Visiting Dumfries VA for 4 days next week

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Hi all - I'm an MTBer from dirty Jersey down visting the in-laws for 4 days this coming week for the holiday. I'll be there from Tuesday through Saturday and I'd love to get in some rides in the area. I was referred here from MTBR and thought I'd see if anyone was looking to ride each day in northern VA for an hour or two, Thanksgiving included. Someone recommended Fountainhead, Wakefield and Fredricksburg, but at this point I'm not sure how far these trials are from Dumphries (30 min south of DC along 95 I believe), so I'm open to anything.

Post here, PM me or email me at jtorrento@optonline.net. I'd be happy to return the favor if you're ever in northern NJ/greater NYC area (Ringwood, baby). Hope to ride with you!

Justin

[mtbmore]

But I will be away the whole time you are here in Buffalo. the two closest trails to Dumfries is Fountainhead and Wakefield about 30 minutes away depending on traffic. If you are more than a beginner Fountainhead is where you want to go. If you want serious stuff Gambrill is about 1.5 hours away. Rosaryville is about 45 minutes to hour as is Schaeffer and Seneca Greenway. Conway Robinson is about 25 minutes down VA234 if you want really easy.

there is a ride at Gambrill planned for the Friday after Turkey Day.

Scott Scudamore
IMBA REP WASH DC Metro Area

Feel free to call me and give you some more info

[NJ-XC-Justin]

But I will be away the whole time you are here in Buffalo. the two closest trails to Dumfries is Fountainhead and Wakefield about 30 minutes away depending on traffic. If you are more than a beginner Fountainhead is where you want to go. If you want serious stuff Gambrill is about 1.5 hours away. Rosaryville is about 45 minutes to hour as is Schaeffer and Seneca Greenway. Conway Robinson is about 25 minutes down VA234 if you want really easy.

there is a ride at Gambrill planned for the Friday after Turkey Day.

Scott Scudamore
IMBA REP WASH DC Metro Area

Feel free to call me and give you some more info

Thanks, Scott. (Sorry to mispell Dumfries.) I'll look up all these places and hopefully I'll find some company either ahead of time or at the trail head. Thanks again -

[middle-ring]

Justin:
You should definitely check out Fountainhead. Like Scud elluded, it is as fun for beginners, but for locals (like me) Fountainhead is the best thing within an hour of Prince William County (where Dumfries is) and one of the best rides around - period. It was just rated runner up to best cross country trail in Blue Ridge Outdoors trail ratings, and the trail can be very challenging if you are into pushing yourself hard.

Generally, this time of year there are always a few people there. But it's hard to hook up with people unless you hang out in the parking area. Fountainhead is big enough that once underway, you may not see anyone on the trail unless it's a Saturday.

My friends and I generally go every Sat am around 7:30 (on the trail) at the latest. Thanksgiving weekend I'm sure we'll be up for some rides if the weather stays dry. Not sure of my buddies schedules yet though.

As it gets closer you can keep an eye on this thread and I'll try to let you know when we'll be going - you are welcome to hang with us. We usually have three or four riders and generally break into about two groups once underway (determined by speed).

Mike

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Excellent, thanks Mike. I'll check a map, but are there easy directions to Fountainhead from 95 or Rt 1 (I think that's the 2-lane road that runs parallel)?

[DMarchy1]

Please remember, the Fountainhead park is closed for the winter, But the trail is open. You have to park your car outside the park gates and ride in. The trail is open, But the park is NOT. Dave M.

[Jackson]

Excellent, thanks Mike. I'll check a map, but are there easy directions to Fountainhead from 95 or Rt 1 (I think that's the 2-lane road that runs parallel)?

Follow the directions on this page from Fredericksburg. It also gives you a street address for the park so you can check some map sites.

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1214

and here is a map of the trail from another thread:

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1176

I'm leading a casual (I'll be slow and full of turkey) ride the day after Turkey Day as well:

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5722




- Tom

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Follow the directions on this page from Fredericksburg. It also gives you a street address for the park so you can check some map sites.
http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1214
and here is a map of the trail from another thread:
http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1176
I'm leading a casual (I'll be slow and full of turkey) ride the day after Turkey Day as well:
http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5722
- Tom

Thanks Tom. Looks to be just 20-25 minutes from where I'm staying. Hopefully I'll be at Fountainhead every morning Wed through Sat. (Colt's Neck looks to be an hour away, so I don't want to waste 2/3 of my daily 3 hour escape in commute.)

Sounds like I'll be bringing chain cleaner and lube, extra tubes and tools. Don't want to bring the bike, blow out or jam up after one ride and be forced to watch TV with the in-laws for three days!

Anyone throwing out some start times?

[middle-ring]

Looks like as long as it's not raining I'll be there about 7:30-7:45. I'm riding a black Ellsworth Id, gold helmet. Not sure if anyone will be with me at this point. Even if the gate is open, park at the gate and ride the road in until you see the trail head on the left. (The first one is the exit.)

Mike

[bacalhau]

Hi Justin,
If you willing to come further south, I am in Fredericksburg, and there is Lodi Farms, the new Quarry Trail near the river, and Quantico further north.
I was planing to do EF Sunday, but my right hand is not completly healed yet, so can't take too many chances yet :(
Let me know if interested in a local ride.
Phil

Hi all - I'm an MTBer from dirty Jersey down visting the in-laws for 4 days this coming week for the holiday. I'll be there from Tuesday through Saturday and I'd love to get in some rides in the area. I was referred here from MTBR and thought I'd see if anyone was looking to ride each day in northern VA for an hour or two, Thanksgiving included. Someone recommended Fountainhead, Wakefield and Fredricksburg, but at this point I'm not sure how far these trials are from Dumphries (30 min south of DC along 95 I believe), so I'm open to anything.

Post here, PM me or email me at jtorrento@optonline.net. I'd be happy to return the favor if you're ever in northern NJ/greater NYC area (Ringwood, baby). Hope to ride with you!

Justin

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Looks like as long as it's not raining I'll be there about 7:30-7:45. I'm riding a black Ellsworth Id, gold helmet. Not sure if anyone will be with me at this point. Even if the gate is open, park at the gate and ride the road in until you see the trail head on the left. (The first one is the exit.)

Mike


Mike - This is for what day? And this is Fountainhead? I'm down for any day Thurs-Sat.

Phil - I'm actually doing some quarry near Fredericksburg tomorrow (Wed.) morning with a guy named Troy. 745 start time, and he says it takes around 2 hours. We're meeting at the Lowes parking lot off 95 at 730.

[bacalhau]

well, I still have to work tomorrow, so can't do that one.
Thanks anyway

Mike - This is for what day? And this is Fountainhead? I'm down for any day Thurs-Sat.

Phil - I'm actually doing some quarry near Fredericksburg tomorrow (Wed.) morning with a guy named Troy. 745 start time, and he says it takes around 2 hours. We're meeting at the Lowes parking lot off 95 at 730.

[middle-ring]

My bad...Thursday! 7:30-45 ish. Fountainhead. The rain later (hopefully) Thu may make Fri tough to do. Usually if the park keeps the trail open, it is tollerable, but with the amount of leaves down, and wet leaves on wet roots SUCK! So we'll see about Friday.

Mike

my direct email is bletman1(at)comcast(dot)net

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Alright, Thursday morning at Fountainhead it is. Unless it's raining hard I'm there.

I should be able to check this page from down there, but if not, my cell: 201-394-8130 AND email: jtorrento@optonline.net are also handy if you're looking for a riding partner for Friday and Saturday. Thanks again for the help and info, and hope to ride with lots of you this week!

Justin



My bad...Thursday! 7:30-45 ish. Fountainhead. The rain later (hopefully) Thu may make Fri tough to do. Usually if the park keeps the trail open, it is tollerable, but with the amount of leaves down, and wet leaves on wet roots SUCK! So we'll see about Friday.

Mike

my direct email is bletman1(at)comcast(dot)net

[middle-ring]

Not looking good for Turkey Day rides...
36-Hour Forecast

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 29F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

Tomorrow Night
Rain
Low 34° F
Precip: 80%
A few showers in the evening becoming steady overnight. Low 34F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Yeah, it's not happening for me tomorrow, Mike. Not sure if it'll be raining or not tomorrow morning but I don't like digging up the trails after a rain. If it doesn't rain tomorrow at all -- Friday morn? Saturday morn?

BTW, I went out with a couple guys in Fredricksburg today at the quarry(?). Troy and Jason know that trail like the back of their hand (rightfully so, they helped build it), and we cruised for 2 1/2 hours!! Great stuff. I don't think either of them is on the MORE site but Troy is on MTBR so hopefully you guys will all hook up one day.

No more rain!

[middle-ring]

Agreed on thursday...bummer. - Friday is not likely at this point either. I'll post something about Saturday's normal ride on Thu or Fri. Also, Fountain Head has a trail hotline 703-250-2473. Not sure if it will get updated with the holiday though.

- Mike

[riderx]

Friday morn?Jump on the Friday Gambrill ride, one of the few places around that holds up to the wet weather.

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Jump on the Friday Gambrill ride, one of the few places around that holds up to the wet weather.

Hell yeah. Where's Gambrill? How long a ride, what time, etc. Thanks.

[mtbmore]

Up 95 to 495 to 270 to 70 to us40west to Gambrill Park Road. The terrain is all rocks and depending the pace and route will take you 90 minutes to 3-4 hours to ride. I did this ride from Dumfries last Saturday and it was way worth it.

Scud

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Up 95 to 495 to 270 to 70 to us40west to Gambrill Park Road. The terrain is all rocks and depending the pace and route will take you 90 minutes to 3-4 hours to ride. I did this ride from Dumfries last Saturday and it was way worth it.

Scud

cool. how long from dumfries? still going, riderx?

[mtbmore]

The answer was in the subject. It takes about 75-90 minutes to get there depending on traffic from my house in Dumfries (Montclair).

Scud

[riderx]

cool. how long from dumfries? still going, riderx?I'm still going. I'll lead a moderate paced, longer ride than the one Punga is leading. On the trail at 10am, see the "Thanksgiving Hangover" ride thread for additional details.

[NJ-XC-Justin]

I'm still going. I'll lead a moderate paced, longer ride than the one Punga is leading. On the trail at 10am, see the "Thanksgiving Hangover" ride thread for additional details.


Thanks. 90 minutes makes it a maybe. Hope to see you, if not I'll try to hook up with everyone on the Saturday morning Fountainhead ride.

[middle-ring]

Saturday Fountainhead is ON. At the gate, 7:30 am. Hopefully we will have 4 or 5 in our group, plus you!

What sort of pace do you ride (fast, med, slow) and what is you level of experience? When we have 4 to 6 riders in our early Sat group we generally will have at least 2 groups depending on pace.

I will be in a maroon Ford pickup truck with bikes mounted along the bed.

Mike

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Saturday Fountainhead is ON. At the gate, 7:30 am. Hopefully we will have 4 or 5 in our group, plus you!

What sort of pace do you ride (fast, med, slow) and what is you level of experience? When we have 4 to 6 riders in our early Sat group we generally will have at least 2 groups depending on pace.

I will be in a maroon Ford pickup truck with bikes mounted along the bed.

Mike

Hey Mike - I ride I guess at a medium pace, depending on the group. I usually go for around 90 minutes, though the 2.5 hr Fredicksburg ride the other day was OK. Skills aren't as good as my fitness but guaging from the course description I think I'll be fine.

A request -- can you bring a bottle of chain lube? I left mine behind and my ride Wednesday was muddy and gunked up my chain.

I'm on a copper Giant driving a grey Acura. See you tomorrow - Justin

[middle-ring]

Great ride Justin! Great meeting you and being able to show you a cool trail near the in-laws. Now you know the way! Give a shout anytime you are in the area and want to ride.

Mike

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Great ride Justin! Great meeting you and being able to show you a cool trail near the in-laws. Now you know the way! Give a shout anytime you are in the area and want to ride.

Mike\

Mike - Thanks so much for the ride. I had a great time and the wife just told me we'll be back in VA for Xmas-time. So if the weather is good, I'll be contacting you to see if we can go again. Thanks again, I had a great time -

Justin

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Mike - I'm back in northern VA for Xmas. I'm looking to hit Fountainhead Wed, Thurs and Fri next week. Interested?

[middle-ring]

Hey Justin!!
I am interested. Not sure if I can ride all of those days, but I should be able to hit at least two of them. There are a couple of Fountainhead threads running on MORE's website, check'em out if you care.

muli-use trail thread (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6085)

and

teeters at Fountainhead (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5933)

Keep an open mind on the multi-use thread - I gave up on it. We'll keep in touch, if the weather is good, I'll be riding. I broke my Ellsworth frame, so I'll be slugging slowly on my Bullit.

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Thanks Mike. I'll check out the threads and hope to ride again with you. Whatever day you can make is great.

Can't believe you broke your Ellsworth -- I thought those things were as bullet-proof as they come.



Hey Justin!!
I am interested. Not sure if I can ride all of those days, but I should be able to hit at least two of them. There are a couple of Fountainhead threads running on MORE's website, check'em out if you care.

muli-use trail thread (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6085)

and

teeters at Fountainhead (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5933)

Keep an open mind on the multi-use thread - I gave up on it. We'll keep in touch, if the weather is good, I'll be riding. I broke my Ellsworth frame, so I'll be slugging slowly on my Bullit.

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Hey Mike - Still up for some riding? 'll be down there tonight and looking to ride tomorrow, Thurs and maybe Fri. Looks like the weather should be good, 50s and sunny. Not sure if you're working this week, but name the time and I'll be there.

Ready to check out the teeters. The multi-use thread was interesting but got annoying.


Hey Justin!!
I am interested. Not sure if I can ride all of those days, but I should be able to hit at least two of them.

[middle-ring]

Justin
Fountainhead has been closed since Friday. It's still rainy today. I don't know what the trail conditions are - but I would think it is going to be pretty muddy if they open it. I'll call the hotline again later today.

I'll warn you, when it re-opens, those first couple of days the riding is difficult up those steep hills with mud on the roots. But then that's why we do it, right?

Talk soon.

[NJ-XC-Justin]

Mike - I think I'm going to bag it this time. We just had to cut our trip short one day and each day is too full. Thanks for the offer again and I'll PM you when I'm back in the area (Easter?). Hope you got some fun MTB stuff for Xmas and that you're riding lots. Have fun putting a new rig together. Best, and thanks again - Justin

Justin - Fountainhead has been closed since Friday. It's still rainy today. I don't know what the trail conditions are - but I would think it is going to be pretty muddy if they open it. I'll call the hotline again later today.

[middle-ring]

That's cool, we'll see you again. Fh ROCKs in the spring!! Oh, and there is Elizabeths Furnace - another must do, etc, etc, see you then!
M