BackLoafRiver
New member
I'll cut right to the chase...KT is every bit as good as people have said, and more.
Ended up riding solo. Parked behind the welcome center and went to get my day pass. ($10 is a freaking steal. I should have bought the seasons pass just to support the cause) I asked the guy working the desk to recommend a 3 hour loop.
Geared up and hit the road by 9. He warned me the first climb was going to suck. Period. My route was SUPPOSED to be = East Darling Hill Road -> Darling Hill -> Harp -> Coronary Bypass -> Pastore Point Loop -> Bog Meadow -> Coronary -> Bemis -> Tap and Die -> River Walk -> Webs -> West Branch -> Hogback -> Sidewinder -> Old Webs -> Vast -> Culvert Cut -> Vast -> Bill Magill -> Pines -> Vast - Beat Bog -> Kitchell -> Done.
Made it to Hogback before things started going south. I was riding much slower than the 3 hour pace. I bypassed Sidewinder (a huge mistake) to hit Old Webs. At the crest of the Old Webs climb there is a little tent where a local sells drinks and food. I had to stop as I was dying. You can also refill your camelback here. Super necessary. I was out of water. Old Webs coming down was easily one of the most enjoyable things I have done on a bike. Nothing tech...just FAST, flowy, and you can hit some jumps dirt bike style. Sweeping switchbacks, nice bermed up corners....so much fun.
Unfortunately, my legs were fading fast. As I did the Border trail and then Vast, my stomach started to churn and things went south. Mother nature was making a call and I had no idea what to do. There was a ton of walking. I couldnt sit for fear of bad things happening. By the time I hit Bill Magill, I had to get out...fast. I couldn't pedal any more and could barely move. No good. Has this ever happened to any of you?
By the time I made it back to the lot, I had done just over 15 miles and 2060' climbed in 3 hours. Slow pace but I think if I hadn't had "issues", I would have been fine. A couple of quick notes:
1) Tap and Die is amazing.
2) I couldn't hit Ketchel whhich is supposed to be their "marquee" trail. This made me super sad.
3) Webs and Old Webs are fantastic!!!!
4) Coronary is serious buisiness. I bypassed the first section but there are some tough climbs I hit. Awfully hard.
It was a great ride, aside from the obvious. I will post the few pics I have when I get home. I didn't stop too much for photos because the riding was so good. I am psyched to get back there in 2 weeks!!!!
Ended up riding solo. Parked behind the welcome center and went to get my day pass. ($10 is a freaking steal. I should have bought the seasons pass just to support the cause) I asked the guy working the desk to recommend a 3 hour loop.
Geared up and hit the road by 9. He warned me the first climb was going to suck. Period. My route was SUPPOSED to be = East Darling Hill Road -> Darling Hill -> Harp -> Coronary Bypass -> Pastore Point Loop -> Bog Meadow -> Coronary -> Bemis -> Tap and Die -> River Walk -> Webs -> West Branch -> Hogback -> Sidewinder -> Old Webs -> Vast -> Culvert Cut -> Vast -> Bill Magill -> Pines -> Vast - Beat Bog -> Kitchell -> Done.
Made it to Hogback before things started going south. I was riding much slower than the 3 hour pace. I bypassed Sidewinder (a huge mistake) to hit Old Webs. At the crest of the Old Webs climb there is a little tent where a local sells drinks and food. I had to stop as I was dying. You can also refill your camelback here. Super necessary. I was out of water. Old Webs coming down was easily one of the most enjoyable things I have done on a bike. Nothing tech...just FAST, flowy, and you can hit some jumps dirt bike style. Sweeping switchbacks, nice bermed up corners....so much fun.
Unfortunately, my legs were fading fast. As I did the Border trail and then Vast, my stomach started to churn and things went south. Mother nature was making a call and I had no idea what to do. There was a ton of walking. I couldnt sit for fear of bad things happening. By the time I hit Bill Magill, I had to get out...fast. I couldn't pedal any more and could barely move. No good. Has this ever happened to any of you?
By the time I made it back to the lot, I had done just over 15 miles and 2060' climbed in 3 hours. Slow pace but I think if I hadn't had "issues", I would have been fine. A couple of quick notes:
1) Tap and Die is amazing.
2) I couldn't hit Ketchel whhich is supposed to be their "marquee" trail. This made me super sad.
3) Webs and Old Webs are fantastic!!!!
4) Coronary is serious buisiness. I bypassed the first section but there are some tough climbs I hit. Awfully hard.
It was a great ride, aside from the obvious. I will post the few pics I have when I get home. I didn't stop too much for photos because the riding was so good. I am psyched to get back there in 2 weeks!!!!
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