-10-2009, 02:21 PM
Is there any description out there of what's been added in the new line or do I need to wait and see for myself?!?
Well, according to Jake who helped us build it.......he didn't even know when he was in the new section when he rode through it.....:D
So I don't think you will have any issues. No features added, just a couple of new ski trail crossings and some tight turns.
Is there any description out there of what's been added in the new line or do I need to wait and see for myself?!?
Right now, there are two small reroutes -- both are fairly calm, narrow (but growing wider by the minute,) and contain some looser dirt which will stay an issue until we get a good rain.
Expect some construction ruts, bumps, and "curbs" where the trail crosses the Luce Line. These will be eliminated shortly.
There are two fallen trees in the trail -- one before the uphill rock armor and one closer to the beach. These will also be removed shortly. Until that time, check out any unofficial log piles which may crop up around the downed trees and ride or walk with caution.
Other than that, the trail is in about as good a shape as you'd expect for being closed so long.
Additional reroutes and fixes will be coming over the next several weeks so make your first lap of the day a cautious one.
DaveSauce
07-11-2009, 11:43 AM
Ah, so those logpiles are unofficial? I thought they were fun new additions, and they're nice and unpredictable since they're not broken in. They're ridable, but pretty sketchy. The one before the uphill rock armor is kind of annoying, but I actually like the other one over the big tree. Maybe that could be a permenant trail feature if it were stiffened up a bit?
Anyway the trail is, as Mara said, in great shape considering how long it's been closed. I did 6 laps in the north loop last night, but my ride was ruined when I biffed the downhill rock armor on the south loop exit. A little banged up, and came about 5" from smashing my head on a rock. Never really had trouble with that guy in the past...but I guess you can't win them all.
Glad to have Theo back, and thanks to all the trail workers for keeping it ridable! If we could get some rain it'd be perfect!
Specialeded
07-11-2009, 12:27 PM
Yes they are "unofficial," and a bit rough. It's interesting to note that Theo, although being closed for half of the summer, can magically create it's own log piles and stunts out of thin air.
On a side note, both will be removed soon. Now that the Luce line is complete we can get back to our regularly scheduled programing in Section 6. Can't wait as it will have all the fun of a technical trail with out a single log pile. Can Minnesota riders handle that? :laugh:;):D
NewTicker
07-11-2009, 01:37 PM
Removed?
The small tree?...Annoying, that's all.
The big tree?...I likey. But who am I? I say ignore it and you'll come to enjoy it...
dschiltz
07-11-2009, 01:39 PM
Can't wait as it will have all the fun of a technical trail with out a single log pile. Can Minnesota riders handle that? :laugh:;):D
GASP! NO LOG PILES:sick::sick::sick:
I can handle it as long as there is a catwalk/skinny of some sort. :crazy2:
quickerpicker
07-12-2009, 06:29 AM
I'm just glad Wirth is open again. There has been a big hole in my riding!
At the Gates 2121
07-12-2009, 08:56 AM
GASP! NO LOG PILES:sick::sick::sick:
I can handle it as long as there is a catwalk/skinny of some sort. :crazy2:
There was at least 1 log pile last year wasn't there? At least a small one?
widespot
07-12-2009, 09:23 AM
The new logpiles were obviously built as temporary solutions by those riding while it was closed and seem pretty sketchy.
I suggest going to trail work and getting involved with MOCA if you want to be more involved in the decision making. I'm sure they would love the help.
If you like the more unplanned, nature provided, unpredictable features I've heard Brownie would fit that bill.
Great to have Theo back.
QtmMech
07-12-2009, 01:35 PM
When I entered the North loop for the first time this weekend, a couple walking dachshunds on 12' leads were just entering the MtBike trail. I couldn't help myself and blurted, "Naw, not a good idea! This trail is rather intense." The guy riding behind me clarified, "there are some crazy fast riders here, not me, but they are here."
The woman said, "we are just looking for a way to get off this pavement."
Heck, they wouldn't have been here without the pavement. I half expected to see them entering the trail at some other crossing.
When is the signage at the trail head due to go up to avoid the possibility of getting bolo-ed with a doxie and a human dead weight.
3gmikey
07-12-2009, 01:38 PM
How nice it is to ride at my favorite "close to home" trail.
QtmMech
07-12-2009, 01:41 PM
The ride on the North loop was awesome (except for the temporary , canted log pile!) Actually, it could be quite fun once you get the hang of it and trust the outlet.
Didn't know there were special features put in place to accommodate those who were poaching the trail while it was officially closed.
Thanks also to the rider who alerted me to the single track just west of the Theo. Pwy. north of Glenwood. Never knew it existed before. Great addition to my route.
And as a further note. The spring at Eloise is just a drip and the pump is not the same pure, clear water as that from the spring. Kind of nasty tasting to me. Is the pump better tasting at the Bog?
guest_s
07-12-2009, 03:27 PM
When I entered the North loop for the first time this weekend, a couple walking dachshunds on 12' leads were just entering the MtBike trail. I couldn't help myself and blurted, "Naw, not a good idea! This trail is rather intense." The guy riding behind me clarified, "there are some crazy fast riders here, not me, but they are here."
The woman said, "we are just looking for a way to get off this pavement."
Heck, they wouldn't have been here without the pavement. I half expected to see them entering the trail at some other crossing.
When is the signage at the trail head due to go up to avoid the possibility of getting bolo-ed with a doxie and a human dead weight.
Well, I hate to tell you this....but the Theo trail is a multi-use trail. So hikers, runners, and even off-road rollerbladers can use it if they want to. Like I said in another post. All mountain bikers must yield to other trail users and at all trail crossings. I suggest being polite about it because chances are, these people live in the area and if mountain bikers get a negative rep (currently we are on the path of getting a really good reputation) we will have a much harder time getting support from the city for mountain bike trails.
We could probably start by not calling people "dachshunds".......;)
Scotch
07-12-2009, 03:28 PM
I liked the canted log pile. Good to have the local trail back open.
quickerpicker
07-12-2009, 06:03 PM
We could probably start by not calling people "dachshunds".......;)
How about wiener dogs? :p
jitterjepp
07-12-2009, 06:45 PM
End of the Luce Line. A mile beyond Cosmos without Timothy Leary.
http://generation-outdoors.com/gallery/main.php/d/14189-2/Luce+Line1_33.JPG
http://generation-outdoors.com/gallery/main.php/d/14193-2/Luce+Line1_30.JPG
I thought I had a few more miles on that tire. Made it back to Hutchinson with some "minor adjustments" and patches. The u-lock between the map and the sleeping pad got eaten by the travel. I gave the key to guy at the bike shop in Hutchinson and told him where it was give or take 20 miles. Hope he finds it.
Total trip- 173 miles.
Specialeded
07-12-2009, 09:13 PM
Nice Shawn! Got any more pics?
christopheram
07-12-2009, 09:19 PM
I just rode Theo 2.0 for the first time today. I love the new section across the top of the hill! It's classic Theo: super tight, no cheating, plenty of stuff to bang the grips on, and deceptive elevation.
Great work, trail artisans!
jitterjepp
07-12-2009, 10:03 PM
Nice Shawn! Got any more pics?About 400 but let me sift through them.
quickerpicker
07-13-2009, 07:41 AM
what did you ride out there? cyclocross? That looks like a fun ride. The name Cosmos congers up thoughts of a very different town. But every time I go through it, it seems to be just your basic small town. Never biked it though.
bakkeb
07-13-2009, 10:15 AM
Rode it last night and I had a smile on my face the whole time (except when I damn near killed myself on one of those haphazardly built log piles, WTF?). I'm glad to have this trail back in the mix. Thanks guys and gals who work on it.:banana:
(except when I damn near killed myself on one of those haphazardly built log piles, WTF?).
Those appeared while the trail was closed. Forestry will be out this week to remove the larger dead tree; the smaller will be removed during trailwork this Wednesday.
To preempt complaints: We're all for letting nature be nature and not manicuring the trail. This particular downed tree is too rotted to make into a non-hazardous logpile or logover.
QtmMech
07-13-2009, 06:19 PM
We could probably start by not calling people "dachshunds".......;)
You know, given my abruptness, I think the long lead walkers still considered us rather polite. Even though we didn't say pretty please. It just didn't seem like a good idea to hike the trails with a couple of clothes lines. I think they took it as a fair warning . . .This time!
Once is a coincidence
Twice is a happenstance
But three times is cause for murder.
---Goldfinger (I think)
rihaha
07-14-2009, 06:52 AM
So what is Theo's rules for dogs? Are they allowed on the trails or not?
KleinCrazy
07-14-2009, 08:05 AM
To preempt complaints: We're all for letting nature be nature and not manicuring the trail. This particular downed tree is too rotted to make into a non-hazardous logpile or logover.
And the small one is covering the small rock garden that I spent 4 hours all by myself building. :cool:
And the small one is covering the small rock garden that I spent 4 hours all by myself building. :cool:
Both rider-created log piles are haphazardly constructed and will be removed. Your rock garden will once again rock.
So what is Theo's rules for dogs? Are they allowed on the trails or not?
There are no official rules addressing dogs on the trail that I know of, beyond the ones requiring them to be leashed and picked up after.
quickerpicker
07-14-2009, 08:46 AM
So what is Theo's rules for dogs? Are they allowed on the trails or not?
64.50. Leashing and tethers; feces clean up. (a) Leashing. No person having the custody or control of any dog or animal of the dog kind shall permit the dog to be on any unfenced area or lot abutting upon a street, alley, public park, public place or upon any private land without being effectively restrained from moving beyond such unfenced area or lot; nor shall any person having the custody or control of any dog or animal of the dog kind permit the dog at any time to be on any street, alley, public park, school ground, or public place without being effectively restrained by chain or leash, except in areas officially designated for off leash activities. Violations of this provision may result in an administrative fine. (b) Tethers. Tethers are a method (cable, rope or chain) of physical restraint intended to secure and confine an animal to a specific location in a safe and humane manner. Tethers must be at least three (3) times the length of animal secured to it. Any animal secured with a tether must be in an area that would not allow the animal to become tangled around objects and allow the animal access to shelter and water. Tethers must be placed in such a location as to inhibit the secured animal from reaching a public sidewalk, street, school grounds, alley or public place or any other property other than the owner or custodian's property. Tethers may not exceed five (5) pounds in weight. Violations of this provision may result in an administrative fine.
(c) Feces clean up. Any person having the custody or control of any dog or domestic animal shall have the responsibility for cleaning up any feces of the animal and disposing of such feces in a sanitary manner. It shall furthermore be the duty of any person having custody or control of any dog or domestic animal on or about any public place to have in such person's possession suitable equipment for picking up, removal and sanitary disposal of animal feces. Violations of this provision may result in an administrative fine.
Yup, they are.
quickerpicker
07-14-2009, 08:55 AM
I rode again yesterday afternoon. Sadly, I blew out the seals on the MT Tam shock when I rode with James last week when I kissed the new improvised log pile. Consequently, it was a shorter, easier ride yesterday. Time to pick up the Mamasita and do some hammerin'!
quickerpicker
07-14-2009, 08:55 AM
There are no official rules addressing dogs on the trail that I know of, beyond the ones requiring them to be leashed and picked up after.
Lets make some up!:p
jitterjepp
07-16-2009, 07:41 PM
Nice Shawn! Got any more pics?
I uploaded a few of them. If you click on slide show (to the right on the page), choose a size and speed...the images will really load at one second each if you choose that. (faster than clicking next, next, next... or paging through them)
http://www.generation-outdoors.com/gallery/main.php/d/14191-2/Luce+Line.jpg (http://www.generation-outdoors.com/index.php/v/ShawnJeppesen/Luce+Line/?q=gallery)
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