Crowder State Park

[SuperClydesdale]

Hey gang

Just a heads up that the trails down at Crowder State Park (http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Missouri/,Crowder,State,Park/PRD_168781_4559crx.aspx.) near Trenton, Missouri, kick some behind. Me and a friend rode there on Saturday, stumbled into a weekend gathering of about 30 trail workers who showed us some real kind hospitality.

They have close to 20 miles of sweet trails, a mix of singletrack and hike/bike trails. Tall oaks, dry stream beds, broken limestone, etc. Can't really compare it to any trails I have ridden in Minnesota, but I guess it comes closest to small sections of Memorial in Red Wing. And, get this: hot showers at the trailhead! And no charge for MO State Parks unless camping; nice campground by the way, if you are into camping. Unfortunately, I could not find a Jacuzzi anyweher in the park.

Very refreshing to see the "No Horses on Trails" signs at the trails intersections.

Big ups to Doug Long of Chillicothe MO for the microbrews, hot chili and sandwiches, and especially the fine trails he stewards.

They host a weekend event the 3rd weekend in April: races, bunkhouse camping, bonfires, bluegrass jams, beer drinking, mayhem, rowdiness, what have you. Mark your calendars now, I promised to drag some Minnesota crazies along with me......

The trails are about 6 hours from Minneapolis, 24 miles off of I-35.

over and out
mark

[KleinCrazy]

I'll second the recomendation for Crowder.

A buddy and I took a weekend last year and rode down in KC but it started raining on sunday, so we headed north to check out the trails at Crowder, after gettign vague info about them from some guys at Landahl.

Showed up and it looked very promising, but completely empty, we were the only ones in the park. We were unloading stuff on the south side of the lake and heard voives coming across the bridge. Turned out to be Doug and another local ( park ranger ) out for ride.

Beign as it was early November and the leaves were very thick on the trails, it was great to have a guided tour of them by the people whole built and maintain them.

It iso ne place I would highly recomend people check out if they are in the area, or make a point of riding it when down riding the KC trails.

Keep us posted on the April Date, I would definitly be up for it.

Plus If time permits, we could ride a very nice river trail in Des Moines that you drive over when on 80 north of the city.

L8er
James

[TML]

Mark,
Sounds like you had the makins of a perfect weekend. Good ridin, good brews and good food with a bunch of locals showin ya some of their goods!
A spring road trip to Muzzurah is looking to be more and more of a must. Singletrack advocacy summit in March; ridin, racin and carryin' on in April. . . hmmm.... Oh the choices. . .

[SuperClydesdale]

Troy

Actually, a perfect weekend would not have included breaking the frame of my Jamis Dakar XLT. Glad I had the single along.

I'll post the April dates as soon as I have them. It will be a seriously fun weekend.

Cheers
Mark

[ryno lite]

Sorry to hear about the frame!

[soupboy]

with FFTF or is it the weekend prior for 2004? Not exactly easy to "swing through" MO on your way to UT and western CO...

Sean

[noise_is_life]

Originally posted by SuperClydesdale
Troy

Actually, a perfect weekend would not have included breaking the frame of my Jamis Dakar XLT. Glad I had the single along.

I'll post the April dates as soon as I have them. It will be a seriously fun weekend.

Cheers
Mark

What did you do to your Jamis? Mine is in the shop right now too, I mangled the drivetrain in Colorado.

[SuperClydesdale]

Pat

I cracked the chainstay on the drive side, just behind the chainrings; the hollowed-out part. All better now, although I have a 2 color rear triangle, black chanistays and gray seatstays.

Mangled your drivetrain??? Where in Colorado?

Mark

[noise_is_life]

I was doing a loop right outside of Buena Vista.

I was right at the end which was a very rocky downhill which must have derailled my chain, so when I went to pedal up a short steep section the whole thing jammed up and ripped my derailleur off.
I thought just the hanger needed to be replaced, but the derailleur and chain where also trashed. Must have been the massive torque from my earth shattering thighs :)

The trail was a blast though.