Reviewed by: Kzoo_Camp ,  Weekend Warrior , from Kalamazoo, MI

Summary:
After reading the reviews, I decided to go for the Murray Lake trail since I'm just in my first year of really riding...I had great time! The trail itself was in great condition, not too much sand, hardpacked ground, etc. I would recommend this trail to mostly anyone. You can either plow through fast paced, or take your time. Wish their were more log jams though. I'm spoiled with Fort Custer...

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Fort Custer in Augusta

Reviewed by: Northwoods ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The trail map said the Torn Shirt was a 5.1mi trek for advanced riders. This seemed accurate. Man, this is my fourth season on a mtn bike and this trail was the biggest challenge to my lungs I’ve had ever in my whole life. I don’t consider myself a bad rider for a woman yet, this trail took my breath away (no pun intended). I considered the trail harder on my lungs than even the Potowatami trail because the Torn Shirt did not allow my lungs to recuperate. I’m ready to hit the Poto now and will probably fly over those hills as if I’d had wings. Let me try to explain: As soon as I hit the first huge hill’s apex at which time I was huffing and puffing like I had heart disease; this was only after about 5 min of riding (the first 4 min were smooth), I was hoping the 5.1 miles were just about over. I wasn’t quite so lucky; only just beginning, the trail went immediately into a very long and steep and narrow and rutted downhill and very soon after that, with no distance and time between to gain momentum, I was climbing tortuously up the next long and steep ascent. This action went on for about 20 min of my ride. Not only were the ascents very long and steep (and the downhills the same), but they also consisted of loose sand and gravel where it was hard for my tires to hold traction. On a couple of the ascents, there were switchbacks where I did not have the upper-body ability (or the legs or lungs for that matter) to make it through to the apexes. No rocks and boulders on this course, though. On a couple of the huge ascents mixed in were logs I could not bike over and had to stop again. There were about half-a-dozen log encounters I could not handle and had to get off my bike that many more times. The grueling climbs with ascending switchbacks, the steep and narrow downhills, and the log impediments made for an uneven and jagged rhythm to my ride. Again, I have never had a more gruesome workout to my lungs, ever. After the 20 min’s of that gruesome crocodile-teeth-type landscape had passed, the trail was a lot smoother with many switchbacks yet, no tortuous climbs. By this time, my mental and physical states were in la-la land and the ride through the pines was very scenic. I always seemed to be able to gain some control to my ride pace to keep from a lung burn of this type in the past. Also, never before had I encountered so many log jumps. I have only biked a few trails in the area so, maybe I’m missing out on more technically challenging trails in Michigan (not that I mind). How can I say it better: Okay, in golf, I shoot from the women’s tees. I’m coordinated and athletic but, not that powerful. The Torn Shirt lung capacity, (leg and upper body power, for that matter) are for the Tiger Woods level riders (championship tees) of mtn biking. I will ride the trail again (well, most parts of it anyway) and try to improve. I did laugh and found humor during this ride. When I was fooled into believing I was at the top of two gruesome ascents, there hung torn and ragged t-shirts hanging from nearby limbs, tossed out empty water bottles, and on one of the near apexes, there was even a torn-up umbrella! I am still chuckling from this as I look back on it today. I see that I was not the only person who thought they had made it to the top only to find they had another major challenge of climbing distance to go! Fun! Oh, I had only a slice of bread with peanut butter that morning and had ridden the very excellent 7-mile? (I’m guessing) Murray Lake trail prior to the Torn Shirt. I don’t understand the trail map; it says the Murray Lake trail is 7-9 miles. Someone will have to explain just what this means…. I will fuel up better the next time. I did have plenty of water.

Recommended Route:
From Ann Arbor, take I23 North to I36 (north/west to left on Chilson to right on Bishop Lake Rd. to right into Bishop Lake to right into picniking area parking lot.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I really enjoy he Murray Lake trail also at Brighton Rec Area. It can be made challenging or one can take it easy. It consists of very good hills and some very good downhills, yet not too-o technical