6.21.15 SVBC Project Showcase - Lookout, Wolf & Narrowback | FREE Event #5 in the Virginia Endurance Series

PICTURES FROM THE 2014 RIDE
(If you have pictures to add to this DropBox folder please email robertissem@gmail.com and I'll add you as a contributor.)

Date: Sunday June 21, 2015
Start Time: 9am
Start Location: Wild Oak Trailhead Parking http://goo.gl/maps/bZXEM
PDF Map w Cue Sheet (ideally printed on 11x17 paper): LINK

Mark your calendars, this VES features 3 route length options (13, 30 & 43 miles) and some of the very best mountain biking anywhere!

Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) continues to make a huge impact on trails all over the Harrisonburg, VA region and particularly in the George Washington National Forest. Through SVBC's model partnership with the USFS, some amazing results have been produced. SVBC's work in the North River District of GWNF is ongoing, with the club maintaining even the remotest of trails. Also, monetary contributions secured through the RTP and other sources have funded projects a grand scale and optimized the riding experience.

Great article on the riding in this region of VA: Virginia's new mountain biking mecca | GrindTV.com


Support the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coaliton Recreational Trails Program! from Shenandoah Bicycle on Vimeo.

3 Length Options: All Start at the Wild Oak Trailhead Parking area.

• Lookout Mountain Loop (13.1mi | 1681ft): 
• http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/3770932/lookout-mountain-loop
• ALL ride lengths start together (just like we did at the Terrapin Mountain Predicament) and ride the Lookout Mountain Loop.
• Check out this video: http://vimeo.com/adventureseen/lookout 
• Lookout + Narrowback (30.1 mi | 3800ft): 
• http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/3771756/narrowback-mountain-loop
• After completing the Lookout Mountain Loop, 30 and 43 mile riders will restock at their cars, then head north on Tillman Rd toward Narrowback, ride the Narrowback Mountain Loop and then finish with an easy downhill back to the Wild Oak Parking. 
• Lookout + Wolf + Narrowback (43mi | 5800ft): 
• http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4296723/wolf-ridge-loop
• From Lookout, as riders head north on Tillman Rd they pass the Dog Graveyard to 924 Briery Branch Rd, do the Wolf Ridge Loop, then right onto Tillman Rd, ride the Narrowback loop and finish with an easy downhill back to the Wild Oak Parking.

Install the MTBProject APP on your Android or iPhone: LINK and download each of the above rides!

What does it do?

• Complete maps, vertical profiles, descriptions, and photos for every Ride and Trail
• Send a Ride or Trail to the phone, and it will be there next time you open the app
• Sync your To-Do list & Check-Ins
• Out on your ride, your location appears right on the trail - you will never get lost!
• Works with no cell signal, including all mapping and geolocating features

DOUBLE DAWG DARE Update

we DOUBLE DAWG DARE you to ride this...

New and improved starting location, same great ride with a bonus Old Farm start/finish!

This is a 2 day VES event. Folks will start to roll into the beautiful Slamhouse located at 2700 Meadowbrook Drive, Blacksburg on Saturday afternoon. Sharing this amazing location are our hosts this year Graham, Tommy and Stephan. In addition to the sweet events on the flyer we will likely be rolling a 10-15 mile road bike party (road bikes not required) on Saturday as well. NO pace lines, NO bitchin about terrain choice. Also, bring your game for some dual slalom downhill slopeside racin behind the barn next to the pump track as well.

If interested, bring food for the grill for after the delicious ride on Sunday. We have volunteer(s), JP Gannon (the oh so liberal croquet official himself) that is willing to get the goods ready as we finish up the ride! Bring what you like, he'll "allow it".

See you there!

We hope to pull together an updated VES quality map soon...

Thank you! And, I'm thrilled to announce ... jerseys that are even cooler!!!

Thanks so so much to everyone that came out to the Terrapin Mountain Predicament. I especially want to thank Bill Hazlegrove our VES cartographer superhero and the legend Kyle Inman, the creator of the TMP route.

I can't tell you how many revision, enhancement and tweak requests Bill has to endure and parlay into a thing of beauty for every VES. The Narrows map was the most beautiful we'd made at that point, the TMP map is even more gorgeous AND it adds a number of outstanding navigational assistance features which enable mountain bikers to only carry this map and successfully navigate loads of unmarked backcountry trails. There's no way to thank Bill enough for the massive amount of time he invests / volunteers so that we all can have a blast in the woods on our bikes.

And, a little over a year ago Kyle Inman crafted the TMP route expressly for the Virginia Endurance Series by masterfully linking together rides that he and his friends have secretly enjoyed for years. I trust Kyle like none other when it comes to course creation. He knows what's best, he knows where it is and his routing optimizes the experience of the rider. Don't take my word on this though, go race the XXC at Kyle's "Middle Mountain Mamma" on May 4th http://www.mountainbikevirginia.com/MiddleMountainMomma.htm

I've been telling everyone that we're going to do another order of VES Factory Team clothing, and we are, but since we're moving toward the hottest months of the year, today I asked Bill Hazlegrove to create a new design using white as a primary color expressly to optimize rider comfort and performance during hot weather.

Not only did Bill deliver, but he took the bold, distinctive good looks of the VES Factory Team jersey to another level of "cool". I couldn't be more excited to introduce the 2014 VES Factory Team "Cool" Jersey:

The *new* VES Factory Team "Cool" design jersey has also been FREE upgraded with 4-way stretch lycra side panels (the same material used in the F1 Aero jerseys) by Starlight to further optimize rider comfort and performance when its hot outside.

And, we're also re-ordering shorts and bibs. These will be unchanged (see below) and will look phenomenal with all three VES Factory Team Jersey designs. 

This round of VES Factory Team clothing will just consist of the "Cool" jersey design, bibs and shorts. Women's, Men's and Youth sizes are available, and all items are club fit. 

Regarding fit, we want you to look fantastic and for your gear to fit and feel exactly the way you'd like, therefore I highly recommend stopping by Starlight Bicycles (1502 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 2401) and getting fit / trying on their club fit gear. Also, I will be bringing a fit kit to the 4/28 Double Dawg Dare VES Event so you anyone interested can try on items.

We would love for you to be part of the VES Factory Team. 

The VES 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.

Our VES Factory Team is a completely inclusive group of riders, adventurers and titans of mtb fun! If the VES mission sounds and feels good to you, then we would love for you to join the VES Factory Team and you're welcome and encouraged to order team clothing at cost. VES Factory Team members can also be on other club, shop, race, junior or high school teams.

In addition, for every VES clothing item purchased, Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel will donate $5 to IMBA the International Mountain Biking Association!

PRICES: (All prices are cost and Starlight will donate $5 to IMBA for every VES clothing item ordered.)

• SS Jersey = $50
• Bibs = $65
• Shorts = $60

To order, email robertissem@gmail.com, include the items, quantities and sizes that you want and a shipping address if you would like the item shipped to you upon arrival (shipping is $6).

This order will be placed Monday 4/29, the turn around time is roughly 4 weeks, so we should have our "cool" new jerseys before the end of May!

Thank you so much for your support! Let's Ride!!!!!

DATE CHANGE: 4.27.14 Double Dawg Dare | FREE Event #4 in Virginia's Mountain Biking Endurance Series

Date: Sunday, 4.27.14
Link: DDD Facebook Event Page

The route connects the incredible trails of the Rowdy Dawg and Dirty Dawg mountain bike races, showcasing many of the best trails in the Blacksburg area.

Endurance Gear Review: OneUp Components 42T+16T Wide Range 10-Speed Cassette Upgrade [Initial Impression]

I believe the new wave of 42T cogs is hugely applicable to adventure / endurance / backcountry mountain bikers who are often riding trail, all-mountain bikes or enduro bikes, carrying lots of gear, and, attempting to ride steep extend climbs to get to bliss-inducing ridgeline rides and downhills tears.

You know the feeling. You're struggling to stay on your bike on a tough climb, it's looking like you're going to have to submit, to get off and push the rest of the way, you press the shifter hoping that somehow there's another gear ... but there's not, and in a few more feet you're off the bike and pushing.

Enter the new wave of 42T cogs and that extra gear IS there. You're now able to stay on your bike longer, you sit and spin and ride! You're not going to be flying up the climbs in a 42, but you are going to stay on your bike longer - ride more, push less.

I've been riding / testing the Wolf Tooth GC 42T (Giant Cog) and just today I received the newest gear from OneUp www.oneupcomponents.com. 

OneUp's offering is unique in that it now comes with *both* 42 and 16T cogs, enabling users to remove both the 15 and 17T cogs and replace them both with their 16T.

Previously both OneUp and Wolf Tooth instructed riders to remove the 17T to make room for the 42T, BUT, that left a 15T to 19T shift, which was the worst on the cassette and I personally felt like it was an uncomfortable shift gap.

The alternative (which I did) was removing the 11T and purchasing a 13T final cog and a larger lockring. I sourced both from Miche at a cost of roughly $10 each. This does result in fantastic shift performance across the entire 13-42 cassette, but, for many riders losing the 11T is far less than ideal.

Enter the new custom 16T OneUp final cog. Keep the 11T, add the OneUp 42T, replace both the 15 and 17T cogs with the OneUp 16T, and ... enjoy a no compromise wide range 11-42 cassette.

In theory, OneUp has just created the most user friendly, functional and cost effective 10-speed cassette upgrade that's on the market today ... effectively OneUp-ing all of their competition.

Check back soon for my ride / trail / torture test report on the brand new OneUp 42+16 setup.

4.13.14 Predicament 2 | FREE Bonus Event in the Virginia Endurance Series

Update: The weather is looking amazing for this coming Sunday! At 9am: Richard Blackwood will be leading the 14+ mile (advanced slacker option - i.e. gorgeous trails, challenging terrain, party pace), Stephen Johnson will be leading the 25 mile "Up and Over" option and Rob Issem will be leading the 41 mile full-route. All 3 of these options will start here http://goo.gl/maps/k6hVT as depicted in the map below. AND at 10am: Kyle Inman will be leading a 4th option, gathering at the Sunset Field Overlook on the BRP, waiting for the riders to come up from N.Creek and then joining them for the Terrapin Mt and possibly the Onion Mt sections. All 4 options feature absolutely fantastic riding. Don't miss this opportunity to discover and ride some of the very best mountain biking in Virginia!

Location: Jefferson National Forest
near Arcadia, VA

Ride Parking / Meet Up Location:
37.54274,-79.585101
http://goo.gl/maps/k6hVT

Map & Cue Sheet: http://is.gd/UZvrPB

This is also RIMBA LDS (Local Destination Series) Ride #1 - ARCADIA, with guided 17, 25, 36 and 41 mile route options!


At 9am on Sunday April 13th mountain bike adventurers will embark on an attempt of "Terrapin Mountain Predicament"! The the "Full" route as crafted by living legend Kyle Inman is 41.9 miles with 9,995 feet of climbing. TripTik is below. | Link: Details & GPX file.

There are *loads* of ways to shorten this ride (shorter options are illustrated below) so come and enjoy as much adventure mountain biking goodness as you're up for!

New for 2014 is a 100+km ULTRA route 62.9 miles, +13,167 feet. This option is only possible for the most fit, experienced and skilled back country mountain bikers. ULTRA Route: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3.

Like all Virginia Endurance Series events, this is FREE! Be well fueled, super hydrated and ready to roll at 9am. Estimated ride time 6.5+ hours.

Printable high resolution PDF of the below map and cue sheet: LINK

Note: If you plan to do the full epic (to the summit of Terrapin and looping back) one stream crossing is may get your feet wet, so consider bringing an extra pair of socks.

*Top Tube Frame Sticker*
Legendary Jens Voigt quote and
Virginia Endurance Series mantra.
All riders will be handed one of
these stickers at the ride start.

TMP Full-Course Navigation: 41.9 miles | 9,995 feet
GPX File | How-To navigate with GPX Track Files using a Smartphone or Garmin 800/810

The National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map #789 (Lexington / Blue Ridge Mts) shows most of the Predicaments trails. A scanned copy, with the course marked in as best as I could, is below the TripTik.

The TripTik as written by the legend:

• Start/finish - bridge over North Creek past campground
• Go up dirt road to apple orchard trail, which begins with a wooden bridge.
• Sharp Right turn to stay on the trail.
• Take Apple Orchard trail 1.2 miles turn left to go over the wood bridge across the creek leading to Parker's Gap dead end.
• Take Parker's Gap dirt road 2.1 miles to intersection of FS 812.
• Right on 812 3.1 miles to BRP overlook.
• Go straight across parkway, look for trail/fire rd on left, go around gate and continue until trail opens up into a field, cross field and 
• Bear left (NE)out of field onto singletrack 3004 
• Singletrack opens to grassy 2 track, Salad Hill, still 3004
• Take 2 track several miles eventually passing through a gate. You will come back through this gate after tackling Terrapin Mt.
• Go 1 mile to Camping Gap. Terrapin Mt trail is on right, 
• go around gate to enter Terrapin Mt Trail, up a steeep climb for a few hundred feet, then turn left onto trail marked by yellow blaze to stay on trail (do not go straight).
• Take trail across ridge. 
• Gorgeous, technical, very sweet and stop to take in the stunning view off of the left side of the ridge from the rocks near the summit.
• Trail descent becomes a boulder strewn hike. I think very skilled back country rock riders could ride virtually all of this very technical descent. Classic.
• Trail dumps onto open road. You'll pick up a lot of speed and be having a blast. Keep your eyes peeled for trail 3009 on right, it's easy to blow by. If you reach a gate you've gone too far - trail is BEFORE gate.
• 3009 is a nice rolling contour trail around the base of Terrapin, beautiful with easily rideable stream crossings, until you reach the one before the gate. You can stay dry while crossing this one by walking from rock to rock.
• Go thru gate and turn right to climb along creek on fire road.
• Eventually arrive at a brisk creek that's wide (maybe 30 feet on 3/3/2013) and 1/2 wheel deep but rideable. You can walk across and stay dry on the left but it's a little tricky.
• After creek turn right onto trail, climbing, climbing, and then climbing.
• After a couple miles, a hard switchback right will appear. Take that, bringing you back to Camping Gap just feet from the Terrapin Mt trail from earlier.
• Take left back up dirt road 3004.
• Go through gate. Shortly thereafter spot fire road on right, White Oak Ridge 3011.
• 3011 will present a right turn option shortly thereafter. Stay left.
• Proceed upwards for about 2 miles, eventually arriving at BRP across from giant golf ball radar dome.
• Left on BRP to Sunset Field fire road on left, ridden earlier.
• This time, exit field to right, SW, on Onion Mt section of the horse trail.
• Trail will climb sharply at first. Stay alert for hard right turn once climbing eases. Trail is marked.
• Take rough singletrack about a mile to Overstreet road and falls.
• Take right, upwards, on Overstreet dirt road. Go 1.4 miles to BRP, mostly steep climbing.
• Take a right, north, on BRP, 2 miles back to Sunset Field overlook on left.
• Take Apple Orchard Falls trail from overlook down sweet, tech singletrack.
• Upon arriving at open fire road, take a left. Fire road descends for a bit, climbing abruptly near the end.
• Stay straight at top of steep climb onto Cornelius Creek Trail. Awesome, you are almost done!
• Go 2 miles down Cornelius Creek trail, eventually arriving back at North Creek road.
• Go down North Creek Road to bridge. Done.

The Terrapin Mountain Predicament Route Overview: 

(Red Arrows = Out, Blue Arrows = Return)

If you print the TripTik and the above map you have a good chance of staying on course.

Map of Ride Parking / Meet Up Location: 37.54274,-79.585101, http://goo.gl/maps/k6hVT

View Larger Map

North Creek and Cornelius Option Overview:

North Creek, Sunset Field, Onion Mt, Hereformost Mt, Apple Orchard & Cornelius Trail Option Overview:

North Creek, Sunset Field, White Oak Ridge, Apple Orchard & Cornelius Trail Option Overview:

3.2.14 Nobusiness Divide | FREE Event #3 in the Virginia Endurance Series

• What is the Virginia Endurance Series? LINK
• Date: Sunday 3/2/2014
• Start Time: 9am
• Start Location / Parking: http://goo.gl/maps/3vDO1 781 Northview St., Narrows, VA 24124
• MAP & CUE SHEET: High Resolution PDF (best printed on 11x17 or larger) LINK
• Route Overview: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3980116 
• GPX: http://is.gd/P7sGh3

Please Share Pictures & Videos: Documenting that the trails included in VES routes are used and loved by mountain bikers helps insure resources will be dedicated to maintaining, preserving and expanding them. Plus it's cool to look back at our adventures! It's easy as 1 - 2 - 3:

1. Join Dropbox: https://db.tt/kdMsoM2D
2. Send an email to robertissem@gmail.com so I can add you to the VES photo contributors.
3. Drop your pictures to this folder: 2014 Nobusiness Divide Pictures, & post links to videos in the comments and/or to the Facebook event page 

A Cliff Hatchett super special edition birthday VES ultra-mega tour of Mill Creek and Dismal Falls trail systems! Zero Pavement.

This is a super unique adventure mountain biking opportunity to ride phenomenal, gorgeous, remote trails - many of which were unmapped until Cliff worked with Bill to create the VES Nobusiness Divide Map & Cue Sheet below!

There are 12 mile, 25 mile and 45 mile route options and there are 2 bail out opportunities past the 25 mile point on the 45 mile route. The 45 mile option includes nearly 9,000 feet of climbing on rarely biked trails ... Shut up Legs!

There are no aid stations or opportunities for restocking.

Everyone attempting this should be sure to print the map & cue sheet so that if you somehow get lost and separated from all others you can self-navigate back to the start finish.

Map of start location:

View Larger Map