The Potawatomi Trail • A Classic Michigan Mtb Trail • The Duke of MTB

[@nerdfacellc]

Lived in Ann Arbor since college and have never rode Potooo. It looks like a grind. I must say, I really appreciate your outlook. Cory takes a huge spill, hurts herself and breaks her lever, but still goes on smiling. Just a great outlook. Keep at it.

[@dukeofmtb]

It's definitely a grind. It has some great sections that can be super fun. Sorta feels like Pisgah in spots, but then there are large sections of flat, boring, grindy, nothingness. Great for the fitness focused, but I prefer the Pontiac Lake Loop for fun factor. It has better chunky descents with little features to pop off of, but with way less flat grindy sections. Even the climbs are more exciting.

[@jeffcarrol4263]

Many people don't realize that a 15 minute video takes way more than 15 minutes to edit. You get a like, my friend.

[@dukeofmtb]

Yup. A typical 15min vid can take anything from 20 to 40 hours. Gotta watch hours of footage, trim down the boring parts, then trim it down even more to just the best and relevant stuff. Just rewatching a trimming over and over again takes ages. Add in subtitles, color grade, little notes, and the hours stack up.

[@OutdooradventuresFitness]

Love this episode

[@dukeofmtb]

@@OutdooradventuresFitness Thanks! Oldie but a goodie. 😊

[@lorneaanderson5533]

You guys are brave in the slick mud, and fun to listen to coming down hills. Thanks

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 😁

[@adamwilson9309]

Hey if you guys are still in Michigan, there’s this 8 mile loop in Marshall Michigan that’s called The Dump. It’s a super technical ride that got its name from the trail being built on an old dump! Definitely worth a ride

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! I've heard about it. We'll check it out as soon as the opportunity arises. 👍

[@ashtontanner2113]

I will vouch for this trail. It’s rather short (5.5 miles) but a blast to ride 👍🏼

[@hippymtnbkr]

We have one here in Statesville, NC built on an old landfill called the Signal Hill trail

[@rccarbonfiberhovercraftjvr3261]

Great video! When it's wet, That long wooden bridge feeds unsuspecting riders into swamp. It's like riding on ice and you're down before you know what happened. Got be super careful on any wet wooden bridge.

[@dukeofmtb]

That explains the grass being squashed around the bridge. 😅

[@jacobnash9207]

shoutouts from Ontario Canada. You two inspired my fiance and I to start riding. keep making videos!

[@dukeofmtb]

That's awesome!!! Thanks, will do. 👍

[@DeanH51]

Thanks for these videos. I am visiting Dexter Michigan from Georgia and these videos have been very helpful in deciding what to ride. Thanks!

[@greg1083]

It's my home trail as I live a little ways down he street. It's a very special trail historically for the Michigan mountain biking community. Other trails are longer and tougher but it has that special resonance because of it's history with Michigan mountain biking. And yeah. You guys should do the Triple Trail Challenge . Great event and it helps the Potawatomi Mountainbike Assoc. take care trails they are committed to maintaining.

[@Jimmytheexplorer]

How good are the jumps compared to the big kame loop?

[@greg1083]

@@Jimmytheexplorer there are no jumps as the Poto is an old school trail not built to be specific to mountain bikers. Plenty of rouched out fall line,roots and rocks.

[@Jimmytheexplorer]

@@greg1083 ok

[@dukeofmtb]

i could sense the disappointment in that 'ok' 😄

[@Seanlejawn]

You guys are killing it, you should check out maybury in northville!

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks. Adding that to our list. 👍

[@rollwithmemtb]

POTO is pretty challenging. First time I rode it I hated it because I was new and out of shape. Now it's one of my favorites. Great edit!👍

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! It has some great sections. If only they weren't so far apart from each other. 😅

[@spinundated]

I have ridden Potawatomi. It is a good workout.

[@thisoldbelair]

I really enjoy your videos of Michigan trails! Keep it up - we’re relatively new to Michigan and learning our way around :)

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! Will do. 😁👍

[@finnisgay5056]

Great video. For some reason I wasn't getting notifications on your video and I thought you'd stopped uploading. thank God I checked

[@dukeofmtb]

I'm glad you checked too. 😁 No notifications even with the bell? That's KZbin for ya. 😆

[@striker1211]

Wow this deserves more views. Great video quality and editing with an excellent cast. Subscribed.

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the vid. 😄 lol, cast.

[@kindywoodandiron1756]

I really do like how you get both of your rides in the videos! Well worth all of your effort!!

[@dukeofmtb]

Glad you like it. Takes forever to edit it that way, but it makes for a cool and unique style of MTB vids. Good to know it was worth the effort. 😁👍

[@kindywoodandiron1756]

The Duke of MTB for sure man. Very unique. Dual mics, both views all makes it much more enjoyable to watch. Glad to see my home trails on the Tube to watch. Just getting into trail riding and it’s nice to see what I’m getting into. I e got a Schwinn GTX2 so....🤷🏻

[@dukeofmtb]

Haha. This hobby is a slippery slope. Before you know it, you'll be selling your kidney for a new carbon bike. 🤣😂🤣 Anyway, glad you found this hobby and our channel. Good luck on your adventures.

[@WheezyandtheBanditMTB]

Nice one guys stay safe 😀

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! Get well soon! 😊

[@floppydonger1189]

just got my first bike since before the internet , things have changed a lot and im not 14 anymore but these videos are inspiring. was looking for trails in MI and came across your channel. quality stuff yall. your wife is hillarious man. good shit!

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! Glad you found us. Congrats on the new bike! 😁👍

[@michaeljohnson6818]

You guys sound fun to ride with! Thanks for posting this - wishing it wasn’t so pixelated tho!

[@dukeofmtb]

Haha. Thanks, dude! Make sure to play it in 4k for maximum clarity. On your phone, click the 3 dots in the corner, and under quality, select the highest resolution available. Some phones top out at 1080p or 1440. On my wife's iPhone it's always pixelated. On my s10+, I have the option to play videos at higher resolutions. Or just play it on your TV in the living room. 👍😁👍

[@mtbboy1993]

10:07 I have D1Xtrail with the paddle remote, great ergonomics, super light clicks, I have issues with thumb misalignment, but just shifting a regular shifter can eventually hurt during a long ride, but I don't have any fatigue or pain anymore. So I love electronic shifting, but electronics can fail, two shifters have failed. But that's why I bought two.

[@77rockcity]

Hey guys! Too fun as always

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks! 😊

[@motomtb352]

Great video man! Love the channel

[@dukeofmtb]

Appreciate it!

[@hippymtnbkr]

In the late 80s to early 90s. We used to ride the poto on totally rigid bikes. I did the chequamegon 40 from 1989-1991, and would do two laps of the photo in preparation for the race. The then president of the MMBA, was the first person I knew who got a Rock Shock fork.

[@dukeofmtb]

Wow! Hard core! With modern bikes we need trails so rugged and steep just to feel like it's not a paved path. I bet the descents were super exciting at Poto on a full rigid bike. 👍😁👍

[@hippymtnbkr]

@@dukeofmtb on the other side of the coin, we had a new trail open, not far from where I live. It's definitely a green trail, but in the parking lot, all you see are full suspension. Though this year they did add a jump line and some nifty little trail features. But when it first opened, the Strava crowd tried to take it over, doing illegal cut throughs and such. But they are filling the cut throughs with skinnies and log rolls.

[@dukeofmtb]

@@hippymtnbkr That's a bummer. One of the reasons our trails are so mellow is because anytime a single rock or root sticks out, they smooth it out so their Strava times won't be ruined. I like my roots and rocks.

[@bradb4421]

I love Poto, probably my favorite old school trail in lower Michigan! It would be cool if there were longer rooty downhills like that, but I'll take what I can get. Also, the Triple Trail Challenge is Poto, Waterloo, DTE and back to finish Poto. Its not a race, unless you want to make it one with buddies :D I did it last year and had a blast with a friend and a group of other riders whom all set out around the same time and went the same speed. It's a full day commitment, but well worth it.

[@headoverbars8750]

Oh, that sounds epic! I will try it this year!!

[@dukeofmtb]

I like it nice and chunky too. I was actually sad when I saw that Stony was smoothened out recently. I prefer very rocky and rooty descents. I don't mind the climbs being smooth though. 😅

[@MJSare]

Well in reference to "Massive" there is also the Massive Fallout as well -> www.cramba.org/events/massive-fallout/

[@DMMTB]

Looks like a lot of work .... I'm like you guys and much prefer to do the descents 😉 ... the speedy ones looked great 🤘

[@dukeofmtb]

That it is. Thanks! 😊

[@TheRyguy79]

At 5:39, if memory serves me right, the fun line is to pop off the roots on the right side. That's one of my favorite little sections of Poto.

[@dukeofmtb]

I see it now. Great idea. I'll definitely do that next time. 😁👍

[@thegt3clickcrash329]

First time I went to Potowatomi trail I came blasting down a nice steep hill , little bit of a corkscrew to it , I had WAY TOO MUCH SPEED for what was just ahead. A rooted up small drop that was part of the downhill , locked up rear break but it was too late ! Threw me over the bars , landed head first. I broke my helmet and bruised my eye socket. I've been back since that little incident.

[@dukeofmtb]

It was probably right here too: 8:27 Glad you're back at it though. 😁👍

[@borisjankovici662]

Potawatomi has the longest, roughest, descents in the area. They aren't terribly technical, it's just that they are deceptive in comparison to other local trails. You think they won't be all that long so you don't bother controlling your speed until it is too late.

[@softpraise]

Awesome

[@saintlouismtb6720]

You guys make me want to go riding but all the trails and parks are closed near me due to stay at home orders lol

[@dukeofmtb]

That's a bummer. Hope things open up soon wherever you are. 😉👍

[@gentlemeng8786]

Nice trails & cute couple. They hype each other up & have healthy fun. Very fly

[@headoverbars8750]

Thanks for doing this!! I'm north Ann Arbor and this trail is the same distance as DTE from me so I have been going there instead and mostly in the middle of the night... I do Sugar 3x at night or day-time I start Sugar at bottom and ride them all. Can you ride at night there? Can't wait to do this one.... Thanks again, keep posting the great videos ✌️ !!

[@dukeofmtb]

I don't know if they allow night riding there. I'd check with the local mtb FB groups. Anyway, glad you enjoyed the vid. Always happy to see you in the comments. 😄

[@Jimmytheexplorer]

Cant believe the dte trails are still open, just went and did big kame

[@dukeofmtb]

Awesome! Hope you had fun.

[@MTBMichigan]

Nice one.

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks, Rob!

[@shartsgamehouse7425]

Have you guys every tried Fort Custer rec area in Augusta or the dump in Marshall. Jw was thinking of trying them out. My stepson and I watch your videos and have decided to try out mtb that dh looks awesome

[@dukeofmtb]

Haven't tried those yet. They're on our list though. Glad you guys are getting into MTB. It's so much fun. I wish we discovered it sooner. 👍

[@ashtontanner2113]

Sharts Game house if you like technical trails definitely try the dump! And fort Custer is always a decent ride!

[@JasperSteve]

Trick to Poto is never use your brakes. Gotta keep momentum for next hill.

[@dukeofmtb]

So true!

[@benjapolcycling]

The drops at 8:45 you did very well and very flowy. Mine was not there yet :) . Did you manage to bike up the "boss" of the climb at mile 6-7 ish? Despite several effort I am not yet be able to bike all the way up... the last boss for me.

[@dukeofmtb]

We haven't ridden this trail in a very long time. We're more into bike park riding these days. 😅

[@ray-iv8vs]

fellow pinoy riders ! Was there earlier today and the conditions were perfect. Too bad I still dont know the route.

[@dukeofmtb]

It needs better signage at the forks, for sure.

[@punisher9oneone]

Down is where it’s at!!

[@dukeofmtb]

Yup. Down is the way to go. 😉

[@Kel-ii2di]

Cori’s tough and funny... Triple Massive Heart attack!!😂Awesome mga kabagis!👍..Keep Sending!👌🏽 Yeahh Boi!!

[@dukeofmtb]

That she is. 😁 Definitely gonna keep on sending it, kabayan. 👍

[@Kel-ii2di]

We’re there 2 weeks ago..Lansing to UP Munising to Oscoda. Nice trails in Munising and sorrounding Lansing. No time to visit DTE. Give us a shout out nu makapasyar kayu dituy Texas...will definitely hit them trails. Stay safe ya’ll🙏 keep the videos coming...👌🏽

[@dukeofmtb]

@@Kel-ii2di Sweet! Will do. Would love to check out the bike park there one day. 😁

[@terrymtbnurse4760]

Funny I'm watching this video; I just got back from Pontiac Lake trail and I was screaming down this gnarly decent when I encountered a sandy corner with a big tree staring at me. I didn't make the corner and sure enough I broke my dropper seat post lever. I was able to somewhat work it , but it sucked. lol. I think I'm going to upgrade to the Wolf lever. Anyway, love the video's. Is DTE ever going to open???? Ride fast, be safe.

[@dukeofmtb]

Love the wolftooth lever. I hope the lots at DTE will open soon too. I wouldn't want to do the 1 hour and 45 minute drive to go out there and find out that I have nowhere to park. hehe

[@sanahe2000]

Everyone who watched this click on like button after 4:09 for appreciation.

[@MrCheckers37]

what an opening to the video lol

[@dukeofmtb]

How so? 🙂

[@manabiker]

Has been my go to trails since the early 80's, too bad it's been overrun by Zombies now, by the way its 18.5 miles,, and there is a 8 mile, and 2 mile loop too, great vids, stop bleeping Cory out.. let her cus'.. LOL

[@dukeofmtb]

I'd love to, but the advertisers might not. 😅 Maybe one day when I set up a Patreon, then I can just let'r rip.😁👍

[@aaroncrain2343]

I’m hoping to go to dte foundation trail soon, it seems like you have been there enough to tell me what is the best all around day to go? I know that the trails are directional and they change by the days of the week. I really want to do sugar loop and I was wondering what your preference is for the best direction/ day I should go for the most fun, thanks!

[@dukeofmtb]

I think Saturday is the best day for most of the trails, but Sunday for the Sugar Loop. I forget which days are CW or CCW. The trails are fun either way. Have fun! 😁👍

[@Logslayer999]

Omg I haven't realized that you guys are at 5k, but I still think you have 2k lol.

[@dukeofmtb]

The channel is growing. Slowly but surely. 😅

[@theeleven42]

Sorry if you've already covered this at some point but can you tell me what brand/model of helmet she is wearing? Thanks!

[@mtbgirlcory]

That’s Bell helmet 3R with detachable jaw guard.

[@dukeofmtb]

Yup, what she said. It's a Bell Super 3R.

[@punisher9oneone]

Yeah, cold and wet is a terrible combination!

[@everywherelocal]

cool 🤙

[@dukeofmtb]

Thanks.

[@Jimmytheexplorer]

Do the novi tree farm plz

[@dukeofmtb]

We'll try to get to it some time this year. Darn day job getting in the way. 😅

[@10acebikesjodybennettii19]

do you use ND Filters if so what ones?

[@dukeofmtb]

Nope. Just -1 EV comp with the color temp at 5500k(switching to 5000k now), Max ISO at 400. Then I just tweak the colors in post. I try to keep my setup as simple as possible.

[@tardis4125]

I wanna start mountain biking, what bikes do you recommend that aren't to expensive, like no more than 1000$?

[@dukeofmtb]

You can get a 2020 Commencal Meta HT Origin or a Nuke proof Scout Race for $1099 new. They're hardtail trail bikes made for rowdy terrain. I wouldn't recommend an XC bike unless you plan to just grind endless miles and avoid jumps and drops like the plague forever. 😁

[@tardis4125]

@@dukeofmtb so XC bikes are not good for jumping? I want to learn jumping

[@dukeofmtb]

@@tardis4125 You *can* do jumps on an XC bike, but the frame and fork on an XC bike are not meant for that kind of abuse. They're meant for grinding out miles. If you just want to do dirt jumps and nothing else, a dirtjumper is the way to go. If you want a "do it all" bike that can ride gnarly trails and do jumps without breaking, an aggressive hardtail is the way to go. The bikes I recommended can be great long term bikes. They have good solid frames with modern geometry meant for aggressive riding. You can also upgrade the components over time. I'd get a dropper post first. Hope this helps. Good luck on your bike hunt.

[@BigVanLittleAdventures]

Ahhh that place where the climbs dont add up to the down hills.

[@dukeofmtb]

Lol, so true. 10 seconds of descent for every 10 minutes of climbing. 🤣

[@EarlyDawnTravels]

Dude, she has to be wrecking on purpose lol

[@dukeofmtb]

Lol. Nope. That's just Cory being Cory.

[@shanebraniff6198]

Hey Duke! The wife an I are just getting back into riding. Been watching a lot of your videos, we were wondering how u guys communicate so well. I'm a little hard of hearing so while wearing a helmet and yelling at each other I might not hear her very well. You guys seem to be able to talk without yelling too loud. Do you guys have special headset walkie? Or do u guys just both hear very well?

[@dukeofmtb]

We're actually both hard of hearing. 😅 Cory wears a lav mic, but that's for the benefit of the viewer to be able to hear her in the vids. We can't actually hear each other that well during our rides. We _do_ get asked a lot whether we use walkies or not, but we don't. I also think the way I cut the vids gives that impression too. I tend to cut out the parts where we're trying to talk to each other but we're too far apart and we're mishearing each other, or the parts where we're basically just shouting, "what was that?" back and forth. Sorry I couldn't respond with something more helpful. If you do try walkies, or Bluetooth headsets, let me know how it goes. 😊👍

[@shanebraniff6198]

@@dukeofmtb awesome! Thanks for getting back to me so quick. I know you guys do A LOT of travelling. So if you're ever in BC in the Okanagan let me know. The wife and I can show u guys some pretty good riding out here.

[@dukeofmtb]

@@shanebraniff6198 No problem. Always happy to help. And thanks! Will do! 😊

[@mtbboy1993]

I see Michigan has great trails. You could have had waterproof clothing.

[@mtbboy1993]

I think the failsafe in the dropper post remote is unnecessary. All you need is a robust construction, correct materials, not overtighten the clamp.

[@dukeofmtb]

🧩 I disagree. I think it's best to have a cheap point of failure. Overly robust construction can still lead to failure somewhere in the levers weakest point. In which case, repair or replacement would have been more expensive. I like the current design. We have multiple bikes with the same lever, some of them very old at this point, and this is the one time a lever "broke." The cost was negligible, but some damage somewhere was unavoidable. As such, it would have been a more expensive repair otherwise. In regard to clamp tightness, I already leave room for rotation in the case of an impact. These days I keep that spare part tucked in my OneUp pump's storage compartment at all times. As always, I appreciate your input, my fellow ASD friend. 😊 🧩

[@johnisevil]

#dropperpostsolidarity

[@laul2091]

LoL dim sum! 😄

[@asher2473]

Thx for doing this trail one of my least favorite trails.

[@dukeofmtb]

Haha. I feel you. Great descents, but jeez...the rest of the trail is a total grind. 😁

[@mikerobertson9787]

Lord I hate that trail! Like the "Tiple Massive Heart Attach". I may have to try this trail again...

[@dukeofmtb]

I feel ya. It's a long and grindy one, that's for sure. 😄

[@borisjankovici662]

Potawatomi is an excellent trail. One of the best in Michigan.

[@juliusmexMX]

First of all, great video, those trails are really nice; I like you guys a lot. Second, please don't do this so american thing of subtitling when someone speaks english with a little accent. To me, that is kind of a disrespectful thing to do. I'm open to all opinions and dialog this comment may generate. Cheers!

[@markkoziol5742]

Julio Busto I didn’t mean to hit the thumbs down. The subtitle is part of the fun from the Duke. I’m sensitive too. But usually only when people joke about cancer or mental health. Dukes having fun, go get some of what he’s got

[@dukeofmtb]

I see how some people might see it that way. There's a whole story behind the subs. I started doing them back before Cory used to wear a mic on her. I didn't want people to miss out on all the funny things she says. People liked the subs, so I just kept putting them in even after she started wearing a mic. It's just a part of the channel at this point. It never had anything to do with her accent, although it does help on the rare occasion that she says something in Filipino. You can see in some of our recent vids that I actually subtitle everyone except myself since my audio is already clear. Best example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5rVmINsebeUotk I hope that clears things up. Keep in mind that I'm also of Filipino and Polish decent, speak multiple languages, and have lived in multiple countries with different cultures, so it would be really weird of me to intentionally do something like what you suggested. Anyway, glad you like the vids. Thanks for your input.

[@juliusmexMX]

@@dukeofmtb Thanks for the reply, appreciate the clarification.