I was recently asked, “How’s the mountain biking scene in Eau Claire?” The selfish part of me that enjoys the peace of nature, solitude and a quiet ride through the woods left unspoiled by seeing other trail users considered this briefly and answered, “There is none. It doesn’t exist. Go away and don’t ever ask such crazy questions again.” But the reality is something grander. What once was a well-kept secret has begun to leak profusely and my best hushing won’t help. There is mountain biking in the Chippewa Valley, and interest is growing as quickly as the trail networks.

I came on the CV mountain biking scene by accident about three years ago. Oh sure, I’d ridden my grown-up, knobby-tired bike in the woods at Lowes Creek County Park in the 1990s, but to hear recent conversations at our local bike shops, you’d think they had something incredible. Can’t be. I was there only 15 years prior and it was okay, but certainly not worth the investment in a new bike just to ride ski trails without snow. What’s the big deal?! I grudgingly paid a visit and hiked my way into Lowes Creek by way of the entrance behind the Eau Claire County Expo Center. “Eagle” was the name of the trail. They named the trails? Seemed a bit precocious for a simple path meandering through the woods. Curves and swerves didn’t seem like an expedient way to get to the other side of the park. This trail was new and different and fun.  “Single track”, they call it. It wasn’t there in ’95. My next stop was a bike shop.  

You show up because you want to ride with other people. Maybe this is for safety. Maybe you like the challenge or camaraderie of riding with others. Whatever your reason, the group you choose to ride with won’t leave you behind.

I did some research and settled on a sturdy bike with some modern niceties that should last as long as I’d care to use it. Setting off exploring, I discovered the joy of this wondrous “single track” stuff and soon had tackled almost every trail in Lowes Creek, and there are many. Lowes boasts over 20 miles of trails, all built and maintained by a local club’s volunteers. The trails range in difficulty level from casual, snaking through the woods to steep and deep, rock-armored plummets designed to entertain and endure under the many wheels or feet passing over them. When I claim “almost every trail” I will admit to avoiding a few of them, even into early last summer. “Onion” (makes you cry?) and “Skull” (uh-oh) were two such trails that I had to work up to as the new guy.  

Getting started was easy. I just showed up with a bike. An Internet search of the Chippewa Off Road Bike Association (CORBA) – the local bike club and aforementioned volunteers – revealed “no-drop” rides, open to all, on Monday evenings all summer. The premise behind these “no-drop” rides is this: you show up because you want to ride with other people. Maybe this is for safety. Maybe you want to learn your way around the network of trails. Maybe you like the challenge or camaraderie of riding with others. Whatever your reason, the group you choose to ride with won’t leave you behind. Before the ride starts, people introduce themselves and ride leaders for each group are chosen. Friendly, want-to-see-the-scenery folks follow me. Faster pace with fewer breaks, follow her. If you have no fear and a desire to go all out, all evening, follow that guy. He’s training for a Midwest mountain bike race next weekend. I’ve had the chance to follow some very talented and strong riders and found these group rides to be a phenomenal, kinetic classroom experience.

More pedaling, more friends, more involvement, and yet I was completely unaware of the scope of the riding scene in the Chippewa Valley or how all of this happened until I became involved with CORBA.  This non-profit group incorporated in 2005 and by “the power of local” has built some of the finest off-road trails in this part of Wisconsin. Local business sponsors have contributed financing, materials, food and drink for trail building days, almost everything required to build trail networks of this magnitude, while CORBA members provide the muscle. These hard working local volunteers can be found building or maintaining trails almost any evening or weekend. They enjoy helping create recreational infrastructure to be enjoyed not only by cyclists, but by hikers, geocachers, birdwatchers… anyone who appreciates the winding path over the destination.  CORBA has made agreements with Eau Claire County, Chippewa County, and the cities of Eau Claire and Altoona which grant them permission to build multi-use trails on publicly owned property.  It is with the cooperation of all these businesses, municipalities and volunteers that these trails have evolved from a couple of miles of wide, uninspiring access roads, to 40-plus miles of enthralling single track weaving through four different ride destinations in the Chippewa Valley.

Perhaps you’d enjoy a window seat? One of the largest races in this part of the country, the Firecracker, is locally hosted and promoted, as is the Powder Keg, one of the first snow bike races to be held in the Midwest. Lowes provides better spectator locales than almost any mountain biking event you’ll ever attend.

So, how’s the mountain biking scene in Eau Claire? My best efforts to keep it quiet would fail miserably. There is some. It does exist. Now stop asking questions. Just go ride.

You can learn more about CORBA and mountain biking in the Chippewa Valley at their website, ChippewaOffRoad.org where there are opportunities for volunteering and connecting with other riders in the area.