Theo

Hit Theo yesterday morning. It was another cold Minnesota day with temps hovering around the zero mark. The windchill wasn't much of a factor since I was in the woods. Somebody must have been out on Pugsley's that morning, because there were fresh tracks and the trail was groomed to near perfection. Everything was rideable, including the skinnies (although the expert loop at the beginning was pretty choppy and kind of tough with normal mtb tires). Theo is the perfect singlespeed trail in the summer, and in the winter it's even better. Those little ups become more challenging at slower speeds and with less traction, providing a good workout. Got 3 laps in and headed back to the parking lot, where I ran into the legendary John Schmidt. He claims to be in his early sixties, but I need to check his driver's license because he skis and rides like a man in his thirties. Good guy and a hell of an endurance athlete.

Wirth

Snuck in two laps after work at Theo last night. It's the first time I've ridden there all year and maybe the third time ever. Nothing really technical -- just fast, twisty, flowy singletrack. The first lap was a little sketchy with the setting sun flashing through the autumn leaves, creating a strobe light effect in certain spots, and making for a few close encounters with some trees. Second lap was fast and fun. Near perfect trail conditions. Good times.

Theo Wirth

Rode Theo Wirth yesterday for the first time. It's definitely a single-speeder's course. No climbing and nothing really technical (at least on the "A" loop, I didn't hit the "B" loop). There's a rock section (photo above from MORC) and a few other little rocks and log piles, but it's mostly tight, twisty singletrack. It's fast and pretty fun. If I lived closer I'd probably ride it more, but if I'm going to drive somewhere to ride (which I have to do no matter what) I think I'd probably go to Leb, Battle Creek or Elk River instead. If you need a place to go crank out laps and work on cornering (my main reason for checking it out, based on Jamison's advice), or don't have time to drive to one of the "destination" trails in the Metro, Wirth is good place to get a quick ride in. MORC did a nice job, as usual.