This trail is located in Augusta, MI, 80 miles west of Ann Arbor. Fort Custer consists of 4 loops: Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue. Red trail is the most challenging, consisting of 9 miles of technical terrain, old WWI ditches, and a terrain garden. First time riders will be surprised by CPR and Cardiac Arrest, two very steep, tall hills, and one stony dropoff. There are plenty of twisting corners, log jams, and hills to keep anyone entertained. Intermediate riders can tackle this course at a more moderate pace. Green Trail is about 8 miles long, and is the most scenic route. It circumvents a lake, and includes 2 stream crossings and a sometimes-frustrating mud pit. It is less challenging than Red trail, and is more suited to intermediate riders and advanced riders wishing to maintain a faster pace. Yellow trail is the easiest, about 7 miles long, and is more or less a warmup trail, or a good start for the novice rider. Blue trail is new, and some sections remain unmarked. Riding several trails in succession will give a great workout at Fort Custer. Red trail will take at least an hour for most riders, with green taking about 50 minutes, and yellow around 30. Driving directions: Take I-94 West from Ann Arbor to the Michigan Ave. Exit in Galesburg (exit 88). You will see signs for the Fort Custer Recreation Area. Follow Michigan Ave. to M96 N, which will take you into Augusta and Fort Custer Drive. Pass the Shell station on your left, cross the railroad tracks, and the park entrance will be 0.1 miles on your right. After the guard gate, follow the road straight and the trailhead parking lot will be on your right about 1/2 mile. E-mail Chris (vetteman@) if you want to meet up and ride. I live in Kalamazoo, and ride this trail at least 3 times a week in the summer, so I'd be happy to give y'all the tour. |