Trail Showcase - Cannonsburg Ski Area

The helmet cam takes us to the northeast suburbs of Grand Rapids to the tiny township of Cannonsburg, named after eastern capitalist LeGrand Cannon (no idea what an eastern capitalist is but looked it up). The trail has come a long way (for the better) since I last rode it about a decade ago. More miles have been added (about 10 total, lot of flow) and alternate loop direction based on the day of the week have reduced trail wear.

trailhead

For metro Detroiters, it's about 19 miles north of Lowell so get off at the Lowell exit and your idiot phone will send you the rest of the way. For west siders, West River Drive off of US-131, north of Grand Rapids, eventually becomes Cannonsburg Rd after about 10 or so miles to the east and the idiot phone will take you from there. 

Park at the ski lodge and the trailhead entrance heads south from there. Head towards the yellow tube on the side of one of the ski hills. I'm going off of memory but believe the yellow flow was Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; red flow the others. 

positives

The re-do of the trail has made for a great flow. I didn't ride on Tuesday but hear their evening "taco Tuesday" ride/gatherings are a treat and bring the crowds.

negatives

No negatives. Northeast Grand Rapids is a beautiful area.

Cell phone users may need to click the link to view the attached video. The squirrel parade is at about the 1:20 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF9IoGfSUmc

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Trail Head

Trail Showcase - Waterloo Recreation Area

The helmet cam today takes to the town of Jiffy Mix, the Purple Rose Theatre (and it's Hollywood famous founder) and one of the faster mountain bike trails in the area. Just a bit west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea is a cool little town with Waterloo Recreation Area a bit north of downtown; a large-ass piece of state land (3rd largest park in Michigan - looked it up). Within the park, a large company made a very nice donation in helping create what is now close to 20 miles of mountain bike trails. Three loops, Green Lake, Big Kame and the latest addition, Winn. The caretakers of the trails have created a trail like no others in the area as it is fast-fast-fast. 

trailhead

There are two trailheads to choose from. The main one is off of M-52, a few miles north of downtown Chelsea on the west side of the road, just north of Green Lake. Quick access to the Green Lake and Big Kame loops from there.

The second trailhead was recently put in with the Winn loop's creation. Take Waterloo Rd west off of M-52 about three miles until you see the signs for Cassidy Lake Correctional Facility. Take a right turn on Cassidy, past the facility about two miles and the trailhead is on the right. Quick access to the Winn and Big Kame loops from there.

positives

Like Ricky Bobby's wish in Talladega Nights, if you also want to go fast, Waterloo is your place. You cannot not (double word there) go fast on this trail the way it is designed.

It is well maintained. The alternate trail flows on specific days makes for less wear.  Some other trails in the area will frown upon rain riders but this trail will literally put the TRAIL CLOSED sign on damp days.

negatives

I enjoy it but the too-tight spandex riders will say it isn't real mountain biking because of the limited obstacles. The hills and rocks are still there but the tree roots aren't to throw my back out so no complaints in my world. 

The vendor overseeing this site has changed the process so you may need to click the attached link to see the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86sJpDcotw

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Trail Head

Trail Showcase - Stony Creek

The helmet cam takes us to the east side today to Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Township. The east side has limited territory to work with but has a rabid riding base who embrace the area trails. 

The east siders have flogged me for pointing it out on the trail condition sites but not a fan of the layout at this location. It is a very large bowl with a two track comprising the outside of the bowl with the guts of the trail on the inside. The trick is getting to the inside of the bowl. The experienced riders of the trail advise that it just takes time figuring out a loop but that doesn't help those that ride it roughly once a year.

trailhead

The trailhead/parking lot resides in the very west end of the park (park is at Dequindre/Mt Vernon/26 Mile Rd), past the lake and the golf course. Look for the Shelden Trails sign and a bunch of cars/trucks with bike racks attached to them.

positives

Once you get into the guts of the trail, it flows well and is well maintained by the local riding chapter. Those not feeling it or with less experience can do the two track to get a feel for the terrain.

Stony Creek Lake makes for a nice post ride refresher after the ride.

negatives

Mentioned already but not a fan of having to stop at multiple intersections to find the guts of the trail. I foresee collisions happening with so many intersections and certain areas one way. Having the riding markers mean something would be ideal (go to marker 1, to 2, to 3....) but there is no pattern to the number layout. You go from marker 15 to 25 at one point. Keep it simple.

Deer appearance at about the 40 second mark of the attached.

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Trail Head