[Elvota]

I got to finally tackle the Tom's Thumb trail in the McDowells preserve and I must say it was a blast. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to get as high as possible as quickly as possible. A climbers delight with enough steeps and twists off the backside to keep tech minded individuals more than amused.

http://www.thestickichronicles.com/2009/12/toms-thumb-route.html

Anyway... got me thinking.

I know the Quadruple Bypass is a staple in many of the local riders diet of epic group rides.. but what about just one step further?

Tom's Thumb/ Bell Pass/ Sunrise Pass/ Windgate Pass

The "Gnardruple Bypass"

Four unique summits. I think it could be a lot of fun.

 

[waltaz]

I got to finally tackle the Tom's Thumb trail in the McDowells preserve and I must say it was a blast. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to get as high as possible as quickly as possible. A climbers delight with enough steeps and twists off the backside to keep tech minded individuals more than amused.

http://www.thestickichronicles.com/2009/12/toms-thumb-route.html

Anyway... got me thinking.

I know the Quadruple Bypass is a staple in many of the local riders diet of epic group rides.. but what about just one step further?

Tom's Thumb/ Bell Pass/ Sunrise Pass/ Windgate Pass

The "Gnardruple Bypass"

Four unique summits. I think it could be a lot of fun.

Yes, considering swapping in Tom's Thumb for the first Pass, which has historically been Windgate...

 

[CoyoteKis]

Yes, considering swapping in Tom's Thumb for the first Pass, which has historically been Windgate...

I'll end up walking either way, so, meh...

 

[azepicriderandrunner]

Sweet pictures Steve...

 

[su.ling~]

I'll end up walking either way, so, meh...

whatever! you WILL RIDE it!

 

[tjkm]

Great write up. Those switch backs gave me a tough time on my 1st and only attempt right befrore the heat kicked in last spring.

I *might* take a crack at this again next week when I have a few days off.......

 

[titusbro]

If you liked the climb up TT...

...you will LOVE the TT decent!! There are over 30 SB's and if you don't smell burning brakes by at least half-way down, then something is very wrong!

 

[azepicriderandrunner]

...you will LOVE the TT decent!! There are over 30 SB's and if you don't smell burning brakes by at least half-way down, then something is very wrong!

Ohhhhh...30?! That sounds awesome :thumbsup:

 

[philaz]

I am happy to say that I did this with two crazy friends today. Started at 124th St headed east over Sunrise. North to Windgate, over and down to Toms thumb. Lots of cursing and wishing I wasn't on a SS, down East Trail. Over to Bell (heading west) then south back to 124th. Only 28+ miles but, my Garmin claims 8400 feet of climbing. I am gonna hurt tomorrow.

 

[CoyoteKis]

whatever! you WILL RIDE it!

Baby you know I will! Even if it takes me 9 hours. If I did it last year on 3 hours of sleep and a ripper hangover, I can do it this year.

 

[TheBarqsMan]

My latest adventure on Tom's Thumb. I counted 104 switchbacks... C2C2C.

http://mtbikeaz.com/2009/12/17/toms-thumb-c2c2c/

 

[Elvota]

Headed back out there on 12/20 for another try.

Posted some videos this time for those interested in seeing the switchbacks second-hand.

http://www.thestickichronicles.com/2009/12/toms-thumb-revisited.html

CoyoteKis... we may have seen you and friend at the end coming off Bell Pass. Can be hard sometimes to put usernames with real people, so hopefully I am getting it right.

Next step... the Gnardruple. :cornut:

 

[CoyoteKis]

Headed back out there on 12/20 for another try.

Posted some videos this time for those interested in seeing the switchbacks second-hand.

http://www.thestickichronicles.com/2009/12/toms-thumb-revisited.html

CoyoteKis... we may have seen you and friend at the end coming off Bell Pass. Can be hard sometimes to put usernames with real people, so hopefully I am getting it right.

Next step... the Gnardruple. :cornut:

Betcha it was! I was out there with Walt on the 20th, scouting-out various options for the Quad. I do recall running into various riders at the bottom of Bell Pass, so yepper, had to be me!

Edit:
Just checked out your link. That was definitely us you ran into. We talked for awhile, I recogized M. See you guys on the Quad![/QUOTE]

 

[DurtGurl]

Elvota is Steve of Steve and Micki! Steve is one hellova rider.

 

[dsittman]

Awesome vids Elvota :thumbsup: The climb had my legs hurting and the descent had my heart racing...nicely done and cool tunes too :rockon:

 

[Elvota]

Well... the Gnardruple has been realized:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=6455169#post6455169

Just checked out your link. That was definitely us you ran into. We talked for awhile, I recogized M. See you guys on the Quad!

Kind of figured it was. Such a great area to ride, I am sure we will bump into you both in the future as well.

Elvota is Steve of Steve and Micki! Steve is one hellova rider.

Nice of you to say DurtGurl. The running joke is the Steve you have ridden with was "Steve Version 1.0". Now that I am working with "Version 2.0" I can still get things done... just takes a little longer sometimes.

Awesome vids Elvota :thumbsup: The climb had my legs hurting and the descent had my heart racing...nicely done and cool tunes too :rockon:

Thanks. That climb is fierce for sure and the descent is a real brake burner. :thumbsup: