So ILL
In the last month or so since the frat party so poignantly named the Burnin', I haven't really touched my mountain bike. It just hasn't been in me. Not sure why. Normally, I am all about the dirt this time of year. Maybe the 12hr left a bad aftertaste this go around. Not sure. But, my guy AKO, now referred to as AKO+ on this particular page, got me amp'd about hittin' the place where I cut my teeth off road and I helped show him the way some years ago. If you took a survey of midwest mountain bikers the list of names that have hollowed the wooded hills of Cedar Lake would probably be pretty short. At about the same distance from St. Louis as Council Bluff, the trails of Cedar and little Cedar are just as promising, and a bit more varied than the Bluff.
After almost a decade of missing out on these trails, I pointed the Danger Ranger southward. With the strike of the flint we were off and running. No warm up from the Pamona boat launch. It points skyward pretty quick. I can't say I remembered every step of the way before we got going, but once we got there it all came back. Cedar Lake has everything to offer. Tight, fast single track wraps the lake in similar fashion to Council Bluff. The majority of the hills are longer and a bit more challenging than the Bluff, but not as relentless. It could be said that there are trails a sweet as Cedar Lake, but I haven't ridden anything better. Life can only get so good and then its only different. I only single out Council Bluff because I believe it is equal to Cedar Lake on the fun meter.
So ILL truly is an untapped source for riding whether its on or off road. It won't take so long to get me back there, but the riding isn't the only draw. So close to SIUC you would be silly not to hit the fine college dining establishments Carbondale has to offer. AKO+ suggested Quatros. Ah, mountain biking and deep pan pizza. Normally, I like my pizza on a cracker St. Louis style, but you would again be crazy to pass up Quatros. If you need some see if they will deliver, 549-5326.
The Quatros Challenge did satisfy the hunger, but with so many places to gorge how could I pass up the chance to get some carry out from another nutritious palace who's nutrients have been missing from my veins. So I hit up La Bambas for their Super Pork Burrito.
La Bambas is famous for the burritos that are as big as your head. Its no joke. back in the day I could put one of these bad boys down in under 4 minutes. Once I got home I decided to see how much I have slowed down in my 30s. I could not break 4 minutes, but I did a sub 5 minute effort. respectable, but I will have to do better next time. If you need to get in touch with the wonderful people at La Bambas check them out at www.labambaburritos.com. There are plenty more attractions to Carbondale, but you will need to make your own plans.
After almost a decade of missing out on these trails, I pointed the Danger Ranger southward. With the strike of the flint we were off and running. No warm up from the Pamona boat launch. It points skyward pretty quick. I can't say I remembered every step of the way before we got going, but once we got there it all came back. Cedar Lake has everything to offer. Tight, fast single track wraps the lake in similar fashion to Council Bluff. The majority of the hills are longer and a bit more challenging than the Bluff, but not as relentless. It could be said that there are trails a sweet as Cedar Lake, but I haven't ridden anything better. Life can only get so good and then its only different. I only single out Council Bluff because I believe it is equal to Cedar Lake on the fun meter.
So ILL truly is an untapped source for riding whether its on or off road. It won't take so long to get me back there, but the riding isn't the only draw. So close to SIUC you would be silly not to hit the fine college dining establishments Carbondale has to offer. AKO+ suggested Quatros. Ah, mountain biking and deep pan pizza. Normally, I like my pizza on a cracker St. Louis style, but you would again be crazy to pass up Quatros. If you need some see if they will deliver, 549-5326.
The Quatros Challenge did satisfy the hunger, but with so many places to gorge how could I pass up the chance to get some carry out from another nutritious palace who's nutrients have been missing from my veins. So I hit up La Bambas for their Super Pork Burrito.
La Bambas is famous for the burritos that are as big as your head. Its no joke. back in the day I could put one of these bad boys down in under 4 minutes. Once I got home I decided to see how much I have slowed down in my 30s. I could not break 4 minutes, but I did a sub 5 minute effort. respectable, but I will have to do better next time. If you need to get in touch with the wonderful people at La Bambas check them out at www.labambaburritos.com. There are plenty more attractions to Carbondale, but you will need to make your own plans.
posted by Dent Wizard Cycling Team at 8:03 PM
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