Okay, well first of all; this is my first submission to the CAMBA page since I joined up a couple of years ago. But after getting in such a damn good ride today, I felt like I HAD to write about it - tell somebody... anybody! I have been enjoying the trails at West Branch, of course, and have taken the long trip down to Mohican a time or two. I have been promising myself that I'd check out as many different trails as I could over the course of the summer and fall, but haven't really gotten too far, with gas prices being what they are and time constraints as well. But I gotta say that I have been able to derive great joy from the little 2.5 mile loop that CAMBA, along with Cleveland Metroparks, installed near the Harvard Rd & E. 49th. entrance to The Ohio & Erie Canal Park. The trail starts right next to the Canalway Visitors Center and begins innocently enough, meandering through tall grasses and wildflowers on a high ridge overlooking marshes and ponds, bordered by massive towers supporting high tension power lines coming from a nearby electric power station. At first the contrast is a little jarring, but you kind of get used to it, and even start to appreciate, in an odd way, their own strange imposing beauty. The view from the ridge is inspiring. You can see for quite a distance, and can even make out the top of the Terminal Tower downtown, and I think I may have even caught a quick glimpse of the lake, but that could have been an illusion. Birds are singing everywhere. All you hear are the sounds of nature, (and perhaps the distant hum of the industrial sections of the valley) but for the most part you can almost make believe you are in some remote part of the wilderness.
Well, before you even get a chance to think about it too much, the tight singletrack takes a dive down into the woods, and that's when the real fun begins. The trail starts to swoop and swerve, and you start having to really pay attention. There are a few rough spots to test your lo-speed handling skills at the beginning, but then after that, it's pretty much just twists and turns as the trail gets faster and steeper. There are the occasional short hillclimbs, which, if you're not quick on your gears, or weak of limbs, you'll lose your momentum or even fall off, but they serve to only set you up for the next screaming descent and wicked switchbacks.
A note to the novice rider; if you're not used to riding out of the saddle most of the time, and don't have confidence in your braking and cornering, then you may not want to try this rollercoaster just yet. Even though the trail may not be as technical as West Branch, there is potential for real danger here. one missed turn could send you crashing down into the ravine, pretty much guaranteeing you some painful injuries and possibly costly bike repairs. Other than that, it's a gleeful little romp with thrills enough for the gonzos who like to hang it out over the ragged edge, and laid back enough for the guys who like to take a more zen-like approach and just roll with it like an eagle riding the thermals until being gently delivered out onto the basin floor. Either way, you'll have a big smile on your face, and the desire to go one more time around. I just want to say thanks to all the people involved who built this cheeky little playground. You can tell they put a lot of thought and love into it. I'm thinking I'd like to organize a little informal get together for my friends who love reggae music and like to roll with Mother Nature. We could call it the "Roots Rock Reggae Ride!" I'm already working on a song that started coming to me while I was on the trail one day, called "Roots Rock Ridin." First though, I've got find some riders who might fit that description. So if you know anybody that might want to link up with me and check out that trail, give me a shout at losplus@sbcglobal.net, or come to a PLUS gig and say "let's ride mon!"
Well, before you even get a chance to think about it too much, the tight singletrack takes a dive down into the woods, and that's when the real fun begins. The trail starts to swoop and swerve, and you start having to really pay attention. There are a few rough spots to test your lo-speed handling skills at the beginning, but then after that, it's pretty much just twists and turns as the trail gets faster and steeper. There are the occasional short hillclimbs, which, if you're not quick on your gears, or weak of limbs, you'll lose your momentum or even fall off, but they serve to only set you up for the next screaming descent and wicked switchbacks.
A note to the novice rider; if you're not used to riding out of the saddle most of the time, and don't have confidence in your braking and cornering, then you may not want to try this rollercoaster just yet. Even though the trail may not be as technical as West Branch, there is potential for real danger here. one missed turn could send you crashing down into the ravine, pretty much guaranteeing you some painful injuries and possibly costly bike repairs. Other than that, it's a gleeful little romp with thrills enough for the gonzos who like to hang it out over the ragged edge, and laid back enough for the guys who like to take a more zen-like approach and just roll with it like an eagle riding the thermals until being gently delivered out onto the basin floor. Either way, you'll have a big smile on your face, and the desire to go one more time around. I just want to say thanks to all the people involved who built this cheeky little playground. You can tell they put a lot of thought and love into it. I'm thinking I'd like to organize a little informal get together for my friends who love reggae music and like to roll with Mother Nature. We could call it the "Roots Rock Reggae Ride!" I'm already working on a song that started coming to me while I was on the trail one day, called "Roots Rock Ridin." First though, I've got find some riders who might fit that description. So if you know anybody that might want to link up with me and check out that trail, give me a shout at losplus@sbcglobal.net, or come to a PLUS gig and say "let's ride mon!"
Peace & mud,
Los
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