Call me Champlain
posted by: lyle
2006-07-17 | 08:04:27
What is it about finding new trails that is so damn cool? I was at a local bike shop the other day and was asked if I had ever rode the trails at a certain intersection. Intrigued, I replied no, but I'll have to give them a try.
I arrived at my destination after only driving 10-15 minutes and wondered how these trails had escaped my knowledge when they were so close to home. They must not be very good I reasoned. I parked at the side of the road, grabbed my bike and started off. My suspicions were confirmed rather quickly as the trail was at least a couple of metres wide and filled with sand. I could see dirt bike tire marks as well, which is never a good sign for mountain biking.
I plowed through the sand for about 10 minutes and was about to give up when I saw out of the corner of my eye, singletrack, glorious, glorious singletrack. I turned my bike into the entrance and WHAM, instead of slow momentum-sucking sand, I was flying on fast, hard packed dirt. I felt like Luke Skywalker riding the speeder bike through the forest of Endor. The vegetation became a green blur to my vision and it felt like I was going 100 km/h. This was not slow, technical trails but fast and smooth singletrack and I was loving it. I rode for two hours and still did not hit all the trials.
It is so much fun to ride new trails. Even if you love riding your bike, you can get tired of riding the same trails over and over again. It is even better when you discover new riding locales close to home.
You'll notice I didn't give the location of my newfound treasure. I want to keep it a secret for a little while at least.
Comments
Sounds like a fun ride. Can't wait to try out the new trails.
Posted by greer on 2006-07-17 at 09:11:53
"You'll notice I didn't give the location of my newfound treasure. I want to keep it a secret for a little while at least."
good thinking, Lyle...there is a reason it is not 3 feet wide and void of vegetation.
if anyone wants to blab about it, it should probably be the guys that made it. met them in the parking lot once and they simply asked me "not to blab about it on the internet, just take a buddy and quietly enjoy it."
Posted by Bill Payer on 2006-08-31 at 11:46:15
I'd have to agree with Bill on this one. There's a reason this "fast and smooth" single track is still in really good shape....
If anyone wants to disclose the location of this ride then it should be the guys who built it, not someone who just stumbled on it one day. I would imagine a lot of hard work would have gone into building that track.
Sometimes ya gotta leave the hidden things hidden.
Posted by Colin on 2006-08-31 at 14:48:44
You likely haven't heard about these trails because they are not described in any great detail on the internet. Do the locals and yourself a favour and leave your comments as they are. Enjoy the trails...we are all truly blesed to have them so lets not spoil it by blabbing about them to the world.
Posted by Dutch on 2006-08-31 at 19:19:59
Ok, Bill, Colin, Dutch: we read you loud and clear. It won't be us that spills the beans on this hidden gem.
Hey, do you guys have a location-free nickname for this spot? Lyle and I are getting tired of referring to them as "the new trails".
Posted by greer on 2006-09-01 at 07:38:16
The rock in this 'hidden gem' looks a lot like the trails that I first stumbled on while searching the internet in (01-02) for local trails.
Fortunately -
The posted maps have been down for over a year and hopefully the various archive search engines will drop their chaches soon. I have an early nickname for this place the moderator wnats to contact me.
This nickname has been used for at least 5 years and is fairly well known.
Posted by Stosh on 2006-09-04 at 09:12:51
who cares what you call it or what others call it? I do not get it.
the bottom line is that mtb are not very welcome and they are looking to pin liablitly on someone for spreading the word. if either of you guys want to say you are recommending this place and then pick up the tab for a large insurance policy...be my guest.
for the record, I personally recommend not riding there. go to Hardwood where they maintain the trails and have proper insurance.
Posted by bill payer on 2006-09-13 at 06:38:22
Bill, *I* care what the trails are called - that's who. I was curious, I asked, and Stosh answered me over email. I don't understand what you "do not get", or why any of this discussion is a problem for you.
You seem rather upset about us disclosing the location of the trails, but we did not disclose anything. No one who hasn't ridden those trails previously knows what the hell we are talking about.
Also, for future reference, threatening imaginary "liability" is not a great way to convince anyone of anything.
Posted by greer on 2006-09-13 at 07:50:53
to explain, my thinking is, call it whatever you and you buddies want, obviously there is no official name. Are Stosh and I calling the same thing? I am sorry if that came of as rude or something.
first, I am not trying to convince anyone of anything, not sure where that was going...and as for liability, in today's legal climate, at least in my books, nothing is "imaginary". individuals I know have been contacted by the county re: liablitly. again, in today's climate, anytime you suggest anyone does or checks out anything, you can be liable if they hurt themselves following your suggestions.
but hey, if this kind of thing does not worry you or if you think I am 100% B.S., then good on ya. I am sorry if I overstepped my bounds and I should clam-up, I am sure you do not need me worrying for ya. take care and have fun, I am sorry I spoke up at all.
Posted by bill payer on 2006-09-14 at 06:43:52
Seems to me that the idea that a website could be "liable" for posting a trail location is somewhat on the dubious side.
If I post a rave review of a restaurant and you happen to go there and choke on the guacamole, can you sue me?
Ok, you got me. I just wanted to post something with the word "guacamole" in it.
Posted by Rob on 2006-09-14 at 14:21:55
I remember reading some caselaw (sorry, I can't find it, yet) where a website promoter was held partly liable for publishing "out of bounds" locations at a western ski resort and a skier was seriouly injured as a result of following the directions on the website. It is a very litigious world these days and it is all about spreading the risk/blame.
Posted by Dutch on 2006-09-17 at 05:28:17