While we have no true "mountains" that has not stopped the Midwest from creating some of the finest riding destinations!
Take Duluth, MN for example. Within the last few years Duluth has gained a lift accessed bike park at Spirit Mountain, and is in the process of creating a 100+ mile trail system that will reach across the entire city. This system of trails is already well under way, with 60 miles completed, spread throughout many different trail systems all over the city. People are taking notice of Duluth. Outside Magazine recently held a contest for the best outdoor town in the United States, and Duluth was crowned the victor.
Trailforks.comNext we have Cottage Grove, MN. Cottage Grove Bike park recently won the Bell Built Grant for a bike park in the midwest. FlowRide Concepts out of Colorado did an excellent job creating a jump park that really caters to every level of rider. The Cottage Grove bike park is definitely a new favourite in the area!
Trailforks.comOnly a few hours away from Duluth, another city is creating an amazing scene for mountain biking. Copper Harbor, located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, has become nationally known for the riding community that has developed there in the last few years. The trail Overflow in Copper Harbor was created using funding from winning a Bell Built grant as well.
Trailforks.comWith the way the mountain biking is growing here in the midwest, it is hard to deny that we are gaining some great new riding destinations. My dreams of moving to the mountains may just be forgotten due to the unbelievable riding that we are beginning to have right in my own back yard. Next time you find yourself daydreaming about beautiful ribbons of dirt flowing through every forest near your home, take a moment to realize that you can make that dream a reality.
Higher Base Mediawww.spiritmt.comCottage Grove BPwww.copperharbortrails.orgwww.universalklister.blogspot.com
Those trails are far more impressive than I would expect out of the midwest. They look very fun!
Every trail system I have seen so far has been a lot better than no trail system. Not everyone looks for the same thing; many riders go away satisfied no matter where they ride. Indeed, I'd suggest that the very talented, very skilled rider that desires the top-echelon trail system isnt necessarily the target market. There's a lot more of us in the middle-ranks.
So, yeah. The Midwest is awesome. Its all awesome.
Fun video!!!
Here is maybe a little better sampling of some talented riders, at least at CGBP, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFXPoPQVwbE
check the park out on facebook: www.facebook.com/cottagegrovebp?fref=nf
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN9XthMs22A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn52v2TkcJQ
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