More to come. Subscribe for updates!
More to come. Subscribe for updates!
More to come. Subscribe for updates!
More to come. Subscribe for updates!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks IMBA Epic
Truly Epic ride! I met Travis Olson on Strava, where I asked him about his North Fork Death March ride. I missed the second one, though, just couple weeks back. He also told me about the HC road climb up to Spruce Knob. On a very wet, chilly, foggy sometimes rainy day, he brought a small crew to do the Epic. This 40 plus mile, up road/down trail (at least it was a West Virginia DH, plenty of elevation gain on the way down) IMBA epic. We could have shuttled up to the top, but then we would have missed a whole bunch of climbing and sketchy road descents, with gravel showing up randomly on Lower Timber Ridge rd, making the wet leaf strewn sharp curves even that much more... um sketchy. We would have also missed out on the downpour that hit as we got onto route 33 back to Seneca Rocks, getting back exactly at sunset!
The fun started at mile 24, where Huckleberry leaves Spruce Knob. With little elevation lose, the first couple/three miles was nearly constant rain slick rock gardens. Rob got a flat early and Travis pumped it up to see if the Stan's would seal it. It got soft again when they got down to us (Mile 27). A repump and letting the Stan's pool at the hole a while, was the next try. Then the plug kit came out and held for the rest of the ride(Mile 29). It was a pretty small hole in the sidewall and not a scrape or slice ( I had no luck plugging a sidewall slice early this year).
Huckleberry is gnarly and went from wet rock gardens to wet roots and mud. We had not gotten far when a hiker couple leap frogged Mike, Jason and I, while waiting to regroup. The hikers were making better time than us and we never did see them again, they took different turn we supposed. But they were nice enough to let us know about the mechanical. Up till now we had gone through several fits and starts as Rob was learning his rock skills, as I wrote earlier it was plenty gnarly (it is not possible to overuse that word in regards to this trail!)
Although we had not descended all that much by that time, the chilled to the bone sensation we experienced at Spruce Knob and the other times we stopped was all but gone now. Particularly right next to our friend the Mr. Pine Tree. Mike made his own deer bed in the straw grass and seemed quite comfy. Totally different thermocline or should I say Coldocline?
We then connected up with the Horton trail, mostly down to falls on Seneca creek, sometimes steep and nasty(did not want to use gnarly again, HA!).
Crossing the creek was an adventure all on it's own. So recently out of hypothermia weather, only Mike attempted to ride across. Jason literally skated across the rocks he tried to walk across. Travis was the first to try the big down tree that spanned the creek, Success! Rob tried to scoot along, till I grabbed his bike, to hand off to Travis, so he could walk. Travis waited at the ready for Rob and then myself, while I kept my bike for balance. The knots where branches use to have been, made it hard to to make small steps. Alas no swan dives and ironically Travis submerged his foot as I got to the end.
Now for the 1.5 mile hike a bike out of Seneca Creek. It was tough going, I tried to ride as much as I could (it was easier than lifting up my legs hiking), but probably rode less than half of that steep greasy,off camber, slick as snot rocks and roots.
Now at the intersection of the Allegheny trial. Only 6 more miles of trail to go! But we had plenty of greasy barely doable climbs and several momentum robbing down trees on the DH's. We had been riding in the clouds since well before Spruce knob and it was getting thick and the next turn was a hard one to find. A little back track to be sure we were on the correct path and we start what would be the final descent. Steep and sketchy, at times, we were losing elevation quick. This turned into a narrow off camber switchback descent to Whites Run rd. All of a sudden we were out of the clouds and the ground was dry, and then it was over except for the pouring road back to the cars.
Truly epic ride in epic conditions! With an epic crew, just the nicest guys;
A youngin with only BMX saddle time (what he lacked in conditioning he made up for in skill)
An ex runner turned triathlete/MTBer with new knees and lots of enthusiasm.
A bike shop owner, with plenty of skill and endurance.
And the Man, ride leader, Travis Olson. Who watched over his flock, better than a border collie.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=544591428962037&set=vb.100002335536683&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/travis.olson.71/media_set?set=a.544455155642331.1073741828.100002335536683&type=1
http://connect.garmin.com/player/390180860
http://www.imba.com/epics/spruce-knob
https://www.facebook.com/groups/38594432567/
http://theopam.com/posts/714-wvmba-imba-epic-ride-off-spruce-knob-is-the-ride-of-a-lifetime
http://www.bikerag.com/images/MAPS/wv_huckleberry_spruce_knob_review.htm
The fun started at mile 24, where Huckleberry leaves Spruce Knob. With little elevation lose, the first couple/three miles was nearly constant rain slick rock gardens. Rob got a flat early and Travis pumped it up to see if the Stan's would seal it. It got soft again when they got down to us (Mile 27). A repump and letting the Stan's pool at the hole a while, was the next try. Then the plug kit came out and held for the rest of the ride(Mile 29). It was a pretty small hole in the sidewall and not a scrape or slice ( I had no luck plugging a sidewall slice early this year).
Huckleberry is gnarly and went from wet rock gardens to wet roots and mud. We had not gotten far when a hiker couple leap frogged Mike, Jason and I, while waiting to regroup. The hikers were making better time than us and we never did see them again, they took different turn we supposed. But they were nice enough to let us know about the mechanical. Up till now we had gone through several fits and starts as Rob was learning his rock skills, as I wrote earlier it was plenty gnarly (it is not possible to overuse that word in regards to this trail!)
Although we had not descended all that much by that time, the chilled to the bone sensation we experienced at Spruce Knob and the other times we stopped was all but gone now. Particularly right next to our friend the Mr. Pine Tree. Mike made his own deer bed in the straw grass and seemed quite comfy. Totally different thermocline or should I say Coldocline?
We then connected up with the Horton trail, mostly down to falls on Seneca creek, sometimes steep and nasty(did not want to use gnarly again, HA!).
Crossing the creek was an adventure all on it's own. So recently out of hypothermia weather, only Mike attempted to ride across. Jason literally skated across the rocks he tried to walk across. Travis was the first to try the big down tree that spanned the creek, Success! Rob tried to scoot along, till I grabbed his bike, to hand off to Travis, so he could walk. Travis waited at the ready for Rob and then myself, while I kept my bike for balance. The knots where branches use to have been, made it hard to to make small steps. Alas no swan dives and ironically Travis submerged his foot as I got to the end.
Now for the 1.5 mile hike a bike out of Seneca Creek. It was tough going, I tried to ride as much as I could (it was easier than lifting up my legs hiking), but probably rode less than half of that steep greasy,off camber, slick as snot rocks and roots.
Now at the intersection of the Allegheny trial. Only 6 more miles of trail to go! But we had plenty of greasy barely doable climbs and several momentum robbing down trees on the DH's. We had been riding in the clouds since well before Spruce knob and it was getting thick and the next turn was a hard one to find. A little back track to be sure we were on the correct path and we start what would be the final descent. Steep and sketchy, at times, we were losing elevation quick. This turned into a narrow off camber switchback descent to Whites Run rd. All of a sudden we were out of the clouds and the ground was dry, and then it was over except for the pouring road back to the cars.
Truly epic ride in epic conditions! With an epic crew, just the nicest guys;
A youngin with only BMX saddle time (what he lacked in conditioning he made up for in skill)
An ex runner turned triathlete/MTBer with new knees and lots of enthusiasm.
A bike shop owner, with plenty of skill and endurance.
And the Man, ride leader, Travis Olson. Who watched over his flock, better than a border collie.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=544591428962037&set=vb.100002335536683&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/travis.olson.71/media_set?set=a.544455155642331.1073741828.100002335536683&type=1
http://connect.garmin.com/player/390180860
http://www.imba.com/epics/spruce-knob
https://www.facebook.com/groups/38594432567/
http://theopam.com/posts/714-wvmba-imba-epic-ride-off-spruce-knob-is-the-ride-of-a-lifetime
http://www.bikerag.com/images/MAPS/wv_huckleberry_spruce_knob_review.htm
Monday, October 7, 2013
MOCO Epic 65
On the first day back on m quest, I sit in one of Maryland's neighboring states, just a few hours away, preparing for another epic. I think back to April, when I was treated to great mountain biking in (at least to me) a very unlikely setting. Being so close to Washington, DC and Baltimore and all. Many different parks linked together by roads. Little Bennett probably had the most technical climb of the bunch. Michael Bonsby took me around the loop. Initially to do the 50. We were making good time so we upped it to the 65. I used my geared bike that day. A couple days later I rode the 50 on my SS. Both rigid as usual.
The official event is coming up next weekend. Register here:
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/MoCo-Epic-2013---News-and-Updates.html?soid=1112605656533&aid=AfETr358Pss
https://www.facebook.com/michael.bonsby/posts/597085587023097
Thanks GoogleTube for being so hard to use and process so quickly.
The official event is coming up next weekend. Register here:
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/MoCo-Epic-2013---News-and-Updates.html?soid=1112605656533&aid=AfETr358Pss
https://www.facebook.com/michael.bonsby/posts/597085587023097
Thanks GoogleTube for being so hard to use and process so quickly.
MoCo Short 848x48 saved as 1920x1080 from MTB Epic Rides on Vimeo.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Cuyuna Lakes IMBA Ride Center
Mountain biking in my home state of Minnesota has really matured.
The main unit, Mahnomen, has the bulk of the trails. One of my favorites is Mucker Mountain, a "More Difficult" trail with really nice flow. The Chute earns it's "Most Difficult' rating, while Ferrous Wheel really only has a hard fast switch back. The trails are pretty well marked in general, but the entrances to many of the trails are across a dirt road from Easy Street are not that obvious. But many of the exits are well marked to let riders coming off of them, know that the trail is now two way. For fun and safety, many of the trails are one way only. Mountain bikers have their own parking lot, but for someone new to the system and kiosk or a sign pointing to the trail head would be nice. I ran into Joel Hartman, who recently was interviewed on the local news. I mentioned it and he said he would bring it up at the club meeting that night. Pretty cool.
Leave the Sagamore unit for winter riding, like the signage says. At this point the trails look more like XC ski trails and the flies are ferocious!
Cuyuna has the funnest "Easy" or beginner trails that I have ridden! They have a pretty sweet flow and are far from boring. Conversely, many of the Expert trails (Black) are not really more difficult that the "Most Difficult" trails (Red) or even "More Difficult" trails, in some instances. Timber Shaft in the Yawkey unit is an exception and is an awesome skills section, that needs to be sessioned! Bobsled is a favorite of those I spoke with. Nice twisty berms, gravity fed of course. I need to learn to berm!
The main unit, Mahnomen, has the bulk of the trails. One of my favorites is Mucker Mountain, a "More Difficult" trail with really nice flow. The Chute earns it's "Most Difficult' rating, while Ferrous Wheel really only has a hard fast switch back. The trails are pretty well marked in general, but the entrances to many of the trails are across a dirt road from Easy Street are not that obvious. But many of the exits are well marked to let riders coming off of them, know that the trail is now two way. For fun and safety, many of the trails are one way only. Mountain bikers have their own parking lot, but for someone new to the system and kiosk or a sign pointing to the trail head would be nice. I ran into Joel Hartman, who recently was interviewed on the local news. I mentioned it and he said he would bring it up at the club meeting that night. Pretty cool.
Leave the Sagamore unit for winter riding, like the signage says. At this point the trails look more like XC ski trails and the flies are ferocious!
Now understand that Minnesota does not have huge elevation changes that some of other venues. I think only Florida had a lower elevation per mile ratio. Not surprisingly these trails have some striking similarities to both Alafia and Balm Boyette in florida.
CLMTBT (Friends of MORC) has really done a great job here, making MTBaide out of strip mining lemons. It is awesome that the state of Minnesota is working with local groups to make such great resources that so many can enjoy!
Cool upcoming event September 14th http://www.cuyunalakesklunker.com/events
CLMTBT (Friends of MORC) has really done a great job here, making MTBaide out of strip mining lemons. It is awesome that the state of Minnesota is working with local groups to make such great resources that so many can enjoy!
Cool upcoming event September 14th http://www.cuyunalakesklunker.com/events
Monday, August 26, 2013
Copper Harbor IMBA Epic
Most fun trails yet! Can I back this up?
I think I can. Plenty of elevation gain, but not just up a mountain across a ridge and and back down, like Shenandoah Southern Traverse. Not nearly flat like in Santos or Alafia River State Park.
Nice stiff climbs, that reward you with that gravity gain, every so often. Not a fan of climbing, just wait a few minutes and enjoy a technical descent. Don't like it rough, smooth flowy trail is right around the corner, need to drop in or ride some banked planking, they got you covered. Just got to have a bermy flow trail, they named it The Flow, just so there would be no mistake. You can even choose Daisy Duke for a side dish of table tops and doubles towards the end.
It is weird though, cause I really am not fond of all the planking. particularly banked planking. I watched their video of the Edge and I saw the rider rail it, but I guess it is part of that berm thing I still am working out. Michigan, like Wisconsin, use a lot of planking. Going down Stairway to Heaven, had me say "Here We Go", ironically the name of my favorite downhill trail here, followed closely by the red trail. Stairway to Heaven, had me thanking a deity when I finally made it to that nasty rock drop at the end, of which I was much more comfortable with! Those twists and turns while gaining speed or trying not to lock up the rear tire, rivaled any pucker factor I can remember. AND it is a two way trail. Luckily, out of 3 times down, I only came across one rider coming up. He stopped and luckily again, it was one of the few places that you could step off the planking with less than a 2 foot drop or greater. I would vote for this one becoming one way.
While the IMBA Epic loop described here can be ridden in full, they have taken Paul's plunge and John Lincoln Green off the the map. Deep in the woods there is a sign for Paul's Plunge, but I saw nothing for John Lincoln Green (it may be what another map called Kamikaze XC trail).
Note: Go Left, when taking the turn off of Say Hello on to DZA Beet.
There are new trails and with this being one of the shortest Epics, I think some of the new stuff needs to be added to the Epic.
Mango could replace Paul's Plunge altogether. Mango is a funner, well thought out trail. Paul's Plunge is old school and could be prone to erosion. While Paul's Plunge is still there, but taken off the map, it is best if Mango takes the majority of the traffic. You will lose about a mile from this already short epic, but add Bullwinkle in to get it back. I put it all together for a still short 14 mile funfest;
Copper Harbor Loop, Garden Brook, Woopidy Woo, Bullwinkle, right on Garden Brook, Blue Trail, (do not go to the lodge, go down the water line to) Dza Beet, Here We Go, Ma Maki, Say Hello, left on Dza Beet, Simeh, De Deet, Red Trail, Mango, right on Ma Maki, right on Manganese road, left on Clark Mine Road, left on Pauls Plunge, left at bottom (John Lincoln Green maybe), stay right after the bridge, left on Manganese Road, right on unnamed trail, Ma Maki, Der we Went, Stairway to Heaven, Copper Harbor Loop to Trail Head
Note: Very easy to miss towards the end. Once you start up the Manganese road a steep trail juts off to the right. It is a fall line trail and steep (the only place I needed the granny ring)
Most riders will be happy going left on Ma Maki off of Mango. Paul's Plunge is definitely a double black diamond and the unnamed climb is just to say you are a tough guy!
I wish there was a way to add in The Flow and keep it a loop. There is a slight duplication on Ma Maki as it is. So what's a racer on sabbatical do? He does three 11 minute intervals up Brockway mountain road, then took a right down The Flow twice, Daisy Duke on one of them. And then took a left down The Edge. And filled in with things I missed the previous ride and tried some things in reverse.
Race Memorial Day Weekend http://www.keweenawadventure.com/fat_tire.htm
I followed Dave down the red trail to get this video:
Here are some links that might help you out:
http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails
http://www.imba.com/epics/copper-harbor-trails
http://trailgenius.com/trail-genius-map/copper-harbor-trails
http://www.keweenawadventure.com/CH_trail_map_1000.jpg
http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-michigan/trail/copper-harbor-pathway/prd_325209_4555crx.aspx
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/red_trail.html
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/dancing_bear.html
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/pauls_plunge.html
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=jl
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/
http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails
I think I can. Plenty of elevation gain, but not just up a mountain across a ridge and and back down, like Shenandoah Southern Traverse. Not nearly flat like in Santos or Alafia River State Park.
Nice stiff climbs, that reward you with that gravity gain, every so often. Not a fan of climbing, just wait a few minutes and enjoy a technical descent. Don't like it rough, smooth flowy trail is right around the corner, need to drop in or ride some banked planking, they got you covered. Just got to have a bermy flow trail, they named it The Flow, just so there would be no mistake. You can even choose Daisy Duke for a side dish of table tops and doubles towards the end.
It is weird though, cause I really am not fond of all the planking. particularly banked planking. I watched their video of the Edge and I saw the rider rail it, but I guess it is part of that berm thing I still am working out. Michigan, like Wisconsin, use a lot of planking. Going down Stairway to Heaven, had me say "Here We Go", ironically the name of my favorite downhill trail here, followed closely by the red trail. Stairway to Heaven, had me thanking a deity when I finally made it to that nasty rock drop at the end, of which I was much more comfortable with! Those twists and turns while gaining speed or trying not to lock up the rear tire, rivaled any pucker factor I can remember. AND it is a two way trail. Luckily, out of 3 times down, I only came across one rider coming up. He stopped and luckily again, it was one of the few places that you could step off the planking with less than a 2 foot drop or greater. I would vote for this one becoming one way.
While the IMBA Epic loop described here can be ridden in full, they have taken Paul's plunge and John Lincoln Green off the the map. Deep in the woods there is a sign for Paul's Plunge, but I saw nothing for John Lincoln Green (it may be what another map called Kamikaze XC trail).
Note: Go Left, when taking the turn off of Say Hello on to DZA Beet.
There are new trails and with this being one of the shortest Epics, I think some of the new stuff needs to be added to the Epic.
Mango could replace Paul's Plunge altogether. Mango is a funner, well thought out trail. Paul's Plunge is old school and could be prone to erosion. While Paul's Plunge is still there, but taken off the map, it is best if Mango takes the majority of the traffic. You will lose about a mile from this already short epic, but add Bullwinkle in to get it back. I put it all together for a still short 14 mile funfest;
Copper Harbor Loop, Garden Brook, Woopidy Woo, Bullwinkle, right on Garden Brook, Blue Trail, (do not go to the lodge, go down the water line to) Dza Beet, Here We Go, Ma Maki, Say Hello, left on Dza Beet, Simeh, De Deet, Red Trail, Mango, right on Ma Maki, right on Manganese road, left on Clark Mine Road, left on Pauls Plunge, left at bottom (John Lincoln Green maybe), stay right after the bridge, left on Manganese Road, right on unnamed trail, Ma Maki, Der we Went, Stairway to Heaven, Copper Harbor Loop to Trail Head
Note: Very easy to miss towards the end. Once you start up the Manganese road a steep trail juts off to the right. It is a fall line trail and steep (the only place I needed the granny ring)
Most riders will be happy going left on Ma Maki off of Mango. Paul's Plunge is definitely a double black diamond and the unnamed climb is just to say you are a tough guy!
I wish there was a way to add in The Flow and keep it a loop. There is a slight duplication on Ma Maki as it is. So what's a racer on sabbatical do? He does three 11 minute intervals up Brockway mountain road, then took a right down The Flow twice, Daisy Duke on one of them. And then took a left down The Edge. And filled in with things I missed the previous ride and tried some things in reverse.
Race Memorial Day Weekend http://www.keweenawadventure.com/fat_tire.htm
I followed Dave down the red trail to get this video:
Here are some links that might help you out:
http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails
http://www.imba.com/epics/copper-harbor-trails
http://trailgenius.com/trail-genius-map/copper-harbor-trails
http://www.keweenawadventure.com/CH_trail_map_1000.jpg
http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-michigan/trail/copper-harbor-pathway/prd_325209_4555crx.aspx
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/red_trail.html
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/dancing_bear.html
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/pauls_plunge.html
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=jl
http://www.moronacity.com/images/Copper_Harbor/
http://www.copperharbortrails.org/trails
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Levis-Trow Mound Epic
Let me start of by saying that I always feel a little funny with more than a few days off of hard riding. From the various sources I was expecting 25 miles plus of riding, so I stayed mellow as I followed the IMBA Epic arrows. On the Onset, I often fear that I will be disappointed, I am looking for Epic rides you know. This feeling grew as I continued on Lower Glen and Swamp Cut. I was like"This is nice" but it seemed like I was getting closer and closer the north end and the miles were really not adding up. But 15 minutes to warm up is not a bad thing eithrt, then I get onto Yellow Jacket and I started to get interested. The Goat Dance climb started to bring it and the backside delivered the goods. I prefer the Yellow jacket climb up to the top of Buck hill, but there is less doubling back using Secret trail out and the Buck Hill switchback up to Sidewinder to Upper Hermosa (one of my favorite flows), finished up Hermosa and Lower Hermosa and use Dead Turkey to connect to the Corkscrew climb to Toad road that leads to (the banner trail) Plumbers Crack, Switchback, Cliff Hanger, North Face by the bench if you need a rest and a view. Continue in Porky's Point to Upper Glen. Part of which is under a reroute. Back down to Lower Glen and the IMBA loop is complete.
The Reroute did not move the IMBA sign yet, so I missed it at first. It looks Like that reroute will eliminate a fall line portion o f trail and also connect to other parts of the trail system. The North Face DH looks to soonly boast a bunch of berms, as well. Maybe making a flow trail finish near the trailhead. Being an old fogie I like old school trails best, but flow trails are a fun variety, getting very popular, they help get new riders hooked and are good for a change. I have to learn to berm.
Levis Mound is a well marked trail system. For the most part, the IMBA loop is marked and easy to follow, mostly. The IMBA sign after Dead Turkey for the turn on to Corkscrew needs to be replaced, or you might just go down the wrong part of Toad Road and miss Plumbers Crack.
The IMBA loop is a little short as Epics go, at just 17 miles, not 30 as the IMBA website states (did I miss something?). There are about 25 miles of single track in total. Only a few trails are one way; Sidewinder and Lucy's trail (Which I never found the start of) for example.
After my recon IMBA ride, I rode a bunch of the trails in reverse, that and being warmed up led to a much better experience on Lower Glen/Swamp Cut. So I made sure to warm up for ride two a couple days later, which made Lower Glen/Swamp Cut come alive in the IMBA direction as well! Other trails I liked in both directions were; Toad road (including Plumbers Crack), Corks Screw, Yellow Jacket, Select Cut, Snodgrass.
The sandy switchbacks become a climb in reverse on Goat Dance and Switchback and are definitely best in the "IMBA" epic direction.
The Reroute did not move the IMBA sign yet, so I missed it at first. It looks Like that reroute will eliminate a fall line portion of trail and also connect to other parts of the trail system. The North Face DH looks to soonly boast a bunch of berms, as well. Maybe making a flow trail finish near the trailhead. Being an old fogie I like old school trails best, but flow trails are a fun variety. They are getting very popular, they help get new riders hooked and are good for a change. I have to learn to berm.
Levis Mound is a well marked trail system. For the most part, the IMBA loop is marked and easy to follow, mostly. The IMBA sign after Dead Turkey for the turn on to Corkscrew needs to be replaced, or you might just go down the wrong part of Toad Road and miss Plumbers Crack.
The IMBA loop is a little short as Epics go, at just 17 miles, not 30 as the IMBA website states(did I miss something?). There are about 25 miles of single track in total. Only a few trails are one way; Sidewinder and Lucy's trail (Which I never found the start of) for example.
After my recon IMBA ride, I rode a bunch of the trails in reverse, that and being warmed up led to a much better experience on Lower Glen/Swamp Cut. So I made sure to warm up for ride two a couple days later, which made Lower Glen/Swamp Cut come alive in the IMBA direction as well! Other trails I liked in both directions were; Toad road (including Plumbers Crack), Corks Screw, Yellow Jacket, Select Cut, Snodgrass.
The sandy switchbacks become a climb in reverse on Goat Dance and Switchback and are definitely best in the "IMBA" epic direction.
They have a 100 miler next Saturday August 24th .
They have a 100,50 and 25 miler on Saturday August 24th http://wemseries.com/levistrow-100/
See other Links Below.
Great views abound. Be sure to hit Clarence for the coolest overlooks, like:
http://www.levismound.com/conditions.html
Here is a Singletracks.com article on Trevis Mound And Trail Info
Here is one From Greg Rides Trails
The Reroute did not move the IMBA sign yet, so I missed it at first. It looks Like that reroute will eliminate a fall line portion o f trail and also connect to other parts of the trail system. The North Face DH looks to soonly boast a bunch of berms, as well. Maybe making a flow trail finish near the trailhead. Being an old fogie I like old school trails best, but flow trails are a fun variety, getting very popular, they help get new riders hooked and are good for a change. I have to learn to berm.
Levis Mound is a well marked trail system. For the most part, the IMBA loop is marked and easy to follow, mostly. The IMBA sign after Dead Turkey for the turn on to Corkscrew needs to be replaced, or you might just go down the wrong part of Toad Road and miss Plumbers Crack.
The IMBA loop is a little short as Epics go, at just 17 miles, not 30 as the IMBA website states (did I miss something?). There are about 25 miles of single track in total. Only a few trails are one way; Sidewinder and Lucy's trail (Which I never found the start of) for example.
After my recon IMBA ride, I rode a bunch of the trails in reverse, that and being warmed up led to a much better experience on Lower Glen/Swamp Cut. So I made sure to warm up for ride two a couple days later, which made Lower Glen/Swamp Cut come alive in the IMBA direction as well! Other trails I liked in both directions were; Toad road (including Plumbers Crack), Corks Screw, Yellow Jacket, Select Cut, Snodgrass.
The sandy switchbacks become a climb in reverse on Goat Dance and Switchback and are definitely best in the "IMBA" epic direction.
The Reroute did not move the IMBA sign yet, so I missed it at first. It looks Like that reroute will eliminate a fall line portion of trail and also connect to other parts of the trail system. The North Face DH looks to soonly boast a bunch of berms, as well. Maybe making a flow trail finish near the trailhead. Being an old fogie I like old school trails best, but flow trails are a fun variety. They are getting very popular, they help get new riders hooked and are good for a change. I have to learn to berm.
Levis Mound is a well marked trail system. For the most part, the IMBA loop is marked and easy to follow, mostly. The IMBA sign after Dead Turkey for the turn on to Corkscrew needs to be replaced, or you might just go down the wrong part of Toad Road and miss Plumbers Crack.
The IMBA loop is a little short as Epics go, at just 17 miles, not 30 as the IMBA website states(did I miss something?). There are about 25 miles of single track in total. Only a few trails are one way; Sidewinder and Lucy's trail (Which I never found the start of) for example.
After my recon IMBA ride, I rode a bunch of the trails in reverse, that and being warmed up led to a much better experience on Lower Glen/Swamp Cut. So I made sure to warm up for ride two a couple days later, which made Lower Glen/Swamp Cut come alive in the IMBA direction as well! Other trails I liked in both directions were; Toad road (including Plumbers Crack), Corks Screw, Yellow Jacket, Select Cut, Snodgrass.
The sandy switchbacks become a climb in reverse on Goat Dance and Switchback and are definitely best in the "IMBA" epic direction.
They have a 100 miler next Saturday August 24th .
They have a 100,50 and 25 miler on Saturday August 24th http://wemseries.com/levistrow-100/
See other Links Below.
Great views abound. Be sure to hit Clarence for the coolest overlooks, like:
http://www.levismound.com/conditions.html
Here is a Singletracks.com article on Trevis Mound And Trail Info
Here is one From Greg Rides Trails
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Balm Boyette
Balm Boyette is not on the IMBA Epic list, but if Alafia River State Park is on the list so should Balm Boyette!
SWAMP puts up an impressive network. Brian McInnis (from JRA (Just Riding Along) Cycles just outside of Boston in Medford, Ma) and I discussed connecting these two parks,. With the facilities and sweet trails at Alafia and the even better trails at Balm Boyette, Swamp, may just have the makings of a IMBA ride center.
I actually like Balm Boyette, just a little bit better than Alafia. More over all mileage and Ridgeline does give Moonscape a run for it's money! There seems to be more advanced trails, Abyss, Pandemonium, and Garry's loop, at Balm Boyette. I admit it is a close call. Spider Berm and a few others are better too, but North Creek and Roller Coaster at ARSP, have to be given there due. The Quadrants at Balm Boyette, do pretty much blow away any of the easy trails at ASRP though! Picture Endor with palm trees.
SWAMP puts up an impressive network. Brian McInnis (from JRA (Just Riding Along) Cycles just outside of Boston in Medford, Ma) and I discussed connecting these two parks,. With the facilities and sweet trails at Alafia and the even better trails at Balm Boyette, Swamp, may just have the makings of a IMBA ride center.
I actually like Balm Boyette, just a little bit better than Alafia. More over all mileage and Ridgeline does give Moonscape a run for it's money! There seems to be more advanced trails, Abyss, Pandemonium, and Garry's loop, at Balm Boyette. I admit it is a close call. Spider Berm and a few others are better too, but North Creek and Roller Coaster at ARSP, have to be given there due. The Quadrants at Balm Boyette, do pretty much blow away any of the easy trails at ASRP though! Picture Endor with palm trees.
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