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[Harvey Mushman]

Perry; If you know someone that knows there way around Perry well, (like Stu) you/he can put together a nice flowing loop and have some fun. This way you can avoid much of the roached out areas that the Quads have torn up. Without a guide, it's a parade lap from one hill to another. Guess it depends on what type of riding you like to do. Perry IMO doesn't tolerate rain as well as other places.

Carbondale, is a good place to ride. It has a small MX track up top that is good for kids if they are coming along. A lot of variety at C-dale. Parts of it tolerates water well, some not so much. I think Paul charges $10 for an entire day of riding. Not a bad place to ride. Paul operates Santa Fe Trail Cycle from this location and has a shop on site if you needed something for a bike during the day. Paul's a good guy and loves to talk dirt bikes.

Oakland, Haven't been there for a couple years but used to be primo smooth flowing single track. Some FMHS guys were going to do trail maintenance there a couple months ago but I'm not certain what or how much got done. If not much got done, it could be overgrown in spots. Could get out on the sand bars and ride if the river was down. Good way to learn how to ride sand. Before joining Big Springs I rode there for years and never had anything stolen. If it's of value, It's locked in the truck no matter where I ride, end of issue. Oakland is just north of the Topeka sewage plant. On occassion when the water turns over in the pools there may be a slight odor but it is very infrequent and most people don't notice it.

If I was going to pick from these three with the intentions of riding most of the day, I'd probably go to C-dale because of the variety and the fact that Quads have not torn it up and it flows reasonable well. If you just wanted a quick hour of seat time, Oakland or Perry would save you the ten-spot. Hope this helps.

[carlrf]

Good info! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks

[kendall_smith]

Perry is pretty technical riding.

Chadwick is on my list as well. Let me know when you want to head back, never been there myself and am down for an overnight trip.

Jamee, I couldn't help but reply based on these two comments. Different people have different ideas of what "technical" means to them, but I have to warn you that if you consider Perry technical, you might not like what Chadwick has to offer. I would never try to talk someone out of trying out a riding area, but feel the need to "warn" you about what might be in store for you at Chadwick! If you like rocks (TONS of rocks!), ledge drops/hops, cliff drops, etc. you will like Chadwick. If you like smooth, flowy trails and dirt with bermed corners and a lack of challenging terrain, Chadwick doesn't have a whole lot to offer.

At the risk of sounding blowhard-y, Chadwick can punish riders and their bikes if they are not ready for it. The trails change regularly due to the erosion created by the usage (quads) they get, terrain, and erosion, so what was an easy, level trail a couple of years ago can be a trail loaded with ledges and loose big rocks. Plan on crashing at least a couple of times and replacing some parts on your bike when you get home. I've actually broken parts off of a bike there without crashing!

That being said, have a good time if you end up riding there. It might help if you can go with some riders that have been there and know their way around so you can get acclimated to some of the easier trails before you jump all the way in.

[carlrf]

Perry is pretty technical riding.

Chadwick is on my list as well. Let me know when you want to head back, never been there myself and am down for an overnight trip.

Jamee, I couldn't help but reply based on these two comments. Different people have different ideas of what "technical" means to them, but I have to warn you that if you consider Perry technical, you might not like what Chadwick has to offer. I would never try to talk someone out of trying out a riding area, but feel the need to "warn" you about what might be in store for you at Chadwick! If you like rocks (TONS of rocks!), ledge drops/hops, cliff drops, etc. you will like Chadwick. If you like smooth, flowy trails and dirt with bermed corners and a lack of challenging terrain, Chadwick doesn't have a whole lot to offer.

At the risk of sounding blowhard-y, Chadwick can punish riders and their bikes if they are not ready for it. The trails change regularly due to the erosion created by the usage (quads) they get, terrain, and erosion, so what was an easy, level trail a couple of years ago can be a trail loaded with ledges and loose big rocks. Plan on crashing at least a couple of times and replacing some parts on your bike when you get home. I've actually broken parts off of a bike there without crashing!

That being said, have a good time if you end up riding there. It might help if you can go with some riders that have been there and know their way around so you can get acclimated to some of the easier trails before you jump all the way in.

I find this interesting and a little surprising. It has been a while but in contrast, I have been there with a friend that is literally paralyized from the waist down and rides a 250R 3 wheeler and we have had full days of nothing but fun and few if any incidents. In addition he has brought a couple of very inexperienced teenagers with him (against my better judgement but...?) for them to learn to trail ride there. (I am not condoning this BTW).
I am guessing you ride considerably more aggresive than I and likely seek out the toughest stuff down there. I recall lots of open trails with moderate difficulty. I also have taken my son of there several times with his age between, I don't know, maybe 13 to 18 and he absoulutely loved it. And I can out ride him anyday (sorry Kyle ).
Yes there are hard areas. In the past, 90% of our Chadwick riding was on modern trials bikes so maybe that made me view it as moderate, I don't know. I have been there on a 200 EXC and remember it being a total blast. I have also been there on an old KX250 that was kind of a monster as I recall, had to keep it on the pipe, loud as hell, etc.) but it was still fun as heck. I have aged considerable since and am now on (going to be) this 450EXC and I suppose it's likely to be a total handful for me with my admitted amateur abilities.
Anyway, just saying, I am hesitant to scare anyone off because all my association with Chadwick has been a positive experience.
Now I fear everything will go wrong after saying all that.

[carlrf]

Oh, yes there are rocks and natural gravel if you will. The upside to this is there is NO mud that I recall. It can be pouring rain and you can still ride. I can see where trials tires may be a big help in this terrain. Especially since you don't need the knobbies due to the absence of mud.

[troy]

Carl, I fear you might be one of the many "old timers" who, after seeing what Chadwick has become over last 20 years, will lament the good old days.

[carlrf]

Carl, I fear you might be one of the many "old timers" who, after seeing what Chadwick has become over last 20 years, will lament the good old days.

I am really sorry to hear that!

[Savage]

Perry; If you know someone that knows there way around Perry well, (like Stu) you/he can put together a nice flowing loop and have some fun. This way you can avoid much of the roached out areas that the Quads have torn up. Without a guide, it's a parade lap from one hill to another. Guess it depends on what type of riding you like to do. Perry IMO doesn't tolerate rain as well as other places.

Carbondale, is a good place to ride. It has a small MX track up top that is good for kids if they are coming along. A lot of variety at C-dale. Parts of it tolerates water well, some not so much. I think Paul charges $10 for an entire day of riding. Not a bad place to ride. Paul operates Santa Fe Trail Cycle from this location and has a shop on site if you needed something for a bike during the day. Paul's a good guy and loves to talk dirt bikes.

Oakland, Haven't been there for a couple years but used to be primo smooth flowing single track. Some FMHS guys were going to do trail maintenance there a couple months ago but I'm not certain what or how much got done. If not much got done, it could be overgrown in spots. Could get out on the sand bars and ride if the river was down. Good way to learn how to ride sand. Before joining Big Springs I rode there for years and never had anything stolen. If it's of value, It's locked in the truck no matter where I ride, end of issue. Oakland is just north of the Topeka sewage plant. On occassion when the water turns over in the pools there may be a slight odor but it is very infrequent and most people don't notice it.

If I was going to pick from these three with the intentions of riding most of the day, I'd probably go to C-dale because of the variety and the fact that Quads have not torn it up and it flows reasonable well. If you just wanted a quick hour of seat time, Oakland or Perry would save you the ten-spot. Hope this helps.

Good info! Thank you!
I took the fam to Carbondale last year and had a great time. The kids did one lap around the hare scramble track and were understandably done riding for the day. Paul is a nice guy. He's now charging $15 for the day, charged us $20 for all of us. I plan to go back someday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOg9hB4VMKs

You're making Oakland sound like a decent place with some potential. I'm game to meetup there.

[carlrf]

Perry; If you know someone that knows there way around Perry well, (like Stu) you/he can put together a ni..........................................................d probably go to C-dale because of the variety and the fact that Quads have not torn it up and it flows reasonable well. If you just wanted a quick hour of seat time, Oakland or Perry would save you the ten-spot. Hope this helps.

Good info! Thank you!
I took the fam to Carbondale last year and had a great time. The kids did one lap around the hare scramble track and were understandably done riding for the day. Paul is a nice guy. He's now charging $15 for the day, charged us $20 for all of us. I plan to go back someday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOg9hB4VMKs

You're making Oakland sound like a decent place with some potential. I'm game to meetup there.

Cool. Thanks for video!
Just where is this place?

[Savage]

Carbondale KS, just S of Topeka.

[Jamee]

Perry is pretty technical riding.

Chadwick is on my list as well. Let me know when you want to head back, never been there myself and am down for an overnight trip.

Jamee, I couldn't help but reply based on these two comments. Different people have different ideas of what "technical" means to them, but I have to warn you that if you consider Perry technical, you might not like what Chadwick has to offer. I would never try to talk someone out of trying out a riding area, but feel the need to "warn" you about what might be in store for you at Chadwick! If you like rocks (TONS of rocks!), ledge drops/hops, cliff drops, etc. you will like Chadwick. If you like smooth, flowy trails and dirt with bermed corners and a lack of challenging terrain, Chadwick doesn't have a whole lot to offer.

At the risk of sounding blowhard-y, Chadwick can punish riders and their bikes if they are not ready for it. The trails change regularly due to the erosion created by the usage (quads) they get, terrain, and erosion, so what was an easy, level trail a couple of years ago can be a trail loaded with ledges and loose big rocks. Plan on crashing at least a couple of times and replacing some parts on your bike when you get home. I've actually broken parts off of a bike there without crashing!

That being said, have a good time if you end up riding there. It might help if you can go with some riders that have been there and know their way around so you can get acclimated to some of the easier trails before you jump all the way in.

Hmm. When I as at Perry - it was all first/second gear riding, many off camber corners full of roots/tree's some slick mud. I didn't really have any problems there myself, enjoyed the ride, at the same time it was my second ride on the WR and hadn't been in the woods in 3-4 years. But I do feel Troy could have left behind at any time, although when I rode his 500 it was much more nimble then mine.

He was great to ride with though and very gracious on not just leaving me. I did feel bad though that he may have been looking to cover more miles then we did.

That said, my skills are such that there isn't much I feel I couldn't get through. I grew up in Maine and spent the last 15 years living in MN. Maine is much more technical then anything I've seen up in MN or even down here yet. My statements where more along the lines of "Kids" coming along. I've seen people bring their kids snowmobiling/dirtbiking and the Kids being so frustrated that it really took the fun out of it for them.

In all of my riding/snowmobiling, I've never seen anything anywhere that one has to return with a busted up bike. Accidents and mistakes happen, but planning a trip thinking it has to be like that doesn't seem like a good idea.

[Jamee]

Perry is pretty technical riding.

Chadwick is on my list as well. Let me know when you want to head back, never been there myself and am down for an overnight trip.

Jamee, I couldn't help but reply based on these two comments. Different people have different ideas of what "technical" means to them, but I have to warn you that if you consider Perry technical, you might not like what Chadwick has to offer. I would never try to talk someone out of trying out a riding area, but feel the need to "warn" you about what might be in store for you at Chadwick! If you like rocks (TONS of rocks!), ledge drops/hops, cliff drops, etc. you will like Chadwick. If you like smooth, flowy trails and dirt with bermed corners and a lack of challenging terrain, Chadwick doesn't have a whole lot to offer.

At the risk of sounding blowhard-y, Chadwick can punish riders and their bikes if they are not ready for it. The trails change regularly due to the erosion created by the usage (quads) they get, terrain, and erosion, so what was an easy, level trail a couple of years ago can be a trail loaded with ledges and loose big rocks. Plan on crashing at least a couple of times and replacing some parts on your bike when you get home. I've actually broken parts off of a bike there without crashing!

That being said, have a good time if you end up riding there. It might help if you can go with some riders that have been there and know their way around so you can get acclimated to some of the easier trails before you jump all the way in.

I find this interesting and a little surprising. It has been a while but in contrast, I have been there with a friend that is literally paralyized from the waist down and rides a 250R 3 wheeler and we have had full days of nothing but fun and few if any incidents. In addition he has brought a couple of very inexperienced teenagers with him (against my better judgement but...?) for them to learn to trail ride there. (I am not condoning this BTW).
I am guessing you ride considerably more aggresive than I and likely seek out the toughest stuff down there. I recall lots of open trails with moderate difficulty. I also have taken my son of there several times with his age between, I don't know, maybe 13 to 18 and he absoulutely loved it. And I can out ride him anyday (sorry Kyle ).
Yes there are hard areas. In the past, 90% of our Chadwick riding was on modern trials bikes so maybe that made me view it as moderate, I don't know. I have been there on a 200 EXC and remember it being a total blast. I have also been there on an old KX250 that was kind of a monster as I recall, had to keep it on the pipe, loud as hell, etc.) but it was still fun as heck. I have aged considerable since and am now on (going to be) this 450EXC and I suppose it's likely to be a total handful for me with my admitted amateur abilities.
Anyway, just saying, I am hesitant to scare anyone off because all my association with Chadwick has been a positive experience.
Now I fear everything will go wrong after saying all that.

Over the last couple of years, I've been watching video's of Chadwick, talking to several locals that ride quads, nothing that has ever been mentioned makes me think Chadwick is a machine destroying area. I think Troy told me at one point he drop'd his 450 down some cliff there and bent up the sub-frame? Not sure if I have the correct location that happened at, but at the same time, I watched Troy at Perry go down into an area that I probably wouldn't have, and we both had to work to get his bike back up. It wasn't dangerous, or anything like that, just a place that didn't offer much in the way to get back out of. Now he also went up a hill out of the creek that had a tree down at the top and a very narrow single track around it with a very steep drop on the other side. I did have a lot of problems and needed Troy's help on there, but my bike was also on a high tune map at that point and I was struggling all over with it stalling on me. Once I loaded up a more mellow map, my stalling issues went away and I fully believe I could have gotten through there on the mellow map with no issues.

So maybe am more of a rider that will "view the landscape" a bit before heading into it. Either way, am looking forward to a trip out to Chadwick. Am not sure how many more years I will be down in this area but I do know that I want to make sure I see all of the riding area's I can, while am here. Nothing worse then looking back years later and wishing I'd had an experience when it was easy to do so.

"At the risk of sounding blowhard-y"
I would never think that of someone here on the boards, or really any boards/chat/email/text/etc. I expect everyone to give their honest opinion, just as I would. At times, things could be viewed as (insert what ever here) but that's all communicating via text and not in person so often things can be taken how ever people choose to. Am sure I've said some stuff that might ruffle someone's feathers, but would never do so with that intent in mind.

[HanesAnizer]

Hopefully we get Savage's post back on topic

I'm good (at this point) with either date and I am good with any place however, I would put them in order of Carbondale, Perry then Oakland. It really all depends on who is coming and skill level.

[Jamee]

Hopefully we get Savage's post back on topic

I'm good (at this point) with either date and I am good with any place however, I would put them in order of Carbondale, Perry then Oakland. It really all depends on who is coming and skill level.

Same here - Either date at this point works, and I don't really care where we go, just would like to meet and put a face to several of these screen names.

[carlrf]

Based on the afore mentioned video I would be interested in checking out Carbondale.

[Jamee]

Based on the afore mentioned video I would be interested in checking out Carbondale.

Carbondale would be my first choice as well, but again open to any place.

[kendall_smith]

Jamee- if you've ridden with Troy, he can be a good judge of whether or not you'll enjoy Chadwick better than I would be. I have no idea what type of riding anyone likes to do or is capable of unless I've personally ridden with them in the past and even then it can be difficult to judge what someone is going to have trouble with or not. It's one of the most difficult parts of organizing and leading rides and one of the reasons I don't usually volunteer to plan a ride!

Chadwick is like many other riding areas that you could go to, meaning you can go down there and ride the "easy" trails staying on the ridge tops and not dropping into the valleys where the gnarly stuff is and get some riding in even with kids and beginners with you. If you do make a wrong turn and end up on one of the more difficult trails by accident, or you misjudge your skills and end up on something over your head, it can make for a long day of pushing and pulling your bikes up ravines and cliff ledges and take all of the fun out of the day you had planned. This picture is of a map that they put out a couple of years ago and is a disclaimer on the key of the map:



That being said, I know that they have been making some changes to the trails to make them more accessible to riders of all skill levels and I haven't been there for about a year, so I don't know how that process has turned out.

I definitely would never tell anyone to not go there. I think I put that in my first post, but maybe it got lost in the conversation. I just think a fair warning is deserved by all riders and I'd hate to see you spend a weekend having a miserable time at Chadwick when you could have had fun somewhere else. You should definitely check it out if you feel comfortable with the possibility that the going could get tough! I hope you go down there and have a great time and show those trails who's boss!

[kendall_smith]

Hopefully we get Savage's post back on topic

No doubt! Who are these guys that keep coming in here and derailing the thread? Troy's got some banning to do!

[kendall_smith]

Based on the afore mentioned video I would be interested in checking out Carbondale.

Carbondale would be my first choice as well, but again open to any place.

Carbondale is a great place to ride! The hare scramble loop has a little bit of everything and I think there are go-arounds for any of the more "technical" spots.

Just don't go after a rain! A buddy and I went there a few years ago on the Monday after a hare scramble race on Sunday, but it had rained 3" the night before. I think it took us a couple of hours to make one lap and then give up. Keep in mind, my friend had done the race the day before and was able to do 5 or 6 laps in 2 hours!

[Jamee]

This picture is of a map that they put out a couple of years ago and is a disclaimer on the key of the map:

Super Kewl - I need one of those as a sticker on my Bike! =) I totally hear you though on the rest of it. 8 Years Ski Patrol out East, 12 Years as a power skating instructor (Hockey), and spending every waking moment I could for my first 25 years on anything I could find motorized... Again, I find there isn't much I can't work my way though.. Thank you though for your advice, I do appreciate it.

I have no idea what type of riding anyone likes to do or is capable of unless I've personally ridden with them in the past and even then it can be difficult to judge what someone is going to have trouble with or not.

Well, lets go ride together then!! Am on the board here because of a job change that moved me here and a serious lack of riding buddies.. Then we can chat about the crazy stuff we've seen and done.

Already had a unique adventure with Troy that, well, I can say I've never experienced before. Fixing websites while trying to get around Perry has to be a first for me.