BL is about 15 miles straight north of Bolivar and runs right on the edge of the south shores of Pomme. Total loop is close to 15 miles with 3 or so of it doubling on itself. While there are no significant elevation gains or losses the trail has several sections of technical climbing similar to Sac River and probably 95% singletrack. BL is on Corp of Engineers land and they opened it up to equestrians some years back and they created (and maintain) the trail system in use now. The system in a multi-use area and horsemen have always been super friendly and receptive when we have met on the trail (mostly as I give them full right-of-way and make sure not to aggravate or spook the horses). Russ Martin, the 'curator' is the liaison for trail maintenance and the Corps and is a mtb advocate.
It's been over two months since I last rode at BL and that is mostly due to the rain and it's retention of water in areas making it unridable for the most part. The past week was pretty dry and I needed to get out on the mtb (Missouri Series #4 this weekend in Columbia, MO) to make sure everything was in working order. It takes about 15-18min to get there, which is about the same as Sac (a guy can only ride Sac so many times before he wants to put a bullet in his head from boredom), so I packed up after work and solo'ed 70% of the loop. They (Corp and equestrian groups) have done a lot of work to make the place feel like a park and not a hillbilly resort (Exhibit 1 - new toilets and picnic area at parking lot).
I hopped on the trail and quickly ran into the 'curator' who was trimming trees and week whacking. He as done so much for BL and who knows how many hours a week he spends on it's upkeep. He and I chatted for a bit and discussed some alternative routes through/around some of the deep revenes for mtb'ers. He is so accommodating to us and it eager to have more bikers use the system and has put in a couple 'bike this way/horses that way' signs to help out. He warned the recent storms had some impact on the trails, but were in pretty good shape overall.
For the most part the trail was in as good as condition as I had seen in some time where the curator had weed whacked, but the outer parts he had not reached were pretty overgrown (still ridable, but tight - see below pic as lesser of the overgrown areas).
Made my way through the two re-routes we completed over the winter and they were all in good condition (just needs a little TLC/trim in a couple places) with minimal equestrian impact (we purposefully left the canopy low to deter horse traffic and it has worked). Below is a pic of a new section in need of touch up:
All in all the trail was about 85% in good condition with a handful of spots (pictured below) where natural spring/water flow and horse traffic create hike-a-bike bogs. These are the focus of Dale, Ira, and I for simple mtb-only re-routes; once done it will make a night and day difference.
Thunder and dark clouds were building in the background so I cut my ride a hair short and called it a day (1 1/2hrs). Got back to the truck and spent a good five minutes pulling ticks off my legs; don't know if I had ever seen so many after one ride (Tour de Tick just moved northeast). All in all a fun and solid ride; bike and body worked without flaws. Hopefully this weekend's event (Rhett's Run) in Columbia will be a little more tick-free (hopefully).
Got home just as the sky opened up with a good soaking of rain. Goofed around with Ian for a while as he filled me in on the best summer school course a boy his age could take - Dangerous Book for Boys. It is a book my father-in-law bought the boys a couple years back and it covers all the old school things boys should know (how to build a fire, homemade slingshots, tying knots...) and Ian's school decided it was a perfect class for 8yr old boys-only. E-ball loves this class as yesterday they learned how to build a three-person slingshot and ended up launching water balloons at a couple of the 'girl' teachers. He was pretty adamant about returning a permission slip for a project as the 'boy' teachers told the class that anyone who forgets to return it would have to go to the 'girls' class and get their fingernails painted (hilarious); and by Ian's expression I think he believes it.
After getting E down to bed Jake and I fired up the chess board where something strange happened - he won two games (and I won none) and the other ended in stalemate (me running for my life). He was feeling his oats after that; I would like to say I gave him the games to boost his moral, but you all know me better than that as I hate to lose anything and never give 'gifts'.
Woke up to rain this morning and have no idea if Ian's baseball game in SPR will go on or get canceled.
Fitness: Playing it by ear with the weather and Ian's game
No comments:
Post a Comment