UP / Marquette info

[TML]

I will be heading to Marquette in about a week. I've got some info on the trails in the area from mtbr and UPMtb. The stuff looks pretty awesome and am looking forward to riding there.

Does anyone have any first-hand info on the area or can you suggest some MUST RIDE trails? What is a good bike shop to stop at for info?

--TML

[martini]

BIKE magazine a few months ago did thier annula 5 best cities to ride and live at issue and Marquette was on there. I'll have to try to find the issue and relay the info to you.

[ice ice baby]

To all Upers out there, do you know of any trails closer to the Wisconsin border near Iron Mountain?:banana:

[TML]

Thanks for the reminder Marty! I believe I have still got that issue layin' around in a magazine pile somewhere as well. I'll have to look for it. I don't remember too much specific trail info but it will, for sure, list the bike shops to check out. I remember showing the article to my inlaws. They were pretty impressed that their home (UP) had a big spread in a national 'zine.

[UP_boy]

Lakeshore bike is where you want to go for the bike shop. Depending on what kind of trail you want. There is a trail called Yo Mama and Yo Sista and they could be described as the double X at Lebanon and the farm on steroids. Its very scary. Another trail is the Hogsback trail that is a longer ride that involves some very technical climbs and some drop offs. You'll be going at a walking pace. There are hundreds of cool trails but the only way to find them is if you talk to the right people. There is usually someone at Lakeshore or Quick Stop bike shop that are willing to go for a ride. I think Lakeshore hosts Freeride Fridays if thats your cup of tee. I haven't lived there for two years now and I'm sure there are more trails that I haven't ridden yet. Have fun I wish I could join you.

[TML]

Thanks Luther. I hoped that I might hear from you. I remember meeting you at a couple of the trailwork sessions. I'll stop into Lakeshore for sure. Probably both to get as much info as possible. I'm not looking to kill myself on any sick stuff, but a full day of riding on naturally technical trails, in a beautiful setting, should be great!

ps. Yes, it would be nice to have you as a guide up there!

[fogalesmtu]

Hey All, I would just like to add my two cents for the UP Trails. They are AWESOME!! I go to school at Michigan Tech which is located in Houghton (UP) and i've ridden in Marquette a couple times. Yo mamma and Yo sista are crazy trails with large climbs but hair raising descents! i know there's a 20 ft drop on one of them. Also Hogsback is pretty much a mountain. very very awesome time though. I can't wait to get back there to ride it again. Bring extra tubes as there are a lot of sharp rocks. The ride down is crazy, becuase you can just fly.

Also, has anybody stopped in houghton to do some riding? We have the Tech trails which have gone through a lot of change lately as the nordic ski trails have destroyed a good portion of them, but they would be a great ending mark for a trip to marquette. We have the dragon trail which as an over 200 foot bridge that goes up to 10 feet high and only 3 inches in places. It's awesome. I know that there are many trails that are in progress so there's promise. the Tech trails are heavy with bridges that are well constructed! Have fun guys and let me know if you need some help. Drop a line if you're coming up, i'd probably like to tag along if welcomed.

[TML]

Brent, Tell me more about the "tech trails"! I have been curious about the riding around there too. My inlaws live an hour from Houghton in Ontonagon, so it'd be an easy drive up there. Where exactly is the trailhead, or the best place to get on the trails? Are they mixed in with the ski trails near the university?

Are you currently in Houghton? If so, I'll be heading to Marquette, from Ontonagon, early Thursday (7-31) morning for a day of riding. You would be more than welcome to join/guide me.

--TML

[fogalesmtu]

Ok Troy,
I'm not in the UP right now since i'm still on summer break. To get to the tech trails you need to head to Houghton on US 41 (get to 41 how you want) Once you get to Houghton you'll know it because you pass large campus buildings on both sides. You'll want to take a left at the first light which is McInnes Drive or something (it's uphill). Take that road around the SDC (big building at the top of the hill). You'll go around a sharp 90 degree turn and then a couple blocks farther on the left side will be a sign that says MTU Trails. Turn onto the dirt road there and go a little ways to a parking lot. park there and get ready to bike. To get to the Dragon trail you'll want to start on the trail where the road ends. after a little bit you'll come up on a 4 way split. You want to take the trail to the right, which you should have to pass a mound of dirt to get on. This trail is not very long and you should cross a road. Once you've crossed the road you're on the Dragon trail. From what i know the trail and direction is self explanitory (might have revamped it over the summer). If you have any questions of unclear directions just let me know. Have a good time and bike hard. Any immediate questions go to downtown Houghton and stop in at Down Wind Sports for some help on findind the trail. You get to downtown by continuing on 41 through campus. It's pretty self explanitory.

Brent

[fogalesmtu]

Alright, well i am now in the UP at school. So if anybody wants to ride feel free to let me know. I am in the Houghton area which is about an hour and a half from marquette.

[socrates]

Originally posted by fogalesmtu
Alright, well i am now in the UP at school. So if anybody wants to ride feel free to let me know. I am in the Houghton area which is about an hour and a half from marquette.

I'm assuming you're at MTU! I'm an EMU Huron (once a Huron always a Huron-none of this Eagle crap)

[TML]

I'll be back up in the UP over labor day. I'm signed up to do the Copper Harbor Fat tire fest on Sunday of that weekend. Maybe after the race I could muster up some energy for a ride in Houghton on my way back to Ontonogan Sunday afternoon.

[martini]

Hey Troy, I'm gonna be up in that neck of the woods this weekend too! I've got a wedding to go to and am bringing our bikes along. We need a place to ride. I can't quite remember where the wedding is at this time, but will find out tonight at home.

[TML]

Excellent Marty!

I'll have sunday morning open for riding if you are gonna be anywhere near Ontonagon, Houghton or Copper harbor. Sunday afternoon, I'm hittin' the festival in Copper Harbor. Check it out, Fat Tire Fest (http://www.keweenawadventure.com/fat_tire.htm) . Bluegrass tunes included!
I'll be in Ontonagon Fri. nite through Tue afternoon, but will be pretty tied up with family things the rest of the time. Email me or post when you find out more on where you'll be.

[martini]

HA! thsi is odd, Lisa and I are gonna be in Lake Linden, just to the south of Houghton I think. And really close to the MTB fest! The wedding is on Sunday at noon though. Lisa and I plan on being there on Friday and are both bringing our bikes. We need to hook up Troy! This is our vacation for the year(never mind that I'm going to ND to ride the MDH trail the next weekend!), so we are gonna take advantage of a good time.