The Sandy Gap Ultra-Mega VES event promises to be absolutely stellar! It features incredible classic singletrack, jaw dropping scenery and views, true backcountry adventure riding, perfect mid-point refuel and rehydrate opportunities, great climbing and a long singletrack downhill finish!
Oh yeah & the Sandy Gap Ultra-Mega is the biggest, most bad ass VES event yet. Roughly 50 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing!
And, anyone wishing to make this event into a fun cycling weekend is super encouraged to sign up for Saturday's Crush'n It - Ride n' Ribs event: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/18854
The Crush'n It - Ride n' Ribs event benefits our cycling community's friend and hero David Kilmer, by doing what he likes best: riding, eating, and having a good time!
There are three pre-planned Crush'n It road and mountain bike rides Saturday, and as riders return to the Wilmer Estate, Chuck Aaron will be preparing a ribfest on Grillzilla, his awesome cooking machine! It's big time fun, with 100% of proceeds going to the Kilmer family as our friend David continues to recover from a bone marrow transplant.
http://www.facebook.com/events/411874525563095
What do you get when you cross an Alley Cat race with a team time trial, and throw in a scavenger hunt to boot? The Big Lick Fat Cat Classic combines all of these elements to create the most entertaining and challenging cycling event in Roanoke Valley history.
Sandy Gap Ultra-Mega ROUTE: (updated and improved 4/16)
- Start will now be in Douthat State Park
- Climb Blue Suck Falls Trail
- L - Locust Gap Trail
- R - Stony Run Trail
- R - Tuscarora Overlook Trail
- L - Middle Mountain Trail
- Continue to end at 606
- straight to Fore Mountain Trail
- R - FR to Bald Knob
- L - Dry Run Trail to Covington
- L - N Alleghany Ave thru Covington (refuel / rehydrate)
- L - East Madison St
- L - Smokey Bear Lane
- R - Fore Mountain Trail
- L - FR to Dolly Ann Dr
- R - Dolly Ann Dr
- L - 606 - gorgeous climb up to the ridge of Warm Springs Mountain
- R - 703 Airport Rd, along the ridge, ride 3.4 miles to
- R - Sandy Gap Trail DH to Smith Creek FR
- Straight Across FR - Sandy Gap Trail Climb to Middle Ridge
- L - Salt Stump Trail (start of DH to start / finish)
- R - Pine Tree Trail
- L - Middle Hollow Trail
- R - Huff's Trail
- L - Blue Suck Falls Trail
- Ride Start / Finish
The route includes the Fore Mountain and Dry Run trails which will likely have blow downs. These trails are gorgeous backcountry gems that are ours to enjoy, and participants on this ride are asked to please come prepared to work together and, within reason, trail clear as we go. "Within reason" means that if as a group we can clear a blow down with reasonable ease and speed using folding hand saws - then we do it.
This is my speed trail clearing tool of choice, and all ride participants are encouraged to bring something similar that they can safely carry and use.
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| The Corona Razor Tooth Folding Saw with a 10 inch blade is possibly the ultimate backcountry trail clearing tool. |
Additionally, groups of riders and trail lovers are forming to go out and work together to clear sections of this course in the weeks prior to the Sandy Gap Ultra-Mega. All help is great appreciated! Email rob@bikesherpas.com if you are able to assist in these efforts.
DIRECTIONS: This event uses the same ride start location as the legendary Kyle Inman County of Bath Middle Mountain Momma MTB Race and the following directions are borrowed from Kyle's website www.bikeva.com:
DIRECTIONS: This event uses the same ride start location as the legendary Kyle Inman County of Bath Middle Mountain Momma MTB Race and the following directions are borrowed from Kyle's website www.bikeva.com:
Douthat State Park is located 50 minutes north of Roanoke and 45 minutes west of Lexington
From Lexington, take I-64 west to first Clifton Forge exit (220 south and 629). Take 629 straight into Douthat State Park. From the south, take Daleville exit 150 off I-81 to 220 north. Proceed north on 220 until reaching Clifton Forge, and the end of 220. Take right towards 64. Go straight under 64 (the road turns into 629). Continue straight for 4 miles into Douthat State Park.
Note: if you park in the park, you will need to pay the park fee (3 bucks). If you choose not to pay the Douthat parking fee, be prepared to pay the $50 parking FINE.
Staging is in the Discovery Center area, which is located at the end of a dirt left turn (traveling north through the park). Parking is tight, so pooling of the cars is a terrific idea.
Here's a short clip of me Rock riding on the Dry Run Trail. Note: I was on a fully-rigid 29er though I personally do not recommend and will not be riding a fully rigid bike on this ride. Best viewed in HQ.
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