s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:166
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| 06/02/2008 11:40 AM |
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Anyone bike Briar Hill much? I never hear anyone talk about it. I went out there for the first time on Saturday and pretty much got my butt kicked in a couple spots, but it was a lot of fun (minus the blackberry bushes).
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rdenny
Coaster Brake
Posts:13
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| 06/02/2008 11:43 AM |
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| It's been a year or so, but I like the trails well enough out there. It is just too far for me to drive out too often. If I am going to drive to a trail it will likely be Duffield, Waverly, or Otter. Have they encroached any on the trails out there? I know there was some talk of it about a year ago. |
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:166
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| 06/02/2008 12:20 PM |
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I technically live about the same distance from Cherokee and Briar Hill, but Briar Hill still seems "out there", but not nearly as far as Waverly, Duffield, or Otter Creek.
I don't know if the builders have encroached more on the trails since it was my first time and the trail map that once existed has disappeared. On one section across the street from the parking lot, it seemed like the trail suddenly came to an end at a driveway or something. It appeared to me that they might be putting a house in there. I was a little confused, so I turned around and went back the way I came. The other side (parking lot side) seemed OK.
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:166
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| 06/02/2008 1:27 PM |
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I guess I missed a section on the other side of Briar Hill Pkwy. I guess I'll just have to try it again.
Map |
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OCguy
Big Ring
Posts:209
Registered Users
Oldham
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| 06/02/2008 2:15 PM |
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| Over time the trails have been whittled down to about 5.5 miles from development. Looks like you missed the "C" section that starts with a hard left near where you turned around. It has a bad reputation because after a rain it needs about a week to dry out. It also is not "racer friendly" in that there are no areas where you can get speedy. You found out that it is quite challenging from a technical perspective. |
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Mr Bill
Posts:10
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| 06/02/2008 3:13 PM |
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Sounds like you actually missed two sections. OCguy's C section (you have to go between the two concrete barriers on the gravel for probably 150-200 yards and then take a sharp left to begin climbing up the hill. When you get to the top of the hill you will then zig zag with the trail and go right next to a dog cage with two big dogs who will bark at you. The path shoots you out by the road (Briar Hill Parkway I believe?). Then you go directly across the road and start on the second section. When I was there a few weeks ago there was a HUGE tree down that completely blocked the path on this side of the road. Also, the section was slightly wet in a few places. Unfortunately I do not own a chain saw to do anything about it.
Personally, I really enjoy Briar Hill and think it is probably the most technical and challenging section of trails in the entire Louisville area. I wonder the same thing as sockeyes - why does no one else ever talk about it on this forum? Briar Hill is a nice change from the smooth and fast confines of Cherokee and Waverly. OCguy is true in that Briar Hill is the last riding spot to dry out after rains. For racers who are looking to keep their heart rate high the terrain is not ideal. However, if you make multiple loops you can get a pretty good workout. For those riders looking to improve their technical handling skills Briar Hill is a great place for that.
I believe that part of the problem is that very few people know where all of the trails go. I know the trails decently, but even I do not know exactly the direction, etc. that they were originally intended to be run.
I have been there on more than one occasion where people said "hey it was fun, but it is short and only took me xx minutes to ride it." I explain that there is an entire set of trails on the other side of the street but time constraints usually restrict myself or the other party from showing them the trails.
The trails at Briar Hill could really use some TLC. I am not sure why there are never any scheduled work days there. Perhaps it is the threat that since it is still privately owned land,that the riding area could be taken away from us at anytime (and the developer is trying to) or perhaps it is because it is outside the metro Louisville park system (Briar Hill is just Barely in Oldham County). Last fall I spent several evenings trimming brush back from the trails and I believe that Jeff Viniard did some work there last year too. Unfortunately, graduate school has been kicking my butt this year and I have been unable to spend any time maintaining the trails there.
Perhaps this is a Call to Mike Dulin or Chris Ward to see if there is an interest/need for a trail work day there. Although I haven't officially met either of you yet, you both seem to be very good at activating people and getting things done. The trails don't really need a reroute, just a lot of work in cleaning them up and cutting them back.
Since I brought this subject up, If there is any interest I would be willing to help, but as a graduate student, I, like the rest of you have a limited amount of time to devote to it.
Mr Bill
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Jeff Viniard
Granny Gear
Posts:46
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Murray/Crestwood, KY
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| 06/02/2008 4:27 PM |
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| I can spit to BH's trails from my backdoor, practically. With any luck, I'll be cleared to walk again tomorrow, and plan on walking down through there with a weedeater. I'm there at the park riding and playing volleyball for at least four hours every Monday evening (including today), so shoot me a message if you're up for riding/working on trail. |
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:166
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| 06/02/2008 5:04 PM |
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Posted By Mr Bill on 06/02/2008 3:13 PM
Sounds like you actually missed two sections. OCguy's C section (you have to go between the two concrete barriers on the gravel for probably 150-200 yards and then take a sharp left to begin climbing up the hill. When you get to the top of the hill you will then zig zag with the trail and go right next to a dog cage with two big dogs who will bark at you. The path shoots you out by the road (Briar Hill Parkway I believe?). Then you go directly across the road and start on the second section. When I was there a few weeks ago there was a HUGE tree down that completely blocked the path on this side of the road. Also, the section was slightly wet in a few places. Unfortunately I do not own a chain saw to do anything about it.
I definitely went on part of that since I was a little startled when
those dogs started barking. I didn't know to cross the road again.
The trails did look like they needed a little TLC.
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OCguy
Big Ring
Posts:209
Registered Users
Oldham
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| 06/02/2008 9:05 PM |
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OK, here goes: According to Ken Hoff (original trail designer @ BH), you should exit the parking lot and hop on the trails in Section"A", which is just the loop around the park's valley, going toward the hill on the opposite side of the park. This is usually done on the high side (your right when facing the tennis/basketball courts). Once you get to the creek you cross and take the trail to your right to start climbing a bit. Once you reach the top you encounter probably the trickiest section with 2 rocky creek crossings. If you stay on this loop you will eventually end up back on the lower side of the hill, near the Orchard Grass subdivsion (other side of the largest creek). Here is where some people might get confused and miss the "inner trail". As you near the first creek that you crossed to get into the hill section ("B"), you take a left across what appears to be the main trail to climb back up the hill for some similar swift climbs with rocks and roots, and creek crossings. You will actually be back on the "outer trail" for about 20 feet at one point but at the small fork you should stay left. You eventually loop back down and exit across the creek, going right to pick up the other half of Section "A". If you have done this you will have ridden about 2.5 miles as you enter the parking lot area. Then follow Mr Bill's instructions to do Section "C" and cross Briar Hill Parkway for Section "D" (my favorite part), which can be ridden several ways also. I prefer to basically ride it counter-clockwise and it turns in to a good loop down into what used to be two great creek crossings (but need some work now) and a very short but challenging climb out of the creek valley. I usually take the road crossing back to Section "C" and finish up its loop on the rocky section. What used to the last exit from Section "C" is pretty much gone since they have added the gravel and barriers so you get to exit on a nice steep downhill that can result in an endo if the ground under the gravel is too soft. Now you have done about 5.5 miles, but it feels like more because you are on your toes for most of the ride looking for tight switchbacks, rocks, and roots. It is very fun when dry (usually July and August) and I also enjoy it when there is snow on the ground--but you do need to know the trails under snowy conditions.
I also live very close to BH so if you make the trip back out I would be happy to make sure you see it all (before it is gone!). Whew. |
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gb77
Granny Gear
Posts:23
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| 06/02/2008 9:16 PM |
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| I was out at B.H. yesterday. I've been going out here for about five years. All the trails are still here but badly in need of work. Alot of small trees have fallen and spots along the section A need some TLC. I moved about 10 small tree's off the trails along the way just to be able to get through. If anyone is willing to meet up out here, I'll be glad to join in on some clean up. No development has started yet!! |
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pat_collins
Posts:50
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| 06/02/2008 9:23 PM |
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| Guess the sub-prime mess has at least one upside, could be a while before they start building like crazy again. |
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Mr Bill
Posts:10
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| 06/03/2008 12:26 PM |
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Jeff Viniard and GB77. weekday evenings usually work best for me if you want to meet up and do some trailwork.
-Bill
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OCguy
Big Ring
Posts:209
Registered Users
Oldham
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| 06/03/2008 1:42 PM |
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Posted By pat_collins on 06/02/2008 9:23 PM
Guess the sub-prime mess has at least one upside, could be a while before they start building like crazy again.
After years of being denied by the P & Z they were "approved" by the Fiscal Court.
"December 18, 2007 – Fiscal Court approved the Developer’s application
for a zoning change and development plan in respect of Briar Hill
Woods. This relates to the development of 16 new single family homes as
an extension to Shadow Creek, 54 residential condominiums off Briar
Hill Parkway and 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space on the corner of
Briar Hill Parkway and Hwy 22. The Fiscal Court did not follow the
Planning and Zoning Commissions recommendation to reject the
Developer’s application."
Note that the emphasis of the apprioved development will be COMMERCIAL and CONDO. It won't be long...the plan basically obliterates the Section "C" & "D" trails and "donates" (i.e., it is too expensive to develop on it) a swamp to the Oldham County Parks Dept.
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:166
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| 06/03/2008 2:23 PM |
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Suburban development is overrated.
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gb77
Granny Gear
Posts:23
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| 06/03/2008 5:32 PM |
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| I can be out at B.H. any weekday after about 4:30 or later to do some work. Anyone who wants to meet up just let me know. |
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Nasty
Tricycle
Posts:2
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| 06/09/2008 10:54 PM |
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Reading what everybody is saying makes me feel bad I have not been out there working. I am the person currently incharge of trail maintenance at BH (Ken Hoffs son). I have not had time to do any trail work for the last year due to military deployments and obligations, as well as living in Richmond most of the time. I have been trying to find someone who is willing to takeover the maintenance of BH that lives in the area. I will be busy most of the summer and then gone again in august, but should be able to find time to do some evening work. Again I'm sorry for not being able to do any work recently. If anyone is interested in taking over as "Trail Master" please give me a call at 386-5917. Briar Hill does not have a lot of time left, but I'd like to see someone with the time and knowledge step in to take over.
-Nate |
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wilheldp
Granny Gear
Posts:23
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| 06/09/2008 11:19 PM |
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| I'm a brand, spankin' new mountain biker (just bought my first bike last Friday), but I live about 2.5 miles from Briar Hill. I was hoping it could be my first trail, but from what I'm hearing here, it might be too technical for me. Do you guys think I would bust my butt too much on it, or could I handle it once I become comfortable on my bike? Also, are there any trail maps? OCGuy's description was thorough, but a bit confusing (I'm sure it would make more sense if I had been on the trail). |
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Dark Helmet
Little Ring
Posts:57
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Straight outta the 'Ville!
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| 06/09/2008 11:26 PM |
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I rode BH recently and had a miserable time. In the first section, it was way overgrown by the creek. At the 3rd section, a tree fell across the trail so you have to double back and start over and take a left at the fork. It needs some serious TLC.
wilheldp: start off at Cherokee. The trail in it's most optimal state and I'd hate to see a newbie frustrated with MTBing because of it. |
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Evil will always triumph because good is dumb |
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wilheldp
Granny Gear
Posts:23
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| 06/10/2008 8:11 AM |
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| Cherokee (at least the part that goes around Seneca golf course) seemed very crowded to me. I think I would be too self-concious...always looking over my shoulder to make sure I'm not holding somebody up...to have a good time over there. |
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:166
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| 06/10/2008 9:19 AM |
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Parts of BH are pretty easy, like the stretch along the big creek (not very long). Since you live so close, you could just ride your bike down there to ride the sections you're comfortable on and ride back. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always walk your bike. Some sections are tougher, and it's easy to get snagged by a small tree or something else encroaching on the trail (a vine reached out and grabbed my handlebar, turning me right into a tree...Ha!).
As for maps, check my earlier post. I put a link in to a map someone made with their GPS. It can at least give you an idea about what's there. |
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