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.
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.