Recent Trail Reroute

[irishpitbull]

Nice post.

[G.Cook]

I'm sure the equestrians , when they take over the Poto (one T), will take your concerns into account.
One quibble though, several really but never mind , there isn't any such thing as a "natural " trail. Trails are built one way or another.
Might this youngster of 63 also suggest you go in and have a sit down with that whipper snapper of a DNR Land Mgr. and let him know how things are really supposed to be done in running Pinckney Rec. Let us know how that turns out , okay.

[DynoDon]

If you're refering to me as a 63 yr old youngster, thank you I'll be 66 this year, I did't mean to ruffle any feathers, just put out my point of view from many years on the Potto, its pronounced with two t's. so I put two t's in it, it was refered to in the book I read in the 1970 as a real natural trail for cx and rated in the the top 10 in North America because of it. even at that time trails had grooming machines for cx sking.
As for putting words in my mouth and having me make suggestions to Ranger Smith, I think I just did. He may or may not have read my point of view, but after seeing the park for many years, I've got the right to express it, but its in print so I imagine it'll be read.
I've talked to you a few times on the trail, you seem like a great guy, don't let things get you down, things may not be as bad as they seem or turn out as bad as you think they will,
I'll be out there as soon as my broken colar bone heals,,, the Potto and I had a difference of opinion too... some people say root, some say rooot, however you say it, it hurt like *beep*. Happy Trails...

[G.Cook]

I'll be out there as soon as my broken colar bone heals,,, the Potto and I had a difference of opinion too... some people say root, some say rooot, however you say it, it hurt like *beep*. Happy Trails...

Where did that happen ?
The thing I have learned and respect about the Poto is that no matter how long you have been riding it , or how well you can ride it , or how well you think you know all the roots and rocks , it can at any time just reach up and *beep* slap you all to *beep*. Been there,done that.
Good luck with the injury convelesance.
No, I'm 63 your 66.

[DynoDon]

here is where it happened,3/28/2012 vid below,, LOL, in *beep* of course, the devil reached up and grabbed my foot.. actually I was on my second loop, ( first loop was 1 minute from my personal best from last year, 1 hr, 43 min. I strapped on the point and shoot camera, eased up the front and rear Brain on my specialized (MISTAKE) then I came down the hill at 27.9 mph my suspension compressed and my foot hit the root highsiding me, (race setting from now on) I'm recovering fast, I'll be racing at Pontiac Lk on the 29th. Turn the volume down if you don't want to hear my language, the devil made me do it.. See you on the trophy stand. The bike and I flew around 20 yards. Still painful to watch but funny too. lesson learned.
http://s892.photobucket.com/albums/ac12 ... 280005.mp4

http://s892.photobucket.com/albums/ac12 ... 280006.mp4

I rode back slowly..LOL on the trail

[G.Cook]

Wow. A video of your bike crash proving what happens when you are just riding along.
I scouted a reroute to the right of that section . There is a nice stand of pine that we can make some new trail in and around. Why? Because that section is a trenched out sandy down hill , which was once the original trail tread , and folks are riding to the right of that to avoid the trench and the beach at the end. What they are currently riding will look like what they are trying to avoid . When that happens we will a have 10-20 foot wide sandy trench with of course another avoidance trail forming to the right which will of course add to the width of the trench in the future. Can't have that. Of course the horse folk will like rolling through that sandy beach section.
I'm afraid the road was closer then you thought. You could have taken Paterson Lk. Rd. that you had just crossed , gone through *beep* , up Silver Hill Rd. and back to the park road to the parking lot. It's way I advise folks to carry a map so they can see a road they can jump to if they get in trouble.

[ihateplaindave]

I did not enjoy that video.

[BigMike]

I think that is how I am able speak after hurting myself

[jajones]

Saftey is the only reason I can see for a reroute

I would agree that safety is a primary factor for rerouting. However, other reasons exist. If a section that is of fall line construction becomes so degraded or eroded that it is no longer fun or usable, it either needs to be shored-up so it is fun and usable, or, needs to be rerouted into a sustainable section. Any reroutes that the MMBA does on its own accord (certain reroutes can be dictated to us by the DNR for a variety of reasons) is entered into with much deliberation, caution and respect for the history and character of the trail.

At the end of the day, for those of us that are passionate about the Potto (yes, two "t"'s is indeed a sign that you are old school), any reroutes can be troubling, whether or not we feel they are necessary. That's just the nature of things.

The best way to prevent reroutes? Maintain the protective elements that prevent the old school fall line cuts from degrading -- water bar cleaning/maintenance, etc. More of this will put off reroutes as long as possilbe. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of work and volunteerism isn't really a great variable in the "lots of work" equation.

The one thing I will dispute is anyone willing to take up the argument that the Poto should just be left untouched -- meaning what degrades, degrades. If this was to occur, I think you'd see more people gravitate away from the trail because it would no longer be a fun ride. You have to balance tradition and progression. Time marches on whether we like it or not. You can either steer things the way you'd like to see them go, or, you can stand back and watch and take what you get, you know?

[Di_bear]

The one thing I will dispute is anyone willing to take up the argument that the Poto should just be left untouched -- meaning what degrades, degrades. If this was to occur, I think you'd see more people gravitate away from the trail because it would no longer be a fun ride. You have to balance tradition and progression. Time marches on whether we like it or not. You can either steer things the way you'd like to see them go, or, you can stand back and watch and take what you get, you know?

Nicely put. There are some pretty slick elements that are uniquely Poto, well-built, and certainly a draw, while there are other parts that annoyingly washed out. The landscape is awesome giving so many possibilities.

[DynoDon]

Well it was the 28 of last month when I broke my clavical, VA hospital has the x rays, I want to get a copy, I'd sure like one of it now,and then, I rode Potto today,4/12/12, my shoulder didnt hurt but my bruised ribs did, I met a Doctor from Flint on the trail riding his Specialized MB, he was a great guy, he had seen my vid and read my post of the mishap, as far as I'm concerned I'm good to go, I need more time to heal the bruises and let the bone harden more, I had on armor but didn't need it. I am a fast healer and I take glyconutrients, I rode a bit over 11 miles today, I took it easy Only 21.3 mph max, and enjoyed every minute of it, I kept singing, "Its a wonderful day in the neighborhood"..LOL I did some outlaw trails, some Potto, some dirt roads, and missed going up crooked lake hill by one root at the top of the first climb, I never miss that one.. LOL. It was still a wonderful day in the neighborhood. I'll be ready for April 29th race at Pontiac Lake I hope to have the x rays and new ones from the day before I go to the race.. if anyone wants to see them just ask, I'll be the old guy with the long ponytail, the one (ponytail) without the horses a$$ under it..LOL
Cook I knew I could go back to D 32 but I hate going backwards..LOL.. it was all good. the ribs are the only thing that hurt on the climbs that day too.. bruised ribs suck.
I like the trail rough, roots, rocks, my best times were before someone came and put dirt on all the roots and rocks, next they'll want to pave it... its mountain biking, not a sight seeing ride through the park. A broken bone or two just let you know your still alive.. pain is part of mountain biking. What makes the Potto so good and different from the other trails in the area are the challenges, take them away and you have another one just like the rest.
I sure don't want a reroute because I broke my clavical, that was my mistake, I've learned from it, I accept it, thats a great section of trail and the fastest downhill on the Potto, I can't wait to hit it at top speed again. If I die I'll die with a smile on my face.... Happy Trails.

[dcat1]

Dynodon-you sir, are a badazz.! Pretty *beep* funny video...sure it wasn't very funny at the time though..anyway-huge inspiration for what you got going-recovering that quick from a broken collarbone at any age is impressive-hope to God I can still turn anything close to 1:45 Poto laps when I am 65...I see many guys and ladies even in their 50's that have started to mentally shut it down, which is so sad..one of the coolest things about our sport is the ability to keep it up for the long haul...keeping it up on rail trails is one thing..keeping it up with racing and tracking your fastest speeds of the day...priceless...

[DynoDon]

Thanks dcat1, good luck on hanging in there, I was on my way to a 1 hr 30+ if this mishap had not happened, I hit 1 hr 42 a few times last year, and 1 hr 43 twice this year, I'm back on track, a bit slower and wiser, I'll be in the 1 hr 30 min range soon, I have a friend that does it well below 1 hr 10 min consistantly. I now hit many (around 20 sections) 20 mph+ on the Potto, I just have to work on the ones going up hill at 5.0 LOL those are the ones that keep me down in the 1hr 40s, I use to race mx in the 70's. downhill is fun, my right wrist doesn't seem to work like it did then, I'm the motor now.. being a clyde doesn't help either, Happy Trails and good luck to all to reach my age and more and still have fun with it, regardless of speed. POTTO sets a high standard for other trails. NONE better around here thats for sure.

[PotoKing]

Maximum speeds and laps times… maybe makes for fun talk in the parking lot or bike shops, but most likely not something that should be posted on BB about a multi-use trial for all to see. Although, I’m sure you only went fast when you could see clear trail ahead, and slowed down to walking speed when encounter another trail user. Maybe post something instead about seeing turkeys, beautiful flowers, or a nice family out for a hike. A video of how mountain bikers kindly share the trail would be a good thing to post too (maybe boring though). Happy trails and pedal safe!

[Paul Brown]

Maximum speeds and laps times… maybe makes for fun talk in the parking lot or bike shops, but most likely not something that should be posted on BB about a multi-use trial for all to see. Although, I’m sure you only went fast when you could see clear trail ahead, and slowed down to walking speed when encounter another trail user. Maybe post something instead about seeing turkeys, beautiful flowers, or a nice family out for a hike. A video of how mountain bikers kindly share the trail would be a good thing to post too (maybe boring though). Happy trails and pedal safe!

No doubt. What happens at Fight Club should stay at Fight Club.