HockeyMark wrote on 03/27/14 at 12:26am:
I ride there very regularly - at least once each weekend when the weather cooperates.
Last spring and early summer it was awful. It got bad because of the wet weather, but it stayed bad and got worse because there was virtually no maintenance being performed by the full-time staff. My riding buddy and I did what we could when we could to clear drains, or put 2-6" diameter sticks/logs perpendicular to the trail to bridge some of the really bad sunken spots, and that seemed to make it more tolerable.
It was only after some major work was contributed by one of the race-sponsors (Grind on the Greenway I think), and a group of dedicated racers/riders did it start getting better. That effort seemed to have gotten a little focus and attention by the Springs staff, and they were then out very regularly maintaining, taking out roots, and even building some new re-route trail.
Right now, it's 98% good, with only a few remaining persistent trouble spots (mud-holes). There's one big one on the Prairie Loop between stumpy pond and the fire-road that runs away from the (red) field trial barn. There's another toward the end of Sugar (heading counter-clock-wise) about 1/2 mile before School East - it's just a bog that doesn't drain and the least bit of rain means days of either hike-a-bike, or exercising more skill than I possess and riding through.
It's really grown to be my favorite local ride, mostly because of the mix you get, and the variety over the miles as you can ride all of it in either direction. There's no super-fast and flowy sections like Sherman; and there's no Goat Hill (WWC) or Stairway to Heaven (RRT), but you'll find a bit of challenge here and there, and some sustained climbs if you head toward the complex either on West School or Sugar going clock-wise.
Is it worth the annual $50 trail fee? For me it is - I'm 15 minutes away, and a pretty good ride for this old-timer.
Yep, with the exception of last year, I've ridden Springs a ton. I was riding 3-5 times a week at one point, I think in 2012, simply because I am 10 minutes away.
When Springs is in good shape, I really feel like it is an under-appreciated trail. It's deceivingly tough at speed in some ways, due in part to a lot of off camber, and lots of roots/rocks. And since it's bi-directional, it's kind of like getting over 18 miles of trail. I may sound like a broken record, but I REALLY REALLY wish they would open blue star to bikes. I know that probably will never happen since Anne wants to keep it to herself when she's horseback riding, but there is like another 30 miles of trail out there!
Early last riding season, much like many other trails in the area, the "monsoon season" destroyed it. But like you said, the lack of maintenance after the fact left it in terrible shape. And I do remember hearing about a bunch of work being done on it late season last year, so I'm super happy to hear it is back in shape again! Hopefully the weather won't be as severe this year and it stays primo.
Thinking about going for a loop today! Springs!
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Springs (Read 1002 times)