Monarch Singletrack - The worst new trail that people seem to be stoked on
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- Опубликовано: 27 окт 2020
- I was able to make it out to the new Monarch trail in before the snow hit. I had been hearing and seeing decent things about it so wanted to check it out. Started off kinda fun and there's some cool sections in the there but without much elevation there just wasn't that much that got me stoked on the trail overall.
I'm not trying to talk shit about the trail in this video and the title is more me just kind of joking and hope people see the humor in it. With that being said I'm pretty honest about what I was thinking while riding it. But don't get me wrong, any trail is better than no trail and people seem to like this this place so that's awesome.
I actually considered not making this video as I thought maybe it's too negative and might get people upset but whatever, who cares what I say or think haha.
There's some cool stuff in here and hopefully you think at least some of what I say is funny.
Send it!
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Not sure what trails you are used to riding but I love these trails. Super scenic and I appreciate all the work that went into making them. We are lucky to have it in our southwest metro. 15 minutes from my house so a nice after-work ride on a beautiful summer evening is blissful. It’s definitely not Moab or too technical. Easy, flowy and beautiful scenery…a decent work out.
Heck yeah. I think it’s a good trail system now. Wasn’t stoked on the initial build since it was just more of the same XC trail that the metro already had. Now that Pathfinder went in it’s got flavor and progression
Ha! Your title is spot on. Finally somebody who is calling it like it is. It's too bad because they had such great terrain to work with...
Haha thanks bud!
Opinions will always differ and honest reviews are the best kind. I appreciate the video and you most likely saved me from a lackluster day of riding there.
Haha right on buddy, thanks! 🤙🏻
Another nice video! Looks like the trail is worth checking out, especially with a newer rider.
Thanks! Oh yeah totally. Really good for a newer rider
Was looking to ride this trail. The newer city park trail builds differ from the established single track trails. We got spoiled with outsourced west cost builders prior. IMBA and MORC understand terrain elevation, cadence, and feature placement very well. The newer city parks and rec trails lack understanding.
Love the honesty man! I still haven't been out there to ride but the reports have been varying widely. Do you think your impressions would have been different if the trail ratings were more accurate to the technical difficulty?
No the trail rating had nothing to do with my impressions. I just thought it was funny that they would rate that loop a double black 🤦🏼♂️. It’s ok, I just expected a little more because I had heard it’s good flow trail and pretty fast but I did not feel that way. It’s worth checking out but just hit paradise lol. Thanks bud 🤙🏻
I’m excited for two reasons. There is finally a trail in the SW metro, and I don’t have to drive 40 minutes one way to get to it.
Potential for growth on this trail looks very promising! Completely agree that Paradise and Ravine Rush are the only trails worthy of riding unless your new or are an XC rider. Double black rating is a joke 🤣
Totally bud! New trail in Minnetonka now too! Not sure if it’ll be open before the snow flys but the weather is looking pretty good for this week
I haven't ridden the trail so have no opinion as to it's quality but keep in mind that new trails have sections that are marked as being advanced and riders will almost universally say they aren't advanced. A trail boss said this is done so that in the future, they can add advanced features and not violate their agreement with the land steward. It's easier to call it double-black now and make it actual double-black in the future than re-define in the future. If you want to argue that's stupid, go for it. But government agencies have a way of working and that way needs to be accommodated when they are the steward. It's possible that's not the case here but there is a very good chance it is.
Yes your definitely not wrong but I do know for a fact that’s not the case here. I suppose I didn’t know that for sure when I rode here and made the video over a year ago.
The trails we have in and around the metro would be awesome on E Bikes, it would really help with the whole no mountains problem we have here.
I actually kinda agree with you for this trail. An E bike would probably make this place more fun
Yeah there's definitely a lot of trails in the metro that'd be pretty fun on an e-bike but are boring as hell on normal MTBs.
I rip all the trails in the metro on an e bike and it’s sick as hell. Like riding a dirt bike cuz I have a throttle on mine
Awesome trails bro! 🤙🔝
Lol. BOT confirmed.
The trails are longer now.
Yeah I’m building the new jumplines there right now. We have another crew doing the singletrack additions
I can dig it that new trail is being built, but damn...where’s the flavor?? I will probably ride here once before I move out of state, but it doesn’t appear to be worth the trip up. That said it does have cool features and perhaps after a bit it’ll improve and get some cool unique features. Also yeah “double black”...what?!?
Haha yeah I mean it’s fine. People like it and that’s what matters. I just didn’t really dig it
If you want more challenge just ride faster. That’s what the trail was designed for, going fast! I know it’s hard to believe but some of us like to actually work on the up hills... Love Monarch!
Haha yeah that’s not the first time I’ve heard the “go faster for a more challenging ride” on a metro trail. I definitely don’t think I was going slow on the faster sections. But does going faster all of sudden put sick features and gnarly shoots in to get the adrenaline going? That’s awesome you like Monarch and I’ve heard plenty of people say how much they like it and I think that’s great. I hope people like it but it’s not my kind of trail and that’s really all I said. I just didn’t really have fun and I was being honest. It’s really just a matter of how and what you like to ride.
Send it bud 🤙🏻
You can't talk about Minnesota trails like that!!!!!! 😂
🤷🏻♂️
Probably not as good relative to the shale fields I get to bomb down in Montana but realistically its some of the best in the metro with the amount of space they have to work with and not having to be in a stinky, dirty, and crime ridden city to attempt “mountain biking” at Worth.
That’s fair. Definitely disagree that this is some of the best in the metro though.
I rode here today. Specifically just paradise....it wasn't too bad I guess
Right on. I’d say Paradise isn’t too bad I guess 😉
Personally I love it since I live really close to it and it’s better than like lake rebecca to me
That’s awesome, glad you love it! I just wasn’t into it but I know people are stoked on it and that’s great. I’ve never been to Lake Rebecca but from what I’ve heard doesn’t sound like I’d be into that either haha. Maybe I’ll give Monarch a 2nd chance at some point
I don't know... paradise was look pretty gnarly might wanna reconsider your opinion on that trail (JK) Great video man, been wanting to give it at least one go but the drive for where I live probably not worth it. But that doesn't mean in the future they will keep adding to it...until then it's a pass for me. I agree with everyone it's better than no trail at all!
Haha thanks man. Yeah I’m sure it will get better. Just expected more I guess
Yes! Love your videos and finally someone had the same opinion of this place as I did. My friends thought I was crazy. I’m Vindicated!
Oh I think your opinion is definitely vindicated here. It’s cool new trails are being built but damn needs a little more excitement.
Lol 🤙🏻
Agree, All bark no bite!!!
Haha 👌🏻
Found this video looking for trails to ride in the SW metro area. I enjoyed Bertram but looking for something closer. Any recommendations?
Well try monarch out, it’s got some fun sections. Murphy is cool. The xcel energy bike park in Shakopee. Mankato has cool stuff
Yeah, a lot of it just feels like a mellow ride through the forest with awkward terrain and not a lot of actual features.
For sure but it is a new trail so it should get better. They’ll add features and fix the things that don’t work well. Having said that, a lot of the trail will still be pretty boring since it’s just flat terrain.
@@ridindirt Yeah i sure hope so!
Your comments were my experience as well. 95% pedal-fest. At least you can keep looping Paradise.
Yes paradise is descent 🤙🏻
Have you gone again? They have added new berms and features
No I haven’t but that’s good hear. It’ll evolve and keep getting better I’m sure
@@ridindirt Hopefully it does. So much rad terrain out there
Have you seen the new features? Time to get back out there.
After riding this with @SireSingletrack, I can say I won’t be going out of my way to ride this system, However; if it were in my backyard, I’d likely use it to hammer out some miles on an XC bike. Also a good trail for beginners, they can go do the “Double Black” and have a massive ego boost, lol.
Yeah man, there’s some fun sections but nothing special and probably won’t ever go back. If people like it that’s awesome though. And yeah I hit a double black today! Haha 🤙🏻
Maybe an ego boost but more of a false sense of security if you head out west. I remember riding MORC and even Duluth trails before heading out west to WA. Beacon Hill made metro blacks look light green and Duluth blacks seem like baby blue diamonds. It’s relative though I suppose.
@@ElTerrible2011 no yeah totally. I’ve always said that there’s setting people up if they go and ride real mountains. But you are also right that it’s all relative
Cool you were honest about it, sorry to have misled you as I said it was pretty fun in my vid because, well, I had fun riding the shit 🤷🏼♂️. It’s in the same family as Elm I feel although maybe you would disagree. Lol’d at “Grimm’s Grind is a good trail if you want to pedal a lot while drinking a beer” 😂.
Haha well I’ve heard from people I know say it’s fun so it really wasn’t you. I like elm way more. Elm flows much better and it’s got a lot cool skinnies and weird features. Monarch is fine just thought it was going to be more fun I guess
@@ridindirt Yeah, definitely has cooler skinnies and a jump line but let’s hope that changes in the years to come as I’m doubtful all those features were there year one at Elm. I recall someone saying Elm was pretty mellow back in the day. I think Monarch will evolve with time however. One thing both lack is any sort of tech. I think we should look at the Lebanon Hills double red (LOL) sections for good examples of rock gardens with actual line choices that could be built instead of the just rolling over a segment of smooth rocks to make it feel bumpy. Plus rooty and rocky downhill segments if possible although, as you mentioned, they’re probably limited in the amount of elevation they can use at this place.
@@ElTerrible2011 yeah that’s totally valid, it will evolve. And yeah the double red diamond has always cracked me up. Normally I wouldn’t even really like that kind of thing but I weirdly enjoy those shitty climbs. I only do it like once a year though so I would probably not think that way about it if I rode it more
Sick dude
Thanks bud!
Damn that hurts but I'm a beginner so I don't know shit about F%$@ lol. The double black is yeah....not even close to accurate. If I don't crash at least once on a double it's not lol. I liked the trail but wish it connected better so you didn't have to exit to enter a new side of the trails. Which trails are your favorite in MN?
Hahaha right on buddy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m stoked that people like this trail but it’s just not for me. I try to be as honest as possible about things and I just wasn’t feeling this one. Maybe I should revisit it but probably won’t lol.
My favorite trails are all up north. It’s actually sad that there isn’t more progressive trails in the metro area. I think Tioga is probably the best trail system that isn’t lift access. Spirit and Giants Ridge are awesome though. Piedmont in Duluth has some of the gnarliest riding in MN and is definitely one of my favorites. Memorial Park in Red Wing is pretty sick, it has a lot to offer with a fun DH trail. Battle Creek is probably my favorite trail system in the metro though.
What bike do you ride
Salsa Rustler
Yeah, I think it's got its moments. It's going to get faster as more people ride it. I think it's pretty typical for a Minnesota trail. New trails are better than nothing.
Yeah I agree. I’m sure it’ll get better too. Still thought it was going to be more fun with what people told me about it. Definitely better than nothing though
@@ridindirt So I think the best part is Paradise. I like that little slalom line off the main climb and that line that takes you down to the log skinny. Its not a destination trail but really what is in the metro area? Most riders in the metro are blue trail riders. I saw someone compare the Monarch and Lebanon and saying they prefered Monarch. The guy shared is ride maps and he didn't even ride the black loop at Lebanon. I can look at my videos of boring trails and they do a lot better than the Duluth and Battle Creek ones. The general public easy trails. The local builders are more than happy to comply. Trail variety is not something people are willing to risk building. Flowy cruisers are all that gets built. Even at BC, people went out and tore out the drops and cut up the log roll over.
@@BrianVaughn this is all very true. Good perspective for sure. Honestly I’m trying to change that a bit and figure out how to get more progressive stuff here. Even at the Minnetonka project where we weren’t even really to put shapes in me and the crew really tried to push the line of what we could build and get some fun, fast trail and shapes in there. Our last day out there is tomorrow and hope people like it but it’s a pretty weird time with weather to open a trail. I’d like to get to build some skills park stuff with jump lines around here. I know there Cottage Grove but that’s kinda more BMX and I want to do more geared towards MTB and trail riding, kinda like the Playground I suppose
I thought it looked kind of fun, I suck though😁.
Haha yeah it’s kinda fun. It’s an easy trail and you can just loop paradise
Double black... for the older crowd :P
There were a few decent sends in there but a far cry from the gnarly trails you are normally hitting. Just like you say though this trail is far better than no trail.
Haha yeah for sure dude. Thanks for watching bud 🤙🏻
Paradise is the only good trail there
Yessir
Super flowy, not very technical
I didn’t think it flowed very well. There’s sections that were ok but overall I just felt it didn’t work great. If you think it’s good and like it though, that’s awesome 🤙🏻
Nice to see a local mtb youtuber say negative things about a trail for once, and I strongly disagree with all the commenters saying "a new trail is better than nothing" (quality >>> quantity). Victoria/Carver County/Three Rivers/MORC/One Track Mind/Etc can't get this money back that (in my opinion) they wasted on a boring trail system, and any future work/funds allocated to making this place better are simply resources that instead could've been used to make or improve another trail system... I'd much rather be a local at a place with 1 *legit* black trail (something as good as GOAT or Thrillseeker) and 1 solid blue/green (something for beginner/casual riders to enjoy), than a place with 4 long greens that aren't worth-riding and 1 average blue trail (that's humorously mis-rated as a double black).
In defense of Monarch/other trails like it, I bet they'd be meaningfully more fun on a gravel bike (rather than a full-squish mtb), so that's somewhat of a silver-lining to them; however, I still fervently stand by the opinion that publicly-funded MTB trails should be designed/made from a "quality >>> quantity" perspective rather than vice-versa (e.g. - 2 miles of amazing trails is way better than 20 miles of mediocre/subpar trails).
Thanks for keeping the content coming.
I totally respect that opinion and can’t say I disagree. It is a new trail though and would think it should get better with time. And as I said, people seem to like it. It was pretty busy there and with all ages so although it’s not for us, it’s obviously getting used. I definitely would lean more to your opinion but I can see the other side of it. Appreciate you watching and sharing that bud 🤙🏻
This 💯
I agree and disagree. For getting people into the sport it’s great to have access to trails in other places in the metro, but for more experienced riders it’s a big meh. However that’s a good point about the money. Hopefully they can improve but having a better initial use of the funds to build a trail system that caters to all experience levels would have been better. Thanks for bringing that point forward!
@@Tkolbo_ To clarify/reiterate, I'm not advocating for less trail systems. I'm advocating for quality of trails, rather than # of trail-miles ("quantity"), to be the utmost goal when building new trail systems (e.g. - build 3 miles of amazing trails vs. 9 miles of boring trails).
@@do_regan yes! 3 miles of killer trail that you wouldn’t mind lapping in theory will take up less space, less time, and less money, again in theory. And you can still pound out mileage!
well, this video didn't age well lol
How so?
Please chill. Maybe you should ask Three Rivers their intent of the trail design. There was NO mtb trail in the SW metro (and don't tell me Mammoth is a "trail"). Monarch has something for everyone. Ok, maybe not enough technical/advanced. But I'm not sure the intent was to create an elite trail.
There are no elite trails in the metro; bits and pieces, sure, but not an entire trail. So stop the griping and ride.