Maah Daah Hey Trail

[Trevize1138]

If you haven't been, I highly recommend it. Maybe I have a soft spot for it being I grew up about 2 hours from the ND badlands, but it is just mountain biking heaven. Plus, being over 10 hours drive from any major airport hub, it hardly gets *any* visitors. No campsite reservations needed and you're lucky to encounter other bikers, horseback riders or hikers during your rides.

It's 100 miles long going from the South Unit of Teddy Roosevelt Ntl. Park to the North Unit. Basically, it follows the Little Missouri River valley, so it's beautiful badlands the whole way. The trail varies from steep, twisting and challenging to more gently rolling hills and fast, fun stuff.

It's not too far a drive from the cities, either. We made it out there twice last summer, during Memorial and Labor day weekends. We took the Tuesday and Wednesday off after each weekend which gave us 4 full days (Sat-Tues) to ride. If you leave the cities around 3-4 p.m. Friday you can get in around midnight-2 a.m. that night (gaining an hour because of Mountain time zone).

Sulley Creek Campground is a great place, too. It's right at the trailhead and you never need a reservation.

Really, this is one of the less-ridden gems out there. If you want to feel like you've really got 100 miles of trail all to yourself, make the trip!

www.maahdaahhey.com

[Trevize1138]

Oh, and we're going out there again this Memorial Day weekend + Tuesday and Wednesday fo sho. We've already got a full car with three of us. There might be others meeting us out there, too.

Still, it'd be cool to get more MN reprazentin' out there. We did run into a few people we knew from the TC biking scene last Memorial Day (two of which rode 80 miles of the damn thing in a day! Ouch!).

[slm4]

Where did you grow up? I am a native of Mott, ND which is quite close to Medora (in ND terms!). I've ridden parts of the MDH each of the past two summers and will return again this July 4. It was 101 there last July 4 so hopefully it's a bit cooler this year. I guess it makes the post-ride beer at RoughRider Days that much better!:)

[Trevize1138]

I grew up in the Solen/Cannonball area, mostly, and went to high school at Bismarck High. =)

Ah yeah, Mott ... a rockin' town! =P

We're deep into planning our Memorial Day trip (pricing water filters and BOB trailers now). One of the guys thought we could do the whole thing in 2 days. 50 miles a day! I'm starting to think that's a *tad* on the ambitious side. I think it's certainly doable in 3 days, though. 33 miles a day is much more reasonable than 50, especially in the desert! (OK, so it's not a desert, but it's pretty damn close).

So, is the trail just as empty of riders for 4th of July as it is for Memorial and Labor days?

[Rocky Mountain]

A group of Midwesterners are heading out there this Sept. 4-7, 2003. Last few years we have had a small not-a-gathering(NAG) at Chemaqagon Area Mountain Bike Area in the Northwoods of WI. Maah Daah Hey ND Not-A-Gathering (http://www.jlgarchitects.com/ND-NAG/index.htm) For thos interested there will probably be some car pooling so talk Randy about that and he can put you in touch with other Mpls riders who are going.

[Trevize1138]

Interesting! Can't make it this year, I'll actually be taking the new wife to the badlands during Labor Day Weekend, so that'll use up my Badlands vacation rations for the year =P.

Is this going to happen again next year? If so, I know I could add to the group by 2 or 3 guys!

[Trevize1138]

Doing day trips like you've got planned for your NAG trip is a great way to see the nice parts of the trail, too. That's how we've done it the last couple times out. Seeing Devil's Pass is a must, so is the China Wall. Sounds like you must have had fun on the northern section between Magpie Road and the CCC campground, too. Haven't been there yet, myself.

There's just too much to see on this trail =)

[slm4]

50 miles/day is pretty ambitious. We road just over 23 last year and it was tough. Thank goodness for stocktanks!! We didn't see anyone else on the trail the whole day. (from the Magpie campground to the Elkhorn Ranch area) Upon leaving we saw some other bikes on the road though.

[Trevize1138]

We're currently debating how we're going to do this ride. Packing all the gear, riding the trail and completing the 100 miles in 2 or 3 days is one thing. Getting back to the car you left behind is another! It's $125 to catch a shuttle from Dakota Cyclery to the CCC campground, and that's getting a *tad* steep for us.

Yes, 50 miles a day is very ambitious, especially when you've got stretches like Magpie to Elkhorn Ranch site that are 25 miles and hard-as-hell. Last year one of our first rides was from mile marker 17 to MM 27 and it kicked our asses! Of course, since then we've been smarter about covering distance, namely suck up pride and *walk* those long, switchbacked, horse-trodden uphills!

[Trevize1138]

We leave for this trip ... TODAY!

The plan is to do the trip in 3 days, not 2. We go from CCC (mile 96) to Magpie campground first day (mile 62). Then we either go all the way to Wannagon Campground the second day (mile 18) or we only go to Elkhorn Ranch (mile 40). The last day we go to the Buffalo Gap 10 miles away and I catch a $100 shuttle they offer as a competitor to Dakota Cycle's. Haven't decided if I send the other two guys ahead to Sulley Creek and meet them there with the car or what yet.

Wish us luck! I'll post pictures here of the trip for sure :)

[gopherhockey]

Enjoy the trip - will look forward to those pictures. Perhaps next year you'll offer up some "guide" skills to those that haven't been there...

Ride safe...

[Trevize1138]

Next year I want to bribe Mom and Dad to bring their 28 ft 5th wheel camper to meet us at every camp site along the way and have a more fun, 20 mile-a-day average trip with a nice camper waiting for us at the end of each day =).

The other campers packing their stuff on the trail will be eating dehydrated bananas and rationing out the powdered Gatoraide. Then we pull into camp and have Mom and Dad cook us a big turkey on the grill, grab a few beers out of the fridge ... maybe some ice cream for desert.

:cool:

I'll invite everyone along for that one fo sho! :D

[Trevize1138]

I think I'm a good 5 lbs lighter! Here's the full account of the trip. I think there are some changes we'd make for a future trip, but we're very glad we did it, even though at the time it seemed like a very *bad* idea! :crazy:

Day 1:

We got up early but immediately hit a snag when the cheapie bookrack Andy purchased for his bike turned out to be stripping threads on the bolts that secure it to his seatpost. Not having this rack meant Andy would have nowhere to pack all the cookware for the three of us nor his sleeping bag and sleeping pad. So, we had to make a quick 15 mile drive up to Watford City to buy some 1/4'' bolts to temporarily secure it. Even with that system, we had to sacrifice one of only four spare presta valve inner tubes for a makeshift shim. That delay put us back a good hour and a half or more and we didn't get started riding the trail until 11 a.m..

My system of packing also involved a bookrack but I only strapped my sleeping bag and clothes all stuffed in a stuff sack to it. I carried the majority of the food for the trip, some inner tubes, water filter and sleeping pad in a large Camelbak on my back. Shad had the heaviest load by far because the BoB weighed about 15 lbs empty. He also was carrying a 7 lb tent that would sleep the three of us, the majority of the bike tools, his sleeping bag, sleeping pad and other misc. camping supplies. He was also carrying three yummy steaks marinated in Worsheshire (sp?) sauce!

Shortly after starting in on the ride, we had to tackle something we knew (based on the map) we'd encounter: a 500-ft climb over one mile. It was this huge switchback up a freakin cliff! We got barely 100 feet up it before Andy and I decided to double-team Shad's bike with the BoB up the rest of the way to get it over with. This was barely 1.5 miles into the 100 mile trip. By the top of this climb we were already taking a break! But, we knew there was a good 10 mile stretch of flat and downhill riding ahead of us, so we didn't worry too much.

16 miles into the ride, we dropped down into a valley created by the Bennet Creek and were giddy about soon being at the Bennet Campground where the forest service told us potable water would be available. We find nothing but the creek itself, a prairie dog town and a guy with an NRA cap cleaning his rifle outside a camper trailer. He informs us that Bennet Campground is a good 3-4 miles off the main trail due east. He then proceeds to complain about how the forest service is reclaiming all these lands and pretty soon you won't be able to hunt or camp on them more than 20 yards from the Maah Daah Hey trail and how silly it is because "we the people own these lands!" We didn't argue with the nice man holding the gun, but had to excuse ourselves to go filter water out of the creek because it was already 3 p.m. and we were dry.

Shortly after I started pumping water out of the creek, I developed rule #1 for the next time we do this: no untested equipment! I stupidly put my foot into the creek upstream from where I was pumping and immediately clogged the filter with silt. I finally read the instructions and realized we had to use this brush that came with the filter to scrub out silt from the inside. Once that was figured out, we managed to fill all our Camelbaks and water bottles and we were back on our way, but not until after we'd lost another hour and a half due to the wrong turn into the prairie dog town and being held nearly at gunpoint for conversation.

Another mile up the trail and up a climb and we were at the China Wall and lunch. It was about 5:30 before we got going from there again, but Andy and I had ridden this section of the trail before and knew that the next 9 miles were relatively smooth going. The trip was smooth like we knew, but time was against us. We found a manmade pond created by a dammed creek and filled up on filtered water. shortly after that Andy caught a flat on his front tire. We came across a stock tank for cattle around mile 74 and decided it was a good place to stop for dinner and perhaps even camp for the night. We hoped not to camp there mostly because we were still 16 miles shy of our planned 1st night campground: Magpie camp at mile 58. We at the steaks, some Lipton parmesan noodles and mixed powdered Gatorade with newly-filtered water from the stock tank. After that yummy dinner we felt much revived and decided to press on as far as we could go.

Barely a mile after dinner Andy caught another flat, this time on the rear tire! I did the honors of changing the tube because I knew I was faster at it than Andy, knowing time wasn't on our side. Fifteen or so minutes later we were rolling again. All things considered we made fairly good time, but the sun was getting very low. We came across another dam and small lake at mile 71 and decided to camp there for the night. The tripometer on my bike said we'd gone 28 miles that day. We had hoped for closer to 40, which would have gotten us into Magpie, but had to settle for this due to the numerous setbacks.

The camping spot we found there was actually quite pretty, a big meadow with rolling hills all around. We hadn't yet dropped into the roughest of the Badlands.

Day 2:

We all remarked how nicely we slept the previous night, with the exception of the wind whipping the tent around a bit. Filtered some water, made some oatmeal and coffee, then we were ready to pack up and head out again. This time we were on the trail by 8 a.m., a full 3 hours earlier than the previous day. Nine miles of relatively easy riding lay ahead before lunch at the Magpie Camp. We encountered a very cool creek bed in the middle of a large, flat valley that was absolutely littered with petrified sequoia stumps. Very cool. Once we got to Magpie Camp we were excited to see it was only 1/4 mile off-trail (unlike Bennet) and excite to see the water pump. Easy access to potable water! No filtering! Also, no handle for the frickin' pump. The forest service had been lazy.

We resign ourselves to use our available water for lunch and decide we'll fill up on water 1/2 a mile back on the trail at Magpie creek. Luckily for us, a pair of hikers stop by and start chatting. They're heading back home and have a big barrel of water they could share with us. We gladly accept their offer. 11:30 and we were back on the trail, headed toward the Devil's Pass. Andy and I were again familiar with this next 10 miles of trail and knew it was going to be a good ride. We got some pictures of Shad hauling BoB across the pass and had a fun 5 mile descent into the Little Missouri River Valley after that. We ran into some more hikers who were doing 12 miles a day to cross the Maah Daah Hey and they told us about a nice dam and small lake around mile 35, roughly about where we figured we would have to camp for the night. More good news.

By the time we go to the river crossing we already had over 22 miles down for the day and it was only 2 p.m.. The river crossing wasn't too desirable, though. Very muddy. But, that wasn't nearly as bad as the 250 ft switchback climb on the other side. That, however, wasn't so bad because we knew to just take our time and walk the bikes up it to save energy. Little did we know the absolute worst was yet to come.

We cross a 2 mile plateau after the climb, then drop down into heavily cow-trodden pasture lands. The bikes were lucky to go faster than 3 mph and it was bumpy as hell. It was also 3:30 p.m., sunny and warm. We started swearing to express our desire to get out of this valley ASAP. It kept teasing us by continuing to wind around and not climb up and out for a good 3 or 4 miles. We finally climbed another 250 feet out of the valley, took a break and took turns urinating on the trail behind us to express our displeasure.

Two miles later we encountered another stock tank at mile 41 at the top of a very scenic overlook near the Elkhorn Ranch site. I started filtering water, Andy set up his cooking supplies and Shad sat in the grass under a tree. He dropped his head and went fast asleep. No steaks for dinner this day, just noodles, granola bars and more Gatorade mix.

With plenty of daylight left at 5:30 we continue, hoping to reach mile 31 and a stock tank promised at that location. We don't feel nearly as strong as the previous day's post-dinner ride, however. Shortly after mile 36 we happen upon the lake the hikers tell us about. Shad stops his bike and says we have to camp there because he simply can't go any further. He asks me what my tripometer says. I say 39 miles. He asks for confirmation!

We felt pleased, even though we were dead tired. We covered a lot of ground, so the next day should be the easiest of the trip. Shad is happy we only have to ride 10 more miles to be done. I'm rather confused by his logic, pointing out that it's 17 miles to Wannagon Camp. We consult the map and he realizes his mistake, but it's not a problem because that's the end of the ride. From there I catch a shuttle back to the car at the CCC, bring the car back and it's buffalo burgers and beer for lunch!

No, not quite. I point out that I'm actually catching the shuttle at the Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch. To get there, we'd have to ride 10-15 miles of unknown trail *farther* than the Wannagon camp. That was the kind of news Shad just couldn't handle, especially after 39 miles. Still, we set up the tent and get ready to rest up for the next day. However, the wind had been blowing pretty strongly all afternoon and was worse in this valley we'd stopped at. During one gust we watch one side of the tent collapse a good 3 feet down and over, then recoil back into position. Shad starts laughing his head off. Andy and I look at him and wonder if he's now completely lost his mind. He points at the tent, laughing, and says, "It doesn't look so bad from the inside!"

We repositioned the tent to a more sheltered location and got a good night's sleep.

Day 3:

Having gotten to bed early we managed to wake up even earlier and were on the trail by 7 a.m.. The next 7 miles were nearly all climbing, and the hoof marks on the trail were beating us up. We start talking about a plan drafted the night before where we forget about going all the way to Buffalo Gap and just try to make Wannagon, then catch a car ride from a camper there. Andy and I had ridden the lower section of the trail we had to do and knew it was rough and hoof-trodden the whole way. So, we drafted a new plan after consulting the map. The area we were in was full of oil wells and service roads. We could follow the service roads all the way to Wannagon from where one road intersects the trail at mile 31.

We find a stock tank near that spot, fill up on water and bid farewell to harsh trail riding! A short climb later we're rocketing down a gravel road at 30 mph giddy that we no longer have to suffer. The road turns around a hill and dead-ends at an oil rig.

Shad insists there has to be an outlet. Andy and I would love to believe that, too, but mostly because we don't want to turn 180 degrees only to ride back *up* that long, fast downhill we were so excited about just a minute ago. Deciding we were screwed, we turn around and ride up. Shad bolts out ahead in a flurry of dust and cursing.

We catch the trail again at the top of the long uphill, continue south and finally see mile marker 31. No wonder. We had taken the wrong service road! The trail intersects another service road, we look for a sign and confirm that it's 722. Finally, we know we're on our way.

10 miles later we find ourselves with 7 miles to go to Wannagon heading *straight* into a stiff, high-plains wind. Shad makes the comment that nature just doesn't like us anymore.

Still, it was a fitting end to the trek, but we did make it to Wannagon and luckily found someone to give me a ride. The only people left in the camp is a group of horseback riders who were 1/2 an hour from breaking camp and heading out! Had we gotten there any later we would have been *forced* to ride to Buffalo Gap.

The horseback riders were ready to leave, and the one who has room to give me a ride is none other than Melanie Jean Marquart. Miss Rodeo North Dakota herself! (http://www.missrodeond.org/meet.htm ). I have a lovely conversation with her and her friends in her fancy, brand-new Dodge full size, extended cab diesel truck hauling prized horses as they take me to the Buffalo Gap guest ranch where I grab a shuttle which takes me to my car. I stop through Medora before picking the boys up at Wannagon. After I arrive I open the back door, reach in the cooler and pull out 3 bottles of Corona Extra. Beer never tasted so good.

[gopherhockey]

First, you probably win the award for the longest post ever here... but, it was all good. Thanks so much for the account of your trip.

It sounds interesting, but I'm asking myself now why I would ever want to put myself through that kind of thing... Hmm...

Sounds to me like the entire trail system needs better signage, maps, more reliable water sources or something like that.

Perhaps a mountain bikers guide to the Maah Daah Hey - start writing!

;)

[Trevize1138]

Originally posted by gopherhockey

It sounds interesting, but I'm asking myself now why I would ever want to put myself through that kind of thing... Hmm...

Sounds to me like the entire trail system needs better signage, maps, more reliable water sources or something like that.

Perhaps a mountain bikers guide to the Maah Daah Hey - start writing!

;)

Apparently, the time to go is later in the summer, perhaps Labor Day Weekend. Simon, manager of the Medora branch of Dakota Cyclery, said that as the season progresses the hoof-trodden sections get more ridden-out by bikers and it becomes more rideable. Also, later in the year you'd most likely have the pump handles attached at the campgrounds.

Part of the experience, though, was the adventure of it all! We knew there were a lot of unknowns going into it, but prepared as best we could and still did it. :)

If you do ride the Maah Daah Hey early in the year, I'd recommend doing mostly the northern 1/2 of it. We thought another good 3 day ride would be to start from CCC again and go to Magpie. The next day, leave the camp set up, leave the BoB(s), racks and all that excess crap and just go for a fun ride out to the Little Missouri and back. Last day pack out badk to the car at CCC.

The other option would be to do just what we've done in the past: day trips. Best day trips are probably Devil's Pass (start at Magpie Road), China Wall (start at hwy 50) and the first 5 miles of the Maah Daah Hey starting at Sulley Creek campground near Medora. I've heard good things about that new Buffalo Gap bypass trail, however we have yet to ride it! Priority #1 next year to scout that one.

Next time we do it (yes, we are that stupid) I think it'll be a far better experience. :)

[slm4]

Excellent post and congrats on the ride! I rode from the Magpie Camp to the Elkhorn ranch last year and thought THAT was an accomplishment!

I agree with your statement that the primitive-ness of the trail and the area is really what makes it special. It's what makes stories such as yours so unique. As a farm kid who grew up in that area I hope it never changes.

[Trevize1138]

Originally posted by slm4

I agree with your statement that the primitive-ness of the trail and the area is really what makes it special. It's what makes stories such as yours so unique. As a farm kid who grew up in that area I hope it never changes.

The badlands are to North Dakotans as lakes are to Minnesotans or mountains are to Montanans or the ocean is to coastal dwellers. You can take the Western North Dakotans out of the badlands, but you can't take the badlands out of the Western North Dakotans :cool:.

It is kinda funny, growing up I went through the adolescent resentment that I lived in a state that was the butt of every joke and that didn't really have any population. Now I never want it to change! Turn the whole place into a buffalo commons to keep out the rif-raf! :D

[Burke]

I spent my Memorial Day weekend out on the Maah Daah Hey as well. This was my second time out there. Last year, we spent Labor Day weekend on the trail.

This year, Ticks, rough trail and nice weather. Last year, No ticks, smooth trail and nice weather. Enough said. Later in the year is better.

We did out and backs from Elkhorn ranch. Thursday, we went south 10 miles and returned to camp. Friday we went north to the river and back (9 miles out). Those sections of the trail were really rough with cow tracks.

Saturday and Sunday we did out and backs from Bennett.

Saturday we did 10 miles south, and Sunday north to the wilderness area boundary.

The forest service states that water is available during 'summer' which I think starts Memorial day weekend, or shortly there after in their books.

In my mind, the way to do the Maah Daah Hey is to draw straws and have someone drive to the campsite and do their own ride. That way you're not bogged down with 40 lbs. of fun sucking equipment.

As for signage, it's really quite good. Post marks every hundred yards or so. The problem is that the random cowpaths are sometimes as beat in as well, or better than the trail. If you don't see a post, turn around and retrace until you do.

I would highly recommend the Trails Unlimited map of the Maah Daah Hey. I purchased mine at the Theodore Roosevelt South Unit visitor's center in Medora. $10. Well worth it. It's topographical, and has the entire trail mapped in detail with the mile markers listed, so you know exactly where you are.

Fun times. I might be heading back for Labor Day...

[slm4]

It works well (if you have multiple vehicles) to take a vehicle to ending point and leave it so you don't have to do out and backs. It's a lot of extra road time but is very much worth it. I still have flashbacks of 7 bikes and 7 people post-ride in my ext-cab short box Chev last year beating down the oil service roads. Thank goodness for cold beer!

[Trevize1138]

Burke:

There were a *lot* of Minnesotans on the trail last weekend! We probably ran into you at some point during our trip. Were you at the CCC Friday night and Saturday morning? One of the guys with that group recognized Shad from Twin City BMX. There was another guy we saw right near the half way point who was out by himself doing day trips, I think he had that nicely detailed map you were talking about.

The trail was absolutely *packed* Memorial Day weekend this year, too. We must have seen 10 or 15 other people! :etard:

[Burke]

We never made it up to the CCC. We did day trips from Elkhorn and Bennett. We only saw people on the trail Saturday and Sunday when we were based at Bennett.

I did see a few people hauling BOBs, but they were leaving the Bennett Campground, so I suspect it was not your group.

And yes, I did see a lot of Minnesota plates.

[Trevize1138]

There was another group out there BoBing the trail. We saw them at Devil's Pass on Tuesday, if it's the same group. Looked like each of the 3 riders had BoBs. If they were at Bennet Saturday or Sunday night and didn't get to Devil's Pass until Tuesday they were probably smarter than us! I'm guessing they spent Monday night at Magpie then made the trek to Elkhorn the next day and we saw them at Devil's pass that morning.

It had rained the previous night, too, so Devil's Pass was ... um ... impassible :cheesy: We did a day trip there Tuesday morning and had a blast not being tied down. Shad started down the pass then realized his tires were slipping and sliding all over the place. He applied the brakes lightly and they locked up, sliding around mud.

Once he stopped we could hear one of the other BoB teams shouting "Don't take Devil's Pass!" It was a nice reminder of how we had a choice to turn around to avoid getting muddy, but those poor bastards *had* to take it.

[Trevize1138]

So, even though the three of us swore *during* the trip that we'd never do something stupid like that again ...

When: Labor Day weekend + Tuesday and Wednesday 2004
Where: The Maah Daah Hey Trail
What: 3 day bike/packing trip
Why: 'Cause we're stupid enough never to learn
Who: Andy, Shad and me for sure. You could go, too!

Shad would heartily disagree with me on this point, but I think it'd be *damn* cool to have 10+ guys with bikes and camping equipment snaking through the badlands for three days of primitive fun.

I think it's doable with that many people provided the following:

*Everyone going on the trip will be required to attend at least 2 fully-packed group rides at a local singletrack trail (Most likely Lebannon, but maybe Murphy if it's ready by then?). Each ride will be at least 15 miles to thoroughly test the trail-worthyness of everyone's BoB trailer, saddlebags, Hawg pack, bookrack, etc ... Nobody will be allowed to go on the ride with untested equipment!

*Everyone will be required to be packed as self-sufficiently as possible! More details on this later. :)

*Everyone must be in shape! We will have 2 back-to-back days consisting of 40 miles or more of riding seeing many elevation changes up and down averaging roughly 200 feet each change (one climb is 500 ft. over a mile!). This is difficult enough to ride without 40 lbs of equipment weighing you down.

Some unknowns:

*Monetary contributions? I'm wondering if it'd be a good idea to ask $50 from everyone for misc. expenses and to pay me as a trail guide .... but mostly as assurance that if you've paid $50 you probably won't back out at the last minute. :) I'm certainly not doing this for the money, just 'cause I think it'd be fun, so $50 is the most I could think to ask from anyone else 'cause you're already paying your own share of gas, food, supplies, beer ... ;).

*Future, easier trips involving my parent's 5th wheel camper? 20 miles a day over 5 days. No BoB trailers, no heavy packs ... just fun and a cold beer, shower and potato salad at the end of each day!

One thing's for sure: We do a trip like this in 3 days and don't go back to work until Thursday, we still have one full day of quick, fast, FUN day trips!

So, I know it's more than a year away, but the three of us that went this year keep talking about getting back. It's a great experience, and if we prepare enough for it it hopefully won't be as harrowing as this year's trip. Although, a deep, dark side of me hopes it's just as hellish 'cause the more harsh the better the beer tastes at the end! :etard:

[SuperClydesdale]

Chris, et al

Just a reminder that the Not A Gathering will take place in Medora this year, September 4-7.

Maah Da Hey NAG (http://www.jlgarchitects.com/ND-NAG/index.htm)

SuperClydesdale

[Rocky Mountain]

Good Plug, Mark!! Just Released.... In combination with the ND-NAG we are going to have an Axe-Murder's Convention. What is unique about this convention is that we only harm mountain bikers and nobody else. Don't be scared to join us. We wont hurt you, promise. ah ha ah ha:alien: :D :laugh: :fool:

Ride On, Ride On as Jimi Hendrix says on one of his songs.

[Trevize1138]

I'd definitely recommend, to anyone interested in next year's 3-day packing trip, to do something like the NAG or other trips out there to familiarize yourself with the trail (and to wet your appetite!)

As I already posted earlier, I'd seriously consider joining you guys on the NAG this year if I weren't doing that whole wedding thing this summer. Kinda fills up your calendar. :D

[Rocky Mountain]

I remember from a previous posts that you were busy but I was trying to get some lurkers out of there shell to come out and ride with a bunch of recreational bikers who like to raise a little hell once in a while.

[dijridoo]

Hey - this is Randy, the clueless organizer of the ND-NAG this year. Looks like I have been missing out on a decent discussion forum here with MORC.

So far there have been a lot of e-mails regarding the NAG, but there's always room for more. Bicycling magazine is adding the NAG to their list of events, and I dropped Dirt Rag a line, too, and hopefully we can get them to stop by between their Durango and Chaquamegon World Tour stops. I would say we should be looking at around 30 attendees at this point. I have sent an inquiry to reserve campsites, and am working with a local in Medora to help try to get a poker run put together for one of the first evenings - just a fun way of getting folks on their bikes and initiating a good time.

Feel free to drop me a line with any questions.

www.jlgarchitects.com/ND-NAG/index.htm

[Rocky Mountain]

You da man, Randy. All the people I have been biking with are coming out this Sept. Just not sure about that Martini character. Not sure if he still rides bikes, haha yeah right:crazy: . You are doing a hell of job putting this not-a-gathering together. I mean c'mon, I would have never expected a website and now a poker run. Next thing you know the Minneapolis Mafia will show up and kick all our a**es on singlespeeds. This sounds like a ho-down a brewin.

Mark G., aka Superclydesdale, has contacted some people out west who may join us for the event.

[Trevize1138]

Stupid wedding!

Now I really want to go to the NAG with yas this year.

Oh well ...

[mtnbykr]

the Arrowhead Singlespeed Society from dulluth will be there in force.

k

[Torpedo]

I just spent 3 days in Jamestown ND (on I94 between Fargo and Bismark) and found they had a couple of really nice Single Track Trails! If your looking for a brake on the way to western ND, stop and take the time to check them out.

The Pipestem Dam trail (8.5mi.) and the Gear Grinder(15+mi.) are both really a good time and worth the stop . The Gear Grinder is the course has been around for awhile and they host a race each year on the course. Not overly difficult but it covers a lot of ground.

The Pipestem Dam Trail is was really cool ride. Local legend, Russ Schmicheal carved it out of nothing this year and it is blast. its set of the edge of the river valley and has an underestimated 150ft vertical. Trail has 12 climbs and decents which takes everything you got. I rode the trail 3 times and fell twice on the first loop. (which I never do anymore ) I had to walk the last to hills every time I rode the trail. The hills just go diving straight down in the trees and u-turn straight back up. The best part of the trail is how it lulls you into a sense of security. The outer loop (2mi.) is fast grass lands with few passes on the hills. By the time you turn the loop and start on the brutal inner loop, your thinking this is nothing, but then the fun really starts. You really have to save some energy for the hills. WOW! Russ did a great job on creating the trail and maintains the thing almost by himself on a daily basis. He plans on putting markers out every half mile this summer but there is not chance of getting lost on it.

I have maps of both trails which I can post in the photo section or I can email them to anyone interested.:D

[Trevize1138]

Russ Schmicheal ... that name sounds really familiar. He was a cross-country runner, wasn't he?

I wonder if the Pipestream Dam trail you speak of follows a lot of what was the cross country course. Lots of cool hills on that course, if I remember right.

I also wonder if they have any high school cross country races in the badlands these days in ND. Back in my day (89-91) all of 'em were on golf courses! There were the exceptions, though, like Jamestown, Dickinson and Mandan. I know for a fact the Mandan course is a popular mountain biking destination now, too.

[Torpedo]

Yes Russ is still the cross country coach in Jamestown, but he can't run any more. Something about bad knee so has to bike now. I'm sure he still is doing 50 to 80mi a day. He had an outstanding crash the first day he showed me the trails. Locked up his front brake, flipped over the front tire and snapped his titanium handlebar in two. ouch...

The pipestem trail is different that the cross country course, but it is in the vic. of the area where they used to drive us out to in cross country practice and drop us off and say "see ya back in town..." ( i graduated in '88 from jamestown )

The gear grinder has part of the old running trail by the river, if you ran x-country in jamestown, you hit part of the trail. The bad news is that a land developer bought up half of the single track area and will call the cops if your caught out there.

[slm4]

Did/do you know Darren Benson, an '87 Blue Jay??

[Torpedo]

Yes I do. He was a year behind me in school. We were on the diving team for a year. Whats he up to these days?

Shaun Riffe class of 88

[Trevize1138]

BHS Deamons all the way!

Hee hee ...

I used to *hate* Jamestown CC back then. Every year I was running for BHS we were ranked #1 in the state, and nearly every meet we'd wax everyone.

Every meet we went to that had Jamestown in it we noticed they only had 2 good runners and then a pack of crappy runners. However, each time it was a *different* pair of good runners.

Come the state meet all those pairs of good runners finally showed up all in one big, blue pack and kicked our butts.

Damn you Jamestown! Damn you all to hell!

:crazy:

[Torpedo]

I think we had ringers..
We always had a good foreign exchange student around.

and the coach had kids on the team.. Russ's daughter Jenny got 1st in state every year from the 7th thru 12th grade. And his oldest son ( 1 yr younger than me) was also a great running.

They all still complete in the metro area in different biking events.

[Trevize1138]

Originally posted by Torpedo
I think we had ringers..
We always had a good foreign exchange student around.

I knew it!!!!! :fool:

OK!! (straps on pair of spikes) You and me, 5K RIGHT FRIGGIN' NOW! You're goin' down!

[soupboy]

to quote the great Ice Cube...

Captain Stabbin, aka Da Punisher, aka AK47 (not, the famous Kalishnikov semi-auto or fully-auto submachine gun known worldwide), aka Mr. PinkStumpy (no, not a term of endearment from his ladyfriend) and I are heading out to MDH for the ND-NAG. Crazy Ivan and Noah (me thinks) are also attending. The more the merrier. Please check out Randy Lieberg, aka Dijridoo's website if you are interested. Expected it to be a blast as long as Indian summer does not yield scorching temps. Then again, it will be the "dry heat".

Come one, come all, just don't come on my....err, sorry, this is a family channel.

Anywho, those interested can e-mail me at sepp at mn dot rr dot com.

Take it easy,

Sean

[martini]

I'm-a goin'! Riding out w/Ivan and his kiwi friend(nate? Nick? can't remember now). Should be a good time. I'm really looking forward to some good long singletrack miles.

[soupboy]

Fantastic. Hot as heck, but fantastic. A repeat trip for sure. Good times riding with other from MN and the greater midwest - if you include KY and CO.

If you have the chance - you should go.


Sean

[ice ice baby]

scheichal a great guy, but we (apple valley cross country ) KILLED them in Jamestown this year! Russ has a heck of a bike! Specialized epic s-works with the brain shock!:banana: :banana: two bananas for rolliw greeno and avcc!