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Mid West Paradigm Shift

jrbrown09

Chimp
Dec 15, 2015
3
0
I for the most part, like my Mid-west-ness. Over 49 years on planet earth, I've inhabited Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Mountain biking since 2004, I've ridden some pretty neat trails. Also, some pretty pathetic sand traps. I've even ventured out west to Bend, Oregon, for some giggles. Really neat, really cool, but I love the Indiana clay in which I ride--it's really nice. However, the trails I've been enjoying here in the Midwest seem mostly like cross country trails. They are gifted by going on and on and on. That's good: Quantity as measured by miles, Yet, in the last year, my understanding of "fun" has shifted since visiting Copper Harbor Michigan.
I rode just four trails, mostly 20 to 25 minutes from top to bottom. But the thrill of gravity being a consistent part of the journey was unreal fun. I didn't know what I had been missing, hence my paradigm shift in riding.
I know that what the glaciers didn't flatten out left some pretty neat slopes. I live by Brown County, which has a state park and over 30 miles of Mt. bike trails. There are major slopes everywhere. If Copper Harbor can build a Utopian trail system that rails one way, what is stopping these types of trails from spreading, even throughout the Midwest?
After riding Copper Harbor, I feel like I am now delegated to fine cross country riding throughout the Midwest. I actually went through a period of what B.B. King stated so sadly: The thrill is gone. Okay, I did work through much of my thrill-less-ness so that's not totally true, but honestly, the thrill is short lived on most of the trails I ride in the area. If anyone has experienced the thrill of Copper Harbor and would like to give thoughts on areas in the Midwest that are ripe for such a riding experience, chime in! Bring on the new trail paradigm and please, point it downward.
 
Sep 11, 2015
332
118
Copper Harbor is a real gem. Such fun trails for any genre of MTB, and an idyllic little town. If you're looking for more killer riding like that, check out Marquette next time. They've got a lot of trails like the ones in Copper Harbor, plus a bunch more rugged, less groomed, less bike-parky stuff. While the town of Copper Harbor offers its own charm, the city of Marquette offers cell service other luxuries of modern civilization. Both really great places, though.
 
Dec 3, 2007
75
33
I'll second the Marquette suggestion, lots of good stuff there. A little closer to home, I've heard good things about Mohican Wilderness in central Ohio and there's a fair amount of fun trails in Kentucky as well. A little bit further, but still closer than the U.P. would be anything in western North Carolina; Dupont, Pisgah, Bent Creek, etc.
Brown County is about as good as it gets in your neighborhood though. Maybe some of the new projects there will be more gravity oriented, even though HMBA seems to think "technical" trails have to be slow, rocky, and generally awkward to ride. Still doesn't keep me from making the trip from Illinois a few times a year.
 

jrbrown09

Chimp
Dec 15, 2015
3
0
Copper Harbor is a real gem. Such fun trails for any genre of MTB, and an idyllic little town. If you're looking for more killer riding like that, check out Marquette next time. They've got a lot of trails like the ones in Copper Harbor, plus a bunch more rugged, less groomed, less bike-parky stuff. While the town of Copper Harbor offers its own charm, the city of Marquette offers cell service other luxuries of modern civilization. Both really great places, though.
Thanks, I will check out Marquette this summer!
 

jrbrown09

Chimp
Dec 15, 2015
3
0
I'll second the Marquette suggestion, lots of good stuff there. A little closer to home, I've heard good things about Mohican Wilderness in central Ohio and there's a fair amount of fun trails in Kentucky as well. A little bit further, but still closer than the U.P. would be anything in western North Carolina; Dupont, Pisgah, Bent Creek, etc.
Brown County is about as good as it gets in your neighborhood though. Maybe some of the new projects there will be more gravity oriented, even though HMBA seems to think "technical" trails have to be slow, rocky, and generally awkward to ride. Still doesn't keep me from making the trip from Illinois a few times a year.
I'm hoping HMBA can re-think their trail designs and take Indiana to the next level. There is no shortage of elevation in southern Indiana. Indiana needs a new trail paradigm.
 

Riderdon

Chimp
Nov 8, 2019
1
1
If you're on a family trip that needs to combine city amenities with your XC riding, Duluth, MN, a very hilly city, has an extensive trail network, with some gravity trails at a ski hill nearby and on the scenic North Shore. A bit to the west is Cuyuna State Recreation Area, mostly intermediate flow trails in a reclaimed mining area with some surprisingly scenic vistas. Not for hard core, elitist riders, but the whole family will enjoy it. I lament that I'm 82, born 40 years too early.