Deep Step Loop

[seenvic]

Go ride it. It needs one bridge on it, so you will have to walk that section.

It has huge dips/jumps in it. Your whole body and bike will ride down into these and come out of them. If you like to fly, you have found your place. If you don't like to fly, push down on the handlebars - hard.

This loop has the most climbing of the four loops. Some pitches are even kinda steep.

Enjoy.

ps...please don't ride it if it rained in the last two days. It's so fresh I am not even sure it is complete as I type this. But it probably will be by the time you read it.

[ted]

Regarding riding after it rains, for the next month to month and a half, I'd say not to ride it for at least 2-3 days for every 1/4" of rain. It's got a pretty thick layer of dust on it, 1/2" to 1" thick in some places. I've noticed it takes about that long to soak up and settle in. Until that point, it's very slick.
By far the best loop out there in terms of clibming, descending, and likelyhood of flight.

PS Be careful at the road crossing at "Dead Mans Curve". Cars are always coming through at higer than safe rates of speed. Listen before you cross.

[seenvic]

Could someone with a computer tell us two things.

How long is the "lollypop stick" from the right turn off the connector to the start of the Deep Step Loop.

And how long the Deep Step Loop is.

BTW, it's a toss up right now as to which way is better on this loop. When you get to the loop, a left turn onto the loop (clockwise) - and you are on a world class NORBA Super D course. HUGE HITS in there. One small grunt (with some STEEPNESS) and then another run with big hits. Super D course ends, and you grunt up to the paved road crossing.

CCW, and you have a great DH run on machine built followed by a tight and techy DH run on the old Tower Trail section called "teh best 7/10's"

Either way it's a great ride.

Please let us know how long the loop is and how long the connector to the loop is.

Thanks.

[Angela]

What a fabulous loop this is ;D..........those dips are soooooo deep!!! I did not check out the stick versus the lollipop but from the trailhead down the connector - out the stick - around the lollipop and then back out to the trailhead again was 5.90 miles. A bit dusty, could use a sprinkling of rain................loved the old Tower Trail section!!!

[mtbazhiker]

As another rider told me on Sunday "you guys have really outdone yourselves on Deep Step." I would have to agree! This is an awesome trail!! I rode it counter clockwise and got a nice climbing workout towards the end. Can't wait to come back next weekend. I live in Columbia and so far I have ridden each loop at least once.

[ted]

When you do return, be sure to ride Deep Step clockwise. The downhill is awesome as well as the 10-step climb in the middle. It's harder than any chemical dependent 10-step program. This will ail what cures you.

[Just me]

Which direction is more "green horn"(less climbing) friendly?

[Angela]

I thoroughly enjoyed it counter-clockwise and found the hill climbing pretty balanced in that direction.

[ted]

It's pretty much the same elevation seeing as both sections run from top to bottom on Deep Step Rd. However, if one turns left into the field after the "lollipop" stick (rides it clockwise), one will get to do the fabulous downhill on the south side of Deep Step Rd.

If you want the most downhill I would really suggest riding down one side, riding the road back up and riding down the other side. Be careful, this will lead to a bad case of shuttleslutdom.

Either way, you're going to climb on that loop no matter what.

[chileanrastabilly]

Rode this thing clockwise last night. Needless to say.....it humbled me at the end. Man, there were some hellaciously(sp?) steep climbs at the end. No worries.......I WILL be back. I will conquer!

[mtbazhiker]

I thought I was the only one who got their @@s kicked by those climbs. Actually my problem was I did it a couple weeks back when it was like 96 degrees

[Chileanrasta]

I hear what you're saying, brother. I'm sure we're not the only ones suffering on those climbs. There really is NOTHING else in the area remotely similar to it. Riding more gravel looks like the key. I guess I've been doing too many 12 ounce curls. ;D

[seenvic]

Chileanrasta said:

I hear what you're saying, brother. I'm sure we're not the only ones suffering on those climbs. There really is NOTHING else in the area remotely similar to it. Riding more gravel looks like the key. I guess I've been doing too many 12 ounce curls. ;D

The last two loops will compare and exceed the climbing in the Deep Step Loop.

The closer one gets to the fire tower, the deeper and steeper the hills get.

It does my heart good to hear of such suffering! We NEED harder and steeper climbs here.

I gotta get over an injury before I can get back on the bike. I'm hatin' it.