Review Date
April 14, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: bcendo321 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
A gem of a trail indeed. Up, down, all around, tight singletrack that can be hammered or meandered. Reminded me of a mini-Fruita with its hills, sandy soil and rim-riding above the water (not quite the drops of course, but exhillerating nonetheless). Very well built trail comprised of tight turns & switchbacks mixed with staight down-then-ups. Mostly smooth with a few rocky sections near the beginning of the ride. You will be fairly spent at the end with the total elevation gain.

I was in Great Bend for work before riding and stopped into racer Cameron Chambers' family's Golden Belt Bicycle Company. Cameron, his dad Doug and the others could not have been nicer and more willing to help a Lake Wilson first-timer. Good people like that are another reason we all love to ride. They have a race & festival the first part of May, call them at 620-793-7060 or 800-561-2453 for details of the fun.

Thanks Golden Belt for your trailwork and generosity. A prime piece of singletrack was needed in the hills of central Kansas, and Lake Wilson is it. It's worth the trip, either as a destination from even a few hours away, or a must-ride heading east or west on I-70.

Recommended Route:
Start at the parking lot trail marker, and pretty-much stay left as you ride the trail clockwise. When it doubt just go with how the trail flows. Because the trail is mostly tree-less, you can always head up the nearest hill to get your bearings with the lake, road, marina, etc. if you get lost. Be sure and continue riding after you first go under the road bridge, the close-to-the-water riding is just about to begin and you don't want to miss it. And on your return when your about to say enough with the hills, it will smooth out and you can speed back to your car in the big ring.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Two hours east--Lake Perry (northeast of Topeka).

Review Date
December 27, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: renegadewalker ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Wow if you are driving across Ks. on I-70 this trail is a must and a welcome break. I thought Kansas was flat. Plan 90 min for the 12 mile a great ride!!!!!!!!!!!

Review Date
December 10, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: tw09r ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
It lives up to its name (rollercoaster) one of the sweetest singletracks around. It's also well maintained by the CKMBC bike club. Check it out, you won't be sorry, sore maybe but you'll leave with a big grin on your face.

Review Date
December 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: jcmtbfreak ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Well, this trail before expansion had over 2000 feet of climbing per 6 mile lap. That should tell you something about the trail. And now its twice as long!!! Its just technical enough to make things interesting, and the climbs will get you in shape for about anything. They don't call it the rollarcoaster for nothing. You climb for 2 or 3 minutes, then decend for 30 seconds or so. A tough trail. But sooooo much fun. There is just something special about this trail. It's just fun to ride. Golden Belt Bicycle shop in Great Bend Kansas is the place to talk to about this place. They keep it up and work on it. Give em a call. Oh, and they put on an amazing race the first weekend in May. Wow, so much fun. Come check out the on going two laps for a tu tu bet between two of the regular race participants. Loser wears a tu tu. You know, I just realized that I have to agree with Cam the man on the difficulty of the trail. this has got to be one of the toughest but best trails in the state. It's one of the hidden gems of trail riding in Kansas.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Great Bend river trails are pretty cool.
Coronado Heights in Lindsborg Kansas is amazingly fun as well
Osborne river trails, Osborne Kansas. Fast and fun.

Review Date
December 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: cameron chambers ,  Racer

Summary:
Totally a rad trail. Kansas canyon land style. Not many trees but alot of real fun downhills. Pretty much my favorite place to ride.

Recommended Route:
Only one loop so it is easy to get it all in.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Great Bend river trails,(great bend, ks) Coronado Heights Trail, (lindsborg, ks)