Shade Mountain / 3-10

[windyhill]

I'm in. Nice weather's got me wanting to ride!

[BigBird]

OLD guy on Frankenbeta plans to be there

[Skinny-J]

BB,

How does Shade compare to the 7 Mts Ramble Trail? Last fall we took some big 650's around the Ramble trail and except for one ridge line on the east side over by Troxelville, I didn't think the rocks were too bad. Its not that the rocks bother me, especially now that I have a lighter 450, but at least to me, riding all rocks - all day just isn't that much fun. From the way people talk, will my tires touch any dirt in between the rocks at Shade?

Thanks
J

[Boom Boom]

The north side of the loop is just a good single track enduro trail with a couple rock patches, good second gear stuff with some minor elevation change to keep it fun, overall good stuff.
The south side where you ride from the parking lot you have 3 options, one will take you direct to the north side and it is jeep wide and the easiest.
The middle trail has some minor rock gardens to roll through and then just average challange the expert trail to the far south will seperate men from boys but does have bail outs to the middle trail before it gets to the hardest section.
The eastern section of the south trail has a couple harder sections but again a bail out to the north (easier side) before the more challanging area starts.
450 and smaller bikes are good fun, a 650 can ride the average stuff but would not be all that much fun trying the expert trails.
Simple loop and modestly easy to follow.
Outer loop is around 20 miles and if running at a good clip expect 2+ hours to make it.
Lots of inner trails to mix up the options and if anyone says they want more challange I can always point out Mitchel trail and the old log slide, good butt pucker factor for sure.
It is free and the only state land in PA where non plated bikes are allowed to ride. We work hard to keep it open for all to enjoy.
The upper ridge close to Troxelville you mentioned is far more rocky than the enduro trail (north side) of Shade. Good fun to ride one direction and then run backwards and time yourself.

[Skinny-J]

The north side of the loop is just a good single track enduro trail with a couple rock patches, good second gear stuff with some minor elevation change to keep it fun, overall good stuff.
The south side where you ride from the parking lot you have 3 options, one will take you direct to the north side and it is jeep wide and the easiest.
The middle trail has some minor rock gardens to roll through and then just average challange the expert trail to the far south will seperate men from boys but does have bail outs to the middle trail before it gets to the hardest section.
The eastern section of the south trail has a couple harder sections but again a bail out to the north (easier side) before the more challanging area starts.
450 and smaller bikes are good fun, a 650 can ride the average stuff but would not be all that much fun trying the expert trails.
Simple loop and modestly easy to follow.
Outer loop is around 20 miles and if running at a good clip expect 2+ hours to make it.
Lots of inner trails to mix up the options and if anyone says they want more challange I can always point out Mitchel trail and the old log slide, good butt pucker factor for sure.
It is free and the only state land in PA where non plated bikes are allowed to ride. We work hard to keep it open for all to enjoy.
The upper ridge close to Troxelville you mentioned is far more rocky than the enduro trail (north side) of Shade. Good fun to ride one direction and then run backwards and time yourself.

Sounds cool, I am in. It will at least be good to ride Shade once before they close it for good which would not surprise me the way things are going...

I am catching a ride with Windyhill; we'll see you at 9:30!

[Bucho]

I'm jealous, wish I was going...

[Boom Boom]

I will bring my grill along, feel free to bring anything you want to grill up for lunch or after ride.

[phoo]

Aw, man. I so wish I could go. Sounds awesome. Have fun, guys!

At least I'll hopefully have my kids riding the minibike in the yard. "Okay, kids. Daddy wants to go for a ride but can't, so you guys ride around a while so he can live vicariously through you." must... not... push... too... hard......... :)


~Patrick

[Magilla400]

Do we have any idea how many of us are there? It looks like it might be a pretty good group...

[windyhill]

J and Magilla, good meeting and riding with you. Great riding with the whole group. A little cold in the morning, but the trails were excellent. I'm a little sore this morning, might have something to do with that tree I ran into!