Review Date
October 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: JJ ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
A couple of rippin down hills, Watch out for thorns, Start at Parking lot up thru access road up hill trail starts as hill flattens. climb a little more, then prepare to start rippin. a couple of great woopies to catch some hang time. Land and turn. many turns with out signs. If you go the wrong way you will end up back at parking lot, and just start over and turn the other way next time. this is a counter clockwise course. that means go right at intersections to do full route. Sledding hill will hit top speed. Enjoy...

Recommended Route:
Oakwood Rd, Just East of M-15.

Review Date
July 29, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: gwb ,  Cross Country Rider , from New York, NY

Summary:
I used to ride this trail after work when I lived in the area. I rate it a 4 overall for fun and utter lack of other riders, hikers, or horses. If you pass one single other person while riding this trail, consider it a busy day! It is confusing and unmarked, but after a few rides, you know where to turn to link some nice loops together without very much repetition. There are some good climbs and downhills, too.

I would XC ski here in the winter, and that's when I discovered some pretty sweet singletrack. But without trail maintenance, it was to overgrown to ride by July.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in other reviews: If you take the main trail straight north, past the right turnoff, you will eventually hit a gravel road (Sawmill Lk Rd.). Cross the road, and look around for another little trail that will take you into the north section of Ortonville State Rec area. In there, you will find some more trails to enjoy. You will circle to the east side of the area and come upon a two-track. Follow that back south, past the gravel pits, to Saw Mill Lk Rd again. Cross the raod and hunt around a little bit for another small trail, and it will lead you back to the main Bloomer trail again, this time heading south.

Recommended Route:
Build your own ride of 4 to 14 miles, by combining loops of various lengths.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Highland Lakes.

Review Date
May 18, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Chad Gailey , from Troy, MI (West coast import)

Summary:
Duh

Recommended Route:
I think that there is a little confusion as to the location of the Bloomers. The one in ortonville is not the one most of the reviews are about, but rather the one in Rochester Hills. I'm going to start a new review called "Bloomer for those idiots who don't know where they are"....OK, j/k....I'll call it "Bloomer in Rochester Hills". I imagine it will appear near this one in the list.....

Other recommended trails in the same area:
yeah

Review Date
May 16, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: kilrzx , from abq, NM

Summary:
i didn't think this trail was nearly as tough as poto or pontiac lake, but it certainly is challenging. i especially appreciated the conditions relative to the low volume of riders (compared to those other two trails). so while the drops and switchbacks were tough, you didn't have all the ruts and crap that result from 5000 riders a week. i did see a few dead riders along the trail (my water bottle collection grew considerably), so wear your safety gear and bring a cell phone if your skills aren't top-notch.

Recommended Route:
forward

Other recommended trails in the same area:
pontiac lake...poto...island lake

Review Date
January 7, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: promountainbiker , from moab utah

Summary:
this trail is awesome. there are huge dropoffs and its sooooo technical. you will die here if you are not an expert. i am an expert. i win all the races at slickrock in moab, but this was way too hard for me. there are huge rock sections and enormous log climbs. very well maintained. you see a lot of good riders out there getting their butts kicked by this trail. THIS IS ONLY FOR EXPERTS. BRING A FIRST AID KIT. AND FOR PETES SAKE DONT DONT FORGET YOUR HELMET. YOU WILL DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me and my riding buddys from moab are planning another trip back east to ortonville this summer. its sick ride. not for begginers. REMEMBER TO WEAR A HELMET. IF YOU DONT YOU WILL DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recommended Route:
a little bit past kenny's house. the trail is well marked. you cant get lost.