Western: Ionia

[Darkside]

Clear, dry, and fast - that's how the trails were over the weekend. A few rough spots out there, just the nature of the trail I guess. What's with the sporadic chunks of blacktop?

[mtnbiker2010]

Rode Ionia on July 14th and both of us had two ticks on us. Just a reminder to always check yourself for ticks after any ride. The trail was in pretty good condition just slightly overgrown in spots.

[sngltrack]

There's a tree down about a 1/4 mile before returning to the jailhouse. Too high to go over, too low to go under. There's also a dead racoon. I forget where. Trust your nose.

[guyb]

In two areas of the larger loop the trail has two regularly used lines. The trail basically splits in two for about 4 feet. If you choose the right lines someone is putting broken glass down. The glass shards are on end. I have cleared them a couple of times, but they keep coming back. I just wanted to warn people.

[jasondew]

guyb,

if you or anyone else sees evidence of broken glass placed in the trail or anywhere in the rec. area please call the police and file a report. the Ionia state rec. area manager should also be informed. if this has been happening, it is definitely malicious and illegal. other parts of the country have had very bad problems of vandalism/malicious intent like this and i guess the idea is finally getting to michigan. any alteration to the trail or any area within the state park that is being modified to intentionally hurt someone or damage property must be taken very seriously.

if someone is upset because unauthorized rerouting of the trail is being done there are better ways to resolve this than to try to injure another ride or park visitor. i might suggest contacting the area manager or the MMBA trail coordinator.

[garyf]

The glass out there is more likely trash than it is vandalism. The trail looks to be some sort of fromer wasteland, and you will find evidence of broken glass and ceramic all over the trail.

[jasondew]

i haven't seen it first hand so i can't comment on what is actually happening. if someone is intentionally placing glass fragments in the trail with a point positioned to cut a tire or hurt a rider then those actions are definitely criminal. if it's just garbage being thrown there or that has been there for a long time then it's just littering.

do the glass pieces appear to be placed in the soil or just sitting on top?

[garyf]

The glass is just trash, I double checked last night just to make sure we were thinking of the same spot, and it has been there since the trail has been there, most likely 50 years before the trail. The whole trail is littered with old bottles, cables, fence. I do believe it was a popular dumping site at one time.

[jasondew]

i'm glad it's just trash.

in other areas of the country there have been cases where people have tried to hurt/maim bikers with a variety of trail modification methods which i won't mention here.

thanks for the clarification.

jason

[redrabbit]

Trail was slick after the rain lately but in good condition. Wear bright colors as the area has hunters who use the trail area as well.

[Special Goodness]

Tried to ride today, but I wasn't man enough. Someone has ridden a snowmobile on some sections. You can actually ride on the packed snow, but it's pretty icy. The areas of exposed earth are pretty soft. I guess that means that the ground isn't frozen anymore. I've had just about enough of winter, and I can't wait for twilight singletrack on a spring evening!

[trout_smith]

The areas of exposed earth are pretty soft. I guess that means that the ground isn't frozen anymore.

Finally! I thought we would have to wait longer than this! Did ya see any worms?

[MTBMTH]

I am sure the trail is really sloppy now, but does someone with more experience than me (lived in MI only 1 year) know when it should be ready?
Or, could someone who lives a bit closer post some trail conditions?
I live in Lansing and don't really want to drive up there a couple weeks from now only to find a slopfest.

[mtbyker]

The Ionia trail takes a little longer to dry out, the big lap dries up faster than the smaller one. The big lap holds water down by the river/railroad tracks and a few other places. Would guess it might be a while yet. I got a buddy that owns a business in Ionia and I'll have him check in a couple weeks.......

[Special Goodness]

It usually takes the smaller loop at least 3 days of really nice weather to dry out during the summer. It's the same for the low areas of the big loop. The best thing to do is skip the short loop altogether and skip the first section of the long loop. Go down the dirt road at the end of the parking lot. The trail crosses the road just before the railroad tracks. If you get on the trail at that point, you'll only have two or three areas that are chronically wet to cross.

I?m hoping to be able to ride this weekend. I?ll post what I find.