Bear

Riley was out riding Oktoberfest by himself today when he heard a crashing through the brush behind him.  He turned to see an angry bear charging.  Yelling at the bear behind him, he lost track of the trail and crashed into the brush.  The bear was watching when he got up so Riley kept yelling at it.  It stood, growled, and walked away.  Riley always gets the close encounters.

Things can get exciting out there.  It reminds me of the close call last year when Gregg and I were riding close on trail U, but a bear still managed to shoot out of the brush and get between us.  I haven't come that close in seven years when a bear jumped out in front of me as I was launching the stump jump and landed with a broken frame, but it's only been a month since I got to watch a wolf chase geese on the Manthe Marsh across Heineman Road from Underdown.

We'll be working on a few downed trees this month. It should be a wild year.

Trails Open May 24th

And we'll be doing a little update to the top of Oktoberfest on the morning of the 25th.  We'll put off the trail A boardwalk until June 1st when we'll have an army of cordless drills.

BURGR 95

• Bill Underdown's Roubaix-style Group Ride will start and finish at the Lighthouse Bar & Grill this year!  They've got great burgers and pizza. 
•  The course will measure 95.5 miles including 66.2 miles on gravel. This a self-navigated, unsupported, free "group ride" through the wilderness dirt roads of Lincoln, Langlade, and Oneida counties.  Like with any other training ride, you will be responsible for yourself and should not count on rescue from anyone.  You will be on the road for 5 to 7 hours and will not pass through any town ever.  You will be in bear and wolf territory most of the time.  Your phone will work most of the time.  All traffic laws and laws of nature apply.
• RSVP with a comment here so the restaurant and I know what to expect.

Start: 10AM July 13th Lighthouse Bar & Grill on Highway X 2.5 miles south of Gleason, Wisconsin.

Gear:

• This is a cross bike ride.  Mountain bikes would make it, but without compromise tires they will be tougher to ride that far.  Road bikes will not survive some fire road segments.
• I'm using the same 700x32 tires that got me across Iowa.  Sometimes those aren't quite enough, but overall they are an efficient and durable choice.
• You will receive a cue sheet with turns, road names, and mileage.  You will need an accurate computer unless you plan on never getting dropped from the group.  You will need a way to hold your cue sheet whether a stem bag with a window, clip board, binder clips, or the cuff of your shorts.
• Because the route really doesn't have to be top secret, and I don't want anyone getting stranded: Map Joel's Ride   THIS LINK IS THE 2012 ROUTE WHICH IS THE SAME EXCEPT FOR THE START & FINISH LOCATION!
• Depending on temperatures, start with 3 or 4 bottles and put the same in your drop bag.
• Sunday should be a good day to pick raspberries in the Underdown.

Not Yet

Trails won't be open on May 1st, but please come out on foot May 4th for a little improvement on trail Z.

Fun Stuff

A few fun projects to make the riding more fun!  All projects will get going by 9AM or sooner, but come whenever.

#1 May 4th: Widening 2 switchbacks on trail Z.  Meet at the main parking lot for the first one and along Copper Lake Road for the second.  Bring your favorite digging tool, but I've got extra.
#2 June 1st: This is the 90 foot double-bermed boardwalk on trail A!  We'll need a lot of cordless drills!  Walk in on the ski trail from Loop Road to the gravel pit.
#3 May 25th: Adding flow to the top of Oktoberfest (trail S).  Park at Underdown Lake and head up the hill.
#4 June 15th: Adding flow to the north end of the hollow (trail M).  Park where the Ice Age Trail crosses Loop Road and head east along the base of Heartbreak Ridge.

That should keep us busy until the logging is done for this year.  Post a comment if you've got a question.

The frozen days, they turn to mud that slides into the Springtime mud

It's time to give the Underdown a rest until opening day May 1st.

Rain Yesterday, Freeze Today

The last of the snowshoe trail signs were retrieved today.  On a frozen morning the trails are sidewalks with few ice patches best for boot hiking, ice biking, and crust snowshoeing.  Ski trails all have snow and should soften as the day goes on.

What a Day!

Duck Lake

Lookout Mountain

A beautiful day and a lot of snow.  Snowshoeing from Turtle Lake Road to Highway B on the Ice Age Trail is tough.

Underdown ski trails are perfect - fast but not too icy yet.  Loop Road has a fast track for skating.   Snowshoe trails are solid for fat bikes.

South to Rib Mountain

Lookout Mountain

North to Rhinelander

First Day of Spring

• Whatever that means.
• Underdown got even more snow, and it will still be hanging around in April.  Ski trails were all groomed for classic skiing today.
• Snowshoe trails have tracks all the way around the Mist Lake loop, and lakes are all very solid.
• I predict that the Ice Age Trail from Turtle Lake Road to Highway B will have a well established track by noon on Saturday.  The RASTA gravel ride is called off, but there should be some interesting fat biking by Good Friday.