Review Date
July 13, 2008

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Glued ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
As the trail was in Summer 2007 it was very nice. Nice variety of terrain as was noted in other reviews.

The northern side of the complex is heavily forested, (it's like a tree farm or very dense wind break) it is still quite nicely done and they are adding more trails there. This section is mostly about rhythm and flow and when you get it right, it rocks. Smells good too.

The ravine areas (both north and south sides)are modestly technical and plenty of fun. These sections are cleverly designed and very satisfying.

The remaining downhill section in the prairie area is fun. It builds speed quickly and the two steep drops (that become jumps if you are going fast enough) add more speed. It flows into a high speed turn and finishes up in a right-hander through a stand of trees.

Unfortunately, in late 2007 the trail organization that built and takes care of the trail (T.H.O.R.) did a lot of additions and changes to the hilly and flat prairie areas that aren't really very interesting. The fast downhill from the highest point in the park was narrowly rutted and was not safe to ride very fast, (but if you did, it was fun)

Rather than work out a drainage solution to reduce rutting on the fast downhill section and the long, grinding uphill sections, they just stopped maintaining them.

The long grinder leading to the top of the big downhill has been turned into a set of switchbacks. Probably for erosion control. The old uphill tread is still there but not maitained. Be careful going down hill on the old uphill section, some of the no-longer-maintained sections sometimes have random unmarked hazards, (logs, rocks, water diversion dams, etc) that can be quite a surprise at speed.

The new switchbacks section in the flat open prairie area is just plain dull and pointless. Likewise, the swithcbacks in the SW corner area are mostly snoozers too. Beginners need trails too.

There is one area after the ravine section that has a tight slow turn that would be right at home in a trials course. Just goofy.

They did a heck of a lot of work to add boring trails that they now have to spend precious volunteer time maintaining.

Fortunately most of the boring areas can be bypassed, but UNfortunately some of the more interesting prairie sections are no longer maintained.

All in all, it's worth the trip.

Recommended Route:
Read the map.

Review Date
April 29, 2008

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: fifthcircle ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This used to be an ok loop for a quick workout. I think it was about 4 miles, once around. The local trail folks (T.H.O.R.) have rerouted a few sections and it has to be closer to 7 miles now. The original fun stuff at the creek and the pine trees is still mostly the same. The big grass hill that used to be up and then down....is now full of switchbacks and extends down and back up the South side of the hill also. I was huffin' and puffin' after the climbs! It's better than it was last year, so if you have not been yet in 2008, go check it out.

Recommended Route:
Park in the gravel parking lot on the South side of Fort St. Ride the singletrack heading South and then turning West along the creek. It will then go uphill to the pine trees. You can't really mess up after that....

Review Date
April 9, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Myhafh ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is one of the first trails I have taken in Omaha and it was not a disappointment. There is a hillside part that has a few good climbs and there is a second part down by the creek that is semi technical. Definitely a trail I will continue to ride.

Recommended Route:
Depends what your looking for:

The hillside is fun if you want to do a little more climbing.

If you stay just south of Fort you will be able to do the technical by the creek and ride up in the trees on a smaller hill.

Review Date
October 15, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: crager34 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Great beginner trail except for a couple tight sections near the creek. For more advanced riders..just ride it hard and fast and you'll be fine. For the location and space... this is a great trail.

Review Date
August 23, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: crager34 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a beginners trail or a sprint for more skilled riders. It's about 3-4 miles in a well put together loop. Nice place for a quickie...well thought out trail.