Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam

[gopherhockey]

I had the chance to patrol the Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam down at Welch Village ski resort in Welch, MN this Sunday. After having snowboarded at Welch many times it was fun to finally get a chance to ride.

Welch used to hold NORBA nationals at one time, but now it just has this one local race each year. I do not believe the trails are open at all to the general public for riding at any other time. This is one reason why I made the journey even in the 90+ degree heat we've been having lately.

It was a great time. (I posted a few pictures in the photo gallery) Grag Blasko and the MNSCS once again put on a great show. I cannot say it was all that fun climbing up the nasty hill (seemingly always under direct sunlight) but it sure was fun to experience the many trails Welch has to offer. They had some new singletrack open this year (I was told) and had some real interesting trails that could get kind of nasty when riding through the trees that normally boarder the ski hills. T

They even had a place they called the Metric Drop, where the expert level riders got the chance to ride on each of their 5 laps. This area held a really large crowd all waiting to see the riders negotiate the section. I'm happy to say there were no major accidents, but many quick spills... lots of great riding though considering how rutted out and sandy the trails were.

I have enough pictures to do a trail review, but since the trail only opens once a year to racers (and patrol) only I probably won't take the time to create one. Its too bad - just a little more work and this could really be a fun destination for riding in our area.

[martini]

Yup. If they'd only open their trails, I'm sure they'd get lots of users down there. I raced my SS down there when the nat's were here, and the trail was indeed fun to ride. I especailly liked the 'drop' section. nice and challenging! Who could we pressure into letting the trails be open?

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by martini
Who could we pressure into letting the trails be open?

This is a good question. I heard in years past they used to allow riders out there if a member of the bike patrol was on site. (I think it was more of a way for them to try keep the trails ridden in and maintained... but still..)

Maybe Greg from mnscs knows... I'll ask around. Now that the trail is ridden in nicely it would be a shame not to let others give it a try.

[mnscs]

Thanks for all the positive comments on the Metric Auto Parts Welch MTB Jam. It was great to have a turnout over 200 riders for one of the last MTB Races of the season in Minnesota.

To answer your question about riding at Welch Village; ski areas are always looking to make a profit off of anything they venture into. Opening up trails to Mountain Bike Riding on private land, especially land that is for a business raises a lot of issues. It does cost money and time to maintain trails, even if they are ridden year round. Look at MORC, they need money for "Gaining and Maintaining Trails".

Back about 6 or 7 years ago i believe Welch did try the idea of opening up the trails for riding. They tried to mix the mountain bike riding and the Cannon Valley Trail with an onsite restaurant. I don't think many people really even knew about this and it didn't work out for them the year that they tried it.

We've recently talked with Welch about the idea and they just don't think it would be feasible for them to have trails open to riding during the non ski season months. If a lodge/hotel is ever built at Welch Village, open mountain bike riding might happen there someday.