RR: Aye Caramba!

[Ride-A-Lot]

[INLINE VERSION AVAILABLE HERE: http://tinyurl.com/dn3lb]

2/5/06 - Wharton State Forest, NJ

We met up with some of the Delaware Trailspinners to show them some more
ridable (even when wet) terrain. There were eight of us heading out
with Jeff and I leading the group around this huge forest. The sandy
roads were damp, but ridable. We ride up Quakerbridge Road to the red
trail entrance. Things were a bit chewed up from enduro riders which
made the already soft sand worse. But we kept going.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3296

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3297

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3299

Were were not even three miles in and my thighs were burning. Don't let
anyone tell you that just because it's flat, it's not a workout. The
sand was simulating a Colorado climb. Even downhills required a workout
just to move. The warm temps here have made pineland riding difficult
this year.

The red trail eventually puts us out on some doubletrack which was a
little more firmer.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3202

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3203

We could have opted for the purple trail but instead I suggested we
explore a less traveled fire cut. Everyone was in agreement and after a
mile in I was regretting it. We were heading toward the Mullica River
which meant it was getting more sandy with every pedal. Eventually we
reach the river and stop to rest our legs.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3304

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG 3305

We then proceed to head to the Batsto Village, but another firecut
catches the eye of Jeff. Didn't we already learn our lesson? Obviously
not as we turn onto the deepest and sandiest fire cut I have ever
ridden. I think climbing a paved 4000' 7% grade would be easier.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG 3306

But it's all good and there's still smiles on everyones faces.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3307

Back at Quakerbridge Road we head off to the White Trail, home to the
180' climb. This trail makes good use of what little hill there his by
undulating up and down and around numerous times without crossing
itself. It's also true singletrack and not nasty fire cut.

There was a planned burn in this section recently so everything smells
like roasted marshmallows.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3312

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3313

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3314

At this point we lose one of the singlespeeders (I opt out today and I
am glad I did - the sand was killer) to a broken chain. With no extra 8
speed links he's dead in the water. We continue on to the blue trail
road to regroup and decide a course of action.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3315

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/wharton/IMG_3316

Back at the road I suggest heading down to the rail bed and back to the
car would be the shortest route. Then they could drive up Quakerbridge
and pick up the broken rig. If you have a mechanical here it's a long
way out no matter where you are. I am overruled as we head back up the
hill (on the road) to the start of the White trail. We wait a short
time and the others come out with the broken rig. As the guide, I go
with another rider back to the car on the road. It was a long ride
back! The rails would have been half the distance.

Aye Caramba! My legs were burning like I had ridden 40 miles uphill!

Sand just sucks the life out of you.

--
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