Lets make it very clear. The Mel Gibson
look alike hasn't tried riding a bike in 50 years. Fired up
by th ERTS trail providing a safe place to pedal, he
bought a brand new bike. While practicing out at Clay County
Park on absolutely flat and smooth black top, he managed to
crash into the metal fence.
After a couple laps around the cross country track followed by a couple more laps around the Howard Knotts building, it was time to try out portions of the ERTS State Park trail.
After a couple laps around the cross country track followed by a couple more laps around the Howard Knotts building, it was time to try out portions of the ERTS State Park trail.
For his first attempt at not crashing in
public and parking at the turn off out to the Dundon baseball
stadium, head downhill down to that little red house and then
bearing left before the railroad trustle. A little wet on
Friday but certainly a great day to get muddy and waterfalls.
More than a month ago a big
slip covered the spur line up to the ball park. Someone
removed the trees. For hikers, now no problem. For bicyclists,
it was carry time.
To make the loop, turn left at the ball field and get on the pavement for an uphill ride. The total trip is around one mile. Although not complete, nice ride.
To make the loop, turn left at the ball field and get on the pavement for an uphill ride. The total trip is around one mile. Although not complete, nice ride.
To get in another mile or so, come back
down to nearly the red house but turn right and go under the
new bridge. Now you are heading up river.
This section of ERTS is nowhere near finished
but at least the cast off railroad ties and steel rails are
neatly stacked and out of the way.
At Eagle's Bend turn around and head
back down the Elk River.
When you see the new nearly new
bridge turn left and you're back to your vehicle. A great way
to blow about 60 minutes and get a little black mud on your
tires.
If the weather clears up a bit, the plan is to ride from Duck to Ivydale and back.
Notice: if you come across a mangled, gold color, bike with some lard arss laying over the hillside, hand him a bottle of wawa and go on. As Pete used to say. It'll be alright!
This slip is not a problem for hiker or maybe those on horseback. For the Ace Cub Reporter who can't ride a biker for squat, see that muddy ditch on the right.... that's where the lardy guy and his nearly new bike wound up Saturday afternoon. Went in clear up to the front axle. What was the first thing he did after retrieving his mud covered leg and bike? ? Looked around to see if anybody saw him!
If the weather clears up a bit, the plan is to ride from Duck to Ivydale and back.
Notice: if you come across a mangled, gold color, bike with some lard arss laying over the hillside, hand him a bottle of wawa and go on. As Pete used to say. It'll be alright!
Upper ERTS
The only
section of the ERTS Sate Park that is actually done is
from Duck to Ivydale. For feets or bike wheels, it is in
pretty good shape complete with mile posts trail side
This slip is not a problem for hiker or maybe those on horseback. For the Ace Cub Reporter who can't ride a biker for squat, see that muddy ditch on the right.... that's where the lardy guy and his nearly new bike wound up Saturday afternoon. Went in clear up to the front axle. What was the first thing he did after retrieving his mud covered leg and bike? ? Looked around to see if anybody saw him!
There are
several level spots on ERTS that with some clean up, would
make a great tent site and picnic area.
Along the way, keep
your eyes open for some beautiful scenery.
Each wawa
crossing is bridged over nicely with handrails. Look right
in the middle of the pic. Notice that stub sticking out of
the reground pavement? If you're aren't careful, those,
there are many along the way, could easily trip you
up or puncture a tire.
Saturday afternoon,
May 23rd 2020, no less than 20 bikers and several hikers
were using the upper ERTS trail.
If structures
could talk..... 60 years ago, the railroad provided access
for homes along the new ERTS trail. Not sure what the fate
will be for property owners now.
Got
a few hours to kill? Maybe in need of burning a some
calories? Strap on your sneaks and have some fun
right here at home.
We asked some folks in the Ivydale area: are many people using the trail? The answer, across the board, Yes. Some said, every day of the week, a few adventuresome hikers and bikers come down the old railroad rights of way.
Special note: To keep vehicles from parking on ERTS State Park and blocking the trail, big metal barriers (fence) are being erected in Ivydale and behind the old school house. The sturdy fence is around 5 feet tall and ugly as H.
Special note 2: ready to ride ERTS via your horse or maybe horse and buggy? There's no problem getting your horse on the trail. As for a pull behind buggy, that's next to impossible due to locked poles in the middle of access points.
AW
We asked some folks in the Ivydale area: are many people using the trail? The answer, across the board, Yes. Some said, every day of the week, a few adventuresome hikers and bikers come down the old railroad rights of way.
Special note: To keep vehicles from parking on ERTS State Park and blocking the trail, big metal barriers (fence) are being erected in Ivydale and behind the old school house. The sturdy fence is around 5 feet tall and ugly as H.
Special note 2: ready to ride ERTS via your horse or maybe horse and buggy? There's no problem getting your horse on the trail. As for a pull behind buggy, that's next to impossible due to locked poles in the middle of access points.
AW