Clockwise or Counterclockwise

[stumpbumper]

Two more questions from someone who is not familar with FATS and I'll stop bugging everybody. Well, okay, two questions and I'll hush.

First question.
In what direction is it best to ride the six trails at FATS, Brown Wave, Skinny Loop, Great Wall, Deep Step, Tower and Big Rock? I am sure either direction is fun but is clockwise or counterclockwise the way to go?

Second question.
I see four of the trails discussed a lot on the forum but little mention of Big Rock and Tower. Is there a reason for that? Not as convenient as the others perhaps? Or maybe both are inhabited by flesh-eating demons that pick the bones of innocent mountain-bikers cleaner than the IRS?

[mhanna]

I personally like everything best CCW. Big Rock can go either way but I think 70-30 CCW to me. I just hate missing the long down hill on Big Rock going CW coming back to the road at the trailhead so I will sometimes ride back up that side at the end just to get that downhill in.

I think the reason that BR and Tower aren't discussed as much is just that they don't get ridden as much as the others. They are probably two of the hardest trails with DS and hence don't see quite as much traffic.

My favorite loop is DS - Connector - BR - Tower and back up DS. It is just over 19 miles and perfect for an evening ride. You ca make that loop burn as much as you like depending on how hard you push the climbs.

Never seen any demons but plenty of wicked looking spiders about face high this time of year.

[seenvic]

I've always been a strong CCW lean on all the loops except Tower. I'm 50/50 on it.

But during the Summit I rode Great Wall CW a few times and loved it. I thought it was easier that direction. The big DH CW used to seem to me to have "pointy" rollers. Over the years these have worn down and rounded off and ride better for me.

Riding the trails the "other" way explains some of the strange lines I see out there.

[dparrott]

GW cw is definitely "easier" than ccw (at least for me).

[Mark Y]

May 19, 2010 21:45:07 GMT -5 dparrott said:

GW cw is definitely "easier" than ccw (at least for me).

Same here. I've ridden it both ways several times and the climb out is longer/tougher CCW IMO. Plus, I think the downhills going in CW are more fun.