Quiet night in Pigeon Lake field station parking lot. AM temp in low 60s, glad i did not change out summer blanket for down blanket.
The company that is supplying me w/ their blood clotting measuring machine shipped me supplies after I had a conversation w/ a customer service rep. We agreed that these suppliesm would be sent to Hayward general delivery. Instead I received a phone call from Fed Ex asking how to deliver general delivery. Package is in Superior, WI, across the bay from Duluth, MN. I heard word of good riding in Duluth. I asked Fed Ex to hold the package for pickup. Purpose of my camp site was towards Superior.
Took miles of blue highway rds. Picked up package from Fed Ex. Entered Continental Ski shop address into GPS that led me a tour of downtown Duluth. Mostly old reddish stone and brick buildings. Like a mill town. Economy must have been mining and shipping. Person @ the shop gave me ride info: Lester Park.
I gps’d the Park. I pulled in to the parking lot 1 car away from an IMBA decked out Subaru. I met Jesse and Lori, new Trail Care Crew replacing Steve and Morgan. They are on their 3rd week. I met Steve and Morgan the first weekend of their shift. Nice young couple.
I rode Lester Park, the trail goes upstream thru the woods over lots of roots and packed clay tread to a bridge over the creek then back down. I am acquiring better finesse moves that my 26 Turner 5 Spot allows. Short stem and wide bars finish the control. I saw more deer than riders which was zip.
Short ride. I moved onto to Hartley Park. Wandered around on ill to nonexistent trail marking. Rode thru pine plantations where conifers are planted in rows. Lots of mud puddles drying up.
Rode the trails, loaded up, then drove to last riding area, Piedmont trails, which are the most technical. Found TH in residential neighborhood. No bikers. I headed out into a puppy’s breakfast of trails per the map. The ground wore more trails than what i could decipher from the map. Bigger area more room to get lost in. Trails are more technical that used lots of finesse. Happy w/ my performance. I could hear traffic of road @ the South of the area. I turned around and attempted to ride back to the TH on unridden trails. lost. I headed North on trails that didn’t always stay true to my compass bearing. I made the TH. Saw only 2 riders. Trails are more tech and challenging, the best of the 3 city riding areas I rode. Yes, inside the city of Duluth. Trail used slabs of slick rock compete w/ step ups and roll overs. Great handling bike.
Drove back to Pigeon Lake camp spot.
Tomorrow I will head back to Cable to reride the Epic and then hand @ The River Eatery.