**FROM NOMAMBO.NET**
Spillway offers a variety of trails for mountain bikers and hikers of any experience level, from beginners looking for a scenic ride through the woods, to seasoned bikers looking for an aerobic and technical challenge.
Type of Ride:
Tight and twisty singletrack - river bed clay, some sand. Trail also has numerous features that include bridges and berms. The trail is very beginner friendly as all technical features have bypasses.
Length:
One complete loop approximately 5.5 miles. Directional arrows, trail names, and mileage signage are posted for trail reference and is intended to direct the rider in a CLOCKWISE direction.
Trail Description:
Beginning at the trailhead bulletin board (to the right of the park entrance near the front pond) you will ride through the "Headless Horse" into "Freesons" and the large pipeline right-of-way these sections are smooth, straight and easy riding all bridges/crossings are wide and easy to cross made up of wood & metal grating. Soon you will enter the "Wookie Wiggle" where the trail takes advantage of the terrain to make a twisty fun part of the course. Into the "Zephr" and "G.A.Z.Z." you'll experience tight & twisty roller coaster like terrain. Across a short wooden bridge to "Seinfeld" then "5 Minutes Alone" these sections are relatively smooth, straight, and fast. Pass the turn-around and into 'Up-Chuck" the trail becomes slower and more technical with moderate ups & downs (no significant elevation). Beware of Indiana Jones warning into "South Canada" where you will find the "8th Wonder Berm" and several others in a section of fast and fun turns. Soon there will be a smile from the spillway trail gnome into "W.D.D.A.M.F." & "Rat Tail" contain more twisty ups & downs with an assortment of berms and flowy sections. Soon you will be in the spooky "Ghost Trail" where you may encounter the unknown. You'll finish in the short section of "Chu-Chut" to the "FF Connection" which will take you to the levee climb and you'll follow the limestone road back to the park and trail head.
Events:
Several events are head at the trail every year. NOMAMBO host the annual cross country race the Spillway Scramble that is sanctioned by USA Cycling. The race is part of the Louisiana Mountain Bike Championship Series (LMBCS).
Another popular event open to anyone is the night time race affectionately called Race of the Dead. The Race of the Dead has become a Halloween tradition at the trail with sections of "haunted trail" where you never know what to expect.
NOMAMBO also host a yearly Time Trail series. The series is a fundraiser that allows the club to maintaining and improving the trail system. It is a fun competition that pits everyone against each other for one lap on the Bonnet Carre Spillway Trail as fast as you can! Entry fee is $10 and signup is done the half hour before the race starts. Awards include First (Men and Women), DFL (Men and Women), Lucky 13, the Pink Jersey, the Sand-Bagger Award and the Rusty Wrench!
The trail is also frequently used by running clubs for trail runs. Events like the Warrior Dash are held at the park and utilize sections of the trail.
From New Orleans: Take Airline Hwy (Hwy 61) west to Norco, La. Exit onto Lower Guide Levee Rd. Go North approx. 300 yds to parking area on left.<br /><br />From Baton Rouge: Take I-10 east to New Hwy 51 (Laplace). New Hwy 51 south to Airline Hwy (Hwy 61). East to Lower Guide Levee Rd. North on LGL Rd to parking area.
http://www.singletracks.com/item.php?c=1&i=3127