2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[ChezCheese:)]

Yes, I just don't get the appeal of mountain biking, particularly with our heavy ebikes. The roots and rocks just shake the shite out of one's spine and joints and the bike itself. And on the downhill you're just riding the brakes the whole way and hoping the gravel doesn't make your wheels slip-slide out from under you. Not to mention the likelihood of crashing into a tree or skewering one's liver or jaw on some broken branch. I'm too old for that crap.

 

[DiggyGun]

Yes, I just don't get the appeal of mountain biking, particularly with our heavy ebikes. The roots and rocks just shake the shite out of one's spine and joints and the bike itself. And on the downhill you're just riding the brakes the whole way and hoping the gravel doesn't make your wheels slip-slide out from under you. Not to mention the likelihood of crashing into a tree or skewering one's liver or jaw on some broken branch. I'm too old for that crap.

Ditto.

We prefer off road cycle tracks.

However, some of these can get a bit hairy or boggy at times.

The picture doesn’t do if justice, but very steep and rutted. Had to walk the bikes down.

But for the most parts, it is most enjoyable and the scenery is very nice.

DG…

 

[Prairie Dog]

Modern mtbs are not the machines that we once rode a decade ago. For this reason, I have been able to get to places that I couldn’t have dreamt of reaching before. They are lighter, have more suspension travel, better geometry, better wheels…With the advent of the emtb, (even at my age) most technical singletracks, can be negotiated with relative ease. I know, for a fact, that my emtb gives me the power that I need to get out of tight spots and has also inspired more confidence in my riding ability. Naturally, one can’t expect to hit the trails without some effort and like any endurance riding there is no gain without a bit of pain. I realize that trail riding may not be for everyone but if you’ve never attempted it before, at least try it before deciding it’s not for you.

This is my reason for doing it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I realize that trail riding may not be for everyone but if you’ve never attempted it before, at least try it before deciding it’s not for you.

I agree the modern full suspension e-MTB is a marvellous machine that enables you to relatively safely bomb rocky mountain trail descents (the wide tyres, long-travel suspension and excellent brakes make it possible). I also respect people who choose that kind of sport: technical singletrack riding. However, the singletrack requires the skill that has to be learnt, and I am not into it. Also, the risk of injury is high, even if the rider wears the full face helmet as well as elbow and knee protectors and maybe the body armour. I have survived too many crashes to get involved in the MTB thing.

This is my reason for doing it.

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Yes, everything nice comes at a cost and risk. As for me, I got rid of my e-MTB and never ride anything more difficult than could be ridden with my Vado or Vado SL:

Crossing the "Green Border" between Poland and Slovakia via an easy hike trail, 2021.

Quite recently, following my bad crash on asphalt (and another on a wide forest fire-road) something clicked inside my brain, and I am scared off riding even easy forest trails... "The highway is my girlfriend when I go by so quick" I especially love riding decent roads in high mountains!

I'm glad Art you enjoy MTB riding and read and watch your posts with pleasure (you could say you're riding the trails for me!)

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yes, everything nice comes at a cost and risk. As for me, I got rid of my e-MTB and never ride anything more difficult than could be ridden with my Vado or Vado S

I hear ya, Stefan. I cut my teeth on the local trails when there was still snow on the ground. My mentor at the time was a more seasoned buddy of mine who was patient enough to guide me along on my first ride. It wasn’t pretty and even though my pace was slow, I had a blast and became hooked. A Giant Trance E was my first foray into riding emtbs and I’ve never looked back. My advice to anyone even with a remote interest is to ride with someone who is familiar with the trails and more adept with above average riding skills. Joining a local mtb club under professional guidance and riding along with others who have matched abilities is another option. Start slow and easy perhaps on double tracks or until you feel you can progress to something more challenging. Riding any trail for the first time that is far above one’s skill level can only result in disaster and that very day/event will be etched in your mind with nothing more than negative thoughts.

Common sense dictates that you only progress to more difficult terrain when you think that you are well prepared and you have a few rides under your belt already. I never bomb down rock gardens and instead methodically pick my lines as best as I can. Matching your tolerance for speed is key in reducing the risk of a fall and worse injury. For that reason, I wear protective gear over elbow and knees. I prefer XC over DH but realize that when it comes to riding singletrack one must expect to provide some effort in overcoming obstacles whether it’s a steep climb/descent, deadfall or rocks and roots. I allow the bike to do all of the heavy lifting while I try to keep my head up and focused on the trail ahead. As we age, we tend to become more risk adverse in trying new things that might seem too difficult or challenging. It’s natural to feel that way but I’ve overcome more difficulties in my own personal life compared to riding solo on a technical trail.

Ross is a 70+ senior who I rode along with on a blue single two years ago. He loves a challenge but knows his limitations as well. He wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to let you know how he feels. This is a guy that I could ride with any day of the week.

 

[Chargeride]

Which reminds me @rbush of my own misadventure of a similar kind. It was 2020 vacation soon after I bought my full-suspension e-MTB. I set off for a very easy trail in the Polish Table Mountains. At some large forest clearing, I made a navigation error and rode into a hike trail.

View attachment 159865
I must have lost my mind to venture something like that!

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I had to walk my e-bike often. Here, the "Point Of No Return".
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After a quite long ride I met a rocky passage that could only be cleared by foot... Some hikers helped me carry the e-bike there.

Eventually, I met a very steep staircase and realized I would not be capable to climb it, even with the Walk Mode. A seasoned hiker told me I could cross the forest via an "escape trail". As it was totally overgrown, I found myself in a place blocked by very big fallen trees. I was scared and desperate. I did a big effort to carry my e-bike over a big tree trunk. Totally exhausted, I simply threw the e-MTB down the valley and walked up to it to continue the walk through the forest...

View attachment 159868
See the person who knows he avoided certain death in the area without mobile coverage. As I determined later, the whole hiking trail was just 1.3 km (1,400 yds) long, and it could cost me my dear life because of my stupidity!

That was one of incidents that made me resign from mountain trail riding!


@Prairie Dog: What is that Cannondale bike/e-bike?

Sorry to laugh, but thats a face of a man who wont do that again.

 

[Chargeride]

Ive just watched a video of the Stark Varg electric dirtbike.
It has 80hp and 950nm of torque.
The experienced reviewer said it was simply ridiculous.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Ive just watched a video of the Stark Varg electric dirtbike.
It has 80hp and 950nm of torque.
The experienced reviewer said it was simply ridiculous.

Holy Carp!

 

[Deleted member 57338]

A more relaxing adventure at Spruce Knob. No signals in thea area so I could not record the route on my app. Approximately 15 miles down and 15 miles up. Unknown elevation (a lot!). Started at the Spruce Knob campground and went down past Gandy Creek dispersed camping. I turned around at the parking area near Whitmer.

the sun was shining and good weather expected for the duration. One thing I like about road/gravel riding (as I have never done it till just recently.....), is the sweet smells you often run across. This time it was from the milkweed growing along the roadside. Along with a multitude of wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace, Black Eye Susan, Daisys, even BeeBalm which I have never seen in the wild. And many, many more I cannot name.

The gravel thru the forest was phenomenal IMHO!

Mama and babies strolled out into my path with no worries. As they nibbled, Papa and more siblings remained under cover. Papa snorted loudly voicing his disapproval. They all darted back up the hollow from which they came, with Papa snorting all the way! It is so amazing to watch nature play out in front of you like that.

Superb free camping at several sites along Gandy Creek

A big carved out area of rocks in a rhododendron forest. If you can get the dispersed camp site near this, I highly recommend it.

My bike on a big rock!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The gravel thru the forest was phenomenal IMHO!

I'm jealous! The best forest gravel roads in Poland very rarely match that quality!

 

[DiggyGun]

Still raining.

DG…

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Still raining.

DG…

"The plants are happy!" as we use to say in Poland

 

[DiggyGun]

"The plants are happy!" as we use to say in Poland

Yes, growing like billyo, with a little warmth and the moisture.

DG…

 

[Deleted member 57338]

I'm jealous! The best forest gravel roads in Poland very rarely match that quality!

i had stopped at Greenridge State forest in Maryland prior to going to Spruce Knob. The gravel roads there had degraded considerably since last year. I was hard pressed to achieve 10 mph in my truck. Took almost 1 1/2 hrs to exit the forest from campsite campsite 66. It is about 100 yds from the C&O Canal.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode to the nearby airport. They don’t need a control tower, pretty low use municipal airport. 23 1/2 mile ride.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Towers? We don’t need no stinking towers!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I rode to the nearby airport. They don’t need a control tower, pretty low use municipal airport. 23 1/2 mile ride.

There must be something special about it as it was awarded airport of the year three times.

 

[Chargeride]

Yes, I just don't get the appeal of mountain biking, particularly with our heavy ebikes. The roots and rocks just shake the shite out of one's spine and joints and the bike itself. And on the downhill you're just riding the brakes the whole way and hoping the gravel doesn't make your wheels slip-slide out from under you. Not to mention the likelihood of crashing into a tree or skewering one's liver or jaw on some broken branch. I'm too old for that crap.

Sounds awesome!!

 

[dodgeman]

There must be something special about it as it was awarded airport of the year three times.

I suspect it’s one of those awards that gets around to most airports, I bet they take turns.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I rode to the nearby airport. They don’t need a control tower, pretty low use municipal airport. 23 1/2 mile ride.

I could see your ride on Strava and was wondering whether you were planning to take your e-bike on board of an airplane!