12.6.15 Bill & Red's Most Excellent Adventure | FREE Event #11 in the Virginia Endurance Series

view from Big Walker Mtn. over I77 tunnel thru the mountain!

This route has been one that I have dreamed of for many, many years. I would say well over 10 years! What has made this route impassable previously was the trail overgrowth of the Big Walker Mountain Trail - aka Monster Rock. Many folks chipped in with clean up, but probably greater than 80% of this trail was hand cleared by two brothers, Bill and Dave (aka Red). These guys dedicated so much time to clearing this AMAZING ridge trail. So, when I heard that it was cleared I knew we had to go do this fatty! and of course give them some creds even though they probably don't want it, just want people to come ride!

Date: 12-6-15

Start Time is 9:00A.M (25, 40, 45mile Options - Details Below)

(1pm / 23mile Option: For those who can't make the 9am start or want something shorter, or just easy. Can meet up at the country store on Rt 52 at the top of the mountain. Main group will be through there around 1pm or thereabouts. Click Here for a Map of this 23 mile / 1pm Start Option) 1pm Start Location https://goo.gl/maps/qJNdzFXYRTr (not the same as the 9am start location - info below)

9am Start Location: The ride will start and finish at the Stony Fork Campground in Wythe County. The website link below will get you there. Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/J5jN3gj5h142

Web site for start: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/null/recarea/?recid=73977&actid=29

The campground is at the base of our finishing trail, Seven Sisters. One of the best downhills you will experience, ever. Here is the link: http://www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/SevenSistersTrail/

ROUTE IS HERE! http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/871360459

MAPS BELOW for 4 Route Length Options: 9am Start 25, 40, 45 & 1pm Start 23
*Click Here to View Hi-Res Map Images*

Summary: We will be riding from the campground towards Crawfish Valley, climbing Big Walker and traversing the full ridge. This will put us out at Rt. 52 at the Bik Walker Lookout and a fine location for some fantastic sweets, breads and other treats. From there we continue on dirt across the ridge and over I77 tunnel to Turkey trail (hold on tight!). Back to SR 717 (same road campground is on) turn right and roll a few miles of pave to the start of the Seven Sisters grand finale!

25 Mile 9am Start
Hi Res Image = https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1hlf5muc53twpw/25%20mile.jpg?dl=0 

40 Mile 9am Start
Hi Res Image = https://www.dropbox.com/s/yjseq4zhzfj8sqp/40%20mile.jpg?dl=0

44 Mile 9am Start
Hi Res Image = https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezjlsir1yftftv0/43m.jpg?dl=0

23 Mile / 1pm Start Option
Hi Res Image = https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3czhe504ld9hct5/AAAWwFC2Jx7CFRujslSMb0BKa/23m%201pm%20Start%20Option.jpg?dl=0 

12.6.15 Bill & Red's Most Excellent Adventure | FREE Event #11 in the Virginia Endurance Series

------------------------------NEW DATE!!--------------------------------

view from Big Walker Mtn. over I77 tunnel thru the mountain!

So I hope anyone out there is not disappointed that the Linger Not Mtb. 100 has been changed to this excellent route. This route has been one that I have dreamed of for many, many years. I would say well over 10 years! What has made this route impassable previously was the trail overgrowth of the Big Walker Mountain Trail - aka Monster Rock. Many folks chipped in with clean up, but probably greater than 80% of this trail was hand cleared by two brothers, Bill and Dave (aka Red). These guys dedicated so much time to clearing this AMAZING ridge trail. So, when I heard that it was cleared I knew we had to go do this fatty! and of course give them some creds even though they probably don't want it, just want people to come ride!

Date: 12-6-15

Start Time is 9:00A.M

Starting location directions: The ride will start and finish at the Stony Fork Campground in Wythe County. The website link below will get you there.

Web site for start: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/null/recarea/?recid=73977&actid=29

The campground is at the base of our finishing trail, Seven Sisters. One of the best downhills you will experience, ever. Here is the link: http://www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/SevenSistersTrail/


MAP IS HERE!

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/871360459

Summary:

We will be riding from the campground towards Crawfish Valley, climbing Big Walker and traversing the full ridge. This will put us out at Rt. 52 at the Bik Walker Lookout and a fine location for some fantastic sweets, breads and other treats. From there we continue on dirt across the ridge and over I77 tunnel to Turkey trail (hold on tight!). Back to SR 717 (same road campground is on) turn right and roll a few miles of pave to the start of the Seven Sisters grand finale!

**VES Kit QUICK Order** (Sizes needed by Thursday 8/13)

These kits are incredibly sharp looking, and we're putting together a quick order to be sure these are in-hand for those who want to wear their new kit in the SM100!
$50 for the Jerseys (Club Fit)
$75 for the Pro+ Bibs or Shorts, with the most comfortable long-ride chamois I've ever worn!

Message me robertissem@gmail.com with your sizes and Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel​ will get you a kit by or before the beginning of September!

2015 "The Gamut" MTB & Running Courses Updates

Summary:

• 2014 PDF Map & Route Guide 
• On Stage 1 the new trail Rattlin' Run replaces the pavement section between the Beginner Loop and Songbird.

• Mt. Bikers will ride Stage 1 in the opposite direction from 2014. The 2015 Stage 1 is generally counterclockwise and starts with climbing Hi-Dee-Hoe.
• Runners will run Stage 1 in the same direction as 2014, generally clockwise, and starting with the Beginner Loop to Rattlin' Run.

• Stage 2 is 100% identical to the 2014 Stage 2.

Q&A Regarding RUNNING being added to all VES Trail Events

How many miles are you going to make us run?

Runners can come and run any distance they will have fun with! There are generally three course length options detailed per VES event, a 10-15 miler, 20-25 and 35+. 

And, like the mountain bikers, runners can turn around and head back to the start / finish at any time. So if you're not up for running one of the full routes, just run in the woods for awhile and turn around when you're ready!

Is there a way to sign up?

There are no registrations in the VES, just show-up, meet other cool kids and go! Each VES event does have a Facebook event associated with it, so if you're planning to come (and you do Facebook) then swing by the FB event and click on "Going"!

Are there any aid stations or other logistics already planned for?

Generally there are no aid stations or course markings at VES events. The route(s) are very well described, and the fun is generally self-supported and self-navigated.

I wish these events weren't on a Sunday. Excludes all of us church goers.

God is present at all VES events, and anyone is welcome to organize a service/worship at the site before or after the event! 

And, we have started adding some Saturday events! The only reservation we have with moving too many VES events to Saturday is that a number of the organizers are bike shop employees who work Saturdays, and have off Sundays.

super most fantastic supa D #enduro results!

We had quite possibly the most splendid day one could ask for. Super hot and humid with just enough tack from the pre-dawn rain showers to make you sticky icky to those sweet trails at Pandapas Pond!

There were about 16 hardy souls that showed up to GET SOME! All bike types were represented from full blown and medio squishers, hard tails and single speeds. Most riders (depending on route chosen) pedaled them bicycles close to 28 miles of TRAIL!

Here is how the day's times turned out. Get outside today!

 

 

 

 

 

Get Virginia Endurance Series / VES Factory Team clothing at dealer cost! $5 is donated to RIMBA for every item purchased!

It'd be fantastic if you'd support the completely free and volunteer organized Virginia Endurance Series and RIMBA by purchasing a premium VES clothing item **at dealer cost**.

Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel will donate $5 to the Virginia IMBA chapter, RIMBA, for every item purchased!

To order, visit http://www.starlightapparel.com/category-s/1879.htm

Ordering deadline is 3/16/15!

Thanks so much for your support!

The Virginia Endurance Series Mission:
Reveal and celebrate the very best backcountry mountain biking destinations in Virginia | Offer FREE monthly ride events in these destinations, with volunteer ride leaders and various distance options (something for everyone) | GIVE riders the maps and information they need to explore these areas | Help create, enhance and preserve Virginia’s great mountain biking experiences.

3.14.15 Richmond Baja | Virginia Endurance Series

Richmond Baja​
Route information and all details:
www.richmondbaja.com
Facebook Event
3.14.15 | 7am | Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream
3600 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23225

​Choose your pleasure: Race (45-90mi) / Party Pace (25-30mi)

"Races like the Richmond Baja are what keep me involved in cycling. The Baja is one part mountain bike race, one part alleycat, and one part weird mexican navigational nightmare. It's awesome. I like the Baja for a lot of reasons. First, it's put together by friends of mine, and it's always cool to see your friends doing awesome things. Secondly, it's a pretty inclusive event, with an encouraging and fun community, and a strong DIY ethic. Most importantly, the Baja embodies a lot of what cycling is about to me, both from a racer's perspective, and that of someone who sees the community behind the bike.
The Broad Street Hooligans do a lot for the Richmond mountain bike scene. Between the trails, and the Baja itself, the Hooligans are out almost every weekend investing their time and resources in our trail system, with no recompense or payment.They do it because they love riding bikes. I look up to that. It's a clear and simply motivation, and because of it, the Hooligans do a lot of awesome things, and generally don't receive the thanks they deserve. They make an effort not to include their names anywhere, and are all known instead as friends of Steve Justice. The Baja specifically is the only race of its kind in Richmond, and is a fairly unique event nationally, which makes it that much cooler.


The Baja is a pretty inclusive event, and that mentality of inclusivity is what drew me to cycling in the first place. The Hooligans are friendly dudes. The people that race the Baja are friendly people. More so, the race is set up in a way that encourages everyone from beginners to pros. There's a full length, and half length course, and while neither is a walk in the park, they are both definitely do-able. Between that, the proximity of the race to the city, and the overall 'vibe' the event puts offs, it really is meant for everyone. I can say after working as a volunteer and riding a lot of the course this year, that there were no negative experiences. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and all of the racers, riders, tourists, promoters, and Hooligans were just out to have a good time, and it showed.
The best thing about the Baja, and the Hooligans is the DIY ethic that oozes from everything they do. To me, more than anything this is what cycling is about. Want to ride 20 miles? Go do it. Want to learn how to mountain bike? Go fall until you get it right. Cycling for me was and still is a school of hard knocks. I was super fat when I starting riding, and it was only through dragging myself around for an hour or so every day that I got to where I am today. Cycling forces you to rely on yourself. No one can log the miles but you. An adventure race like the Baja really brings this mentality to the forefront. 100 miles is long on a road bike. It's daunting on single track. That combined with the fact that you are responsible for all nutrition, water, and navigation, along with any mechanical failures that may occur make the Baja a tough and unique event. The Hooligans doing a great job not making seem impossible though. With volunteers like myself, and other Hooligans stretched out across the course, there are just enough checkpoints to reassure the riders that they're going the right way.
While working my checkpoints during the last race, I found myself oscillating between encouraging riders who were hurting, and having lighthearted conversations with the guys and gals that were doing just fine and had stopped to grab a beer. It was a blast, and felt like exactly what a bike race should feel like. The Baja reminded me that they're exactly that, bikes, a means to have fun, and get outside. It's easy to get sucked up in gear talk, and racing and numbers, and the Baja sort of throws a lot of that out the window, and brings back the awesome.
-Friend of Steve Justice"

VES 3-Lap Zwift RACE | Start = 5:30am EST February 20, 2015

All riders, worldwide, are welcome and encouraged to participate.

We will do 1 warm-up lap, I will pace it (C.Insane_O) and keep it under 200w for the whole lap. The warm-up lap will start promptly at 5:30am and our race group will stay together for the whole lap. As soon as we cross the finish line the 3-Lap race is on! Go after it!

If you're participating comment on the VES 3-Lap Zwift Race post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/virginiaenduranceseries to let me know AND post your finishing time in EST. We will all have an identical start time so the EST finish time will be used to calculate the results, which I will post here, on Facebook and on the Virginia Endurance Series website by 9am tomorrow / Friday / following the race. If you don't use Facebook just comment here.

The Virginia Endurance Series www.virginiaenduranceseries.com is a FREE year-round series of primarily backcountry adventure mountain bike rides. VES kicks off every year with a Global 50-day Ride Challenge (ride at least an hour a day, every day, from Jan 1 thru Feb 19). Everyone is finishing the 50-Day challenge today Feb 19 so this RACE is a chance to show everyone what you've got!

**POSTPONED** The Stamstad Ride | FREE Event #2 (Plan B) in the Virginia Endurance Series

The forecasted temps have dropped significantly (from what were their already low predictions) AND this mtb route is absolutely kick ass incredible, you've gotta ride it, yes that good. So, we're postponing it, and we will announce a new date ASAP. 

Yes it's going to be cold, awesome cold, and this is going to be an awesome backcountry adventure ride.

We will be climbing immediately from the parking lot on singletrack, and the killer DH at the end of the ride brings us right back to the cars. This is an ideal cold weather route!

Start Location: Day Creek Recreation Area
http://goo.gl/maps/LUE8y
Incredibly easy to get to!

Start Time: 10am

Full Route = 35 miles / 6730 feet (roughly 4-5 hours) and there are tons of ride shortening options.

Overview

Start / Finish

Spec Mines / Bobblets Gap

Mine Shaft

2.15.15 The Pantani Ride **POSTPONED** | FREE Event #2 in the Virginia Endurance Series

**POSTPONED** 2.15.15 Pantani X or XI 2015

Map & Cue Sheet: LINK (11x17 PDF)
GPX File: LINK

PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR POSTPONEMENT DETAILS

Please visit the following sites for all event details:

Facebook: LINK

BLOG: LINK

When: 11 AM Sunday 2/15/15
Where: 551 Allen Rd Earlysville VA 22936

Not a backcountry mountain biking event, but it is a FREE, epic, mettle challenging ride to celebrate all that is suffering on big climbs in honor of Marco.

Drugs, doping, overdoses aside....dude could ride a bike. Be there!

Thank you Bill Hazlegrove www.hazlegroveagency.com for pouring
your time and talent into yet another VES map masterpiece!

What bike to bring?

Gordon Wadsworth: I rode the Superfly HT (Trek Carbon Hardtail 29er MTB) last year and found it spot on. Whatever you bring, bring legs!!!

Shawn Tevendale: I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND a full on road bike unless you have big tires and a lot of gears. Sections of the climb approach 20% and the descents can be loose and have breaking ruts, low marks, rogue animals, and wayward hunting vehicles. Gravel, Gravel, more Gravel.....so....that said.....can a road bike do it: yes, and they have and will....but you had better be a damn good rider on one and be willing to possibly hike some sections....so don't come with new speedplay cleats on unless you really want to break them in.

fine print
as you all know, this is not a sanctioned, official, real, anything at all. It is just a for fun ride on bikes that happens to see people trying to ride fast against each other. We can't call it a race for legal reasons, so we won't. You could die on this or any other ride....you can't sue us. this is just for fun, nothing more....Marco would go, so should you.

POSTPONED - Linger Not will occur TBD 2015

 

 

Here is the Berfday Ride! a two county tour, from Bland to Giles and back

Date: March 1st. 2015
Start Time is 7:00A.M
Starting location directions:
From I-...77: Near Wytheville, take the Bastian Exit (Exit 58) and go west toward Bastian. Take a left on US 52, then an immediate right on Grapefield Road (SR 614). Travel 3½ miles to the day use area on the left, just past Camp Roland.

Web site for start: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/null/recarea/?recid=74041&actid=71

Summary:
We will be riding from the Wolf Creek Day Use Area climbing up the backside of Round Mtn. (trail Corkscrew). After a short tour of this area we will travel East towards Dismal Falls in Giles County via forest service roads and a rutty/muddy jeep ridge road known as Hogback. After a short tour of the Dismal Area we have a convenience store with a deli! The return path will parallel Hogback, but take a much easier and mostly paved path back on Kimberling Creek to route 52 and our final push back to the cars.

Link below  (GPX File) for the route we completed last year (with a few mistaken tour turns that will not be featured this year:). The route was recorded using a Garmin device thing so uploading a copy should get you through the route if that is your thang. It's not mine and the fancy device was not on my bike so that is all I can provide for further detailed questions. Rob can help with that though if you have questions.

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/

 

The ride will start with Round Mtn. area and include my best selection of this area (Corkscrew, Goose, Meadow, Chimney, Genesis, Wheels Up, Salamander, Beauty, Goose, South Fork...in that order!). If you are not up for the full pull I hope to have some tour guides for just this area.

 

 

 

 After Round Mtn. we ride mostly dirt to Dismal Falls Area. A map of the area with trails can be found on the Nat Geo Map #787. We will be entering from the 'backside' of the area via Pumpkin Center (SR609 & SR677 both paved back country roads) after Hogback and proceeding towards Nobusiness Creek (SR 677 to 606, dirt). From there we make are way to the top of Sugar Run Mountain and will drop in on Ribble Trail (40 on map). This is the approximate mid point of the ride.

Pic of my #787. Ignore the handwriting or be ready for an ADVENTURE.

REFUEL OPPORTUNITY - SR201 will be our dirt road exit of this area and a convenience store with a deli is at the bottom of the mountain (soon as we hit pavement look left and you can't miss the store). After fueling up we ride mostly pavement on some nice backcountry roads through Kimberling Creek area (paralleling/backtracking just below Hogback).

The original "plan" last year was to ride back the way we came from Round Mtn., climb up from Suiter and drop back down Corkscrew. Time and major storms rolling in convinced us to take the route we did (more pavement) after crossing back over I77 (i.e. drop Rt 52 and back out 614 to cars). Full route (more dirt) is an option...we'll see what happens.

Here are some pics of previous tours/rides in the area to get the sike going!

A view of Round Mtn. from Hogback

 

Another view of Round Mtn. different day; from Hogback

...this could be possible--pucker up buttercup

 

 

pleasant amenities

Dismal Falls

mountain signs

this is why we shall Linger Not!

 

 

cheers. cya out there.

 

hatchett

 

 

1.11.15 The Crunge | FREE Event #2 in the Virginia Endurance Series

• 8am Enduro Pace 50 miles | Map | Spot Tracking | GPX 1 2 | Ride Leader: Rob Issem
• 8am Fast / Race Pace 50 miles | Ride Leader: TBD
• 10am Party Pace 11.5 miles | Route | Map | GPX | Ride Leader: Jerry Calvert

The Crunge 50 Details:

Description: Gorgeous and very challenging backcountry adventure mtb ride. The route includes the Iron Ore, Hoop Hole, Patterson and Price trail segments of the Great Virginia Mountain Bike Trail. Last week 3 crews put 114+ man hours into clearing, marking and improving the trail systems that comprise this route. All systems are primed and riding better than ever for you to enjoy! Join us Sunday 1.11.15 on our 2nd attempt to ride the route that's now been officially named and designated "The Crunge" by the USFS.

Start from the parking lot on Craig Creek Rd / 615 just off 220 http://goo.gl/maps/MyAIC
1-246 Craig Creek Rd, Eagle Rock, VA 24085

Maps: Full Route Map + Cue Sheet PDF (designed to be 11x17 color printed).
Area Maps: Roaring Run / Hoop Hole: MAP PDF | Patterson Creek Trail System: MAP PDF | TI #788 http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_788

46 mile ride start location: 1-246 Craig Creek Rd, Eagle Rock, VA 24085

Click here for a high-resolution printable PDF of the map & cue sheet below.

Some will attempt the whole 50 mile adventure, others will enjoy one of the many fantastic shorter options ...

Patterson Creek Trail System: MAP PDF

Roaring Run / Hoop Hole: MAP PDF

Roaring Run + Hoop Hole + Patterson + Price (46 miles)