Review Date
June 21, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: ZOOM-DH ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
First off, I wish mtbr would come up with a better description of us as riders. Weekend warrior? Come on, get real. How about a description of someone who just rides about 3-4 days a week? Not a racer, not a warrior, not a downhiller, not a mullet. Just an avid rider. Anyway...

There is actually a third trail/route out at Clinton that its builders have been working on for quite a while. In keeping with the color theme, they have given this new trail the dubious title of the Red Trail. And red is a good color for it, as this will likely be the color of some of your body parts if you don't pay attention and have some pretty good handling skills. This trail doesn't waste any time in dropping you right down by the water's edge. But don't take in the scenery too long, as this trail is pretty challenging. It's pretty much nothing but rock. Rock on top of rock, on top of rock that's built on top of more rock. No real climbs here, but that's what makes it a challenge. No climbs means no recovery time on the decents. You're pretty much pedalling over lots of rocks the whole time.

It's a fun little section and definately worth checking out. There are even a few little hidden 2-3 foot drops that you can hit if you keep your eyes open. Other highlights of this Red Trail also include a couple of fun little bridges made from 2x4's and another that is made out of rock (go figure) that goes up and over a fallen tree.

I really can't guess how much time, sweat and beer it took for whoever to build this trail but we all should tip our helmets to them. This trail could not have been an easy build. Not at all. It's still a work in progress as you can see where they are marking further lines along the shore. As of the summer of 2006 it's about a mile long, but don't hold me to that measurement as I do not have any Garmin gadgetry or other technologically advanced apparatus to assist me in distance measurement and I am notorious for telling people I rode 30 miles when I only rode 3. But it will take the average rider about 20 minutes to ride this section of trail.

I really wouldn't rate any of the trails at Clinton as 'flowy' 'groovy' or any other description that involves a smooth rhythm for extended periods. There are flowy sections, but soon you will be dicing your way thru the rocks again.

Recommended Route:
Park at the main trailhead, ride the Blue out to the Red, then back on the Blue clear out to the main boat ramps. Go for a swim and take the Blue back or the 6 mile road back to the main trail head. This is one of the few places around that you can work in a ride n'swim. Take advantage of it.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
LRT (Lawrence River Trails) for lots of flow and ease or head east to Kansas City and there are three or four really nice trails up there.

The only thing keeping Clinton from getting a higher rating (in my worthles opinion anyway) would be that lack of continuous fluidity and the never ending flat tires that you get from the locust tree thorns. But you really can't hold those against its builders. Those trees are everywhere and it ain't like they can just go pulling up every little rock that protrudes out in the middle of the trail. They have done an amazing job of building a great trail in soil conditions that most regions would have given up on and taken up road riding.

Review Date
March 18, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: mchaines ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Rocky and rooty, lots of short, steep climbs & descents. The trail marked with white is significantly more difficult than the blue one. Both trails have closely spaced climbs that virtually ensure you'll get a workout, even if you aren't looking for one. Unless you've got really solid technical skills, expect to push your bike up several of the climbs (especially on the white trail). Maybe not the best beginner trail, or the most relaxing ride, but these trails are great for working on bike-handling in the rocks.

Recommended Route:
Blue & white trails run parallel with lots of connectors--take the white trail out from the trailhead, then cut across to the blue trail for a more direct route back (no matter how far you go, you're already two thirds of the way home!) Or, for a quicker ride, take the blue trail out approx. 9 miles to the main park road, then ride back on the pavement for a cool-down.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Kansas river trail

Review Date
December 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: josephfox ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Very fun and fast single track. Not the most technical trail, but if you are looking for a fun time of just cranking out the miles then this trail is perfect. Provides as much of a workout as you want to get, just keep it in the big chaingring and crank it.

Recommended Route:
Stay to the left at the trailhead and go clockwise. Make sure to take advantage of all the jumps and of course the natural bowl around mile 4. It's a good spot for a rest and theres a couple of nice drops in there.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Clinton Lake, Landahl, Smithville lake, and Tiffany Springs Rock quary

Review Date
July 20, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: bblur66 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Rode it in July, heat was a player and the cautions regarding the spiders were dead on. The webs diminished the enjoyment somewhat but beggers can't be choosers in the Midwest. Overall nice medium aerobic moderately/advanced technical trail. Can get soft and appears to stay soft in places.

Recommended Route:
Out White back on blue as others have said but they parallel each other quite a bit so you have options.

Review Date
May 11, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: ricomundy ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
For riding hours worth of singletrack this is the place to go. My first time I made the mistake of riding out on the blue as far as I could and then riding back on white and by the end I was so weak I could barely stand. Much better to go out on the technical white and relax on the way back via the blue.

I personally find I get a bit bored riding these trails since seeing the same scenery continuously gets monotonous. But it's a great workout and improves the technical skills too.

As others mentioned, if you're the first in a while the spiderwebs are fierce. Also tick repellant is a very good idea.

It would be a fun trail for a visitor to camp at and ride, but there are other more enjoyable trails in the area if you have to pick only one to ride.

Recommended Route:
Out on white, back on blue.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Landahl. Lawrence Levee trails.