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Lake Hefner Bike Trail
7 reviews
2.43 of 5
trial is a 2 lane bike path going all the way around the lake nice things to look at and safe pretty much flat with a 2 mile slow climb like 4 degree rise to top of damm..
There are to ways go I-40 to meridan exit go north dead ends into lake park on left right at the beginning
Second go I-40 to I-44 go north to hefner exit go right the park it is right there
Summary: Great trail, although very bad design mistakes, poor upkeep practices and an ongoing feud between cars and bikes because of poor design. Riders must stop at several crossings and cars have the right of way always. Most cars will stop for riders, but some drivers want to make a point that they have the right of way so they will stop right in front of a bike crossing purposely -- mostly this occurs near the golf course club house. The golfers do not like the cyclists.
Watch out on days when they mow because they blow the grass, dirt and pebbles out onto the bike trail and do not bother to blow it off. This make for a very dangerous trail on those days.
Regarding the people that use the trails, don't count on them if you are ever in need of assistance. The first time I used the trail was for a run -- a 1/2 marathon. At the 10 mile mark of my run, I tripped over a large rock and took a very bad fall -- bloody from head to toe. Five people, within 15 feet of me saw me go down -- not one even asked if I was ok. I thought this was an anomaly, until it happened again recently. They had mowed recently and the bike trail was covered in grass clippings and dirt. I took a slight curve and went down like a rock -- bad fall - split lip, eyes full of blood. This time, 8 people saw me including two city employees and again NOT ONE person asked if I was ok. My front tire was flat so I had to walk 3 miles across the dam to get back to my car with blood flowing down my face. Passed several people on the dam with trucks who saw me bleeding and not one offered assitance. Oklahoma people seem very uncaring and unfriendly so do not count on these people in time of need. Also, this trail is shared by cyclists, pedestrians, skate boarders and in-line skaters. They go to great lengths to stress that pedestrians have the right of way and many of the pedestrians like to challenge cyclists to see if they will abide. They will walk out in front of cyclists, so be on your toes.
Recommended Route: Either way you wish to go around the lake, is ok. If you are feeling strong or want to work on your strength, you can go against the wind.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Oklahoma City doesn't have many trails....so this is about it unless you fancy riding in traffic.
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Review Date September 11, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 1 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Joe North
,
Weekend Warrior
, from Fort Wayne
Summary: Nice paved path for putting in some nice, smooth miles. I've ridden mountain bikes for years (fortunately - mostly in Europe and not here in OKC) and this is the first time I've taken to the pavement - and I kind of like it. I live 5 minutes from the lake, so it's just convenient for me. I ride there a lot and, unlike some of the other folks who posted reviews, have had no problems with throngs of people and/or kids. I mean, it's not that difficult to around people even if you have to go off in the grass. We're riding mountain bikes, right? At any rate, it is what it is. A 10 mile paved bike path. And for what it is, it's nice. By the way, going out and riding into the wind on a windy day in Oklahoma is a pretty good workout.
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Review Date July 22, 2003
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 1 of 5
Technical Difficulty 1 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: suzy Lloyd
,
Weekend Warrior
Summary: Cyclists stay off this one. It was designed for walkers, runners, rollerbladers. The East side has a seperate path for bikes, but the majority of the trail is far too congested and dangerous for the average "cyclist."
Recommended Route: Hit the roads nearby. Head west to El Reno on Foreman Road...enjoy the countryside.
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Review Date August 22, 2002
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Kent
, from McAlester
Summary: This is a great place to take kids, wives, etc., for a stroll around the lake. Dirt-lovers will hate this spot. It's ALL paved. It's decent on a road bike, but really only if you're riding solo or as a pair. Too mcuh traffic and too many cross-spots. You'd be better off riding north of here on the quiet road north of Memorial (towards either Guthrie or Piedmont). Speaking of the traffic on this trail....look for the usual family of four cruising along using up the whole path...and when you holler "trail-left," they all turn around to look at you and end up pulling INTO your path. (By the way, I'm glad to see that there ARE still families of four who'll get out and exercise together). I love this trail and use it much of the time I'm in the city for running (and some road-biking--good place too for "brick" workouts). But for mountain biking, it's the most basic BEGINNER course going! If that's what you're looking for, this is a perfect place.
Recommended Route: Counter-Clockwise
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Review Date June 19, 2002
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: jeff
, from oklahoma city, oklahoma
Summary: This is not so much a mountain bike trial as it is a bike path but it is a very good workout i wanted to reveiw this trail because i am 6' and 290 pounds and riding the dirt trail is fun but something i am work toward on my weight loss the trail is 11 miles long with a long slope up where the damm starts but it is a suttle rise also as you go around the lake the are to or 3 spots that croos traffic so be careful and one more thing it is strickly a bike path no walking or bladers to worry about........ great path nice view
Recommended Route: I like to ride the trail counter clock wise.
Other recommended trails in the same area: bluff creek just behind the damm
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