I was out today:
Correct me if I'm mistaken, Mr. Kurtz, but the Tinton Trail south from Spearfish is why the gear gods invented mountain bikes. Beautiful forest, fun dipsy doodles, some tricky rocks... awesome!
The trail (and a couple wrong turns!) eventually led me to the wonderful Big Hill Trails. After an hour on the Tinton Trail weaving, hopping, and convincing myself that, yes, I can make it up that slope and over those rocks (mountain biking is two parts mental, one part granola bars), I popped over the Big Hill trailhead and found wide grassy paths whispering to me, "Go ahead. Gear up. Fly."
The Dakota Five-O mountain bike race starts at the Spearfish City Park, sends riders up Tinton Road, then takes them down these two trails. Riders then go another thirty-some miles through the woods before racing back to the finish line in Spearfish. I'd go ride with them in the 12th annual race on Labor Day, but (1) I'm not sure my old GT triple triangle and I could make the whole loop before dark, and (2) all 600 entry slots filled up on the first day of registration (at $70 a pop!).
I'll be finishing the Five-O privately, over several Sundays, one section at a time... with time to stop and take pictures. Aahhh....
Yes, that ride rises to a really sweet view of mountain-top removal mining....
http://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/article_5fe85dfa-8b37-11e1-bebd-001a4bcf887a.html
There are many mountain biking races this year in addition to the 50 including:
1. Sturgis Knifeblade (http://www.sturgisbam.com/BAM/Bicycle_Events.html)
2. The back 40 (http://blackhillsback40.com/ )
3. Tatanka 100 (www.tatanka100.com)
4. Laramie Enduro (http://laramieenduro.org/)
5. Tinton Time Trial (listed on the same website as the 5O http://www.dakota5o.com/)
If you can, I would aim for the knifeblade race CAH! Good time, good course, beautiful views. 90% of the riders will be there just to complete, not to compete.
Nice Cory. Looks like fun. I ordered a 2012 Salsa Spearfish in November but it hasn't come in yet. Looking forward to when it finally arrives. One of my favorite places to ride is Chadron State Park. Happy Trails.
Knifeblade... on the Centennial Trail! I've never ridden any portion of that trail, and I've only hiked southern portions. I'd love to see that Terrain.
The Salsa? Holy cow: those look like quality machines! And for that price, you should get some quicker assembly. Give 'em a call, tell 'em spring's a-wastin', and you want to ride now!