Casual Ride at Gambril: Sunday, 5-01 at 11 AM

[jabberwocky]

Hey guys-

Per the request of another member, I will be leading a ride at Gambril State park this Sunday. The plan is to meet up at the Lower Gambril lot at around 11:00 am. The pace will definately be casual.

Ride info: I am currently planning on riding the yellow loop counter-clockwise, with the shorter out-and-back loop in the middle thrown in for good measure. People who may not feel as fit, or feel that they need a break in the middle can wait while we complete the extra loop and get a 20 minute break. The yellow loop ends up being about 6-7 miles without the loop, and 8-9 with. Pace will be casual, but the terrain is pretty challenging, so come prepared. (at least bring an extra tube, because our friend pinch flat always likes to tag along at Gambril.)

I am thinking of doing a second loop along the yellow clockwise when we are done, if people feel up to it, or maybe trying the black loop (which Ive never ridden.)

Feel free to email with any questions: chris (at) intensity (dot) org

-Chris

[tuba_transport]

Woohoo!!!! Thanks for doing this. I am looking forward to breaking something. Let's hope it does not involve blood.

[duane]

where is gambril state park

[gaz]

where is gambril state park

Info on Gambrill and all the other trails in the area can be found on MORE's handy dandy "Where to Ride" section.

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1208

[jabberwocky]

Gaz covered for me. ;) Gambril is essentially at the intersection of 270 and 70, up in Frederick MD. I live in Vienna, right by the Tysons Corner mall, and it takes about 50 minutes to get there.

-Chris

[esfand]

I am gonna do my best to make it out (which usually isn't very good). :D

[piperj]

Count me in!

[jabberwocky]

Hmmm.. I’m looking at the weather report for the weekend, and there’s good news and bad news.

The good news is that it looks like it’s going to be a clear day on Sunday. The bad news is that it looks like it’s going to rain all day tomorrow and into tomorrow night to compensate.

I am not familiar enough with riding Gambrill after wet weather to know when I should cancel the ride. My instinct says that Gambrill should drain really well and is basically solid rock anyway, so as long as the weather is good on Sunday, we will be riding, but I wanted to solicit opinions from anyone who has more experience than I do.

I also wanted to put forth the possible contingency plan of moving the ride into the afternoon if we get a lot of rain Saturday night (to give the trails some time to dry.) Any opinions?

Chris

[markie]

I have ridden that loop a good amount of times. I wouldnt worry too much about a little bit of rain tomorrow. More than an inch or so might put me off, then again it has been really dry for the last couple of weeks, so even that probably wouldn't be awful.

[jabberwocky]

I have ridden that loop a good amount of times. I wouldnt worry too much about a little bit of rain tomorrow. More than an inch or so might put me off, then again it has been really dry for the last couple of weeks, so even that probably wouldn't be awful.

That is soooo what I wanted to hear. :D

[tuba_transport]

I have ridden that loop a good amount of times. I wouldnt worry too much about a little bit of rain tomorrow. More than an inch or so might put me off, then again it has been really dry for the last couple of weeks, so even that probably wouldn't be awful.

That is a part of why I want to get into Gambrill. It is supposed to be bulletproof from rain.

[wrtaylo]

my weekend happiness lies in the Gambril ride tommorow. I despise the rain......

Chris,
drop me an email about carpooling......

wrtaylo@hotmail.com

Rick

[drewdane]

I may show up - negotiations are underway. :rolleyes:

[jabberwocky]

Ok guys, things look a little damp out, but its supposed to be nice today, so the ride is on. See you all there!

[denisvtt]

Chris:

I will probably be there. See you in a few :D

[Marty]

Chris:
I will be there.

[drewdane]

Ok guys, things look a little damp out, but its supposed to be nice today, so the ride is on. See you all there!
I'm sorry I missed y'all. What with one thing and another, I didn't get there until almost 11:40, so I went solo.

It was a humbling ride. Where it wasn't beyond my skills, it was beyond my level of fitness. I think I'll have a T-shirt made: "I got my Ass Handed to me at Gambrill!" :D

[wrtaylo]

Chris,

Great ride. Hopefully you can get the pictures posted. Will have to do it again.

Rick

[jabberwocky]

T'was a good ride, guys. I was amazed at how well Gambrill stood up to rain. Bombing some of those downhills as about as good as mountainbiking gets for me. Climbing some of those uphills is about as bad as mountainbiking gets for me... ;)

Pictures are on the way, as soon as I figure out how to use the gallery.

-Chris

[denisvtt]

Thanks Chris for a great ride :D

[Marty]

I see we all woke up from our recovery nap. Thanks for the great ride.

[jabberwocky]

The group, before heading out for the day. From left to right: Marty, John, Rick, Sean and Denis.

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_1.jpg

Yours truly attempting the steep climb. I would have made it, but that tree next to me needed me to stop and give it a hug.

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_2.jpg

Sean powering his way up:

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_3.jpg

John about to give it a try:

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_4.jpg

Rick cruising down one of the hills:

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_5.jpg

Rick working his way up the hill of doom. Pictures do not do this hill justice, it is steep, rough and twisty, and there is no good line.

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_6.jpg

Rick at the top, after cleaning the entire hill. :eek:

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_7.jpg

For those of you wondering how Gambrill holds up to rain, heres my bike after the ride. Keep in mind that this ride couldnt have been more than 12 hours after the rain stopped falling in Frederick. I think there might have been two specks of mud on there, but they fell off when I carried my bike into the apartment.

http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/2/1/Gambrill_8.jpg


Great ride everybody. I am definitely going to try to do it again. It was sure nice to get out today, especially since everything in the DC area is probably a swamp.

-Chris

[jabberwocky]

I'm sorry I missed y'all. What with one thing and another, I didn't get there until almost 11:40, so I went solo.

It was a humbling ride. Where it wasn't beyond my skills, it was beyond my level of fitness. I think I'll have a T-shirt made: "I got my Ass Handed to me at Gambrill!" :D

Sorry me missed you, Drew. We left the parking lot around 11:15.

Could you get one of those shirts for me, too? Thanks, I wear a size large. One of things I like about Gambrill is it makes all local DC trails seem really easy for a week or two. :D

[tuba_transport]

we need another casual Gambrill or Shed ride soon. any willing leaders who wanna help me bleed.

[jabberwocky]

we need another casual Gambrill or Shed ride soon. any willing leaders who wanna help me bleed.Holy blast from the past! Here I was thinking "Whoa, did I get drunk and lead a ride last weekend and forget or something?!". Which would be really weird seeing how I don't drink.

I'll be back to leading rides soon.

[Squirrel Girl]

When I finally have a bike that works, I'll be way up for it! I'm sure Fox won't get my shock back to me before my new bike will be ready.

But I'll be in AZ for Memorial Day if the plane tickets work out. And then I will be going to the Memorial service for the cave diver who died on Valentine's Day. At least I'll take my bike for that. It'll be over west of Harrisonburg. How 'bout the middle of June?
:o

[Brizn]

I'm in a bit of a slump recently- but as soon as I'm moreso on the up and up, i'd be happy to lead a social/casually paced ride at Gambrill, no "s".

[nocro]

I'm in a bit of a slump recently- but as soon as I'm moreso on the up and up, i'd be happy to lead a social/casually paced ride at Gambrill, no "s".

Yueq and I are going to fix that slump right up tomorrow!

Hopefully the next time we ride Gambrill we encounter less mechanical difficulties ;)

[punga]

I'm in a bit of a slump recently- but as soon as I'm moreso on the up and up, i'd be happy to lead a social/casually paced ride at Gambrill, no "s".
2 weeks, that's my goal. We'll see.

punga!

[JustinMD]

I haven't riden Gambrill since the MORE ride there this fall. Geez... We deffintly need a ride up there, hopefully into the Shed a bit means I've never been in there.

[jon_baler]

I'd like to hit Gambrill/Shed tomorrow around mid-day, if anyone is up for it. Casual/Moderate pace.

EDIT: Pulled hamstring today playing while playing football, so I'm out or at least staying local tomorrow. Serves me right for not warming up by riding into the city....

[tuba_transport]

2 weeks, that's my goal. We'll see.

punga!


If you are still a crippled weakling and unable to bunny hop more than a 4 foot log, then I could actually keep up with ya and balance the ride. I'm in!

[philvw]

If anyone is bored and wants to ride Gambrill today, Saturday, give me a call I'll run you around there, I'm the liaison so I know the park ...er ... fairly well. All I ask is that you run me and my bike up the mountain. I live in Frederick and will meet you anywhere. I am temporarily w/o car and dont feel like riding all the way up the mtn before a trail ride. 240-994-6394

[JustinMD]

figures all those offers for rides come in now that I've ridden it, bent my derailur, pinched flatted twice. :rolleyes:

[Brizn]

If you are still a crippled weakling and unable to bunny hop more than a 4 foot log, then I could actually keep up with ya and balance the ride. I'm in!yea.. good luck with that one. Punga! and I got together for a spin not long after his last surgery. I thought that I'd be able to hang on a little better- seein' as how I had been riding pretty hard all the while. Nope.. fresh outta the hospital and he was still bombing.

[Brizn]

.. I'll use this thread to test waters:

Yueqing, Nocro, and I are putting together plans for a nigh-unto-Epic Gambrill/Shed ride in the weeks to come.

Very casually paced, sadistic, no-drop ride. Not only is it 'no drop', but we won't let you drop. Mid-ride tea and crumpets will be considered.

Anyone?

[jabberwocky]

.. I'll use this thread to test waters:

Yueqing, Nocro, and I are putting together plans for a nigh-unto-Epic Gambrill/Shed ride in the weeks to come.

Very casually paced, sadistic, no-drop ride. Not only is it 'no drop', but we won't let you drop. Mid-ride tea and crumpets will be considered.

Anyone?Count me in. If it is under 7 hours, I will consider you an utter failure.

[Brizn]

yea.. i said "nigh-unto-Epic". Look to DaveG for rides in the 7 hour range. :p :D

[drewdane]

.. I'll use this thread to test waters:

Yueqing, Nocro, and I are putting together plans for a nigh-unto-Epic Gambrill/Shed ride in the weeks to come.

Very casually paced, sadistic, no-drop ride. Not only is it 'no drop', but we won't let you drop. Mid-ride tea and crumpets will be considered.

Anyone?
As long as you drop all but the following:

Very casually paced
(or at least explain WTF "nigh unto epic" actually means)

then I'm IN, Baby!!

[yueq]

As long as you drop all but the following:


(or at least explain WTF "nigh unto epic" actually means)

then I'm IN, Baby!!

20-ish miles, 5-ish hours.

[tuba_transport]

.. I'll use this thread to test waters:

Yueqing, Nocro, and I are putting together plans for a nigh-unto-Epic Gambrill/Shed ride in the weeks to come.

Very casually paced, sadistic, no-drop ride. Not only is it 'no drop', but we won't let you drop. Mid-ride tea and crumpets will be considered.

Anyone?


Hell yeah. I sweat like a pig and drink about a gallon a minute to refresh. So as long as there is some way to keep this mule hydrated I would bring the camera and a coffee french press.

[Brizn]

I sweat like a pig and drink about a gallon a minute to refresh. So as long as there is some way to keep this mule hydrated I would bring the camera and a coffee french press.LOL.. now we're talkin' ! We'd have cool water & nutrition refills placed mid-ride. Np.

[Brizn]

(or at least explain WTF "nigh unto epic" actually means)20-ish miles, 5-ish hours.Yup- exactlyish. Epic on the casual scale. I'm thinking 7-8 miles @ Gambrill, + 10 or 15 miles in the Watershed, + whatever miles (maybe 3 or 4 roundtrip) to connect the two areas.

This will definitely feel epic to our group [me]. Mileage/ride time could vary depending on turnout.

[jon_baler]

Sounds cool. Let me know when you set a date.

[DaveG]

Yup- exactlyish. Epic on the casual scale. I'm thinking 7-8 miles @ Gambrill, + 10 or 15 miles in the Watershed, + whatever miles (maybe 3 or 4 roundtrip) to connect the two areas.

This will definitely feel epic to our group [me]. Mileage/ride time could vary depending on turnout.

Really easy to loop two 10-15 mile rides together. People can bail if needed and you can stash stuff @ the car to replenish between laps.

Dave