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Mr Schultz
05-05-2003, 12:34 PM
I rode at Terrace last Saturday afternoon and found the trail to be dry and in relatively good condition. Most of the trail is covered in leaves from last fall, which can cause traction problems in a couple areas, but was enjoyable to ride none-the-less. The trail did not appear to have been ridden by too many bikers, as there were few noticeable tracks.

The most noticeable change I found was the new log ramp (if that's what you want to call it), about 1/3 of the way through the loop. It's located a little further into the trail than last years log crossing that has now been reduced to virtually nothing.

While I enjoy the log crossings at Lebanon I found this new Terrace feature to be questionable at best. First I'd like to say that this does not appear very 'MORC-like", so I question if this feature was added during trail repair. What it does look like is that a large tree fell across the trail and random riders threw additional logs and sticks in it's general area to attempt to create a log ramp/crossing.

I think it has potential to be a nice trail feature, but it currently is not. First, the location is not the greatest, it's located directly around a corner which does not give you any warning/time to prepare (build speed/get into position). Secondly, the approach seems quite short and steep, especially now that you have little speed/momentum in which to initiate the crossing. Finally, once you are at the peak there is little to know structure on the back side on which to exit, essentially it drops off. As a whole it does not seem very structurally sound and seems very out of place, when considering the trail as a whole.

Now I realize that biking is about the unexpected and we don't want ramps manufactured out of 2x4's and plywood, and that these natural obstacles are enjoyable challenges - I agree with that 100%. I would just like to see this feature re-structured so that it is a little more manageable and possibly more appealing to those who would not attempt to ride it in it's current state.

Does anyone have any information about this new trail feature? :shocked:

gopherhockey
05-05-2003, 12:56 PM
From what I have heard in many discussions last year, Burnsville does not allow *any* log crossings to be placed at Terrace. If a tree falls, it may become a temporary log crossing until someone removes it, but that is about it. (sounds like this might be the case) If there has been a log pile built, it is likely someone has done this outside of MORC as you said.

These are definitely things that make it difficult to maintain good relations with land managers... although in this case it could be someone with good intentions just trying to help people get over a fallen tree until someone can come and remove it.

One issue with Terrace is that there is no regular trail maintenance, so things like this can easily go for a while without being fixed.

I'm not 100% sure who the trail steward is for Terrace, but I do know that a couple of our guys are working to get some re-routes built there this year. Hopefully that kind of thing will lead into being allowed in for regular maintenance etc.

Thanks for the review and for pointing this out! I'll check with some of the guys to see if this isn't something we should go in and take care of asap.

gopherhockey
05-21-2003, 08:03 PM
Just did my yearly ride at Terrace Oaks today... and updated the trail review a bit with new information and some more photos.

With the long weekend ahead and cops out there gathering up their quotas, I got a $90 ticket on the way over there.. most expensive ride/photo session I have had yet.

Too bad this trail wasn't just a bit more exciting.. I'd pay $90 to ride Lebanon and not feel bad.. but this trail is just too short.

Maybe this will improve this summer when MORC does some work back in there...

F#$) cops... Could have been worse though, I didn't have my license with, and my license has an invalid address. Thats an added $120 if he wanted to be sick about it.

Anyone in good enough with Dakota to get me out of a ticket???

:sick:

mtnbykr
05-21-2003, 09:06 PM
uhh, how fast is a $90 :shocked: ticket these days.....
[haven't had one since '84??]

k

gopherhockey
05-21-2003, 09:09 PM
49 in a 35... (Diffley "speed trap" Road) between 35E and 77

I feel ripped off though - for just an added $10 I could have been going 59... wish someone would have told me ;)

scott
05-22-2003, 06:34 AM
The Last ticket I got was a 98 in a 70, just make sure you go to court, never just pay a ticket, you can (almost) always get it reduced. I got that $130 ticket reduced to $100.

Scott

socrates
05-22-2003, 07:02 AM
Originally posted by gopherhockey
49 in a 35... (Diffley "speed trap" Road) between 35E and 77

I feel ripped off though - for just an added $10 I could have been going 59... wish someone would have told me ;)

Becareful on 100 in Edina too...got stopped 2 weeks ago (and it is a flat $105 fee in Hennipen county)...I've seen them out a few times afterwards as well

socrates
05-22-2003, 07:03 AM
Originally posted by scott
The Last ticket I got was a 98 in a 70, just make sure you go to court, never just pay a ticket, you can (almost) always get it reduced. I got that $130 ticket reduced to $100.

Scott Yeah but by the time you figure in what you'd loose by taking 1/2 day of vacation $30 bucks isn't worth it

gopherhockey
05-22-2003, 09:51 AM
Originally posted by socrates
Yeah but by the time you figure in what you'd loose by taking 1/2 day of vacation $30 bucks isn't worth it

Yea, thats a huge problem. Even for $90 it wouldn't be worth my taking half a day and going to court to try fight it. I was caught - I may not agree with the speed that is posted (it is a very small stretch of 35 between two stretches of 45, so if you aren't paying attention you get what I got) but I knew better.

I can't drive the speed limit anyway.. I just can't. I've been lucky not to get more up to this point. Being a different department at Dakota County I'm sure it doesn't, but I'd like to think my "donation" will go toward maintaining parks like Lebanon... (at least that is what I'm telling myself to not feel so bad hehe)

I can't stand meek drivers... people who come up to a 4-way stop and do the whole Minnesota nice "you go... no, you go.. no, please.. you first... no, after you - i insist!..." - I tend to drive over people like that ;)

Trevize1138
05-22-2003, 04:49 PM
I got my first speeding ticket in 10 years last summer out in western ND (on my way to a Maah Daah Hey day ride).

Interestingly enough, the last ticket I got before that one was inside Theodore Roosevelt Ntl. Park istelf in my '72 Beetle! I was caught going 50 in a 25 :cool: .

I don't get the speed laws in the cities area. I consistantly drive 15 mph over the speed limit (seems the norm) and have yet to get a ticket. I even passed a cop car going 74 in a 55! I didn't realize it was a cop car until I was right next to him for some reason. He didn't even blink an eye, just let me go.

Still, I've heard of people getting busted for speeding all the time at those speeds ... either makes me nervous or makes me feel lucky.

Still, it could be 'cause I'm driving a compact Subaru wagon, maybe they figure I'm some soccer mom as opposed to someone in an XTerra who they'd assume is ... a soccer mom. :crazy:

I got a total of 3 speeding tickets in my '72 Beetle, though. I also had shoulder-length hair, so I'm guessing they were looking to get more than just a speeder. :etard: