Snowshoe

[BoarderJSS]

So with all the rain that just fell, is it worth heading over to Snowshoe from DC to ride sunday and monday? The Adventure Center said they didnt get much rain, but that things are wet and muddy. Pretty much all trails and lifts open....

[skiandmtb]

For a second opinion on the weather, call Elk River Touring Company. They're the best resource for the Slatyfork trails right next to Snowshoe. They'll give you the update on their trails, too.
LJ

[BoarderJSS]

just gave them a call... much more helpful than the snowshoe adventure center folks. ERTC seems like a pretty cool group

[skiandmtb]

They really are great. Helpful, knowledgeable. They really are the original mountain bike region near Snowshoe. I think one of the MTB mags had the Slatyfork trail system as the best in WV a few years ago. Of course, you have to work for your downhill runs, unlike Snowshoe.
LJ

[Pie]

Rubbish.

The problem with the "work for your downhill runs" theory is that it doesn't account for energy spent getting to the top. Most people I know (i.e. everyone) who has to grind out a big climb will go considerably slower during the descent compared to their speed if they had been lifted/driven to the top. Most people need the downhill as recovery. Earned indeed. More enjoyable? Doubt it.

Viewing the climb/push to the top of a ride as anything other than an unavoidable necessity just isn't freeride (sorta like riding before 10 isn't freeride).


;)

[middle-ring]

Ok, there are those who talk about free ride...and there are those that drive 4 hours and ACTUALLY get on their bike...need I say more?

[middle-ring]

Trail H on the basin side...

[RetroG]

Rubbish.

The problem with the "work for your downhill runs" theory is that it doesn't account for energy spent getting to the top. Most people I know (i.e. everyone) who has to grind out a big climb will go considerably slower during the descent compared to their speed if they had been lifted/driven to the top. Most people need the downhill as recovery. Earned indeed. More enjoyable? Doubt it.

Viewing the climb/push to the top of a ride as anything other than an unavoidable necessity just isn't freeride (sorta like riding before 10 isn't freeride).


;)

Not a problem for me. Plus, I can find stuff that you guys wearing "catchers outfits" will never find.

[Brizn]

Trail H on the basin side...OMG don't even THINK about feathering your left hand lever on that roller! LOOKS SLICK!!! Good pics.

[Pie]

...and so the eternal battle between the spandex set and the displaced mx set wages on. ;)


Snowshoe beckons. I will be driving down from Baltimore with two other guys to ride Saturday and Sunday. If anyone wants to find me just stand below the slopeside condo building across from the DS and shout "PIE!!! PIE!!!!". Our room will have the windows open 3 stories up.

If I'm not in there look for a redheaded guy on a flat green 7Point riding the dirt jumps. Or a guy riding a 7Point racing beginner class.

[skiandmtb]

Should be a fun weekend there! I may do some of Snowshoe or the Slatyfork trails. You just may hear me screaming "Pie" I'll be staying down in the valley near 66 and 219.

So you're doing the race? Awesome. I hope to be there cheering people on.

LJ

[Pie]

Yeah I'll be racing more than likely.

Even if you don't race it makes sense to enter since entry gets you 2 days riding pass all over the mountain for $45 whereas two days lift passes are $70. No one is going to force you to race either if you just want to ride around all weekend with your race plate.

But yeah, I actually like racing despite being horrible at it so I'll probably be milling around on teh west side all weekend.

[middle-ring]

Lucky.....

[skiandmtb]

Pie, did you race? I wasn't able to watch the race, but I did drive past a guy with short red hair on a green bike Saturday afternoon? I would have stopped to see if it was you, but my wife would have been sure I'm crazy.

Did they have the street jump open for the race? It jumps West Ridge Rd. It seemed pretty sweet.

LJ

[Pie]

Yeah I have short red hair, but there's also some kid I always see at the races with very short, very red hair (in a mohawk) so it could have been him. Actually no it wasn't him because he rides a black bike and he looks like he weighs 140 soaking wet. Whereas I'm a big tall dude who runs 240 and I ride a green bike with 888's.

I did 4 practice laps on the DH course, 2 runs down Powerline, and 3 runs down the east side (B, C, G, K, H, I think). Sunday I did a couple runs down the east side when we rolled out of bed late and missed practice. Did a bit of dry-heaving (serious hangover) at the car and missed my race start, then went and ate before hitting up the west side for another 6 runs. We caught the last shuttle up the mountain at 5:45 and rolled out at 8.

The race course was SUPER tech by race course standards. The middle 1/3 was easily the sketchiest continual twisty rockgarden I've ever ridden, it was damp, and steep as hell. Half the intro class didn't start the race which is a bad sign. Oh and it was long. My buddies who I consider to be pretty fast weekend warriors all riding race bikes (SantaCruz V10's) posted times in the 6:00-6:20 range. Great fun though. I'd love to slowly learn that course over a season to memorize every rock.

No road gap this time. The area where the gap is located is under construction to put in snow making pipes. So the course only included the bottom 1/4 of the Monster Park weekend DH race course.



Next time come say hi or just heckle me or something. It'll be fun and who cares if your wife thinks you're nuts....chances are she already does anyways for riding bikes as a grown man.

[middle-ring]

Sounds like an awesome weekend Pie....I'm officially jealous. I LOVE the powerline run. I did it all day on memorial day weekend. They had just started that pipe trench that week.

Thinking of Elizibeth Furnace in two weeks....