Lutsen Pretty Average

[soupboy]

Long story short, Lutsen has severe customer service issues.

Was up there this past weekend. 1st time EVER when things were almost all dry - nice change from the nasty slip and slide I usually find up there. Friday was nice, but Saturday was a sauna. Regardless, drank a lot of beer at Pop-a-Chubby's.

Really disappointed with the overall upkeep of their trails and the cost of the lift passes. No half-day or partial day option. You show up at 4pm and they nail you for full day's pass - no discusson - total rip off, but they already have you hostage.

I wish they could form a relationship with COGGS or equivalent where they could spend more time on fewer trails to improve the overall quality. Instead, it is just a free for all with terrible erosion issues everywhere and tattered, overgrown trails.

This should be the best destination mtb resort in the Upper Midwest, but they continue to fail miserably. Oh well, they can only go up from here....

--Sean

[nigel]

From what I have heard, they are still having issues with upkeep money. They had quite a few bad injuries the last few years and claims and so on, insurance must be a pain for a place like that. They no longer allow races there as well from what Ive seen :( Used to have a great one too!!!

I totally agree with the half-day pass, they need to have one!! Its just to expensive otherwise to ride for a few hours till dark. I'm sure they could care less though, they make so much loot in the winter we're lucky they even open it for cycling!

Douglas

[DanB]

Lutsen could be great your right. I've heard rumors that this will be the last year for Mountain Biking there.

[martini]

I haven't been there, but really do want to get there. It's to obad that the Superior Nat'l forest doesn't have more exposure with more trails. There has to be a bunch up there that we're not hearing about. Maybe Lutsen keeps them on the quiet so they can keep raking in money? It sounds like they do need a volunteer group up there for upkeep.

[tmac]

I just made plans to head up to bike at Lutsen for the first time. Can anyone suggest a plan of attack? If there are trails that are badly damaged I might want to avoid them.

I will be up there riding with my wife, so we'll want a mixed bag - a few beginner trails we can ride together, and a few expert trails that I can attempt to hurt myself on solo.

Are there trails that you can ride up as well as down? I much prefer riding XC than doing the lift up - DH thing. Or do you lift to the top and do loops from there?

-Thx

[soupboy]

Thanks to Charles Skinner, Co-President of Lutsen, the resort did do good by myself and SuperClydesdale - offering free passes on our next visit - which will likely happen this fall.

I would say few, if any, of the trails are for true beginners. If nothing else you need a bike in proper working order - focusing on the headset and BRAKES. Full-sussers are the best but not necessary. Most climbing is of the sidehill or fireroad variety unless you are back on the #33 and #34 "black diamond" (and best) trails. For me, the ideal bike would be FS, with big tires and discs. You really needn't invest in the gondola pass unless you want to focus on #33. You can get to the Cascades on the Moose run from #6 off the Mystery lift - little sidehill, mud and steep climb at end. You can save $9 and get a work out, I guess.

I have seen too many families up there with baskets, streamers, 3spds, and other comfort bikes ill-equipped for Lutsen's terrain. If you let your S.O. ride Lutsen on a non-MTB you are an idiot. It gets really muddy and greasy quite easily. Unless you like mud (like me) avoid at all costs after solid rains. Otherwise, slap on fenders and have at it.

I've seen more than my fair of pissed off wives/girlfriends, frustrated newbies and children walking their bikes down and/or taking really nasty spills due to inexperience or inadequate gear. The guys who really fly up there (not me) have long-travel FS bikes, dual crown forks and full-on moto gear including full-face helmets to give you some perspective.

Folks with specific questions can e-mail direct.

Thanks,

Sean

[soupboy]

I want to throw out the idea of a late season Lutsen NAG. Plan on being at the Randy Lieberg sponsored ND-NAG and think MN should reprahzent.

Nothing formal. There are campgrounds for the campers, "hotels" for the hotelers (incl my soft self) and beer for all (of age;) ).

I think it would be a blast. I'm sure if we could get the right number of participants we could negotiate bulk room/lift rates for all.

E-mail if you are interested. I'm thinking Sept-Oct timeframe prior to closing. You get the legendary "Shore" colors, great riding and more BS and beer than you can handle.

Lemme know,

Sean

[socrates]

Originally posted by soupboy187
I want to throw out the idea of a late season Lutsen NAG. Plan on being at the Randy Lieberg sponsored ND-NAG and think MN should reprahzent.

Nothing formal. There are campgrounds for the campers, "hotels" for the hotelers (incl my soft self) and beer for all (of age;) ).

I think it would be a blast. I'm sure if we could get the right number of participants we could negotiate bulk room/lift rates for all.

E-mail if you are interested. I'm thinking Sept-Oct timeframe prior to closing. You get the legendary "Shore" colors, great riding and more BS and beer than you can handle.

Lemme know,

Sean


Great Idea Sean!!!

[Maverick]

I like that idea. I have never been there yet. I was tempted to go up there by myself this fall but if we could get a group that would be a blast.

Please let me know if there is anything planned yet...

[Daddy X]

Just so you know out MTB team is taking out annual year end bike trip up to Lutsen on Sept 5, 6 & 7th. If anyone is going to be up that way or wants to book a room somewhere and ride with us that would be great!! We usually ride, do the Alpine Slide (Grizzly Adam still has a scar from this last year), big meals, bonfires and CHUBBY BUNNY!! So just drop me a line if you are interested or want more info.


Shane


info@bentcrankracing.com

[Crash]

Originally posted by Daddy X
do the Alpine Slide (Grizzly Adam still has a scar from this last year

Too Funny! I have been up there a few times and the only scars I have to show for it are from the Alpine Slide. My advise - do NOT push the brake down to make it go faster - you will launch it in one of the corners. Otherwise the Alpine slide rules!

[Daddy X]

Exactly, he flew into a corner and his cart launched into the air and landed on the OTHER track!! He burned up his calf and hand a bit. It was the biggest thickest scab I have ever seen in my life, it was about six inches long and two inches wide. Once it scabbed up you could knock on it and it sounded like wood, and it looked like a huge piece of beef jerkey, lol.

[grizzly adam]

Why wasn't I told that you guys were talking about me?!!

Ya - the alpine slide is pretty brutal. What's funny, is that I wiped out and then went out and rode some more trails - I had to get dirt on the open wound to keep out the infectious pollens floatin' around :eyeroll:

Our customer service has been okay since we've been up there the last 3 years. Except the first year when I called and they told us that the trails would be open in October and then when we showed up they were closed.

Did you guys see the thread started by mtnbyker? He said that he was approached by someone to have a race up there. Interesting.

http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9636

[Crash]

See - The Alpine slide is another example of why your legs should be shaven! :D