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Tech Trails
9 reviews
5 of 5
Baby smooth flowing singletrack with Recreational Trails and segments of technical singletrack. Dirt Jumps, the infamous Dragon Bridge, and a technical bridge spanning more than 300 feet and growing. This tied in with some hidden 'secret' stunts make the Tech Trails a fun ride for the cross county enthusist or the freeride crowd.
Entering on US41 comming from the east turn south at teh stoplight in campus on to Sharon Ave. follow a couple miles up past the stadium and the trailhead will be on your left. MTU Trails sign
The Outer Limits loop is the most fun I've ever had on two wheels, and Inner Peace is a close second. These trails aren't very technical in terms of roots and rocks; The challenge here is not to ride the trail, but to ride them fast, maintaining speed through the endless rollercoaster of curves.
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Summary: I rode these trails all the time while I was at MTU from 97-02. I loved these trails. I miss these trails. I long for these trails. I don't remember any routes and from reading more recent reviews they may have changed, but man these were fun trails that flowed well. Good length descents for Michigan.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Maasto Hiito
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Summary: One of the Tech students introduced me to the Tech trails (and mountain biking) back in May. I've spent four days a week here ever since.
The Pilgrim trails (across the road around Dragon loop) are great for beginners and challenging enough to encourage quick skill development. They're fun and fast trails for an easy ride for more advanced riders. Dragon Loop is very challenging - lots of funky little "stunts" here.
Time Trial is a favorite of beginners and advanced riders alike. It is a technical trail perfect for developing skills. Outer Limits (aka Outer Loop -easier) and Twilight Zone (aka Inner Loop - more advanced) are the longest loops that offer lots of downhill. There are some jumps on Outer Loop (go clockwise to hit these right). Of course, there is a challenging climb at the end of these loops. Go clockwise on both loops to maximize downhill fun and shorten the ride up the hill.
Hairy Toad and Barking Frog are the rocky, curvy, rooty trails. These are very technical. The bridges on these trails are narrow planks - beginners should be prepared to walk if they brave these trails. They are great fun is you're looking for a technical ride.
The trails are very well maintained and constantly evolving. I give it a difficulty rating of 3 for "varied" terrain.
Recommended Route: 21.5 km of trails (>13 miles) - a little something for everyone, pick your poison.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Churning Rapids, Swedetown
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Summary: These single track trails were designed by a creative genius. The flat sections have a nice flow with varying grades of technical difficulty, from manufactured constructs to some hairy glacial till (on the ‘hairy toad’ trail). The three hill loops make full use of the 400 ft vertical and can challenge almost anyone’s lungs. Yet the flow and rhythm of the trail is consistent and uninterrupted over the entire course. As a local rider, I may be a bit biased, but I haven’t ridden anything in the Rockies or Appalachians designed for biking as well as the Tech Trails.
Recommended Route: I like to ride the flat sections (Time Trial trail and Hairy Toad trail) first to warm up for the hills.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Check out the Churning Rapids Trails (mostly single track) and the Swedetown single track (built in part by the same guys who built the Tech Trails). Ask at the LBS, Downwind Sports or Cross Country Sports, for directions. There is also some good wilderness riding up at Copper Harbor.
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Review Date November 21, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Nelson
,
Weekend Warrior
Summary: There is something for everybody at the Tech Trails, and development is constant. New XC ski trails were put in two years ago, and this summer marked the rebirth of mountain biking at MTU. Trails are still being developed, with combined efforts from students and local riders.
There are four cross country style loops; Outer Limits, Inner Peace, The Gnome Loop, and The Troll Loop.
Outer Limits is the longest trail, and the most fun. It basically runs up and down the length of the property, so its all down, then all up. Fast, fun, and flows very well. About a 30 minute loop.
Inner Peace is a shorter version of Outer Limits. It basically runs the same course, but on the ridges inside Outer Limits. Doesn't flow quite as well, but still a good ride. About a 20 minute loop.
The Gnome and Troll loops are on south of the main trails, across Pilgrim River Rd. They are snowshoeing/skijoring trails in the winter, so they are wider, but a singletrack trail has been worn in. No significant elevation changes, and a little bumpy, but enjoyable.
With input from student riders, the Tech Trails also sports 3 "freeride" loops. Technical singletrack with small North Shore style stunts. The Time Trial Loop was the actually the first new trail built after the ski trails went in. It is just over a mile long, and is littered with jumps, bridges, skinnies, and a recently reconstructed step-up.
The Hairy Toad loop is a branch off of the Time Trial loop to the west. It is newest trail, and is only a trail at the moment. Easily the most technical singletrack here, as you frequently come across tight trees and rocky sections.
The Dragon Loop is the original freeride loop, and is the only remaining trail from former Tech Trails. Build by the infamous Brian Edwards over a 3 year span, it once included the famed Dragon Bridge, which is currently being reconstructed to meet the 30" bridge height rule (it used to stand 7' at the highest point). There are several other built stunts along the trail, including a set of fast doubles. A must ride for everyone!!
If you want to see where all these trails are, print yourself off a map here: http://www.aux.mtu.edu/rec/ccski/trailmaplarge.html, or just look for the same maps frame mounted at the ski trail heads (those are easy to find). There are more trails our there, and more stunts (pre-30" rule that haven't been removed).....
Recommended Route: but you'll have to find a local rider, or do some serious searching to ride 'em ;-)
To top off the freeride scene, a dirtjump track was built this summer, sporting a line of over a dozen tabletop and gap jumps. A favorite amongest the local bmx-ers and students. If you follow the map, it runs between the Pine Loop ski trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Churning Rapids across the canal in Hancock
Up north in Copper Harbor. In my opinion, the best mountain biking in the Midwest. BC style singletrack with rocks instead of roots and 1000' instead of 10,000' hills. Check out www.keweenawadventure.com!
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