raystown epic

So, finally its a weekend day, when there isn't a river shuttle thats needs to be run, a work-weekend to attend to, custom bike build to wrap up, or blowdown on Eagle Trail that must absolutely be cleared! And all the races are over and festivals dont happen on Sunday's.

Having recently built up a new el-mari with some of them fancy suspension forks, and some other more fresh parts, I needed to find some trails that justified such a plush ride. After not getting out on the bike for a few days, it was time to get some mileage in.

I had talked to the Corps, some time ago about the standing of the, 30 mile long Terrace Mtn Trail, as to whether or not bikes could or should be ridden on it. The very basic maps, that I was able to turn up had indications that it might be a good trail. But then why does no one ever ride or walk on it? I needed to find out.

If you aren't familiar with the terrace mountain, its on the "other side" of the lake. The one where there is practically nothing till you the resort, directly across from the Allegrippis Trails and Seven Points. The trail apparently starts at Saxton and runs all the way to just outside Huntingdon, on Corbins Road, roughly 30 miles. On a map it looks like the perfect point to point ride.

And so I devised the raystown epic:

From Huntingdon,

Corbins Road to the Terrace Mountain Trail

Terrace Mountain Trail- Trough Creek

Terrace Mountain Trail-Tatmun Run and 994 Bridge

Cross over the lake, right on James Creek Road.

Left on Fouses Crossing

Right onto Rt. 26

Rt. 26 make a right onto States Road

States-Seven Points Road Right- up the big hill.

Left at the top onto Bakers Hollow Road.

Ride the Trail System Perimeter Loop followed by south end. Exit the trails onto 7 Pts Road. Ride Piney Ride Back to H-City! If you choose to do this.....it was painful.

I left this morning around 10:00am with some energy stuff and light maintenance kit and a camera. So, here is what I found on my attempt at the Raystown Epic.

This is starting up the Corbins Road climb which is about 2.8 miles with grades of 10%

Back Down Terrace Mountain only to go back up and over about four times. I honestly believed for a brief second that when I got to the trailhead it was going to be a easy day of riding. Later on that proved not to be the case. As I was greeted with a nice pastoral setting with a clean trail running through it.

It was smooth riding and almost to open for the first mile and a half. Than the trail goes between old logging roads straight to crazy off-camber goat trails. That traverse the mountainside. Some so steep and off camber they are simply unrideable. Lots of good hike-a-bike practice.

After a good while the blowdowns started becoming to thick to bother riding. However because the trail uses log roads it did make for some fun log rides like this one.

Thats Susquehannock down there!

Plenty of rock.

This made the ride worth it. Halfway up old Finks Road.

I finished out in Trough Creek, and proceeded to ride out to the resort and across the Entrinken Bridge.... perfect colors, not so perfect strong wind.

Bear Trap? Thats Crazy! No Fred you go in the tube.

Crazy view with awesome sky coming towards Hesston.

Than Back to the Allegrippis for a quick dose of flow. Before heading all the way back to Huntingdon. I made it back to Huntingdon, around 5:30pm.

Archery Season and Dry Trails

Archery Season Starts Tomorrow October 2nd 2010. If you are in the woods please wear bright orange! (if nothing else bright colors)

It is not unsafe to be in the woods if you are wearing the proper colors. And realistically its archers....so you'd hope they could tell the difference between a rider and a deer.

The trails and our area recieved the heavy soaking rains that everywhere else on the East Coast did. So, yes the trails dry really quick and drain tremedously well, but still we ask that even if there is a muddy section ride through it not around it. This creates a larger trail and ultimately more work down the line. Thanks for following the lines.

Otherwise I'd say that by noon today they would be fine to ride...just leaf littered and debris filled. With high winds.

days turn like leaves

The last couple days have been quite busy on the trails. both in terms of riders and work. Couple more blowdowns cleaned. Couple more briar sections cleared.

This is the drain fix at fawn. Hopefully it'll prove itself. If not we'll have a wallow in about six weeks.

There is supposed to be three planks across the bottom. Porcupines! They only seem to be attacking the set of benches at the vista and signage from the vista back on the ridge to Red Legs. With minor damages elsewhere. No fix yet.

This could be one of the trail projects slated for the IMBA RMBA WorkWeekend October 8-10th

Trail Conditions and Other Bits

Condtions:

The trails are ridin' fast. With the lack of any soaking rains recently the dust factor is high, leaving a layer of small loose debris on top of the tread. Lower tire pressures and tightly spaced knobs seem to be working the best right now.

Briars are mostly cleared from the trails with some small patches on Hydro Loop and sections of the Deer Trails. Nothing horrible just here and there.

Other Bits:

The Trail Work and Ride Weekend Scheduled for October 8th-10th is on.

Ridge Campground at Seven Points Recreation Area will serve as HQ.

Interested in attending just email at whysinglespeed@gmail.com. Why not?

DirtFest 2011 is on for May 20-23rd. Bring your helmet!

The Sixty is coming......

One For Doug

This is for Doug.

Great Loop.

Boxers Sixty

Most recent ride has been the aptly named boxers 60

Starting at Boxers Cafe' (410 Penn Street) with the finest of Ales, proceed out the door to the closest bike rack. After grabbing said bike, ride off down 4th Street crossing over the mighty Juniata River.

Making a right at the intersection with Rt 22. Followed by a quick left on "fast food alley" (Crooked Creek Road just after Burger King.) Than after a quick 1/2 mile stretch of road, a left at the "T" with Piney Ridge Road.

Climb the winding mile and a half to the top of the ridge. For the next several miles winding out to the lake on an endless vista. At the next "T" (9 miles out ) go left onto Seven Points Road, for another mile long climb to the top of the Allegrippis Ridge, or entrance to Seven Points Recreation Area.

Go left onto Bakers Hollow Road at the top of the hill. After climbing for another 1/4 mile, begin the descent when the turn gets tight turn right! This will take you on an unmarked grassy/ gravelly access road go into the woods, cross the wooden gate and jump onto the Stoney Trail.

Ride Stoney to the Bakers Hollow Lot and begin riding the trail system. Be sure to hit most of the trails.....generally doing a giant clockwise exterior loop followed by an interior loop. Back down Stoney....riding the south end trails in a figure eight. Back to Seven Points Road.....climb to the top enjoy a downhill, uphill, and than make a right back onto Piney Ridge Road. Crawl back to Boxers and enjoy a fine brew.

If you hit most of the trails as listed......
In all its about 35 miles of trail and 26 of road. So 60 miles. Don't break it down, don't bring a GPS, don't complain, and don't order a Budweiser.

www.boxerscafe.com - 410 Penn Street.

dirtFest hangover and trail gripes!

Sorry for the lack of posts or trail updates.

dirtFest was one hell of a time and its taken a while to get back to my semi-normal exsistence. Anyway now that the hoopla is over and the people and press gone. With 1100 people stopping out and exhibitors from as far as Florida and Arizona we had a huge turn-out. Be sure to check out the Dirtrag Mag write-up. Or the youtube.com video of the EarthTones jammin in the BigTop......if you didn't come this year, sorry you missed such a good time.

Anyway its time for summer, so here is my rant:

The trails are flowing with riders from across the nation, as I have bumped into folks from Maryland, Georgia, Cali, and most recently Colorado. The reviews keep coming back way positive about our level of maintenance and quality of trail. So heres my advice to the complainers....If you don't like super flowly, fast, groomed single-track don't come. As if you come expecting techincal rocky stereotypical central Pa legacy trails and fireroads....you came to the wrong place.

For everyone who has already ridden the trails, and loved it. Thanks for coming be sure to stop back as the trails continue to develop. Or stop by rothrock outfitters and catch us in person.

-evan