Info on the NOW OPEN XX Loop

[gopherhockey]

I thought I'd post some general info on the XX loop before it opens up. The more I think about it, the more I realize we need to give out more information...

This may be long, but it is important so please bear with me....

First, everyone knows that it is still not open to the public for riding yet. We are monitoring the conditions daily and will open hopefully this week or weekend. Until it is opened, it should be considered a dangerous place to ride with areas under construction (no markings or caution signs etc.) - nobody should be in there anyway - but regardless it should be treated like any other construction zone even if you have heard of people from the trail crew riding it.

Next, everyone knows that this is to be an "advanced expert" loop. (many times called the XX loop). Remember that "expert" and "double expert" are specific to the trail itself more than a general comparison between other trails at other parks.

Being an "expert" loop means that compared to other trails at Lebanon, it has a higher level of skills required. Double Expert means we take that one more step up (like double black diamond at a ski resort). Much of the trail itself can be beginner to intermediate in the way it flows, however, the fact that there are more dangerous obstacles out there requires the higher level trail designation.

Some things you will see here that you may not see elsewhere:

- Bridges
- Jumps
- Log Rides
- Log Drops
- Rock Drops
- More Difficult Log Piles (higher, longer, not as evenly spaced)
- More Dangerous Rocks/Rock Gardens (there may be tombstone rocks in the middle of the trail that you may not be able to ride over and must ride around - beware of these at any point in the trail!)

Also note that once this trail opens, we may still add more obstacles - so don't assume (as with any trail) that you know what is coming up around the next corner! Once the trail is open, we will try post trail changes in the forums as necessary.

Helmets, while not a law, should be used. We see SO many riders out there without helmets. It is just plain stupid to ride any trail without a helmet, let alone a more advanced trail like this.

Some of the obstacles are very fun to ride. This does not mean you should be able to ride back around and hit them again. If you want to ride these a second time, you must ride the whole trail.

Do NOT ride backwards on any of the trails at Lebanon at any time of the day/year. Riders out there are not expecting this - especially on an advanced level trail.

Also, do NOT cut accross trails. As mentioned earlier, one of the issues Dakota is concerned with is people cutting the trails. Stay on the trail that is there - don't create your own. If you have to pick up over something, stay on the trail. If you see an area that you think should have an alternate route or something added - check with one of the "dirt bosses" or the "trail steward" (post here in the forums is fine) and we'll discuss. One of the worst things that could happen once we open the trail is to see people wandering off the trails or going the wrong way.

Remember at the exit of the XX loop you will come out onto the trail where people are flying down the hill (just before the existing expert loop entrance). We don't yet have caution signs here yet, but don't just pop out and stop in this location as you will get run over... we will work on re-routing this better at another time. (possibly exiting a bit closer to the X loop entrance)

Once the trail is opened, it will be in a state where it isn't completely "ridden in" yet, so any amount of rain can and will damage the trail in ways it would not on the other trails. (anyone remember what happened when we opened the bypass last year and it rained?) There needs to be a certain amount of riders on the trail before it gets into shape and can shed water like the other trails. Until that time, you may see the orange gate back up after a rainstorm... please respect any temporary closures during the first few weeks. After a few weeks of riders, there should be no temporary closures needed.

Dakota County has been great about letting us provide a more advanced trail in their park. If we all stick together and not abuse this, we will be able to continue to provide these kinds of trails. If you see people doing something bad out there, feel free to help be our eyes and ears and set them straight (in a nice way, of course). It is difficult to stick together as a group, but the more people that are willing to help out with things like this the better... Many of you reading this have put in a lot of hard work in helping get this trail ready - so there are many that should have that "mental ownership" of the trail they helped to build.

If you know people who ride but aren't checking these forums or messages, please pass this information along. The more informed we all are, the better!

Sorry this got so long... :zzz:

[Lil' Punk]

:zzz: . . .

[gopherhockey]

Hey.. Torey.. be nice! ;)

I know this is dull and boring, but necessary... even if this is common sense to most of ya.

[socrates]

It was very well written...and yes pretty much common sense....but worth being said none-the-less

[SuperClydesdale]

Seriously, I second Tom's desire to post this stuff at the trailhead. Obviously, there is no way to MAKE people read the bulletin board items, but I actually see a lot of riders checking out the message before riding.

Any suggestions for leveraging the bulletin board so that it becomes an important source for trail info?

SuperClydesdale
mark

[Lil' Punk]

Totally nesscesary. . .i know.

i also agree with tom's idea. . .if only we could post it up on the board at hte trailhead. .
Peace Out:banana:

[gopherhockey]

Hmmm.. I like the trail sign idea. IMBA did too - they suggested it more than once.

I know Dale has brought this up with Dakota a number of times. When we walked the trails with them a week ago they agreed things could be better as far as information goes.

They are going to try to make all their signs "uniform" thoughout the park. This doesn't bode well for having specific info in the existing sign, but maybe they would let us have a new one of our own... Hmmm...

[gopherhockey]

Current rumor (that I'm starting) is that we'll try get a good turnout for trail work tonight at 6pm... if all goes well tonight, we'll open up the new trail on Wed. evening.

I know this is an odd day and it may mean some of you who have come and helped out with the trail work might not make it - but I'd love to see all those who have put in their time on this trail get a chance to ride when it is opened up.

This is the current rumor - I'll post more official info shortly.

[gopherhockey]

Ok, the XX loop is basically ready to open. Conditions were slightly wet last night, but just good enough to help pack in the trail without causing damage.

The only issue I see is the chance of rain tonight & Thursday...

I say we open it up tonight, and if it rains we'll keep the fence up there and close it for a day if necessary. I'm tired of making you guys wait...

Let me check into a few things then get back with more details first before I promise something that doesn't happen...

My guess is we open it at 6pm tonight after a quick pre-ride.

[gopherhockey]

XX Loop Trail Opening: 6:00pm tonight (Wed, 6/11/03)

The "ribbon" will be cut at 6pm sharp at the entrance to the xx loop (about 2/3 the way through the expert loop). Then, ride the sucker as many times as you can and get it packed in!

My fellow "dirt boss" Jan Lee and I are going to pre-ride the trail tonight at 4:30. If any of you who have helped out with this trail last year or this year wants to join us to do a pre-ride lap, feel free to show up at the parking lot. We'll be the last "poachers" before we open it up.

Note: due to the newness of this trail, we will be leaving the orange fence available to re-close the trail in the event of a major rain. If after tonight you see the fence up, please respect the temporary closure. This should only need to happen until we get enough riders to pack it in... so, the more you ride the better!

Please read my original message in this forum as well if you haven't already... it outlines some things that need to be said about this trail (as well as others).

I'd like to thank my fellow Lebanon Dirt Bosses Dale Gundberg (who is also our trail steward), Tim Wegner and Jan Lee for all the efforts you have put into this trail from conception to the grand opening.

I'd also like to thank all of you who have come out to help us put this trail together. Without the likes of you, we'd still be out there working on it rather than opening it up to ride. I can't thank you all enough for your continued support and hope that even after we open this loop that you will continue to come out and help us build more fun things, as well as maintain the rest of the trails. There are also new trails in the works as well...

Obviously I can't leave out our faithful MORC members as well. Not everyone's schedule works out for them to show up Tuesday evenings at 6pm, so your support in the form of a membership is appreciated.

Gee.. I feel like I just won some kind of award or something.. ;) I hope I'm not leaving anyone out! hehe

Oh yea, and Dakota County... we all owe them a huge thank you for allowing this level of trail to exist. If you get the chance, go on over to their web site and email them about how much you appreciate their efforts for mountain biking. The more feedback they get, the better chance we'll get even MORE trail!

Hope to see ya tonight!

[s1ngletracker]

its not thursday...?...??...:confused:

[gopherhockey]

Oops! Make that Wed (tonight) - I'll fix...

[gopherhockey]

Everyone gettin' excited? We're just a few hours away from the grand opening.. I can almost taste it!

This is the best chance to get an obstacle named after you too.. so far we have:

Jan's Rock (big rock drop/ride) named after Jan because he found it, not because he fell there. Until just a month ago it seemed to be the biggest rock in the park. Rumor has it that Tim has a bigger rock! (you will see this one in the near future)

Tim's Rib Rock (red colored rock on one of the thin rocky sections) named after a body part that broke when he fell on it

Note that this rock section could be named after Dale too, as he fell and hurt his wrist when Tim pointed out his rock as Dale was riding over it...

Dale's Tabletop (obvious what this one is) named after Dale, who spent a lot of time building this jump with the Dingo using his Motocross expertise as a guide.

John's "well hung" Rock (initial rock you drop off at the very beginning of the trail) named after me because I got hung by a vine there - ripped me right off my bike! Sad thing was we had noticed that vine earlier but neglected to just cut it down.

Mark's Tree (look for a tree with a big chunk taken out of it after a rock jump) - apparently Mark (IMBA) Schmidt got a little crazy with this jump and flung his bike into this tree.

Torey's Drop (double log drop) named after Torey, our youngest trail volunteer, just because.

Ontario (the smaller teeter, which is not in place yet) - named after the IMBA crew Mark & Lora, who are from Canada. The teeter is entirely metric in tribute to the great white north..


Disclaimer: it is NOT cool to have an obstacle named after you because you hurt yourself on it... so I'm obviously saying this as humor, not meant to have anyone go out there and bust themselves up.

[s1ngletracker]

cool, this XX loop sounds like fun.... how big are the teeters?

[gopherhockey]

One is huge, but not really all that advanced for those who are teeter savy. 16' long, 18" wide, 21.5" high. A good beginner teeter, although it will sit on a slight uphill so you won't be able to just coast over it.

The other one is metric. Smaller, thinner, perhaps taller in the middle. I don't do metric, so I'm not exactly sure - I think near 10' long and 10" wide.

Both will sit on posts that can eventually be raised to increase the fear factor. In a public park, and for approved devices (well, hopefully soon to be approved) they are definitely going to add some fun to the loop and let people learn as well.

... not to mention they will last virtually forever. One is over 150lbs. not counting the base.

[Lil' Punk]

i'm so upset. . .i can't come tonight. . i have youth group. . i am so bumbed. . .oh well maybe i'll catch a ride on it tomorrow. . .
-Peace Out:banana:

[gopherhockey]

Sorry this date/time didn't work out for some of you... bummer!

Well, I'm about ready to skip out on work and do that pre-ride of the XX... then, see ya'll at 6pm when the gate comes crashing down!

:banana: :banana:

[s1ngletracker]

bumbed?

[Lil' Punk]

bumbed: upset, disappointed, also i can't spell :banana: Peace

[s1ngletracker]

hahah, well evidently you can lift more than many grown men.

[Lil' Punk]

Shh. . .don't say that to loud you might make "some people" feel bad. .
Peace:banana:

[gopherhockey]

Uhhh.. that is probably directed at me... hehe ;)

I resemble that remark...

[gopherhockey]

Ok, the XX loop is now OPEN! We need riders to take this trail as much as possible to pack it down good before it rains again.

Check out some of the photos I took tonight of the new loop and various riders enjoying themselves. (in the Photo Gallery area, or click here (http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=513&password=).

BTW: I didn't get names out there and can't really tell who is who, so if you see yourself in one of the pictures let me know and I'll be sure you get credit where credit is due ;)

I had a TON of shots, but many did not turn out very well. It wasn't very fair to be taking pictures on the first night anyway.. so, I'll be back out there again sometime this weekend - perhaps Saturday.

Overall the feedback was excellent. Lots of promises to join or renew MORC memberships after seeing this trail. If you ride this trail and don't like it, you are crazy. If you ride it and like it but are not a MORC member... well... there is just something wrong with you. Join today! Get some socks, and support the opening of more trails like this at Lebanon and in other parks in our area.

These trails don't come free, folks! We need your support - and not just the $ but the more members we have, the more pull we have when it comes time to negotiate with land managers....

Please join! Wear your socks with pride and show other riders that YOU support your local trails!

Thanks for letting me give a little advertisement here..

[Jake]

Well, we did the dirty deed tonight. XX is open. Everyone we talked to seemed to be having a great time. Heard a lot of hollerin' going on. Saw one shiner, but it was above a big smile, so that's a good thing.

Trail was in excellent opening condition. Just enough moisture to give us a good pack. Well packed trails shed water much better, so if you're available, please ride this new loop and encourage others to ride it also.

You don't have to ride all the obstacles the first time through. Actually, we'd recommend checking them out BEFORE riding them.

I would like to especially thank our trail crew members at Lebanon Hills. Those of you that made at least one night - you made a difference. Those whose schedules permitted joining us multiple times - we can't thank you enough.

We're especially proud of the work of our female crew members. You girls rock! (no pun intended). And, thanks for shaming some of us into riding things like bridges (Liz).

Thanks to those of you that support us through MORC membership. It takes a lot of cash to keep the equipment running.

Thanks to IMBA for their support and for sending Mark and Lora for our Hot Spots Program.

And, most importantly, a huge thanks to all of those at Dakota County Parks that had the foresight to imagine how good trails can improve the park users' experience. Thanks Bruce and Terry.

Jan Lee - dirt boss 2

Ride hard. Ride often. Long Live Long Rides (IMBA)

[Maverick]

I just wish my bike would've held out two hours longer before it decided that it was done for the day so I could've been there. Friday and Saturday I'll try to create extra time in my day so I can try this new XX Loop, and hopefully I won't crash and burn. I don't want something to be named after me for getting hurt bad, like Maverick's Hip Shattering Rock Garden (if there is one). For some reason rock gardens don't agree with me, of course it probably would help if I slowed down. I was hoping I could've been out there when it opened so I could watch other people ride so I could hopefully get better myself, but that didn't happen due to my bike problems. Who knows, I probably would've been called away to work anyways :eyeroll: So much to ride, so little time...

Has anyone got the distance of the new XX Loop yet? I actually resisted the temptation to poach the trail so I have no idea what to expect. I know I know, I'm one of the few that haven't been back there yet. If I have to ride it on my lunch break on Friday or Saturday, I will.

Take care all!

[socrates]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
Well, I'm about ready to skip out on work

:banana: :banana:

Hey John....I took your suggestion and told my boss I was going to the computer center....seemed to work ok...think I may be able to milk it for a few days since our Data Center is in Washington DC but he was really confused since I'm not in IR

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by Maverick

Has anyone got the distance of the new XX Loop yet?

About 1.55 miles.

It is about .8 miles from the entrance of the Expert loop to the entrance of the new loop.

This means if you ride the entire "loop" in circles you are doing appx. 2.35 miles each time.

I assume then if you did one such loops then returned to the parking lot, you would be doing around 7.15-7.25 miles (including the warm-up loop of course)

Not too bad for one lap... but it could be better. (and maybe will be better)

[soupboy]

Had the chance to finally ride it post-grand opening yesterday. OK - I did get in a few laps pre-opening with the MORC/IMBA folks...but the trail is already firming up nicely.

Noticed to the right and somewhat behind you as you go over the first bridge that a drop is being built - or did my eyes deceive me?

The only thing I hate is forgetting where Jan's rock is a flying past it - would love to have more technical stuff like that out there.

Anywho - Thanks again for the great work and making a good trail even better. Time to go ride it...again.

--Sean:etard:

[KleinCrazy]

Sean,

That drop is not there.

That is a storage place for a bridge for a yet to be built singletrack trail.

We just hauled it in there to get it out of Dales garage and get it at least partway to where it will go.

I agree with you, it is pretty easy to blow by Jan's rock if you aren't ready for it.

I finally road the whole log sat aon the 3rd try. Have yet to ride the whole loop clean, but in three laps I was able to clean everything.

Now if I could just do as well at the farm, Had a bad ride out there this morning. ack!!!

L8er