Loved this photo so I figured I would post. Since the map is posted I am going to have to go ride it a bit.
http://www.sswc05.com/images/bikeforest.jpg

Check it all out at www.sswc05.com

27.5 miles woo hoo

Yo. If you do ride it, post your impressions. :)

Will do. I used to ride these trails all the time but haven't for about 10-15 years now so I am sure they are much different. Looks like they are making use of a bunch of the fire roads which there are tons but there are also tons of trails in there too. Being new to SS 27.5 miles in the mountains seems like a lot...am I wrong? I haven't been out there yet but the current word on trail conditions in that area is that they aren't good yet. Still a lot of snow and ice on the ground out in the mountains and if that is all going it will be just STUPID muddy.

I will report after I ride it.

Get your climbing legs ready. Looking at the map you start out and climb 600' over probably 8 miles, there there is a decent for probably 2 or 3 miles then 700' climb over maybe 4-5 miles. Flat for a bit then a 600' decent and then you climb it all back in about 2-3 miles. Then another decent followed by 500' of climbs over about 6-8 miles followed by another short flat then another decent. Guess what you climb again, back up another 500' over about 4-6 miles then you decend back to the start/finish.

Would this be pretty typical of a SS ride? 2500-3000 feet of climbing. We are all doing that on a regular basis on our SS right? :D

Thanks for the kind words. Thats my photo... Prints are available, one hangs in Mt Nittany Wheelworks in State College.

The trails out thee are something else... Come one, come all. SSWC05 is going to be incredible.

-brad

im gonna try and be there! climbing is the best part!

except for the even BETTER part where you get to stop climbing at the top of the hill and COAST back down to the bottom ;)

i'll be there! it sounds awesome... i DO need to do some more 25+ mile rides between now and then, because i bet that is gonna be 25 LOOONG technical rocky miles...

how long did it take to set up that shoot? and with how many people....just curious

Set up? What set up?

I took that shot at the beginning of the ECNASSCU Part Deuz last May in State College. While everyone else was getting running down to their bikes at the start, I noticed how the bikes were lined up and started shooting. I managed to take three pictures before everyone ran in and claimed their machines.

One of my favorite shots I've ever taken.

-brad

excellent...i'd thought that you had set the whole thing up for a shot..not that you took pics before a start of an actual even.....great pic....

grasschopper-
would you be willing to take me and some others on a tour of the loop months before the actual race? im interested in checking it out before race day so i know how not-ready i am.

Sure but you have to promise not to make fun of the fat slow guy. :D

I guess I should also add to my post saying I would scout the trail and lead a tour is that the latest word...as of this afternoon, is that this area is nearly unrideable. There is still a very little bit of snow in some areas and there are a lot of trees down. Talk at the shop was that it would probably be about a month before it was really rideable. I will update as I have more info.

Well this stinks. It snowed and it looks like ti may snow some more. Didn't lay down a lot but it will still make things tough to ride. Next week I am going to Charlotte for a vacation so maybe by the time I get back it will be rideable.