If you want, I can bring a shovel and some orange spray paint to the trails tomorrow and we can make them better.

Seriously though, i don't care for the section between Veloway and Bauerle with that wicked stair climb. Otherwise everything has just the right amount of chunk for my liking.

Looks like someone took a hammer to that little drainage channel under mopac heading to/from the veloway.

1. Trail sanitation
2. Could actually cause trail erosion issues
3. I'm no expert but I'm not sure the gov-mint is gonna love someone busting up their work

Originally Posted by The Tip

I have a question that I would like y'all to share your opinion about.

For me, there are challenging trails, and then also annoying trails. For example, in Circle C Metro, on the southernmost trail, there are a lot of rocks. But somehow they are spaced just right so that there is a challenge in picking a line. You don't have to go over too many. This is a fun trail because of that.

Now take your mind to the south Veloway loop, Coyote Trail on Strava, the loop that has "the Cliff" on it. Now think of the north leg of that loop, the one that parallels both the creek and the straight jeep track on the other side of the creek. It is very rocky too, but it is the kind of rock that forces you to go slowly over them. Yes it is possible, and there is a challenge in not dabbing, and sure, I get a small sense of satisfaction getting over all of it. But it is not a lot of fun. It's more annoying/work than fun.

Am I in the minority? Or do most of you feel that way too? I'm not proposing changing anything, (Gawd forgive!) I'm just curious.

That's almost the only technical section out there and is very nice. That 60-80 foot rock garden along the creek by the bowie crossing...That's all about carrying max speed through the tree gate and getting out of the saddle. Not for going slowly. That would "le miserable"

Leave the rocky sections alone. They're not mandatory, riders can skip them.

Originally Posted by FJsnoozer

That's almost the only technical section out there and is very nice. That 60-80 foot rock garden along the creek by the bowie crossing...That's all about carrying max speed through the tree gate and getting out of the saddle. Not for going slowly. That would "le miserable"

I don't mind that rock garden on Bowie Gnarl that you describe. There is some "line picking" involved, and the need for speed to get over it, that makes it fun.
The one I am talking about is just a slow going, popping up and down, grind. The only satisfaction I get out of it is, "Hey, I did it." But I can do a lot of not pleasant things and say the same thing.

This is the trail, but this is not the "worst" section of it.

are you talking about the lollipop trail that takes you up that stair ledge? Looks like someone is calling it Coyote Trail on Stravaaaaa! if that is what you are talking about, i agree that it's probably the gnarliest thing in the region and I don't like it. I can't go fast enough through there to keep enough momentum to monstertruck over the rocks but I have to go too fast to pick a line, so it's hopeless to me at present. riding a singlespeed hardtail does not help, but I have ridden it with gear without much more success. I often go ride it anyway, but I can never get through it cleanly. it's good to know that it's out there to challenge you but you can skip it if you're not feeling masochistic.

yeah, that section is like a mini Cheese Grater.

we lost a set of keys and wedding ring on that trail. Realized it was gone after 14 miles and went back and looped that trail twice at 1 mph looking for it.

Leave the gnar alone! That trail has two separate bypasses anyway. If you think that is miserable, go ride cheese grater. You will love it...

Originally Posted by mack_turtle

are you talking about the lollipop trail that takes you up that stair ledge? Looks like someone is calling it Coyote Trail on Stravaaaaa! if that is what you are talking about...

Yes, that is what I am talking about. The straight-ish "top" of the rounded lollipop.
The northwest end of it is at the entrance of the other rock garden access. The southeast end of it intersects at the down hill trail right above the eastern most creek crossing.

Originally Posted by FJsnoozer

Leave the gnar alone! .

That's not the discussion here. I even said that in my first post. I am just curious how people think.

High tech stuff, like in BCGB, people say they enjoy. I get the joy of being able to climb a big ass ledge, or huck a five foot drop. I can't do it. I wish I could. What I am discussing is this stuff that I CAN do, but it's just not fun for me. Is it fun for anyone I wonder.

And yes, thankfully, there is a bypass to that section of trail. On Strava Heatmap it is the least popular segment on that lollipop. And that makes me wonder if people don't know about the bypass, or do they want to "do" the entire loop, or...do they enjoy that sort of challenge.

Originally Posted by FJsnoozer

we lost a set of keys and wedding ring on that trail.

Imagine that! It happened to me too. My under saddle bag zipper broke there and some of my stuff fell out. Including my phone. I heard the stuff hit the ground fortunately.

Yup, it's sort of rough there. lol

if you're going to name trails, we need to come up with more original names. "cheese grater" is appropriate for the trail with that name. "coyote" or "rattle snake" could mean anything. I don't want every single little segment of trail to have a name, that's silly. but it would be nice to have original, descriptive names of you are going to go that route.

Originally Posted by mack_turtle

if you're going to name trails, we need to come up with more original names. "cheese grater" is appropriate for the trail with that name. "coyote" or "rattle snake" could mean anything. I don't want every single little segment of trail to have a name, that's silly. but it would be nice to have original, descriptive names of you are going to go that route.

I'm opposed to naming/signage. But IF WE HAVE TO, I vote for vagina euphemisms:

Love Tunnel
Squish Mitten
Roast Beef Sandwich
Muff
Hot Pocket

I could on for days......

yeah, I hate the idea of giving names to everything, but after they set it, it's much easier to help other navigate. most of the other trails have section names, so I think it makes sense. I don't want to force the issue though. I am just saying that, if you're going to name a trail, name it something that people will remember. if we are going to use anatomical euphemisms, let's not be sexist about it. maybe the poorly named "Coyote" of the present discussion could be "Ribbed" or "the Grundle."

Originally Posted by mack_turtle

yeah, I hate the idea of giving names to everything, but after they set it, it's much easier to help other navigate. most of the other trails have section names, so I think it makes sense. I don't want to force the issue though. I am just saying that, if you're going to name a trail, name it something that people will remember. if we are going to use anatomical euphemisms, let's not be sexist about it. maybe the poorly named "Coyote" of the present discussion could be "Ribbed" or "the Grundle."

I'm totally cool with dick names too, I just know way more funny ones for lady parts.

Originally Posted by mack_turtle

if you're going to name trails, ...

Why did you post this? I wonder because you must be inside my head! As I was trying to describe that trail in my post, I was thinking to myself, "I wish this had a name to it." lol

Some Strava names are dumb. They don't say anything about the trail. I like the Strava names that somehow identify the trail, either by location, or what it's about. Yes I use Drip Drop, for example, because that's the Strava name. It's the Drip Drop Lollipop. Okay, so that's cute, but still...

I am just as torn about names as I am about signs. On one hand I want it to remain all "wild" out there. But on the other hand, when we are doing group rides, and discussing where we are going, names sure would make it a lot easier than long discussions such as; "you know the trail, the one that goes sort of uphill, then turns by the tree with the two knots, and then over that little hump, then has the rock garden at the end?" Of course the other guy always says, "Uhhhhhh...nope."

I saw the Rattlesnake sign. I have seen a rattlesnake on that trail. So that's as good a name as any. Whatever. But that trail, between where you come up from Gravel and comes out at the Bowie Sidewalk needs a name. It comes up a lot in directional conversations.

no signs. come up with some names for trails and landmarks that stick. don't get carried away. done.

maybe someone should mark them on a vague, sketched map so as to not make things too specific. there are maps like that of other area trails already.

I navigate better if someone mentions landmarks- bridges, distinct features, hilltops, street corners, building, etc.

In an effort to be fair to both sexes, I asked the wife about some good dick names:

Stick shift
Baby Arm
Bologna Pony
Beef Whistle
Choad
Deep V Diver ("that's my favorite." - wife)
Easy Rider
Jackhammer/Logjammer
Kickstand
Pink Oboe
Ram-burgler
Thundersword
Clamdigger (she couldnt stop laughing about this one)
Last Action Hero

Ok she can't stop laughing. We're about to lose it over here.....

I heard about 20 coyotes from the veloway last year on my dogs final ride. So if that trail is near there, than that name is Bamwa approved.

That was probably 3 coyotes.

Blurr,

m-
dirty leg
the octagon
magic stick

f-
roast beef
happy trail
landing strip



The Tip,

I see what you are saying about that trail. I really appreciate the fact that it is there. In fact I think it lends itself well to progression. I can take beginner riders there to ride and then test their skills on something like that before taking them to a trail where that is inescapable. I do find that stair step fun and clearable and I ride it both directions. It does look like there is a spinoff trail if you take a right at the top that is unfinished. That one could have potential. I would actually like a little more of that technical "pocket" over there.

Those trails would be pretty easy to ride and map and name.

I aim for that section of trail. On quick lunch rides out of my house on days I work from home, I can motor there and back before anyone notices I'm not working and the chunk is my reward.