Fatbike Trail Condition Resources for Freeze/Thaw Season

As we head into March the weather will become warmer bringing freeze/thaw cycles to winter singletrack.  Below freezing temperatures overnight quickly become above freezing during the daytime turning a hard packed groomed trail into one that is soft and easily rutted.  To prevent this, trail managers use their discretion on whether a trail should close or remain open.  Closures are going to happen and knowing before you head out for a ride can save you a trip if your favorite trail is closed.  It's better to know beforehand than finding out once you get to the trailhead.

Twin Cities

The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) have made it easy to get updates on the latest winter trail conditions for the trail systems they manage.  The one way that has been around the longest and that most people are familiar with is the MORC Trail Conditions Forum.  MORC Forum members keep this page active with reports on trail status with a brief condition description for your favorite Twin Cities area trails as well as several others around Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Another way is to get the MORC Trail Conditions app for IOS and Android.  Both apps are free and use data that is populated from the MORC Trail Conditions Forum giving the user instant access to the latest updates.

The MORC Trail Conditions Twitter page is updated from the MORC Trail Conditions Forum.

MORC Trail Conditions

Tweets by @trailconditions

And finally, trail status updates can be found on Facebook at the links below.

Bertram Chain of Lakes

Carver Lake Park

Elm Creek

Hillside Park

Lake Rebecca

Lebanon Hills

Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates (MOCA)

Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC)

Minnesota River Bottoms

Murphy-Hanrehan

Theodore Wirth

West Lake Marion

Woolley

Central Minnesota

Cuyuna Lakes

The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew regularly updates trail conditions in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area via Twitter and their Facebook page.  Know the trail status and get tire pressure recommendations for freshly groomed sections beforehand.

Tweets by @CLMTBTCondition

Jail Trail/Plum Creek

The Mid MN Cycling Club posts trail status updates and conditions reports for Jail Trail and Plum Creek on the Mid MN Cycling Club Facebook page.

Duluth Area

C.O.G.G.S. (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores) updates trail conditions for several trails in the Duluth area via Twitter.  These include Hartley Park, LesterPark/Hawk Ridge/Morning Side, Mission Creek, and Piedmont/Brewer.  You can also visit the COGGS Trails Status Feed page on their website.

Spirit Mountain

Spirit Mountain has winter lift-served, downhill fat tire biking Sundays with bonus days in February and March depending on weather and trail conditions.  Visit the Spirit Mountain Snow Report page for the latest updates.

Northern Minnesota

Detroit Mountain

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area updates trail and grooming conditions for its Nordic and Fatbike loops on their Detroit Mtn-Trail Report on Twitter.  Follow at @DMRA_Trails.

Donald D. Ferguson Demonstration Forest

The Donald D. Ferguson Demonstration Forest located just north of Two Harbors has eight miles of  non-motorized, multi-use trails that are groomed in the winter for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fatbiking.  Get the latest trail updates by visiting the Lake County Mountain Bike Trails Facebook page.

Giants Ridge

Giants Ridge in Biwabik offers 60 km of Nordic trails and introduced lift-served downhill fatbiking this winter.  Check the Giants Ridge Snow Report for the latest status and trail conditions.  Reports are updated daily during the season.

Laurentian Divide/Lookout Mountain

The Laurentian Divide Recreation Area located near Virginia has groomed singletrack in both the Laurention Divide and Lookout Mountain areas in Superior National Forest.  Visit the Mesabi Outdoor Adventures Facebook page for the latest grooming reports and trail status.

Maplelag Resort

Maplelag Resort grooms 20 km of trails for winter fatbiking on their property in Callaway.  For trail status and grooming updates visit the Fat Biking Trail Report page.  Additional reports can be found on the Maplelag Resort Twitter page and Maplelag Resort Facebook page.

Pincushion Mountain

Just a short trip up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais sits the Pincushion Mountain trails.  These trails with overlooks of Lake Superior are groomed throughout the winter season for fatbiking.  Visit the SCA Trail Conditions page and Superior Cycling Association Facebook page for the latest updates and recommendations.

Tioga Recreation Area

The Tioga Recreation Area has groomed singltrack throughout the winter on its 500 wooded acres in Cohasset.  Regular updates on grooming and trail status can be found on the Tioga Recreation Area Facebook page and GRIMBA Facebook page.

Southern Minnesota

Gamehaven/Oxbow

Rochester Active Sports Club Facebook page regularly posts grooming updates and trail reports for both Gamehaven and Oxbow trails.

Heath Creek/Sechler Park

If you're looking to ride Heath Creek or Sechler Park in Northfield visit the CROCT Facebook page for the latest updates and recommendations.

Kaplan's Woods

The Owatonna Trails Association grooms the trails at Kaplan's Woods Park and regularly posts trail updates to their Owatonna Trails Association Facebook page.

Kiwanis

The Mankato Area Mountain Bikers post regular updates on the six miles of trail at Kiwanis Recreation Area on the MAMB Facebook page.

There are still plenty of opportunities elsewhere to ride if the trails are closed.  For a list of these places please visit my post, Alternative Winter Fatbike Riding Opportunities and keep on riding.

New MORC Trail Conditions App Released for Android and an Update For IOS

The MORC Trail Conditions Forum is the best place to get up-to-date trail conditions for singletrack around the Twin Cities area.  There has been a mobile app for IOS for some time now and Apple device users have had trail condition updates at their fingertips.  Just recently an Android version of the app was launched for the rest of us.  I have been waiting a long time for this release and now it's finally here.

Although the MORC Trail Conditions app for Android is still pretty limited in its first release, it still uses data populated from the MORC Trail Conditions Forum in a list form with easy to understand icons as seen below.  Information for Monticello, Memorial Trail in Red Wing, Jail Trail in St.Cloud, Whitetail Ridge in River Falls, WI and Woolly in St. Croix Falls, WI are also included in this first release.

Andrew Reitz, the app's developer stated "the plan is to keep adding features such as the ability to get push notifications for your favorite trail when the trail status changes, see twitter updates and much more. Stay tuned!"

The MORC Trail Conditions app is free and feedback can be submitted by contacting @andrewreitz_ on Twitter.

For Apple device users, the MORC Trails app has been updated on November 9th to be compatible with IOS 11.  The app is a little more advanced than the Android version because it has been out much longer and has had updates along the way.  Links to the Trail Conditions Forum and Trail Forum are found at the bottom of each trail's page.  The MORC Trails is free and available in the iTunes App Store.

This app requires IOS 9.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Both of these apps let you see the latest MORC Trail Conditions on your phone or mobile device anytime so you can plan accordingly and avoid showing up to a closed trail.  With winter fast approaching these mobile apps will be a useful tool for fatbikers to help determine tire choice and pressure to get the best traction out on the trail.  Remember, never ride wet trails.

4th Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival at Lebanon Hills October 1st

The 4th Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival is coming up on Saturday, October 1st from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.  This fun-filled free event is made possible through Dakota County Parks and a partnering with MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists), local area bike shops, businesses and organizations.

Join in on the fun and celebrate one of Minnesota's best mountain bike trail systems and the many hours of volunteer work that MORC members have put in to maintain nearly 12 miles of single-track.  This event is not only for the avid mountain biker but also a fun and festive way to introduce new riders to the sport.

"This is event is ½ fun community festival trying to introduce mountain biking and the fantastic amenities at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park to a greater audience and ½ recognition for MORC for the many MANY hours their volunteers put in making that system possible." - Katie Pata, Park Operations Coordinator for Dakota County Parks

Scheduled activities are FREE and include:

Mountain Bike Skills Clinics
11 AM Mountain Bike Skills Clinic (Learn correct riding positions and more)
1 PM Mountain Bike Skills Clinic (Learn correct riding positions and more)

Fix-it Clinics
NOON Basic Bike Repair (Flat tires, shifting and brake adjustments and more)
2 PM Basic Bike Repair (Flat tires, shifting and brake adjustments and more) 

Training Clinics
11 AM How to Improve Performance Out of the Saddle
1:30 PM How to Improve Performance Out of the Saddle
2:30 PM How to Improve Performance Out of the Saddle 

Group Rides
10 AM Advanced Men Group Ride
10:30 AM Intermediate Men Group Ride
11 AM Levo Electric-assist Bike Demo Group Ride
11:30 AM Intermediate Women Group Ride
NOON Beginner Teen Group Ride
12:30 PM Beginner Women Group Ride
1:30 PM Beginner Men Group Ride
2 PM Levo Electric-assist Bike Demo Group Ride
2:30 PM Open to All Beginner Group Ride
3 PM Open to All Beginner Group Ride  

Kids Activities
11 AM I Spy From My Bike Up High
Noon Kids Bike Races
1 PM I Spy From My Bike Up High
2 PM Bike Games for All Ages
3 PM Kids Bike Races
3:30 PM Adults-on-kids-bikes Race

Ongoing Activities
All day Bikes to Demo (Bring your own helmet, drivers license and credit card)
All day Chair Massages  

Food and beer will be available for purchase all day from the Blue Door Pub.  They'll be cooking up mini Blucy's and serving craft beer from Indeed Brewing Company.

Updates for the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival can be found on the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival Facebook event page.

 
Event parking will be available at the West Trailhead and at the School of Environmental Studies just a couple of blocks to the south on Johnny Cake Ridge Road.  Overflow street parking is also available along Galaxie Avenue with entrance to the bike trails.  Overnight camping at the Lebanon Hills Campground (located just across the road, and south about half mile from the event grounds) is an option for those needing accommodations.  Camping reservations can be made by visiting the Dakota County Campgrounds page.

Become a New Member or Renew During the MORC Member Drive at Surly Brewing

Image Credit: Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) are holding their annual membership drive at Surly Brewing in Minneapolis on Sunday, September 18th from 11:30am to 5:00 pm.  If you are a current MORC member or would like to become one here is a great opportunity to meet other MORC members and talk about the great trails they maintain here in the Twin Cities. 

There is plenty of bike parking at Surly Brewing located at 520 Malcolm Ave SE in Minneapolis so make a day of it, get in a ride and support your local IMBA Chapter by renewing or becoming a member of MORC.

If you are one of the first 100 mountain bike enthusiasts that wants to support the organization that gains and maintains trails in the Twin Cities by becoming a member or renewing your current membership, you will receive a free pint of fantastic Surly beer.

While you're there joining in on the camaraderie with your fellow MORC members, grab some of the awesome food from Surly's menu.  There is something on the bill of fare to please every palate.

Lake Rebecca Singletrack Now Open

Construction is now complete and the Twin Cities' newest singletrack at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Rockford is now open.  The new trail system replaces the original 3.8 miles with over 13 miles through Lake Rebecca's Big Woods landscape.  With a series of looping trails, there is something here for everyone from beginners, intermediate to advanced riders.

If racing is your thing, there will be several races coming up at Lake Rebecca that you can get in on.  The first is the final race of the Dirt Cup Mountain Bike Sprint Series on August 31st.  Next up is the inaugural Landscape Structures Big Woods Classic (part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series) on September 24th.  There will also be a grand opening celebration during the Big Woods Classic.  Then for some night time racing comes the Nocturnal Mountain Bike Races on October 29th.

For more information and updates on this new trail system visit the Lake Rebecca Singletrack Facebook page and the MORC Trail Conditions page.

3rd Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival at Lebanon Hills October 3rd

The 3rd Annual Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival is coming up on Saturday, October 3rd at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.  This fun-filled free event is made possible through Dakota County Parks and a partnering with MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists), local area bike shops, businesses and organizations. 

Join in on the fun and celebrate one of Minnesota's best mountain bike trail systems and the many hours of volunteer work that MORC members have put in to maintain nearly 12 miles of single-track.  This event is not only for the avid mountain biker but also a fun and festive way to introduce new riders to the sport.

Scheduled activities include Build Your Skills Sessions, Gear Talk Sessions, Fix-It Clinics, bike demos, group rides, timed competitive events, kids’ activities and live music.  Food and beverage, including beer will be available for purchase on-site.

"This is event is ½ fun community festival trying to introduce mountain biking and the fantastic amenities at the West Trailhead at Lebanon Hills Regional Park to a greater audience and ½ recognition for MORC for the many MANY hours their volunteers put in making that system possible." - Katie Pata, Park Operations Coordinator for Dakota County Parks

Updates for the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival can be found on the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival Facebook event page.  Let 'em know you're going by visiting the new online reservation system page for the Wild Ride Mountain Bike Festival or by calling 952-891-7000 during standard business hours.

 
Event parking will be available at the West Trailhead and at the School of Environmental Studies just a couple of blocks to the south on Johnny Cake Ridge Road.  Overflow street parking is also available along Galaxie Avenue with entrance to the bike trails.  Overnight camping at the Lebanon Hills Campground (located just across the road, and south about half mile from the event grounds) is an option for those needing accommodations.  Camping reservations can be made by visiting the Dakota County Campgrounds page.

MORC's Second Annual Fundraising Gala Coming Up October 3rd

The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists will be holding their Second Annual Fundraising Gala, the 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball on October 3rd, 2015.  This year they are throwing a party to celebrate their recent IMBA Bronze-level Ride Center designation.  Funds raised from this fun event will help MORC improve and expand upon its current trail system "To become one of the first major metropolitan areas in the world to secure 100 miles of singletrack!"

The 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball (yes, masquerade masks are to be worn!) will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 7:00PM to 11:45PM at Surly Brewing Company in Minneapolis.   

"This year we're pleased to announce Surly Brewing as title sponsor. In addition to committing to this event, Surly Brewing is supporting MORC volunteers and trails through unique fundraising & membership drive events, truly going above and beyond to support our community!" - Kristin Clark, MORC Gala Coordinator.

The event will feature a silent and live auction, event speakers,  hors d'oeuvre & dessert items and some great Surly beer.  New details to be announced soon.  More information and updates can be found on the 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball Facebook Event Page.  Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the 2015 MORC Masquerade Ball ticket page.  Purchase your tickets before September 1st to receive Early Bird ticket pricing.

Get The Latest MTB Trail Conditions Before Riding

To prevent trail damage and erosion it is very important that mountain bikers avoid riding on wet trails.  Riding wet and closed trails creates ruts that take many volunteer hours to repair.  If you are unsure whether the trail you would like to ride is open or closed, MORC, Cuyuna Lakes MTB Crew, COGGS, MAMB and CROCT have made updated trail condition and closure information easy to find.  Be informed and never ride wet trails.  Your local trail work crew will thank you.

Twin Cities

MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists) has implemented several ways to keep on top of the latest mtb trail conditions in the Twin Cities area.  The first is the MORC Trail Conditions forum where updates are posted by MORC Forum members.

The MORC Trails app for IOS "Accesses the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists website (morcmtb.org) to get the latest trail conditions for the local MORC trails. Let's the user customize the list of trails to follow, displays reported conditions based on how recently the condition report was submitted, and provides a trail detail page which shows the most recent report as well as providing links to the trail web page and conditions page."   The MORC Trails app is available for free at the App Store on iTunes.

And finally, the MORC @trailconditions Twitter account is updated from the MORC Trail Conditions Forum.

MORC Trail Conditions

Tweets by @trailconditions

The MORC Weather Blog put together by 2WheelWeather meteorologist and MORC member Kristin Clark is updated weekly with cycling weather in mind and how it will impact riders. "Where Cycling & Weather Come Together."  

Cuyuna Lakes

The Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew regularly updates trail conditions via Twitter year round.  Know the trail conditions whether you want to "shred the red" or do some Winter fatbiking on the groomed trails here.

Tweets by @CLMTBTCondition

For more information on the trails at Cuyuna, visit cuyunalakesmtb.com.

Duluth 

C.O.G.G.S. (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores) updates trail conditions for several trails in the Duluth area via Twitter.  These include Hartley Park, Lester Park, Mission Creek, Mont Du Lac, Piedmont/Brewer and Pokegama.  Spirit Mountain is updated by the Spirit Mountain Twitter feed.

Hartley Park

Tweets by @CoggsHartleyTC

Lester Park

Tweets by @COGGSLesterTC

Mission Creek

Tweets by @COGGSMissionCrk

Mont Du Lac

Tweets by @coggsmdltc

Piedmont/Brewer

Tweets by @COGGSPiedmontTC

Pokegama

Tweets by @COGGSPokegamaTC

For more information on the trails in the Duluth area, visit wp.coggs.com.  More information about the Spirit Mountain Bike Park can be found by visiting spiritmtbike.com.

Mankato

The Mankato Area Mountain Bikers update trail conditions for the Kiwanis and Ft. LeHillier on their Trail Maps & Conditions page.  Look for the Trail Conditions widget on this page.  Anytime the trails status is listed as "Wet", the trails are closed.

Northfield

CROCT (Cannon River Offroad Cycling Trails) manages the trails at Sechler Park and updates the trail conditions via Twitter.

Tweets by @CROCTconditions