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.