northshore and other good stuff

[toonces]

i kinda liked northshore when I had a chance to ride it. anything else worth riding up there?

[flbikerman]

I saw the FT W sit first so I answered you there. But yes, there is plenty of good riding around the Dallas area. Depends on what mood you're in and how far you want to go. Let me know next time you come up this way and if schedules work out I'll show you around.

[dovegirl]

what's nothshore like? hubby and I are spending the weekend in dallas, and want to give it a spin. read in the MtBike bible that it was one-way? but not a loop... I'm hoping that's not right.

also- which end is better parking/less traffic?

thx

[Lurker]

This is a fun trail except it has its drawbacks. It is an out and back kind of trail. It is also the most used trail in the metro area. Lots of runners and bikers. It has some awesome rock gardens. If you decide to ride this trail, park at the Rockledge park end. It will give you a 19 mile ride if you go to the end and back.

If you want to know more of my opinion about trails in the area, let me know what part of town you are staying in and I will let you know what is closest and best. Have fun regardless.:)

[dovegirl]

Thanks, exactly the info I was looking for. we're staying near Northpark Mall in Dallas proper. Don't know any other landmarks, hope I got the mall name right!

We were planning on going early Saturday morning 7:30ish. If there's anything less "popular" but still fun, and close, let me know.

thx

[dovegirl]

also- anyone interested in riding is welcome to come along! Hubby is zippy, I'm a little slower but not pokey.

[Lurker]

http://www.dorba.org/cgi-bin/trails/index.cgi

This link shows all the trails in the area and has info on each trail. Since you are staying just north of downtown Dallas, you have lots of options on which direction to go. A trail that is about the same distance away as Northshore would be is Cedar Hill State Park. It has three loops that are single track one way. It could be busy and you would not even know it. The cool thing is that the start of each loop is at the same place. You could ride all three and get in about 20 miles worth. A lot of this is riding the same sections twice if you do that. It has plenty of elevation change. It is one of the best workouts in the area. No rock hopping to be done here. And if it rains, they close the place. So check with park rangers before you drive if you suspect it rained the day or two before. Rowlette Creek Preserve will be another good option. I don't get over there as much, but it is close and good trail. I am doing nothing but riding this weekend, so let me know where you decide to go and I might see ya there.

[dovegirl]

we'll be heading to Northshore Sat. a.m. for an early ride starting @ rockledge park. on the trail @ 8am is the plan. Anyone wanting to join is welcome. will be in a green mazda pickup with a red and a silver fs in the back. thanks for the advice. probably will be computerless until then.

happy 4th

[Lurker]

I stopped by Northshore today and I got there just after it had rained. I talked briefly with someone that just got off the trail and said it was too muddy and wet. So I did not ride. As I was driving away I realized the people I talked to were driving a green mazda truck. It later clicked that it might be dovegirl and husband. Was that the case?

[dovegirl]

yup, that was us. we got caught in the rain 3 miles from the trailhead on the way back. It was a muddy mess! That trail gets nasty in a hurry. I had a nice belly flop on some slippery mud, but other than that it was great fun! I enjoyed the trail, and the sand was a nice change from the rock I'm used to in Austin. Also makes for a little softer landing. Will make this a regular stop when visiting family in Dallas.

[Lurker]

Cool. Glad you liked the trail. I ended up hanging out in bike shops for part of the afternoon and then got in a good road ride this afternoon. Temperature was great this afternoon. We need more of that in July. Next time you are up here I highly recommend Cedar Hill. I rode there yesterday and man was it fast. Tons of fun.