Other Racing Venues
Iowa Enduro Riders
Winterset, Iowa
I won my class here for the first time ever in 2000. This part of Iowa is a little different from what I had expected,
considering it's smack in the middle of the corn belt. I would call it a cross between Missouri and Illinois. Some rocks,
but not enough to drive you crazy. The enduro was set up as a 30 mile loop that was run twice. When I was there it
was very dry and dusty, so my Michelin S-12's weren't really necessary. In fact, there was not a drop of moisture
anywhere. So check the weather beforehand. Soft terrain tires would be good when there's been some rain. But if dry,
an intermediate-terrain tire would be better.
Directions: North of Winterset on U.S. 169; look for arrows.
Dutch Sport Park
Bloomingdale, Michigan
This property is more known for its excellent motocross track, but is a regular host to a round of the National Hare
Scrambles Series. After rains, the woods will be muddy, although the ruts are usually not bottomless. Some areas have
very slick, hard clay. In hot weather, the course is tough on stamina because the trails are tight and energy-consuming.
Razorback Riders
White Rock Mountain Recreational Area (Western Arkansas)
Think St. Joe State Park times 10. This place is huge. I did a 65-mile enduro here in 2004 and saw maybe 1/3 of the
trails. Located east of Fayetteville, the terrain is rocky and the elevation changes are plus or minus 500 feet. The hills
you climb seem to go on forever, as do the downhills. This area hosts some downhill mountain bike races, if that gives
you any idea of the size of the mini-mountains. Many of the trails are wide enough for ATV's but the locals know where
the good singletrack is. The riding are is open to the public, but be careful: you can get lost in there. Just ask Brian
Jahelka. The annual White Rock Enduro is a first-class event and lots of fun.
Unadilla Valley Sports Center
New Berlin, New York
This famous motocross track has been an AMA National Motocross series venue for many years, and it also makes for
a pretty good place to have a Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) race. Located in scenic upstate New York, the
terrain consists of rolling hills and old, well-established forests. The woods surrounding the motocross track make up
much of the off-road course. The event I attended here in 2007 was typical of most GNCC races, with wide, choppy
trails. The soil can be thick and muddy when wet, especially in the low-lying areas. On the hilltops, the dirt is filled with
small, rounded stones that can make hill climbing a challenge. I pushed my KX250 up a few hills where the back tire
could not locate any traction. Expect ATV-type trails and high speeds if you attend a GNCC here.
North Alabama Trail Riders
Westpoint, Tennessee
A broken clutch cable limited my riding here to approximately 10 miles of trail in 2007, but it was enough time in the
southern Tennessee woods to get a feel for the place. The woods are vast, mostly singletrack from what I could tell, and
pretty fun to ride. The national enduro I raced was very dusty, due to drought conditions, especially in the open areas of
past logging activities. Rocks were moderate, and while the terrain had a decent rock base underneath, the solid
appeared to be the type that could be slippery when wet. Although the woods are well-established, expect to see some
relatively tight sections. Wish I could have ridden more of it....
Winterset, Iowa
I won my class here for the first time ever in 2000. This part of Iowa is a little different from what I had expected,
considering it's smack in the middle of the corn belt. I would call it a cross between Missouri and Illinois. Some rocks,
but not enough to drive you crazy. The enduro was set up as a 30 mile loop that was run twice. When I was there it
was very dry and dusty, so my Michelin S-12's weren't really necessary. In fact, there was not a drop of moisture
anywhere. So check the weather beforehand. Soft terrain tires would be good when there's been some rain. But if dry,
an intermediate-terrain tire would be better.
Directions: North of Winterset on U.S. 169; look for arrows.
Dutch Sport Park
Bloomingdale, Michigan
This property is more known for its excellent motocross track, but is a regular host to a round of the National Hare
Scrambles Series. After rains, the woods will be muddy, although the ruts are usually not bottomless. Some areas have
very slick, hard clay. In hot weather, the course is tough on stamina because the trails are tight and energy-consuming.
Razorback Riders
White Rock Mountain Recreational Area (Western Arkansas)
Think St. Joe State Park times 10. This place is huge. I did a 65-mile enduro here in 2004 and saw maybe 1/3 of the
trails. Located east of Fayetteville, the terrain is rocky and the elevation changes are plus or minus 500 feet. The hills
you climb seem to go on forever, as do the downhills. This area hosts some downhill mountain bike races, if that gives
you any idea of the size of the mini-mountains. Many of the trails are wide enough for ATV's but the locals know where
the good singletrack is. The riding are is open to the public, but be careful: you can get lost in there. Just ask Brian
Jahelka. The annual White Rock Enduro is a first-class event and lots of fun.
Unadilla Valley Sports Center
New Berlin, New York
This famous motocross track has been an AMA National Motocross series venue for many years, and it also makes for
a pretty good place to have a Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) race. Located in scenic upstate New York, the
terrain consists of rolling hills and old, well-established forests. The woods surrounding the motocross track make up
much of the off-road course. The event I attended here in 2007 was typical of most GNCC races, with wide, choppy
trails. The soil can be thick and muddy when wet, especially in the low-lying areas. On the hilltops, the dirt is filled with
small, rounded stones that can make hill climbing a challenge. I pushed my KX250 up a few hills where the back tire
could not locate any traction. Expect ATV-type trails and high speeds if you attend a GNCC here.
North Alabama Trail Riders
Westpoint, Tennessee
A broken clutch cable limited my riding here to approximately 10 miles of trail in 2007, but it was enough time in the
southern Tennessee woods to get a feel for the place. The woods are vast, mostly singletrack from what I could tell, and
pretty fun to ride. The national enduro I raced was very dusty, due to drought conditions, especially in the open areas of
past logging activities. Rocks were moderate, and while the terrain had a decent rock base underneath, the solid
appeared to be the type that could be slippery when wet. Although the woods are well-established, expect to see some
relatively tight sections. Wish I could have ridden more of it....
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