Explore the Trail ride Sunday August 2

[moto922]

Me and a friend have been talking about joining the trail ride this Sunday at Modoc. I have a few questions. We are both in our late 50s and are in OK shape, both of us just started riding mountain bikes this year. How long is the trail, is it 5 1/2 miles oneway or 7-8 miles oneway? We have been riding FATS a few times a month. Most of the time we will ride a loop on Deep Step and go back to the parking lot to rest and then ride a loop on Skinny. We ride those trails with no trouble. How does Modoc compare to riding a loop at FATS? We both have and still raced motorcycle motocross and those skills have helped us on the mountain bike trails. I'm more worried about stretching our limit with distance.

[seenvic]

5.5 miles one way. You don't have to go the whole way. You can turn around whenever you like.

Modoc is going to be more technical than anything at FATS. Modoc is an old school hiking trail that was handbuilt in the early 70s'. The first 3ish miles stick to the contour pretty good, but there comes a point where there is a steep climb or two. They are all short, very short.

My gut is if you can ride Deep Step and Skinny in a day, you can handle Modoc with no problem. Just walk anything technical or steep that you don't want to ride. Or try them....you may surprise yourself.

[imnav8r]

Modoc is a lot of fun and the technical creek crossings look more severe than they are. Just watch somebody else go through and observe the line they ride. If they made it, copy them...if not, pick another line! The climbs aren't bad at all and riding in a group will make the miles seem less than they are.

The "Bridge of Death" was recently leveled to remove the twist it had in it so it is more rideable now than before. Come out and ride and see what all the talk is about and then you too can say you've ridden the most technical trail in the CSRA!

Be safe!

[Mark Y]

I second the comments Moto. I've ridden it one way and you can push yourself as hard or as little as you like. Some of the technical stuff is beyond what I want to risk skinning my a$$ on, so I will just walk it. I may decide to go through on the trail and ride back on the road, though the road is almost (4.5 miles) as long distance wise, and in the sun to boot.

[moto922]

Thanks for all comments. With being new to riding the trails I just don't want to over do it. The way I'm enjoying riding is one step at a time. I saw somewhere on SORBA website that the ride was 7-8 mile one-way ride. The trail sounds fun and hopefully we will be there Sunday. Thanks for the advice to dismount and walk the real technical stuff, good advice. For thirty years of racing motocross you learn real quick about pushing your limit. In motocross most crashen happens when a rider is riding over their head, same rules apply riding our mountain bikes.

Mark Y, is there is reason why you would ride the trail one-way and and ride the road going back.

Thanks again,

[Mark Y]

Jerry, I don't handle the heat very well, so don't ride much in warm weather; which of course, puts me way out of shape rather that plain "out of shape". (not to mention, my comfortable cadence is slower than most everyone I've ever ridden with, and chasing the pack sometimes is too tiring) Out and back on Modoc is 11 miles or so, so I leave myself the option of riding the easier pavel back in case I get too hot humping the hills. With your description of what you do at FATS in the current weather you should have no issues.

[dgaddis1]

You'll be fine Jerry. Come out and try it.

I have a feeling it'll be a slow paced ride anyways, as I figure we'll probably stop at all the tech. features to watch people attempt them.

I'm looking forward to it, I love Modoc. Haven't ridden it since the SMC though.

[Mark Y]

Dustin, if there are stops at the technicals it would be great. It is a good opportunity for people like me to learn some techniques for navigating tricky features. All the more reason rookies should show up for the ride.

[money]

Rode Modoc this morning. There is one tree down right after 2.5 mile marker that is a non-rider due to a tangled mess behind it. The trail was wet, but nowhere near as bad as it was during the SMC. The 4 mile bridge looked good, but 2 riders with me had some issues with slipping. Keep your front tire straight, and a little speed, it is rideable. Man I love this trail just because it is different from FATS. It keeps you on your toes, and challenges you with some technical aspects. Look forward to tomorrow weather permitting.

[Mark Y]

Jul 29, 2009 10:25:51 GMT -5 moto922 said:

Me and a friend have been talking about joining the trail ride this Sunday at Modoc. I have a few questions. We are both in our late 50s and are in OK shape, both of us just started riding mountain bikes this year. How long is the trail, is it 5 1/2 miles oneway or 7-8 miles oneway? We have been riding FATS a few times a month. Most of the time we will ride a loop on Deep Step and go back to the parking lot to rest and then ride a loop on Skinny. We ride those trails with no trouble. How does Modoc compare to riding a loop at FATS? We both have and still raced motorcycle motocross and those skills have helped us on the mountain bike trails. I'm more worried about stretching our limit with distance.

OK, so how did you guys do? Pretty good I'd say because after the creek crossings I didn't see you again. I had a planned turn around at the 4 mile bridge, so didn't get a chance to see you after the ride.

[EdgeE]

What a blast! The trail was in great shape, even better then it was on Saturday morning, and the non-rider @ the 2 1/2 mile point was removed sometime after 10AM Saturday - Thanks! Love the group rides, always able to find riders who move at your pace and point out different lines - Good fun!

Rode the connector out and around and back to the trail head via pavement on Sat. and enjoyed the loop. Its got some easy gravel, a little stretch of busy pavement, and then the big speedy paved down hill on 23 back to the car. 3 rides in one and all fun.

[moto922]

Thanks for asking Mark. Modoc trail was fun, its good that SORBA has a "Explore the trail ride". Great to meet other riders and it was very helpful the group stopped at the more technical stuff. We both rode the trail to the end and returned on the trail. I really liked the natural beauty of the trail and those roots kept you on your toes. The 11 mile ride was near my limit but, I feel good today and I would ride it again. ;D ;D ;D