My arch nemesis: epic Ellusive Thurmond

As a mountain biker we arch-nemesis-something that we must keep beating. Steep it technical, looks just to clean artificial stunts, rock garden, you can't.

Are local routes known as the nemesis of my current bike, Thurmond epic. Bartram trail combined with the-Creek trail, and two and trekking in the mistletoe State Park: Rock dam Cliatt Creek-nature loop the. Best of those miles 58 67 miles long and. Even though I tried two times book is at the time of writing, who entire route-rides.

1-, And Ted White to

My first attempt and group of friends, and in June, smart idea wasn't. Recent wind storm 20 went on that day, were left down cask Creek High 1990 temperature. Was the heat is too much, we process. 37 Mile mistletoe Park Office to call a time for the day ago. We are all vowed to try weather cooling again.

2-Just try how long

My second attempt to rededicate on December 14th, so start a solo career, I always ride was able to move any fellow. Where truck suddenly disappear as lead on the back of the lock dam road was the best until the first 30 miles of fun and was good. To mark the trail way suffer very rare that many flags settings don't rush pink flag is set and heavy leaves cover gave chance never show me the way on the ground. Trying to find a trail and some flags about 20 minutes, and I got off the bike and walked, but had no luck. Was getting better and give up on me, but then I Blue Flame tree, and noticed on the other side of the River. It's Ah ha! may rock dam road blue flame!

I continue to cross the River some bushwhacking, rock dam on the trail. Hard and is unexpectedly crashed off camber angle simulcasting was all going. Blame the roots of some of my thighs and adjust a little bit of my knees. I sat down for a while, and then continued with last. I walked up all my knees were hurting really, and does not let easily rotate my single speed gear.

I ride in Park Office eventually start after 5 hours. I'm still get 25 + miles on left single and I was done, my knees were murdered. Reclaim the road instead. Boring 15 and after a mile in their vehicles, 6.5 hours leave the morning after arrival was. I was disappointed I under the tire is not a bad day is 53 miles away. -Thurmond epic I once again struck. I'm back and I don't doubt give up again-but to bring some friends at next time please may be. My latest attempt the long ride you have proved yourself.

So on the trail of recent provided what trouble?? we please tell us about it in the comments section below.

Add Site Url to Free Web Directory


Original article

My Arch Nemesis: The Ellusive Thurmond Epic

As mountain bikers we all have an arch nemesis – something that keeps beating us.  It might be a steep technical climb, a man-made stunt, or a rock garden you just can’t seem to clean.

My current MTB nemesis is a local route known as the Thurmond Epic.  It combines the Bartram Trail, Keg Creek trail, and two trails inside Mistletoe State Park: the Rock Dam and Cliatt Creek Nature Loop.  It’s about 67 miles long, and 58 of those miles are singletrack.  As of this writing, no one has ever ridden the entire route – even though I’ve tried twice.

Attempt 1 – The Scorcher

My first attempt was with a group of friends in June and was not a smart idea.  A recent wind storm had left over 20 downed trees on Keg Creek, and temperatures that day went up into the high 90’s.  The heat was just too much for any of us to handle.  We made it 37 miles to the Mistletoe park office before calling it a day.  We all vowed to try again once the weather cooled off.

Attempt 2 – Long Way Alone

I made a second try in December and none of my usual riding buddies were able to go, so I went solo.  The first 30 miles were fun and good until I was on the singletrack that leads into the back side of the Rock Dam trail where the track suddenly seemed to disappear.  It’s a very rarely ridden trail with pink flagging to mark the way but suddenly there was no more flagging, and the heavy leaf cover gave me no chance to see the trail on the ground.  I got off the bike and walked around for nearly 20 minutes trying to find the trail, or some flagging, but had no luck.  I was about to give up and turn around, but then I noticed a blue blaze on a tree on the other side of a creek.  Ah ha!  The Rock Dam trail has blue blazes!

I did some bushwhacking across the creek and continued on the Rock Dam trail.  Everything was going well until I crashed hard and unexpectedly in an off-camber corner.  I slammed my thigh into some roots and tweaked my knee a bit.  I sat there for a while, then finally got up and continued on.  I had to walk all the climbs, my knee was really hurting, and my single speed didn’t let me gear down to spin easily.

I finally made it to the park office 5 hours after starting the ride.  I was done, my knee was killing me, and I still had 25+ miles of singletrack left to ride.  I decided to take the road back instead.  Fifteen boring (and cold) miles later I arrived back at my car, 6.5 hours after leaving that morning. I had 53 miles under my tires which is not a bad day -  but I was disappointed. The Thurmond Epic had beaten me again.  I’m definitely not giving up and I’ll be back to try it again – but next time I’m bringing some friends.  My latest attempt proved that it’s a long ride by yourself.

So what’s been giving you trouble on the trail lately?  Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Add Site Url to Free Web Directory


Original article