iamthetas

I went to Pocahontas park today(finally).here are a couple of pics of the beginner trail.I did not take any of the intermediate because I was too busy having the ride of the year so far.we got a big storm last night so the roots were kind of slippery as well as the big rocks so it was a blast.it is my favorite place to ride but I dont get to go as often as I want.I took the long route to get there(5.6miles),rode the beginner twice(3 miles ea.),the intermediate twice(4 miles ea.) then the 5.6 out plus found a new fire road that runs parralel to the rode into the park so i was able to get another 3+ miles.man am i tired though.if any body is ever in central va. it is worth the effort to go here.

iamthetas

I took them on water breaks because it got up to 90hot here today.it was nice up till about 9am then it was drink and sweat.went thru my camelback water quick plus had a liter bottle and a water filter for creek water plus drank up on the way there.it was a good day to be alive ill tell ya

Xtreme Biker

Pictures don't do justice, huh? I once took alot of digital images on a ride, rushed home eager to see them, then was so let down to realize that there's nothing like being there in person.... Some of the downhill sections appeared to be almost level in the pics!

iamthetas

thats why i sent a few.I hope it just reminds people of a great trail or ride.a picture may be worth a thousand words but a ride is better than a thousand pictures.the roots and twisty,skinny turns of pocahontas are not in the pics,or the exilleration of being there.plus its a cellphone i used

hanshananigan

For those who may consider riding this trail, the pics do not do the highlights justice (but nice of you to post them, iamthetas!). Since the hurricane, the crews have done a fantastic job with the trails. The intermediate is just right for me- mostly fast, with winding climbs and a few rock/logpiles and whoopdy-doos. A few places to catch a foot or so of air, too. The expert trail is still under construction and is mostly beyond me- it includes ladders, drops and such. Designers are trying to get permission to build a "skills course" at the entrance, to give a taste of what each trail entails before riders commit.

For anyone within a day's drive, Pocahantas is a state park and has camping as well.

iamthetas

it is a nice place to camp too.I understand there were over 3000 trees across the fire roads after Isabell.my favorite place to go(the place i sent pics of after all the rain) other than Pocahontas is down to only 1 path open now due to some trees falling in the t-storm last friday.Battlefild Park also has 3 trails closed right now due to fallen trees.they were "leaners" left over from Isabell.the people that cleaned up in Pocahontas did a great job on the bike trails as well as the fire roads throughout the park.only problem there now is starting July 1 you have to pay for using the park even if you park outside of the park(it used to be free to use the park but $4 parking inside the park fee)its $4 a day or $33 for a season pass.if you camp there its included in the $20 fee to camp..it is worth the trip for sure

iamthetas

I went back today and met up with a couple of guys named Gary and Rob and we rode on the intemediate trail.about half way thru we saw a turtle and at the end we saw "KILLER".they showed me how to get over that uphill log that I asked about a while ago as well as some other pointers for making a great time even better.thanks guys and I hope to see others from around there again.photo 1 is Gary(left) and Rob(right) chasing "KILLER" and photo2 is "KILLER" being held by Gary.we let him go after he bit Rob on the hand.

hanshananigan

Thanks for the pics, iamthetas.
I'm going to try to take some pics of the Buttermilk, etc. on the XTerra course and post them soon. I figure many folks are gearing up for one of the races during the XTerra weekend. It's actually getting dangerous down there, with so many riders going both ways and little visibility.