Nebraska Cycling News

T.H.O.R. members spent this past Memorial Day weekend at Ponca State Park preparing for the upcoming Psycowpath race on June 11. The focus of the weekend was trail prep, course layout, and future plans.

A small group of dedicated volunteers worked Sunday and Monday clearing Ponca’s trails of overgrowth and storm debris. A short connector trail was also constructed that eliminates a road section on the race course. A big “THANKS” goes out to Dean Giese, Paul Ullman, Greg Shimonek, and Mike Resetar for their time in the dirt.

This year’s race course is about 4 miles long in the bluffs of Ponca State Park overlooking the Missouri River. It has some significant changes from past years. A map of the course can be downloaded from the trail guide at www.TrailsHaveOurRespect.org.

The course will include a new “top to bottom” climb and downhill, not featured in recent years. Due erosion damage on trails leading up to the “headwall” hike-a-bike section (near the old park entrance), that section has been eliminated. The start finish area is also being moved from the bottom of the course, to the top of the course at the upper “stone shelter” on top of the bluffs. A new downhill course is also in the works. The new DH course has been moved to avoid conflict with equestrians, offering more practice time, a fresh design, and shuttle access.  The amount of volunteers needed to promote a successful event can depend on it’s location and the course. The event at Ponca due to the high number of road crossing requires extra help. Volunteers are still needed to be course marshals for this event. If you are interested in helping, please contact race promoter Jesse Vincent, jesse@andrewbicycle.com , or Dean Giese, psycowpath@msn.com. 

T.H.O.R. also explored the idea of creating a master plan for mountain bike trails within the park. Park Superintendent, Jeff Fields and T.H.O.R. leader, Mike Resetar spent time exploring the riding possibilities within the park which seemed endless. The park is very eager to expand their mountain bike opportunities. There is a huge amount of untapped resources in the park just waiting to be utilized. Fields and Resetar plan to develop a master plan for the new trails this summer. Construction of the new trails could begin as early as this fall. A large number of new volunteers will be needed, especially those in close proximity to Ponca State Park. Now is the time for cyclists within 60 miles of the park to “step-up”. Riders and bike shops interested in helping with this project should contact Mike Resetar, resetar1@cox.net.