Alum Creek
reviewed 10/05
|
|
Phase 1
Recipe for the NEW Alum Creek Surprise
1. 1 sp. Mile of dirt
2. 1 inch of rain
3. 2,000 mountain biking shoes a week
4. 2,000 rubber tires a week
5. 3 log rides
6. 1 teeter totter
7. 1,000 + turns
The first things you will notice is the new trails are tight and twisty. This was done for good reason, by putting the trails on top of the ridges the rain does not sit on the trail causing the mud bogs that we are all so used to seeing at Alum. This is not the trail for cruiser handlebars! There are many trees that have been trained to grab any passer by, so be on the look out!
|
|
|
The next thing you are going to
say to yourself is how many bridges are there out here?
Yet again in an effort to avoid mud bogs, numerous bridges of varied
length and width are out there! Some of these can be a little scary
to the newbie, but once you realize that they are smooth and sturdy
you will be riding over them again and again.
Lastly from time
to time you will see logs with ramps onto across and through them. This
would be the pseudo North Shore stuff thrown in to spice things up a bit.
They all have easy ways around them for the newer riders, but you owe
it to yourself to try them out, having fallen off every one of them myself
I can tell you that while it hurts it is nothing compared to the joy of
actually doing it!
|
|
Before You ask........
1. YES there are still mud holes that
you have to walk around.
2. YES the short steep descents are still there (some have been closed,
but a few still remain ).
3. YES there are over 1 million roots crossing the trail, and when it
is wet they will throw you to the ground.
4. NO you should NOT ride there for a couple of days after it rains! While
much of the trail will be fine to ride, you will be scaring the trail,
so just do NOT do it!
All in all the new Alum Creek is a
great place to ride, it has enough technical stuff for the FFG’s
and is easy enough for the first timer. There are no real hills to speak
of and there is always something new there with the COMBO guys continued
work. It is also a great place to teach people because there is a lot
of progressive logs to ride over.
Rigid |
|
Phase 2
COMBO(Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization)has been working on Phase 2 for a long time(over 2 years) and now it is finally done and ready to be ridden. COMBO states that Phase 2 is an advanced trail and should not be ridden by novices. I see many places where less skilled riders could get hurt. If you are a novice, phase 1 would suit you better. Check out the video of phase 2 here.
Phase 2 is quite different than Phase 1 in a few key areas. It is more technical, more challenging, and holds up better than Phase 1 when wet. This trail is not for everyone as there are more bridges on this trail than on any other trail in Ohio . If you have bridge phobia, Phase 2 is not for you. Most of the difficult sections have re-routes. The last bridge in section L that stands at least 6 feet off the ground. Walking it is no picnic either. Thankfully, COMBO put in a nice and easy re-route.
Some of the bridges require you to turn while you are on them which adds a coolness factor but in practice can be very hazardous particularly when it's wet. Some tacky tar paper or something similar would be a nice addition to the top of the bridges to decrease the risk of slippage and impending carnage. There's one bridge that you need to make a 90 degree left turn onto the bridge. Many people have fallen of off this particular bridge so use caution. |
|
|
The rest of the trail rolls along ravines weaving its way in and out of water inlets. There are some nice lake views to be had if you aren't flying by too fast to look. There are no real climbs here to speak of. That also means, you guessed it, no true downhills either. There are some short challenging up bursts where you have to hammer down for a few pedal strokes but nothing too tough. There are also a few sections where you can get some good speed but it's too short lived be called a downhill.
The trail is 6 miles long and is a complete loop. The trail has great signage. It may be one of the best marked trails in Ohio . The signs often warn riders of upcoming difficult sections. Despite the fact that Phase 2 holds up better than Phase 1 when wet, I really hope COMBO considers seasonal closures or this trail will end up getting trashed by irresponsible riders like Phase 1 has over the last few years.
Moab |
| |
| |
Seasonal riding conditions:
Phase 1 takes a long time to dry out after rains in the spring. In the sumnmer give it least a few days. Phase 2 holds up better than Phase 1 after rains in the spring and summer. Compared to other trails in the state, I would say phase 2 is average as far as draining and phase 1 is below average. |
Directions:
Phase 1
From Columbus, go north on 71 and
get off at the Polaris exit(121) and go right. Take Polaris parkway
to Worthington Rd. Turn left. Go until you come to Africa Rd.
Turn left. Keep going straight, through the 4 way stop(you'll see the
damn
on your left), and after the R/C air strip hang a right onto Lewis Center
Rd (Lewis Center is a funky road). The trail head is up on your
left.
Phase 2
From South of Columbus : I-71 and get off at the Polaris exit(121) and go right(if you are coming from the north go left). Take Polaris parkway to Worthington Rd.(about 1 mile) Turn left. Go until you come to Africa Rd. Turn left. Keep going straight, through the 4 way stop(you'll see the dam on your left). Go straight until the next 4 way stop(Cheshire Rd.) Go Straight and park at the first lot on your left. The trailhead is across the road up the hill.
Alum Creek Website
Directions to Nearest Hospital |
