Riding Granite Gorge at Giants Ridge | Minnesota Bike Parks 

Impressive rock masonry by the trail builders!

Another great video, Kris. I’m heading to Giants Ridge next week. Your vids Have encouraged me to make the trip, and bring along a few extra families along. I rode some of the newer trails in the Chequamagon area (Makwa) and they definitely seem to be more “raw”. We are so fortunate to have such incredible riding in the Midwest. There is something for everyone.

That trail looks like a blast. And a lot of work to build. That's a lot of rock. Great job Giants Ridge! This makes me want to take my 3rd trip up there this year. I agree with your suggestion for more raw gnarly trail; it would be a great addition to an already great lineup of trails.

Damn, that’s a lot of chunk. Idk if my bike can handle that place lol. Pretty stoked to get up there finally though. I agree with ya on the trail take. That’s why I liked spirit so much, plenty of flavor. Great video as always buddy 🤙🏻

This trail looks sweet and I totally agree. I think Giant's current trails have their place but I REALLY feel like we're behind on steep rough hand cut singletrack. I just rode in Colorado and Trestle was sweet but I almost enjoyed the wild hidden trails we found even more. Loose and super fast and skinny. Really hope we have more of that soon! Really just excited to ride Giant's more as well.

Agree 100% that granite gorge is more of a single black diamond. I also agree that more rough and raw trail design needs to be implemented. I know it’s hard to pull if around the cities and down here in Rochester but it would be sweet to figure it out! Killer video Kris!

I’ve been waiting for Giants Ridge to have enough trail to justify the 6 hour trip from Madison WI, and it looks like I’ll have to be visiting soon. I couldn’t agree more on the need for more natural style trails being cut in. When I visited NW Arkansas last winter my favorite trails were the Passion Play Trails. Jagged Axe Trail Designs did an amazing job of being able to utilize new school techniques while making it still feel like a more rugged natural trail.

We like what giants ridge has we would like to see more of a blue jump line or black jump line with tech jumps and less rock, something to get speed and just enjoy. The rocks are good the rocks are fun but a smooth bike park line would be a lot of fun

Minnesotans definitely get spoiled with the trails we have available. Battle Creek is a nice wrench in the system, and there's a couple other 'unmentionables' that would make the weekend warriors pucker. The contemporary designs, or the "flow" concept has it's place but I would concur that the challenge is not the same as the raw stuff. I think Giants Ridge is paving a new path, hopefully setting a standard (here in MN anyway), and continues the trail progression(s). I too like a raw and technically challenging trail, it's why I enjoyed MTBing from the get go. I gotta believe one of the hangups any trail design/idea faces is liability - "can anyone get seriously injured on this trail/these features?" No one wants a lawsuit or wants to get shut down, and I get that to a degree. If riders stay smart, and ride within their OWN ability, there should be no reason why the difficulty level can't be pushed. It's called 'progression' for a reason - you work your way up to the harder stuff, not drop in to a black on your first weekend out on a bike!! I digress... +1 for rawness.

Totally agree, MN NEEDS MORE TECH GNAR!!

Just found your channel.. Nice work!

Could not agree more! Really enjoy what’s out there, but would enjoy some raw cut trails that make you think about line choice. These types of trails would be a lot cheaper to make as well.

Fun coming across your channel. I'm an intermediate rider but plan to commit to riding more and building my skills and confidence. I plan to ride Giant's a lot in the years to come as I can stay nearby. I'm wondering if in your future unveils or even revisiting a trail like this if you'd ever consider what you're thinking about as you ride the trail being featured? Things like line choice, B line options, how to hit a jump, etc. I'm sure for me a lot of those things will come with experience, but it might ease my fear factor on a trail like this to have a "plan" so to speak. I know even a pre-ride would intimidate me. Great videos and thanks for sharing! Fun to watch.

I agree with you we need more raw hand cut steep single track out there even if it’s only one or two trails we need some steep stuff

Your editing skills are making some serious progression as well. Loved that opening shot where you flew by revealing Granite Gorge (sweet font). I’ve only ever been to one bike park and it’s Giant’s Ridge. It’s designed so damn well and doesn’t have landings that are too tight so it really is a great place to build confidence with jumps and drops but yes, very stark contrast when compared to riding Piedmont. Both are fun as hell for different reasons. More variety is a welcome sight for sure.

Agree 100%. with all your comment start to finish.

Yes more hand cut, gnarly, tech! 🤘🤘🤘

Go to lookout Mountain. It’s all hand built. It’s gnarly rocky and rooty. It’s 5 miles north of Virginia MN. It’s mostly XC but there is some technical downhill. Especially Mtn climber going downhill.

Maybe the new 9 miles of XC trails they're opening at Giants Ridge will have more of that narrow, rugged and natural feel you're looking for...and I'm in agreement on.

I want to see a skills park with maybe some slopestylish jumps. Also would like to see a smoother progression in drops. I've been to bike parks with tons of drops where you can just step it up a foot each time. I doubled the size I could do in a day with those.

I agree with your statement at the end. Made me think of the new trails at Spirit Mountain like Anvil and Boot. Such a natural feel (rocks and roots a-plenty) with modern building techniques for sustainability.

Great vid as usual Kris! I was waiting for a clip of that timberbell just dancing through the rocks!!🔔

God that looks rough on the arms. Must be a super fun ride

Word, brother! Been riding since '89, great to see the progression of the sport, but I've also been wondering if we're getting a bit 'overbuilt'? Seems that Spirit has more of that hand cut, organic feel - Greenman, Calc Risk, etc? Or, get your hands on a dirtbike and you'd probably love some of the singletrack we have in this state, all hand cut with some root and rocky goodness, but fewer spots to ride, unfortunately.

As my Brother would say, we're missing that handcut fall line screamer, where you're flying by the seat of your pants because its so steep and loose

Great video. Thanks. I tend to like more of the flow trails like lake Rebecca or burtrum. Not a fan of rock. But that said that look awesome. Maybe it's the editing.

Killer video, rock gardens looked like a smashing good time! Hoping to get up there before the year ends!

Going up there to race this weekend. I would like to see a completely smooth jump and flow line there...but also ditto to what you said. Really natural and raw single track and downhill that is rootier and less rocky.

I think you nailed it - variety! I love, love, love Cuyuna because its almost 1/2 the distance for me, but hoping they continue to add more variety and optional tech. A gnarlier tech run there would be a great addition.

Maybe Sunday.

Great video! Amen on some more natural trail. I think a cherry on top would be a true jump line. Something like Sylvan in Wausua

I've been going since they opened. I want to see all weather trails.

I was kinda miffed that the border is closed currently, I'd love to come down from Canada to ride there for a week. The amount of money going into the trails seems to be substantially more than in Canada

More hand cut with big rock rolls and maybe it's just me but I'd love for some weird North Shore style wood features.

Agreed on more natural line trails. The terrain there is ripe for that sustainable raw trail with all the rock and roots.

Was gonna be there today but the rain stopped us...i definitely agree, some of the best stuff in duluth and spirit is just super natural rocks and roots, especially some of the "secret" stuff...spirit has the best mix with boss hog and wildcat, but then trails like green man, moonman or anvil are awesome and much more natural/sketchy. I hate fake rock gardens that aren't rock gardens...like i don't need to test my bike, I want to test my line choice. I'll still ride giants cause it is sweet, but ill just keep lapping sector 12...that drop in the middle is actually pretty dope. Goliath is aight but mainly just for the jumps and that granite roll in, just so many of those crappy cobble stone rock gardens. A little disappointed, cause from the lift that new trail looked like it was going to be way better than that...

Great vid man, I’ll be heading there this weekend; As long as my new bike shows up. Also, keep an eye out for my new vid: Progress. I’d love to hear what you think of it. I’m concerned about your comment “Falling apart”? Are you OK?

🙋🏽‍♂️Great constructive criticism my friend. I want to see hot tubs and really cold tubs at the bottom of the hill! I was shot after a full day, especially my arms. 😎🤔🤗 Oh and first time ever riding at GR on the green, I blew a rear tire and bent my rim. It happened about an 8th of the way down on those simple little rock reveens/crevasses that they build for water to pass through... perhaps they should build little bumps before all of those "built in" water crevasses so we can hop over them to try to preserve our limbs. Peace

That is a blue trail in the PNW.

Do you know what type of trail they are going to build next?

Have you been to Marquette yet?

I'm all for natural rock gardens and tech but these machine built sections of boulders don't look like a blast probably just me

Great looking trail! I see the desire/need of a natural trail. But Do you think it would deter people who come looking for the majestic flow? I know there’s a ton of that already, just asking for conversation.