Today I spent hours wandering around on th Cayuna Lakes IMBA Ride center trails. This place used to be open pit iron ore mines along w/ natural lakes. I met 2 ladies who were instrumental in making the trail system happen. Lots of years behind the scenes advocacy. The trails were built in 2010, opened in 2011 as a ride center, the first IMBA center. Machine cut very well engineered. Trails are mostly on strip mine over burden. Dirt and rock is red from iron oxide. Place was mined until 1957 w/ reclamation efforts in the 80’s. Ride over loose pieces of rock that sound like an iron plate casting. excellently signed on the ground and mapped. At major intersections there was a large trail map w/ your location noted. Many trails are direction specific. I rerode several trails because I forgot it the first time or on the way back the trail I wanted to ride was closed because of storm damage.
red dirt stained the board walks:
Trail went by a natural lake. I was chatting w/ 2 old guys riding Huffy’s in blue jeans and flannel shirts, no helmets. I heard a loon make 2 calls and that was it. The remaining animal sound on my list I want to hear is a wolf.
The trails for mountain bikes has increased visitor traffic and increased local commerce. Tourism is an economic engine.
Tomorrow I will ride the more tech trails @ another lake location. Then head towards North Dakota.