Battle Creek "general info"

[Hardtailforever]

I don't know who administers Battle Creek's trail conditions and information site, but both need to be updated.

Battle Creek is in ok shape, and although I didn't ride the entire thing I can say that the trail is certainly not "wet" as it says on the conditions page. It's been over a week since it's been updated. The only way the "Trail Conditions" link is going to prevent people from riding when it's wet is if it also is up to date when it's not wet. Otherwise, people will just ride anyway because there's no accurate way to know if it really is still bad ahead of time.

Also, the picures, captions and information on the Battle Creek information link is over a year old. The "new" switchback area has no trees and is no longer new. The "expert downhill" no longer exists, and it would be useful to know what we're supposed to do when we get to those damned stairs where it used to be. I've been just riding down them and shooting off to the right of the gravel trail down that little stone chute. Whoever is in charge of updating this info needs to get on it, because compared to some of the other sections (Lebanon, for example), this is way sub-par.

Also, WHY IS THERE ONLY ONE THREAD in the Battle Creek discussion forum?! IMHO there should at the very least be one for maintenence, one for trail conditions, and one for general trail info. Why don't we start this one as the "General info" section. Someone else can start the others... I'm going for a ride.:fool:

[Hardtailforever]

I've clicked on the "update" link on the trail conditions page, and it says I don't have permission to update. I assumed only certain people had access to update certain trails. If this is incorrect, please let me know why I am unable to update trail conditions.

[ostertoaster85]

Updating the trail conditions worked for me and I don't hold any particular special position

[gopherhockey]

That is correct - any registered user should be able to update the trail conditions. If you have any problems or get errors, please let me know and I'll work to see what might be going on. As far as I can see the system seems to be working ok though.

And thanks for using the trail conditions page!! THe more the better...

[Hardtailforever]

There's a huge chunk of metal (broken sign post) at the very bottom of the SW corner of the trail that leads into the lower parking lot that will tear a mean chunk out of your tire (like it did to mine). We need to get in there with a shovel and get it out of there before somebody gets hurt by it.:shocked:

[gopherhockey]

Sounds like we have a volunteer? ;)

Seriously though, can you be more specific where this is? Is it on the west side of the creek or the east - is it near the new bypass area and steps?

[Hardtailforever]

As soon as I can walk normally again (nursing injury), I'd be happy to go down and dig it out myself. Seriously, if I could have the other day, I would have stopped and done it.

If you want it done sooner, it's at the very western edge of the park. NW corner of the lower parking lot, near the path literally like 4 feet away from the sidewalk. I hit it just as I was coming off the bypass and out into the lot.

check it out.

[Pandl]

Is this chunk still there?

[grizzly adam]

I was riding with a group of people on Tuesday the 27th and didn't notice anything.......

[gopherhockey]

I saw it there the other day... looked like someone had tried to put a rock over it but failed. It is very hard to see, but I can see it doing major damage for sure.

[Pandl]

Thanks for the messages. I will put on my glasses and keep an eye out for it.

[Pandl]

Well, the stump is still there. I was there with 3 other riders, and the guy in front of me hit the stump and flew about 15 feet before crashing alongside the trail. Didn't break anything.

I pulled the grass and weeds from around the stump to make it a little more visible. No paint on it. A short distance up the trail we saw lots of orange paint along side the trail on the grass. Maybe so many people hit the stump the paint has all worn off....

This stump really needs to be removed.

First time for me in the trail, really enjoyed it. Going to go back for more.

[Hardtailforever]

I'll be hitting some less hilly trails first, but Battle Creek is just a few days away, I think.

So... now that I can ride again, if that hunk of metal is still there, I'll take it out myself if that's ok with everyone in charge. I've got a pretty good tool for it, too. Don't know when I'll make it out there- still have to test the leg- but it'll be soon.

Also, this isn't a stump, so Paul, I don't know what your unfortunate buddy hit. This thing is right at the parking lot at the bottom, and it's made of metal. It probably won't make you crash, but it'll tear a mean hole in your tire.

BTW, for those of you who've torn new tires and need (or want) to keep them going, Magnum brand "Future Glue" super glue does wonders on tire rubber. Just clean the edges of the tear and put a drop in there. Looks like I don't need to retire my battered tire quite yet. Just don't get any FutureGlue on the fingers... this stuff is worse than Crazy Glue.:shocked:

[Kingbozo]

He may be refering to the stump that is right by the intersection at the top of the pallet climb. I nailed that thing hard once. Not sure if that is what he is talking about or if it is still there. If you were standing at the top of the pallet climb facing the field it would be to your right about 8-10 feet away on the edge of the trail coming out of the woods. It had a tendency to get hidden by a patch of grass.

[Pandl]

Why did I think you were talking about a stump? Brain fade there, I guess. I have only been here twice, and haven't found the pallet climb yet. The stump was surrounded by weeds and grass. I pulled them out.

Haven't noticed the metal at the beginning of the trail.

Did notice a car that had a shattered window in the parking lot on Sunday. The police arrived shortly after. Ddin't talk to the owners of the vehicle. But, a lady nearby says that happens a frequently in that lot. She said her friend just leaves her windows open when she rides there.

[ostertoaster85]

There's a log on the trail that has been removed a couple of times (assumably by somebody from morc) but always get's put back by somebody. It's on the side with the ravine trail. Personally, I really like the log and will keep riding it as long as it's there. Is there anyway that someone can negotiate with the "powers in charge" to keep the log there.

[TML]

The stump is no longer. Last night there were a few of us out for trail work. We combed the trail for storm damage and tried to create a warning for the new unfinished rock section. Took that sleeper stump out, and a tree that fell across the downhill into battle creek ravine.

[Kingbozo]

Caught the tail end of this on the news last night. Saw this in the paper this morning-

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4646213.html

[TML]

Caught the tail end of this on the news last night. Saw this in the paper this morning-

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4646213.html (http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4646213.html)

Dang. . . Kinda wierd. I know I'll be wondering all summer, as I ride there, "Is this where they found the body?".

[Kevin Leis]

Dang. . . Kinda wierd. I know I'll be wondering all summer, as I ride there, "Is this where they found the body?". I grew up near Battle creek and this isn't the first body they found in that park system. We walked to school one day to find the section of woods b/t Ruth and Mcknight Police taped off for the same thing.:crazy2:

[Brick]

The North Star Ski Touring club is sponsoring a cleanup @ BC on Saturday, so there may be quite a few folks out on the trails:

BATTLE CREEK CLEAN-UP DAY

This Saturday! Sponsored by Ramsey County and Cub Foods

Join other cross country skiers for a morning of clean up at Battle Creek Park
(home of great XC ski trails and the 2005 National Masters Cross Country Ski
Championships) in St. Paul. Skiers from Sisu Skiers and WAMXC (many are also
North Star members) will be at the park to help pick up trash exposed by the
spring snow melt. There will be an optional hike afterwards.

Where: Battle Creek Park, Meet at corner of Winthrop St. and Lower Afton Rd.
Date/Time: This Saturday, April 17 - Meet at 8:45. Work 9:00am to 11:30am
Bring: Gloves and an old ski pole to stab paper, etc. to be deposited into the
trash
Provided: Trash bags....and LUNCH!

Contact: NSSTC Member Liz Wagner (651) 770-9381 or ejwagner@gtfangel.com if
willing to help.

Directions: Take I-94 east from Minneapolis or I-94 west from Wisconsin to the
McKnight Rd. exit. Go south to Lower Afton Rd. (approx. 1 1/2-2 miles) Turn
right on Lower Afton Rd. and go to Winthrop St., Park somewhere on the street.
We'll meet at the corner of Winthrop Street and Lower Afton Road.