Use this topic for posts that will collect community stars for the Ludlowville Loop course. You can also ask questions or make comments about this course.
Here’s how it works.
Click the “Post Using This Template” button below to create a new post with a Story heading and boilerplate text.
Replace the boilerplate text with your report for one or both sections. The Story header is key for distinguishing between posts and replies—don’t change it.
Your post must be on the same calendar day as your run as entered in the leaderboard.
Story
To pick up a community star, replace this text with a write-up of what your run was like, a photo you took on the run, a link to your Strava track, or something similar. Don’t delete the Story heading above.
It was a pretty daunting morning with steady rain and fog so thick in Lansing that I almost turned back to find a safer place to run. I couldn’t see the traffic lights until I was practically under them. However, I had a workout on my schedule that was pretty perfect for this course so, in typical stubborn fashion, I forged ahead. Miraculously, the fog lifted as I kept driving and I ended up with clear visibility through the entire course. The rain was steady but not too heavy and I will take that over hot humid sun any day. Aside from running through the dairy farm, I love this course with so many beautiful waterways to admire. Luckily, there weren’t very many cars, because they really zoom on by.
I ran early and beat the rain this morning to finish the canonical ten. I forgot how fun this course is to run, especially the downhill from Buck Road to “downtown” Ludlowville when gravity does the work and I’m just along for the ride. It’s also my home course for the year, as I live about 200 meters from it (near the corner of Buck and Conlon). I recommend starting this route bright and early to avoid most of the traffic. For the two miles down Conlon the only sounds were a gentle breeze and multitudes of invisible songbirds somewhere off the side of the road.
I noticed the Leaderboard lists me as a Challenge finisher even though I’m still a long way from completing my Personal Challenge. Are there separate digital badges for the Classic Challenge and the Personal Challenge?
I recall this route from a few challenges ago, and the falls are beautiful. The only negatives were the loud shooting range gunshots and the gagworthy Walnut Ridge odors. I had to resort to my diaper-changing skills of long ago to breathe through my mouth to get by. These are just observations and notices to other challengers, and not complaints. Other than that, my four-footed companion and I had a nice jaunt this morning! Nice variety of challenge courses this year.
Take Me Home Country Roads
This is my favorite long road course of all the Challenge years! I think it is more country than the other courses. Once on the ridge, it is mostly farms and rolling fields. I encountered very little traffic most of the way. It also helps that it starts and finishes at a beautiful waterfall (note the blue sky)
I ran against a head wind most of the way to Brooks Hill road climb. Topping out on the climb presents excellent views. Clouds had rolled in and the view south was not great, but still had some nice views across the fields
As I neared Walnut Ridge Dairy, several “honey wagon” tanker trucks were periodically going by in both directions and hauling their load to some fields on Storm Road. After the turn and climb up Brown Hill road past the farm buildings, I could see where the tankers were being filled. Just past that I could hear something operating over a small rise from the road. I found an easy place to cross the grassy ditch and went up the rise to see a manure slurry lagoon larger than any back home.
Love the descent off Brown Hill road followed by the Gulf Road along the ravine. Quite strong waterfalls and cascades in there today. Run along the broad ridge top until getting back to town. Saw this wicked looking tree (photo is facing backwards on the course) - not sure what it is.
Finished up at the park, put on a jacket, and then sat on the swing overlooking the falls to have some hummus and chips, washed down with a Mountain Dew. Weather had changed to colder, cloudy, and windier than when I had started the run.
I live about 200 meters off the course, near where you turn right from Conlon onto Buck Road and start the big downhill (approx mile 8.9). Let me know if you plan to run this again and, if possible, I’ll leave some ice cream at the corner for ya.
I’m right near the start points for Ellis Hollow Creek Crossings, Triple Hump, and Pseudo Skunk Cabbage. Once we’re into the summer heat, if anyone is too hot, you’re welcome to soak your head in our pond.
