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Post by jtaylor on Aug 19, 2008 11:29:50 GMT -5
The main trail is now clear. Luke and I cut it last night. I'm looking for help on the side loops. I need to finalize the home schedule and then post a work party.
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Post by jtaylor on Aug 15, 2008 12:05:50 GMT -5
ORA is about 5 miles total loop. It is the anti-FATS; there are only a few places you go more than 10 feet before you have to turn, brake, go up, go down, or something. In fact, it becomes a dance, and is enjoyable when you are in the rythymn. It is worth a try. I think it is easier ccw. By the same token, I would recommend Modoc and Keg if you haven't ridden those. They are fairly close to FATS and are fun in their own ways.
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Post by jtaylor on Aug 13, 2008 11:49:22 GMT -5
I don't see the problem here. :-) You can ride both loops both directions in under two hours. Park at the top or bottom of the loops on the gravel road. Post what time you'll be there and I'm sure you'll get some company to help make the time pass even faster.
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Post by jtaylor on Jul 30, 2008 11:48:39 GMT -5
The trail is now clean; any trees left are riders.
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Post by jtaylor on Jul 17, 2008 11:24:01 GMT -5
I'll be there and bring the Paydays.
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Post by jtaylor on Jul 10, 2008 12:30:48 GMT -5
I agree with Bill on the used pedal advice. You can get the low end eggbeaters very cheap at Nashbar or similar catalog stores. Phil (Chain Reaction) sells the medium level at a reasonable price. I like my eggbeaters but have heard good things about the Time pedals as well.
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Post by jtaylor on Jul 5, 2008 21:13:54 GMT -5
I should be there.
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Post by jtaylor on Jul 3, 2008 11:46:07 GMT -5
I will check mileage/gain on my computer next time I do this loop. Last night was my first trip from DS over to T/BR- very nice. The first 2 times I rode Tower, I went ccw, and the section to the fire tower definitely hurt more than I thought it should. Last night, I did Tower cw and thought the climbing was much easier and appreciated the downhill from the fire tower to the road.
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 23, 2008 11:48:20 GMT -5
I rode the lake loop and the short loop across the street (I think Turkey Ridge) Sunday, 6/22. Both are in great shape, no trees down. Thanks to the sawyers, whoever they are.
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 23, 2008 11:42:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the compliments, which belong to Bill Victor. There are now 6 loops, not 4. Tower and Big Rock do not inter-connect with the 4 original loops. See this site for more info.
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 15, 2008 14:49:49 GMT -5
Rode Modoc today, 6/15. It is clean to the end. Looks like it is not getting much traffic. The turtles were busy today......
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 14, 2008 15:48:10 GMT -5
I hope everyone is following Kevin Kaiser's progress in RAAM. He is on a 2-person team and they are riding fixed gear bikes, which is crazy enough. What makes it more unbelievable is that they are leading the entire race!! (they got to start with the solo riders on Sunday) Kevin rode 6-Gap on the fixed gear bike last year I believe. He started riding those crazy long rides with Doyce and Phil not too many year ago. And to think I used to be able to keep up with him......
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 12, 2008 16:02:41 GMT -5
My second time riding the 2 loops was last Sunday morning. Rode Tower again ccw which seems like it has longer climbs than it would going cw. Rode it first this time, so I was able to ride all of it, where first time I got caught a couple places- one of the gas line crossings being one. Rode Big Rock ccw this time, which I think is more fun. But watch out for the rock / corner toward the bottom. Some steep climbs going up BR that way. I'll bet there will be lots of figure 8's on BR- going up the road and coming down either side. The log bridge is great- I had to laugh. I thought of an alligator jaw. Tower is my favorite. Bill, you are right about not seeing the top of the climb, it gives a different feel to the trail. Congrats on 2 more fantaaastic trails.
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Post by jtaylor on May 18, 2008 13:17:47 GMT -5
I rode the trail this morning; in relatively good shape, a fair amount of sticks etc, only 1 non-rider tree. It doesn't look like it gets much use, which is a shame as it has a number of fun features.
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Post by jtaylor on May 15, 2008 12:34:54 GMT -5
I hate to hear Ted Alba is sick again. I have several great wheels from him.
MD- OK Big Boy, are you ready to sell me those light weight wheels, made for us skinny guys?
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Post by jtaylor on May 15, 2008 12:30:49 GMT -5
I've got to put my 2 cents in: 1. FATS- ride all 4 loops in order (DS, GW, bottom side of Sk, BW- look at the map) counter clockwise. If you need more, ride GW and DS clockwise. 2. Long Cane- I was there 2 weeks ago and it offers lots of the "fast, flowing" you're looking for. You need to talk to someone about finding the trail, etc. Keep us posted on your schedule and I or someone will meet you to discuss. 3. Hickory Knob (7 mile loop, do it both directions) then go to 4. Baker Creek (10 mile loop, I think cw is more fun) 5. Modoc is fun/technical, but not fast/flowing and has lots of trees down right now. Watch this site for updates in case it gets cleaned up by the elfs. 6. If you need more trails, you are Superman! next choice is Keg Creek- mostly flat, has some nice scenery. 7. there are yet more choices! are we spoiled or what? Bartram, Mistletoe State Park, ORA, Turkey Creek. Only reason to elaborate is in case FATS is wet, which may be the case since it is the newest trail. We'll add more as we see what the weather is.
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Post by jtaylor on May 15, 2008 12:08:43 GMT -5
I'm in Jon
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Post by jtaylor on May 14, 2008 11:06:37 GMT -5
Banks and I will be there at 6:30
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Post by jtaylor on May 9, 2008 11:35:46 GMT -5
I rode Modoc May 7th. Non rider trees at 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 1.5, 2.1, 3.4, 3.8, and 5.1 miles. The tree below the parking lot is the biggest mess, the rest can be stepped over or only minor detour. Limbo tree at 0.7 miles may fall some more and become a non-rider. Also another 4-6 trees sticking into the trail that need the chainsaw. The controlled burn reached the trail almost everywhere, and to the end. I saw some very cool wildflowers; the deer are easy to spot now. The guys that raked leaves away from the bridges and sign posts before the burn did a good job. I think we can clear the trail in 5 hours some weekend morning; let me know if you're interested.
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Post by jtaylor on May 2, 2008 11:50:15 GMT -5
Rode Turkey last night, 5/1. Non-rider trees down at 1.5, 2.1, 3.3, and 3.9 miles from Key Bridge. Turned around at the 5 mile rest stop. The controlled burn did not cause any damage that I could tell. The trail could use a DR mower on the first mile, a few areas that didn't get burned, and after the rest stop.
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