Check my previous post, Top 5 Michigan Trails for the trails I judged and the criteria I used.

No. 5. Highland Recreation Area

Highland is a gem nestled in a large, forested area on some hills that rival those located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The hills may not be as long, but they are pretty amazing when viewed from some of the hill peaks over which the trail runs. Oakland County provides plenty of elevation for this fun and challenging trail.

Highland has four long loops stretching over 15 miles in length. The trails are intermediate and advanced with lots of technical features like rock gardens and log jumps. The trail is remarkably flowy, especially considering the technical features.

Water drainage is excellent, and these trails can usually be ridden in the rain without having to deal with puddles or damaging the trail surface. The terrain facilitates this sustainable characteristic and also contributes to the massively difficult aerobic workout one will get while riding these trails.

Click here for more information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 4. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

Wicked fun Pontiac Lake delivers the whee factor.

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area consists of one trail that is about 11 miles in length. “Big Puke” and “Little Puke” are located not far from the beginning of the trail, and are challenging climbs that will cause the legs to burn, the lungs to scream, and the mind to get busy navigating rocks, roots, and sharp, uphill turns.

What is really fascinating about Pontiac Lake is that it can be divided up into three sections. It changes quite a bit as one rides over its hills, down its fast, rooty sections, and up its challenging climbs.

Some of the technical features are the result of erosion from heavy use, but the trail is rip-roaring fast and certainly exhibits “the whee factor.” This intermediate trail is wicked cool and is a must-ride when visiting the Pontiac Area or anywhere within and hour or two drive.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 3. Churning Rapids

Churning Rapids’ Pow Pow trail is great fun.

It is no surprise that the U.P.’s Keweenaw Peninsula takes the top three spots beginning with Churning Rapids, an intermediate trail system with incredible variety and lots of options.

Built by top notch mountain bikers and skiers with loads of trail building experience, Churning Rapids has it all. There is plenty of downhill fun and loads of technical features. Pow Pow has banked turns on good-sized hills that feel like an amusement park ride.

This trail system offers so many different features that I can’t even begin to properly explain it within the confines of this post.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 2. Copper Harbor Trails

Copper Harbor’s Red Trail.

It probably blows your mind that this IMBA Epic Ride is not my number one, but feel better knowing that it was a tough choice.

Copper Harbor rivals the great western trails of Colorado and other states. Built on bedrock and offering climbs exceeding 500 feet in distance, these challenging trails are simply incredible and must be experienced to truly have any clue what is going on in this [not-so-quiet] northern town.

Mountain bikers can swoop down the incredibly flowy Brockway Trail that has banked turns and amazing views, or down the classic Red Trail that offers intermediate and advanced technical features, beautiful views, and lots of wheeeeeeee factor. There are many other trails that can keep riders busy for the whole day, or even many days.

The biggest reason why this trail is number two on my list is because of the variety factor. One super-challenging freeride trail that does need some impressive work has been closed, taking away a masterful piece of singletrack that challenges the craziest riders, yet allows intermediate riders to fairly safely venture into a new style of riding.

Copper Harbor has been working on an intermediate trail phase over the last couple of years, so the intermediate trails have boomed. There really are no fun, beginner options, but experts can let their freak flag fly on trails such as Paul’s Plunge.

This trail is simply a must-ride, and a full-suspension bike is highly recommended. While some phenomenal, rigid singlespeed riders own these trails in ecstasy, many devoted rigid or hardtail owners and singlespeeders have developed a strong desire for a plush, geared bike after getting beat up by the terrain.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 1. Michigan Technical University’s Recreational Forest – the Tech Trails

Only one of MTU’s rocky beauties on Hairy Toad.

Michigan Tech has an incredible trail system that offers something for everyone. The Pilgrim Trails give beginners a few loops to enjoy, while intermediate and advanced riders can enjoy rocky, technical trails, stunts, or baby-smooth singletrack on incredible hillsides.

This trail system has exploded over the last couple of years as lots of new singletrack has been added. Climbing is long and difficult, but descending is incredibly fun, fast and flowy. There is even a new pump track that was built last year.

Some of the new trails present exposure as riders traverse along ridges abutted by beautiful streams and foliage. This trail system is truly fun for the whole family as everyone can find something that brings them immense joy atop the mountain bike.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

Ali, Glen and I met at Highland with the plan of doing all of the loops on Monday. In the past, it would take me three hours to ride all four loops. Not only were Ali and Glen a little fatigued from Saturday’s Barry Roubaix, but I was simply out of shape and felt my engine sputtering with every climb. That isn’t the worst part, though.

The Clipless Pedal Debacle

When I arrived at the trailhead, I went to take my bike out of the Pathfinder only to realize that I still did not put on my clipless pedals. (I forgot to put my clipless pedals on my bike for the Barry Roubaix and had to borrow some from one of my “Jon” friends – there are a lot of Jons.) I went through a quick moment of despair because I was an hour from home, but then I realized that I had platform pedals in my bike box. I put those on, but I knew it was going to be a difficult ride.

I searched through my vehicle for my hiking boots, because they would be great with the platform pedals, but couldn’t find them. I was stuck wearing my cycling shoes with platform pedals. That was not easy. I occasionally lost my pedals and I could not pull up on the climbs. I had to really anchor my feet to keep from losing the pedals on the downhills. My calves and hamstrings tightened from having to hammer down throughout the ride. Going without made me realize just how useful my clipless pedals were.

A Lofty Goal for a Springtime Mountain Bike Ride

We wanted to ride all of the loops. You have to ride Loop A to get anywhere. Intermediate Loop B is the hardest, most grueling loop out there. Loop C is listed as advanced, but I think it’s easier than B, and many people agree with me. Loop D is the most technical. We all wanted to do Loop D because it is a bunch of awesome fun…

We opted to bypass loop D because all of us were tired by the time we got there. We wanted food, beer, and conversation. That and our entire ride lasted two hours and fifty minutes. That’s a long ride. We had fun, though.

Glen gave me a boost of confidence by remarking how well I rode the technical stuff, especially with the pedal situation. I did have to think about the pedal situation a little more. After all, clipless pedals allow a moutain biker to fly over crazy stuff without losing the pedals. For a girl who likes technical and fast, this was a challenging situation. I have to admit, it was also frustrating for me.

I told Ali that I normally don’t ride many of the log jumps because they’re not something I’m used to. You don’t see very many of them in the Keweenaw. In fact, there is only one small log jump that is consistently there on the Tech Trails, that I can think of. I continued to tell Ali that my willingness to plow over those jumps and any other feature without getting off of the bike – reckless abandon – is a sign that I’m truly dead and the ride needs to end. Of course, I reached that point before we even got to Loop C, but that’s how much I love Highland. I will endure pain for a good ride.

The Post-Ride Beer

You know how a cigarette after sex is all the rage for smokers? Well, beer after a mountain bike ride is incredible. We shared a few different beers immediately after the ride and got to that happy place.

Glen was also kind enough to buy us dinner at a wonderful, little, Mexican restaurant in Milford. I was pretty shocked to see downtown Milford and to learn what great Mexican food can be found there.

We had such a great time that Glen and Ali stayed at my place for the night and we chatted and drank some more beer. We decided that we were going to ride another trail before they headed home.

Highland + Beer + Mexican Food + Friends = The Perfect Day