DON'T DO IT, it's a trap!! No seriously, I'm sure it is an awesome trail for some, but me thinks you'd better be in super shape and pretty skilled if you wanna ride this trail. I got a late start this morning, but went out and set off from the trailhead about 11. Had fair temps and a nice breeze the entire way, but riding that baby counterclockwise is a CHORE. I got 3 miles in and was still climbing some strenuous stuff. Not every bit is climbing but enough that it will wear you out. Part of the problem for me was that any downhill section was too short to recover and led, more often than not, into several severe switchbacks , sometimes double switchbacks, followed immediately by a stiff climb. Even some some of the less pronounced climbs led you into switchbacks waiting to bite you. There are sections that only the most skilled would even attempt to ride. There is a good deal of exposure to your right most of the way in and then switching to your left at around 2.5 miles or so.
I realize I am not the most skilled rider around, probably low intermediate at best, but this is some seriously challenging riding. At no point can you just relax and just enjoy the flow. While we all enjoy a challenge as mountain bikers, to say that this was enjoyable would be a stretch. Part of my problem undoubtedly was, this was a new trail and I was by myself, and being ultra cautious, but at no time did I ride more than a half mile without dabbing OR WORSE. When I got home my legs looked as if someone had locked me in a phone booth with a wild cat.
Perhaps it is somewhat easier coming around clockwise, as I did run into a couple heading in the opposite direction and they looked somewhat less bedraggled than I. To top it off, neither was wearing a helmet and each had only one 12 oz. soda bottle of water, nearly empty by the time they reached me. I honestly expected to find one of them prostrate on the trail as I headed back down. Amazingly, there was no sign of either, hope they made it out OK. Good luck to those of you who want to attempt this one!!
I realize I am not the most skilled rider around, probably low intermediate at best, but this is some seriously challenging riding. At no point can you just relax and just enjoy the flow. While we all enjoy a challenge as mountain bikers, to say that this was enjoyable would be a stretch. Part of my problem undoubtedly was, this was a new trail and I was by myself, and being ultra cautious, but at no time did I ride more than a half mile without dabbing OR WORSE. When I got home my legs looked as if someone had locked me in a phone booth with a wild cat.
Perhaps it is somewhat easier coming around clockwise, as I did run into a couple heading in the opposite direction and they looked somewhat less bedraggled than I. To top it off, neither was wearing a helmet and each had only one 12 oz. soda bottle of water, nearly empty by the time they reached me. I honestly expected to find one of them prostrate on the trail as I headed back down. Amazingly, there was no sign of either, hope they made it out OK. Good luck to those of you who want to attempt this one!!
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