SE Michigan vs. NE Ohio SSS #9: The First Lap is Always the Hardest

These last two rounds are going to be really tough. Not sure if I can pick a winner in each matchup, but I’ll try.

Pontiac Lake and Vulture’s Knob near Wooster have historically been maintained by like-minded people. Call them “Core Riders” or the “Gnar Crowd” or whatever; they’re people who appreciate some rawness in their singletrack. There’s a saying in Arizona: Don’t Phoenix Flag. There’s also one in Brevard: Don’t Bentonville Brevard. The second one isn’t as catchy (or apparently effective) but they both mean that old school trails should be left alone instead of being replaced with something more “sustainable” (Proud Lakespeak for “less difficult”). Pontiac and VK are the closest we have in SE Michigan and NE Ohio to black diamond trails.

I love both of these trails. Pontiac is really the only place in SE Michigan where there are natural rocks that will come up and bite you if you’re not careful. The Knob doesn’t have rock features, but it’s chunky, technical and steep in places, and everybody I know crashes there every once in awhile. Both Phat Jay and I have been attacked by the Ghost of the Knob and we’re happy we came away with bike and body relatively unscathed.
Both trails have a feature that will always be challenging: the 50/50 climb up from McAfee (I think that’s what it’s called)at VK, and the drop and high berm about four or five miles in at Pontiac. I look at that high berm every time I ride there and tell myself I’m gonna hit it someday, but I probably won’t. The Knob also has the Expert Line which is loose and gnarly and ballbusting, and you always feel good when you get to back to the top with everything intact.
I think people have tried to smooth some things out at both trails systems, but each one seems to resist it: there’s alternate lines through some root and rock gardens at Pontiac that no one seems to mess with, and there’s just no modifying some of the best stuff at the Knob. Hats off to Weeze and crew and all the people who have helped maintain the Knob over the years. Same to the Pontiac Trail crew who let things be what they are.
It would be interesting to delve into the history of both trail systems. I’ve got a few stories of my own about the Knob, and I’m sure there’s people who could tell some good ones about Pontiac.
Special note about the Knob: it’s an old trash dump and don’t be surprised if you see some stuff sticking out of the ground. But that’s the character of the Knob. It’s also where I have to give the edge to the Knob: because it’s private property, you can relax and drink a beer with your buddies after a hard ride, and man have there been some times! I can’t imagine quite the same vibe in the Pontiac parking lot.
So if you’re coming from Ohio, definitely hit up Pontiac. Ride it fast and hard. And if you’re coming from Michigan to ride Mohican, you owe it to yourself to ride the legendary Vulture’s Knob (and maybe backwards if you get a chance!). Two laps at each is just pure mountain biking heaven.

PL 17.9
VK 18

Shootout #10: Mohican vs. Poto
Special bonus points will be awarded at the end. As you can guess, I’ve left out a classic Michigan trail.