Minnesota's Hardest XC Trail Ridden the Hardest Direction - Fade to Blue - Split Rock Wilds
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2024
- Fade to Blue! Split Rock Wild's most torturous, technical trail that has given the trail system a very well-known reputation as a brutal, rocky, riding experience! This trail is multi-directional and as a challenge I rode it the harder direction north, with overall more climbing. I've heard this trail does flow better the other direction, but that wasn't my goal for this ride. This trail wore me out and I had no energy left to ride some of the other newer trails there, Brinkmanship and Ope! This ride was recently after I had purchased my second mountain bike for enduro riding, a Transition Spire, and converted my Fuel EX back into a lightweight trail bike and I was so glad to have a more pedal efficient bike for this trail! One of the changes I made was an oval chainring and I was really impressed by it on this ride, felt like I was putting down power more efficiently through the climbs and rock gardens. I have never ridden out west and this trail is easily the most backcountry like riding experience I've had in the Midwest. Even if this trail doesn't look like your preferred type of ride, I think all of us midwestern riders can appreciate having the option to experience this rugged backcountry trail to challenge us on the climbs and rocky technical sections. Before this trail, Bloodstone was the most difficult technical XC trail I'd ridden in Minnesota. (Stone Age is definitely a harder climb but more of an "all-mountain" trail since it has several double black diamond rated descending moves.) So I wasn't surprised to learn that the foreman behind Bloodstone also was in charge of Split Rock Wilds and had this trail named after him. Shoutout to the "Blu Crew" for building this amazing and expanding trail system on the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior, and for the OTM Foundation for supporting the development.
Chapters:
Intro 00:00 - 1:50
Sellers: 1:51 - 4:06
Fade to Blue Riding North 4:07 - 25:43
OTM Trail and Mail Route 25:44 - 29:14
Split Rock Wilds: www.trailforks.com/region/spl... - Sport
Wild, bro
Terrific video! We were up there over Memorial Day and Split Rock Wilds was closed. It was still pretty mushy. Hopefully open soon. Rode Pincushion in Grand Marais and it has its moments but Fade to Blue looks outstanding. Kind of a Sedona vibe with the relentless rocks. Thanks for posting!
Thank you and glad you enjoyed! I love a good challenge whether the trail is uphill or downhill so I wanted to make a full length video of what I feel is the most challenging technical XC riding Minnesota has to offer. Pincushion is one of the very few trail systems I have yet to ride in NE MN. Haven't made the journey to Sedona yet to ride but one of these winters I will, Split Rock Wilds helping to prepare for the tech there! These trails take forever to dry out in the spring, even though Split Rock is finally open there are still several trails closed due to mud.
I’m exhausted just watching!! No pain….. no Gehn (video of fade to blue).
This trail would have been the perfect opportunity to use that tag line! There was a lot of sore leg pain the next day after this grinder of a trail!
You’ve successfully triggered my PTSD, my bike is also trembling. That trail is a monster, I love it! Really strong riding Andrew, hats off! OTM looks sick!!
The most torturous technical trail in Minnesota! Thanks, everyone should ride this trail at least for the experience, it’s a great feeling when you complete the trail. Love a challenging ride whether the trail is pointed up or down! OTM trail was a lot of fun and I’m glad their organization is supporting Split Rock Wilds!
This is a brutal trail bro! I think it will help for a lot of people who have never been to Split Rock. Rather than go there and hate it, they may choose to pass. Those who love pain and gain may see this and send it! Nice video!
Thanks man! This trail system isn't for everyone and while I'd highly recommend it, maybe other riders would rather spend one of their precious Minnesota summer weekends riding something else like the nearby Jackpot flow trail. But if you are looking for challenging XC tech in MN this is the place. Fun riding with you at Cuyuna last weekend, hopefully Duluth or the Iron Range is next!
Always nice having the right tool for the job. Looks like a great 2 bike quiver for all the MN riding. Awesome to have that epic backcountry loop in such beautiful country. Great topography for building rad trails in that zone. Looks like a fun trail to get in the flow state in the tech. Love that stuff man! 🤙
Can't get away with having a one-bike Spire quiver in the Midwest unlike BHam, as you experienced with your visit here firsthand. It is SO killer to have a no-compromises downhill sled in the Spire, and then a 130 mm speedy trail bike for everything else, tried to beef up the Fuel EX too much for downhill duty and it didn't feel right no matter the terrain. Northern Minnesota is blessed with a bit of topography by Midwest standards with the Sawtooth Mountains and Lutsen nearby, and this is some rad trail unlike anything else I've ridden in the Midwest besides Piedmont.
Wait. Did i say maniac?? I might have meant masochist 😅
Ride or Die Harry 🤙🏻
I love the pain and the challenge!! We’ll have to all hit SRW in a group ride this summer. Great video, Andrew.
Climbing is a part of mountain biking in the midwest! Love the challenge too, doesn't matter if the trail is pointed up, down, or flat as long as it's technical. Climbing footage doesn't always get shown but I wanted other riders to see the most challenging XC trail in Minnesota in my opinion. A group ride out here this summer sounds good to me!
Is this last year? I only ask because I didn't think this trail was open yet this season. Maybe trailbot is wrong... It is an awesome trail though.
This was filmed last July. Sounds like it’s still muddy this late into spring according to Trailbot.