Sun June 13 - Thurmond Epic

[dgaddis1]

As long as we don't get a lot of rain Fri/Sat I plan on riding the Thurmond Epic. Meet at the Bartram trailhead at West Dam. Lets be rolling at 8am sharp.

If you would like to ride part of the route, let me know. You can meet us along the way.

I'd like to leave a car at the Keg parking lot to resupply the packs if possible. We don't have to, but it would be nice. We could carry less water that way.

Anyone interested?

[seenvic]

I have a bad case of Plum Branch Fever right now. And it will probably rear it's head again Sunday.

[brianW]

sounds good as of right now. I'll pm you

[nitro]

I might be in for part of the ride.

One note: I rode the entire Bartram Trail this morning and wanted add on Keg Creek. I got stopped at the Keg Creek Connector though -- a huge tree is down across the trail. Its not the trunk, but the top part of the tree covering the trail and there is no way to go through or over it. You will have to be prepared to hike your bike around it, which unfortunately involves knee high grass (i.e., good place for snakes), lots of poison ivy and stinging nettles. I turned around rather than dealing with it.

[dgaddis1]

Where exactly is it nitro? In wildwood somewhere?

Any problem with starting at 7 instead? Try and beat the heat.

[nitro]

Yep, its in Wilwood. My bike computer quit on me so I can't get exact mileage, but its got to be fairly close to the end of the connector (going towards Keg).

[brianW]

only one tree? Keg has 18 and Mistletoe has ______(dustin can fill it in)

[Ted S.]

I am definitely in. 8am Sunday at west dam see y'all then

[Ted S.]

OR at Keg if you want to leave Water and supplies in my car ?? Let me Know.

[nitro]

Jun 7, 2010 18:25:27 GMT -5 brianW said:

only one tree? Keg has 18 and Mistletoe has ______(dustin can fill it in)

Nope, there a lot more than 1 in that 2.5 mile connector. BUT, this is the only tree that I have ever encountered that actually stopped me from continuing my ride.

So, are we on for 7 or 8 (I would prefer 8, but I can adapt)? I definitely want to drop some supplies off at Keg.

[dgaddis1]

Let's go at the earlier time. I'm not excited about getting up really early, but it'll be worth it when the temps really start to climb.

Meet at west dam at 7am.

Or

meet at keg creek at 6:45 to drop off supplies. You can leave your car there for a bailout option if you want. Let's leave the cars at the dirt pull off where the trail ges into the woods, that way we get there as soon as we finish bartram, and again when we finish keg. I can give 3 people and bikes a ride to west dam.

We'll hit resupply points at miles:
21 - cars left at keg
~36 - mistletoe office (water fountain outside + candy, Gatorade, coke, etc for sale inside)
~45 - cars left at keg

Can't wait!

[dgaddis1]

Probably a good idea to leave a car at Petersburg too. Otherwise we will have a really long final leg, and that's when we'll be hurting.

[dsquaredmsquared]

I'm in.

Maybe we should meet at the convenience store/gas station at Pollard's corner (near the ice machine) for head count and car placement?

[dgaddis1]

Jun 8, 2010 6:43:50 GMT -5 dsquaredmsquared said:

I'm in.

Maybe we should meet at the convenience store/gas station at Pollard's corner (near the ice machine) for head count and car placement?

I like it. 6:45 at the gas station.

I'll bring a cooler and 2 gallons of water. Anyone else want to bring another two? That should be enough I think.

[dsquaredmsquared]

I can bring a gallon or two of water.

As I'm doing the math/estimates, I think the whole route (if I could finish) will take me >10 hours. I'm leaning toward the shorter West Dam -> Keg Creek -> West Dam route, which will still be a challenge for me. Regardless, I'll be there Sunday AM.

[dgaddis1]

Jun 8, 2010 7:18:41 GMT -5 dsquaredmsquared said:

I can bring a gallon or two of water.

As I'm doing the math/estimates, I think the whole route (if I could finish) will take me >10 hours. I'm leaning toward the shorter West Dam - Keg Creek - West Dam route, which will still be a challenge for me. Regardless, I'll be there Sunday AM.

That should be enough water then. We can top off in Mistletoe as well.

Only thing with that route, unless someone else opts for that as well, you'll be riding back on 21 miles of Bartram by yourself. You may not mind, it's just something to think about. If you want to stick with the group you could do Bartram - Keg- Mistletoe, but not ride Bartram back to west dam. Shorter than Bartram/Keg by 5 miles, but more technical stuff in Mistletoe. It's up to you!

Speaking of which, who all is planning on riding the whole route? I am. I'll be going slow. We got all day, right?

[dsquaredmsquared]

I think your slow is not as slow as my slow.

I had figured that you guys would catch up to me somewhere on my way back to West Dam.

[dgaddis1]

I doubt that. When we pull out of Keg we've got 16ish miles before we get back to Keg. That's about when we'll start going into the 'pain cave' as JT calls it. I figure it'll take us at least two hours before we get back to Keg. Then there's a mile or so of Keg left, then we head east on Bartram. So you'll have well over a 2hr head start on us.

[seenvic]

You guys be careful. In perfect conditions, this is a tough route. You are not going to have perfect conditions. Downed trees, heat and humidity are all going to be in cohoots against you.

The trees are a bother. But the heat and humidity can be a serious issue. Keep that in mind. And get those cars to Keg and Pburg with the supplies. You are going to need them.

Good luck.

[dsquaredmsquared]

I'll see how close/slow/far behind I am at Wildwood and make the call from there. I don't mind riding back by myself. I just want to get back before dark and under my own power.

We should exchange cell phone numbers among the group, just in case...
My # is (seven 06) fiveone3 fivefive2three