Information seems to be hard to find.. at least for me.

I've been successful in finding maps and stuff of Council Bluff trails, but.. I can't seem to find ANYTHING about berryman.. well, not unless I join whatever org and stuff.

Do any of you have links to good information about berryman, that possibly includes a map, even if it's a rough sketch, that's better than what I have.. (zip, nada). I have no clue what to expect when I start down the trail.

I am amazed at how hard this information is to find online (I like to think I am a pretty good googler).. when there are so many reviews about it in numerous places.

So.. any crumbs greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you!

Information seems to be hard to find.. at least for me.

I've been successful in finding maps and stuff of Council Bluff trails, but.. I can't seem to find ANYTHING about berryman.. well, not unless I join whatever org and stuff.



Hmm, I'm not familiar with those trails. I checked my IA trails book (I'm assuming if it's by CB it's IA or NE) and there was no listing for it. I'm definitely interested in learning about new trails though :)

Sorry for not being more specific.. I'm talking about the South Eastern Missouri area.. :)

Council Bluff park and BerryMan trails are both near Potosi, MO. Berryman is an awesome 24 mile of rolling singletrack. Council Bluff, I have not ridden yet.

Berryman: http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Missouri/,Berryman,Trail/PRD_168765_4559crx.aspx

Council Bluff:
http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Missouri/,Council,Bluffs,Lake,Trail/PRD_168778_4559crx.aspx

:)

http://www.missouritrailmaps.com/mtm/mapData/Berryman.aspx

http://www.stlbiking.com/Trail-Berryman.htm

http://www.missouritrailmaps.com/mtm/mapData/Berryman.aspx

http://www.stlbiking.com/Trail-Berryman.htm


OooOOooOoOOOoOooO YOU JUST MADE MY DAY!!!!!!! a whole CASE of beer and the best singletrack ever for you!

You have no idea how much I appreciate those two links. I seriously hunted really hard to find this information online and wasnt lucky. THANK YOU!

Tim

No worries. Go enjoy. I grew up about 25 minutes from there. Wish I could join you for the ride.

Ron

Oh yeah? I'm about that distance now. I live near Irondale, MO, and my IT company is in Potosi. It's just 15 minutes away from work. Too bad it's getting dark so dang early :(

I hope to ride the whole loop before it gets too cold. :)

BWAHAHA. I live in Texas now, so cold is not a factor to us. ;) We ride in short sleeves most of the year.

I grew up in what used to be Flat River, otherwise known as Park Hills these days. Left for college and haven't ever moved back. I had many friends from Potosi and Irondale. Lots of cool stuff in that area. I miss it some. Enjoy it!

No worries. Go enjoy. I grew up about 25 minutes from there. Wish I could join you for the ride.

Ron
Hey Beerman,
Could I pick your brain a bit about Berryman?
I'm from Wisconsin where our local trails don't open until May. So, I started looking for trails south, but not too far and I came up with Berryman. I've read quite a bit about it over the net, and it sounds like a very cool place to ride. I'm not sure I'll be in riding shape that early in the season to handle a 24 miler, but thought I'd give it a shot.
I've got a few conerns:
-what will the riding be like in mid to late March? It's a nine hour trip down there, and though it sounds like the trail is worth it, if it's wet I could be in for major disappointment.

-I'm thinking of taking my single track. Bad idea? How major are the climbs?

Thanks alot. Gabe

I'm from the Chicago area so not very much an expert on Berryman but I've ridden it twice in the spring. I'm 51 and hitting it in the spring when I didn't have my biking legs really kicked my buttocks. By the way, I think it's a little closer to 25.5 miles and when you think it's only 24 and you get near the end and you keep checking the speedo, well you know the feeling. It's a great epic ride. I also love Council Bluffs. Not near as long but I love the little ups and downs and the scenery is awsome. I got to get back there.

Are there trails closer to Chicago that you would rate higher? I'm struggling a bit with the nine hour drive and whether it's work it.




I'm from the Chicago area so not very much an expert on Berryman but I've ridden it twice in the spring. I'm 51 and hitting it in the spring when I didn't have my biking legs really kicked my buttocks. By the way, I think it's a little closer to 25.5 miles and when you think it's only 24 and you get near the end and you keep checking the speedo, well you know the feeling. It's a great epic ride. I also love Council Bluffs. Not near as long but I love the little ups and downs and the scenery is awsome. I got to get back there.

Are there trails closer to Chicago that you would rate higher? I'm struggling a bit with the nine hour drive and whether it's work it.

Bamboozle
There are supposed to be some pretty good trails in the Peoria area. I think there are 3 or 4 trail systems with a pretty good mix of everything. I haven't ridden there myself but heard good things. If you talk to Mike or the guys at "Lil Ades" bikeshop in Pekin-(309-346-3900) they can give you directions or they might even take you for a tour.
Also around St. Louis there are a few good trails. I've ridden Chubb Trail. That is pretty sweet. But St. Louis is getting down almost to Berryman.
I've ridden Levis Trow Mounds up in your neighborhood and really enjoyed that. I'd love to get up there again sometime.

Bamboozle
There are supposed to be some pretty good trails in the Peoria area. I think there are 3 or 4 trail systems with a pretty good mix of everything. I haven't ridden there myself but heard good things. If you talk to Mike or the guys at "Lil Ades" bikeshop in Pekin-(309-346-3900) they can give you directions or they might even take you for a tour.

Also, try www.pambamtb.org for information about Peoria. Three of the four systems there are open year round. Jubilee will reopen for bikes in April. Farmdale and Independence are kick ass.

I've ridden Levis Trow Mounds up in your neighborhood and really enjoyed that. I'd love to get up there again sometime.

Blue Mounds State Park near Mt. Horeb is also a blast!!

If you're thinking of going to St. Louis, don't miss Klondike Park, it's shortish, but really worth it.

terry

Hey Beerman,
Could I pick your brain a bit about Berryman?
I'm from Wisconsin where our local trails don't open until May. So, I started looking for trails south, but not too far and I came up with Berryman. I've read quite a bit about it over the net, and it sounds like a very cool place to ride. I'm not sure I'll be in riding shape that early in the season to handle a 24 miler, but thought I'd give it a shot.
I've got a few conerns:
-what will the riding be like in mid to late March? It's a nine hour trip down there, and though it sounds like the trail is worth it, if it's wet I could be in for major disappointment.

-I'm thinking of taking my single track. Bad idea? How major are the climbs?

Thanks alot. Gabe

Sorry for the delay Gabe. I was out riding all weekend and wasn't in front of a computer. Texas has its first race of the spring season in three weeks. ;)

Riding in mid to late March could be a crap shoot. Spring weather that time of year can be anything from snow to 80 degrees. I remember having snow in April as a kid. If the weather holds, I seriously don't think you will be disappointed with the trail. But that is the big crazy factor. The climbs are as a major as you make them. I'm basically a flatlander in TX now, so climbs that big take their toll on me. Nothing that is not attainable, but you need to do some prep work.

The better news is that there are a ton of trails in the fairly immediate area. You will be close to Council Bluffs along with all the greater STL area trails. That means you could get a lot of varied riding in along with the Berryman within about two hours drive. Check with the guys at GORC (http://www.gorctrails.com/). I'm sure that they would be more than happy to hook you up with all the trail info you need in and around STL. They would most likely show you around The Berryman as well.

Ron

I hope you saw the post about the Midwest Singletrack Summit in April.

April 8, 9, 10th weekend.

It's at Klondike Park in St. Charles County and is not to be missed. Just a party in the woods with 400-500 of your favorite friends!!

We'll have advocacy/trailbuilding seminars on Friday, Night Rides and party on Friday night, a festival with TONS of demo rides and free stuff on Saturday, and a race on Sunday.

Stay tuned to www.erta.org, and www.gorctrails.com for more info

JohnnyD
GORC - Head Honcho

What about good campsites/lodging? I was thinking about spending a week there in May.

What about good campsites/lodging? I was thinking about spending a week there in May.

Both Council Bluffs and Berryman have campgrounds. Berryman has 2 - the main and Brazil creek. I recommend Council Bluffs as they have better facilities.

If you are looking for a motel there is a Super 8 in Potosi but a cheaper alternative is a motel which I can't remember the name of on Rte. 67 in Park Hills. It's a little more of a ride to Berryman and Council Bluffs but it was cheap and clean and close to a bunch of fast food restaurants (fuel for the Mtn. biking engine) and a movie theatre.