[MTBShane]

I dont want to jack the other threads here with this so I thought I would post my own. I am going to Tahoe next weekend for the first time and need to be sure that the fools i am going with are not going to kill me! They like to do super technical riding which generally I dont like so I dont trust whatever they say now! For them its always easy, for me......not so much.

They are talking about riding Toads. My ability is essentially at the level where I enjoy Skeggs and dont find it TOO technical but certainly technical enough. I have ridden Demo a few times and liked it although there are sections there which scare the bejezzuz out of me too. I also ride Downieville last year and enjoyed most of it.......only pooped my pants once on both rides we did that day :thumbsup:

I really dont want to get into a situation where I am in waaaay over my head and dont have any way out other than turning around. Also - if there are areas on the side of a freaking cliff I need to know cause I am not a fan of heights........AT ALL!

Thanks for any help!
-Shane

 

[tahoetic]

If you rode Downieville, you should be fine on Toads. The top waterfall section will be your biggest challenge. Most people walk that section anyway. The climb is hard for some. I wouldn't worry about having to turn around, unless you can't handle the climb.

 

[Fairfaxian]

Its coo . . .

Toads has plenty of the über gnarly, but easy enough to hop off here & there if you max out. Plenty of survivable fun as the trail is fairly long & varied. I rode it many times on my old hard tail (way back). FYI - once you start down the stairs section, you're committed. So set your own pace -and enjoy! Seat down, butt back & yeehaw!

 

[JMac47]

Tough call

I dont want to jack the other threads here with this so I thought I would post my own. I am going to Tahoe next weekend for the first time and need to be sure that the fools i am going with are not going to kill me! They like to do super technical riding which generally I dont like so I dont trust whatever they say now! For them its always easy, for me......not so much.

They are talking about riding Toads. My ability is essentially at the level where I enjoy Skeggs and dont find it TOO technical but certainly technical enough. I have ridden Demo a few times and liked it although there are sections there which scare the bejezzuz out of me too. I also ride Downieville last year and enjoyed most of it.......only pooped my pants once on both rides we did that day :thumbsup:

I really dont want to get into a situation where I am in waaaay over my head and dont have any way out other than turning around. Also - if there are areas on the side of a freaking cliff I need to know cause I am not a fan of heights........AT ALL!

Thanks for any help!
-Shane

I rode Mr. Toads for the first time last year. I'd say it's more of an energy burner (specially if you ride up the road to the trail head) then a real tech outting on Toads. There are some comparisons to the other ride areas you mentioned, but no cliff edge exposure that I can recall. There are some challenging spots where you have to go up and over some rock step up sections, loose granite sandpit sections etc on the climb up to Armstrong.

There is a "boulder section" about halfway down Toads that you would benifit by having a decent travel bike, and skilz, to get down it cleanly. I started to thread thru partway but had to get off and rock hop to the bottom. Below that it's more swoopy goodness with a few root/step/drops sections that are ridable.

I'd say go for it, stay within your comfort zone, or maybe it's time to venture out of it and challenge yourself. We split up the vehicles and shuttled from the lower parking area which worked out great. I will hit the road ride up next time.

 

[MTBShane]

Cool - thanks guys, it sounds like if I grow a pair this might be fun after all!!