Way Back Machine - 1982 ads

The way back machine today takes us to 1982 as I was thumbing through one of the old magazines I saved that warranted saving. The magazine was from January 28, 1982; the cover showing the Montana to Clark touchdown in the NFC Championship. The old articles brought back good memories but I think I got more enjoyment reading the advertisements (that I wouldn't give a second to today). 

Technology has changed just a bit since and I think one endorsement celebrity noted below, who probably had quite a few of them in 1982, might have a bit of trouble trying to land one today.
Trail Head

Sears was usually the location you ventured to in the mall for watching sports
 on the TVs in the electronics department while your mom shopped.
Some cutting edge electronics shown here.

Have you played one of these tapes recently? Not good. My set of
various taped shows/sports/movies recently made a trip to the garbage can.

Your company would not be complete without the Juice
endorsing it; at least in 1982. After 1994? Probably not.
Maybe Bruno Magli needs someone?

Yep, the manual transmission; or the running joke that it's
the most effective anti-theft device to all millennials.

Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek, the future. I get it.
The only thing I see in the future for this television is
someone throwing out their back trying to heave this
600 pound piece of fake wood into a dumpster.

Such effort back in 1982 for the helicopter parent dragging
this behemoth camera around the little league fields.

I don't care what year it was or is, or how real
current video games are, this was the best.

"All right Roger, look at the camera and motion
awkwardly to Mr. Armstrong."

Trail Showcase - Island Lake Recreation Area

Today's helmet cam trail showcase takes us to the metropolis of Green Oak Township (population of a couple hundred) in Livingston County to Island Lake Recreation Area. The two loops (blue and yellow) are roughly 14 miles and one of the area's quicker terrains with limited ball breaking hills and many descents. The trail even makes slow riders like yours truly look fast in the attached.

trailhead

The main trailhead is about a mile past the main gate of the park. I know you'll be giddy to ride heading to the trailhead but keep the speed down as it is 25 mph and Green Oak's one cop loves to hang within the park (and pulled over a friend of mine).

The actual trailhead is one large parking lot (and is quite full on an ideal riding day) where both loops start and end. 

positives

The trail allows for all riding levels as I saw both hardcore spandex and blue jean rider on my most recent ride. 

Mentioned above but going fast is quite fun.

negatives

Sand. It usually doesn't show itself until later in the summer but there are around four or five patches where you are more or less pedaling on a beach with excessive sand that will pull you down quicker than you can say 'marmalade'.

Trail Head

Trail Showcase - Lakeshore Park (aka 'The Tree Farm')

Today's helmet cam trail showcase takes us to the shopping mecca of southern Oakland County, Novi, to pedal Lakeshore Park, also known as The Tree Farm. Why the name 'Tree Farm'? I looked it up in the information superhighway without success but have been told it got its name from a section of the trail that intersects with quite a bit of Christmas-type trees. Was it an actual tree farm at one time? I have no idea.

trailhead

Located on the south shores of Walled Lake, the trailhead, while currently under construction for a new community building and updated landscaping, provides an ideal setting for those 90+ degree July/August rides as the beach is right there afterwards.

positives

The trail has come a long way since friends and I rode it in the late 90's; specifically signage as there are four sections of the trail and we got turned around a few times in the early days with no direction. It starts with the initial winding trail (fun), over the first bridge to the prairie area (less trees), the crater area (more fun) and the final quarter that involves thick tree cover and many stumps (not as fun). The latter is not as fun for me as my old booty does not like the bumps, even with the padded shorts. 

There are no ball breaking hills so beginner and intermediate riders will enjoy the roughly nine mile loop.

Lastly, I have met the trail coordinator and he is pretty OCD so the trail is always in pristine condition.

negatives

The only negative I would throw out there, and it's being picky, is the trail does not drain well as it is more or less surrounded by wetlands (and idiot riders try to ride it too early in the spring). 

Trail Head

Trail Showcase - Hines Park

As folks are eager to get out and divorce attorneys are getting prepped for extra business from married folks having to be together a bit too long in one place, a good time to utilize the helmet cam to showcase the local mountain bike trails in SE Michigan and maybe save a few marriages in urging folks to get out and enjoy the many parks we have at our disposal in this part of the state.
The helmet cam will feature other local trails in the upcoming weeks.
Today's trail showcase is Hines Park in Wayne County, specifically the Lakeview and Riverview trails within the park.

trailhead

There are two that I know of, one off of Hines Drive just east after the I-275 underpass. The Lakeview trailhead marker is there with the trail heading east towards the Riverview trail.
The other is at the intersection of Newburgh and Ann Arbor Rd, kitty corner from the Lake Pointe Yacht Club (good food there). This is where the Riverview trailhead resides. The trail heads east from there.

positives

The views for one. I made an attempt to get the video in before the trees bloomed as the lake/river views are quite beautiful. Everyone harps on the Rouge River and yes, it has it's flaws (check out the LeDuff Rouge River canoe trip on YouTube if you get a chance), but the contained lake that was created from the river that became Newburgh Lake was cleaned up and is quite an asset to the park now.
Other positives are for the beginner riders as it's not a back breaker and not very long. Those looking to put in the miles can loop it twice and enjoy the views even more.

negatives

It's a beautifully designed trail with the limited territory available along the lake and river, however,  with the limited territory, parts of the trail are two way traffic so HEADS UP!!!  I see a beginner rider  with A.D.D. enjoying the views while hardcore, spandex-addicted rider barrels into them.

Trail Head