One way trail system

[intandem2302]

One way trail system was tried and failed at the Amphitheater Trail.  Attention, the Amphitheater Trail is offically back to a two way trail.  Seems the one way system was way to much temptation for a mountain biker that was race/time trialing the course and nearly smashed into the property manager while coming out of the woods onto the cross country trail.  He was rightfully angry, and will be removing one way signs.  This is the first time he has called me to complain about 'any' problem of bikers on the trail.  Remember this is a 'family multi-use trail', sanctioned by HMBA.  Non event racing/time trialing is not autorized by the Tippecanoe Park or the HMBA.  Please be responsible when you ride, bikes should always yield to other users.  If you feel the need for speed I suggest you find another trail.a few seconds ago

[Otter]

First off, I applaud you for telling people not to try and make this a time trial section...just not enough trail here to go speeding along at mach1.  Second, I applaud again for making the trail 2 way as I never did like the one way situation.  Again not enough trail here to keep riding one way, it gets boring very fast.  My only question is how is making the trail 2-way going to help out the issue at hand?  I'm not complaining at all, I'm just confused as to how this is going to help. 
 
Also, is there any discussion of building more trail in the area?  To say Lafayette needs more singletrack is a huge understatement.  Thanks for all the hep!

[intandem2302]

If this trail were only mtb one way system would be much safer as bikers would not be concerned about meeting another bike coming in the opposite way.  However the one way system sent a silent message that head down speeding was ok ( my opinion).  Try taking a hike/walk against the traffic at town run, but be ready to jump off the trail.  Town Run is mtb only & one way, I ride there like most other mtb to best my previous time.  I feel this happening at the Amp. and the one way system only amplified the problem.

[intandem2302]

There is an active group persuing another county property, 460 acres. 
Building trail is very labor intensive and takes many volunteers to bring to fruit, let alone getting proper authorization. 

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

If this trail were only mtb one way system would be much safer as bikers would not be concerned about meeting another bike coming in the opposite way.  However the one way system sent a silent message that head down speeding was ok ( my opinion).  Try taking a hike/walk against the traffic at town run, but be ready to jump off the trail.  Town Run is mtb only & one way, I ride there like most other mtb to best my previous time.  I feel this happening at the Amp. and the one way system only amplified the problem.

Town run is not mtb only.

[mtbikernate]

If this trail were only mtb one way system would be much safer as bikers would not be concerned about meeting another bike coming in the opposite way.  However the one way system sent a silent message that head down speeding was ok ( my opinion).  Try taking a hike/walk against the traffic at town run, but be ready to jump off the trail.  Town Run is mtb only & one way, I ride there like most other mtb to best my previous time.  I feel this happening at the Amp. and the one way system only amplified the problem.

Town run is not mtb only.

It gets treated that way far too much.  I was canoeing down White River with my wife and pulled off on a gravel bar at TRTP so my wife could use the port-o-potty at the parking lot (that wasn't there at the time, conveniently enough).  Hiking up the trail was pretty sketchy.  Most riders did not want to slow down, or were unable to because they were time trialing.

[Otter]

There is an active group persuing another county property, 460 acres. 
Building trail is very labor intensive and takes many volunteers to bring to fruit, let alone getting proper authorization.

Thanks for the update.  I was on the orginal email list several months ago that was discussing the potential new trail and even emailed back and forth with Jason P. in regards to it.  I've not heard a thing in probably 6 months, thought maybe it was dead....glad to hear that isn't the case. 
 
As for labor intensive...I totally understand (built a lot of the Amphitheatre Trail and have a lot of volunteer hours in this year at other trail) and would love to help.  Please let us know what we can do to help. 

[matt_laker]

First off, I applaud you for telling people not to try and make this a time trial section...just not enough trail here to go speeding along at mach1.  Second, I applaud again for making the trail 2 way as I never did like the one way situation.  Again not enough trail here to keep riding one way, it gets boring very fast.  My only question is how is making the trail 2-way going to help out the issue at hand?  I'm not complaining at all, I'm just confused as to how this is going to help. 
 
Also, is there any discussion of building more trail in the area?  To say Lafayette needs more singletrack is a huge understatement.  Thanks for all the hep!

I hiked (not my intention...left keys to bike lock at home, in Indy---DOH!) three out of four W. Lafayette/Lafayette trails yesterday.  I think Murdoch Park is the best of the four (my opinion) mostly due to more length.  The downside is the Frisbee golf course that's also part of the property; the painted orange arrows/dots on trees help but could definitely see it getting confusing at faster speeds on a bike.  Nearby, the Haan MTB Trail is cool, I just didn't walk the Valley Street section (and that must be where more length comes in).  I didn't go to McCormick due to it's length (2 miles) and that it's rated "beginner."  There are trails in the area, but heading to France Park in Logansport might be a good idea.

[mtnbiker]

Perhaps there should be two requirements for reviewing a mountain bike trail. First, you should have actually ridden it. Imagine a movie reviewer writing a review without actually seeing the movie. Second, get the facts straight. McCormick woods is actually 3.5 miles and is not a beginner trail in the same sense that Amphitheater trail is. Dismissing  the Valley Street section of the Haan Trail because you didn't walk it seems strange. Out and back the Haan Trail is 7 miles. Next time bring your keys and find out why Lafayette mountain bikers think we are lucky to have so many good trails.


To find about all of the trails in Lafayette, go to lafayettebiketrails.com or go to the singletracks.com site. You will be pleasantly surprised.

[matt_laker]

Perhaps there should be two requirements for reviewing a mountain bike trail. First, you should have actually ridden it. Imagine a movie reviewer writing a review without actually seeing the movie. Second, get the facts straight. McCormick woods is actually 3.5 miles and is not a beginner trail in the same sense that Amphitheater trail is. Dismissing  the Valley Street section of the Haan Trail because you didn't walk it seems strange. Out and back the Haan Trail is 7 miles. Next time bring your keys and find out why Lafayette mountain bikers think we are lucky to have so many good trails.


To find about all of the trails in Lafayette, go to lafayettebiketrails.com or go to the singletracks.com site. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Checked out both of those sites as well...that's how I determined where I wanted to go.  Valley Street wasn't being dismissed, just noted that I didn't cover it.  I admit, definitely different experiences biking vs. hiking.  Sorry if any offense was taken, wasn't my intent.  ALL trails with access are always better than the alternative!

[i3scottw]

I don't think it matters if it is bi-directional or one-way.  Those riders that tear through there like maniacs will do so either way.  In my opinion making it bi-directional only serves to make it more dangerous for the riders who want to enjoy a nice ride on an easy trail without worrying about some idiot coming around a corner and plowing into them.

I just about got plowed over today by a guy that came flying around a blind curve.  He didn't even acknowledge me as I veered off the side of the trail to narrowly miss a head on collision. I see a lot of people with kids using this trail (including me).  I am glad my son wasn't with me this time.

[papafish]

There are some new directional markers up now. Are they leftovers from a xc/running event or is the trail back to one direction?