The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Shredmonkey254]

plus the gear/rental shop employees and the cost of the rental fleet.

I think there has been tremendous growth in alternative trails both in the valley and elsewhere such that what SB has to offer is just not that attractive. New GH trails are necessary but I'm not sure they are sufficient to drive enough demand. I think they'd really need to make a splash with an extensive network of trails to get people to come to the mountain. And I assume trails in slidebrook are verboten.

I agree that the trails that SB has to offer are not that attractive. I've only done the lift served there twice over the years and both times thought I would prefer riding elsewhere in the valley or further away. Looking forward to using the two free lift served days at Killington this year that's included with our Ikon pass.

 

[kbroderick]

plus the gear/rental shop employees and the cost of the rental fleet.

I think there has been tremendous growth in alternative trails both in the valley and elsewhere such that what SB has to offer is just not that attractive. New GH trails are necessary but I'm not sure they are sufficient to drive enough demand. I think they'd really need to make a splash with an extensive network of trails to get people to come to the mountain. And I assume trails in slidebrook are verboten.

I think this is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, challenge with lift-served mountain biking. One of the primary competing activities is trail riding on networks that are relatively inexpensive (if not free to use), and the infrastructure costs of those networks are often covered by local non-profits (or partially via governmental agencies at the local, state or federal level). Lift-served trails have bigger infrastructure and operational costs, are still highly weather-dependent, and—for many, if not most riders—are farther from home than at least one trail-riding opportunity.

The places that seem to have been most successful with lift-served mountain biking offer some combination of a substantially different experience compared to what you can get without them (i.e. trails and features that you don't find in most trail networks, and/or a higher concentration of those features), a fairly big local-enough draw, and "other stuff" that enhances the overall experience (F&B, concerts, etc). I'm not sure how much room there is in the market to support both annual infrastructure (e.g. lift maintenance, trail building and maintenance, switching lifts over to bike carriers, etc) and daily operational costs when it's very difficult to get customers to show up regularly unless you operate on a lot of days that may not individually come close to covering costs. The question "how many established bike parks do I drive by to get there?" matters, too, and the advantage more northern areas have for skiing (more snow, longer winter seasons) becomes a disadvantage, too.

 

[Hawk]

The kingdom trails is about 4 hours from me. I drive by every area in MA and NH to get there. They dialed it in and people come from 6 states and Canada. I say copy that model and win. You pay a modest fee for access and it is all good. I don't even consider that there is lift served at Burke.

 

[Hawk]

Good for you guys riding acoustic bikes everywhere. I did that for years too, even raced them all over the country for a few years. My eMTB is the most fun thing I have ever bought and I wrestle with what is better - riding it vs. snowboarding/skiing - quite often I think the e-bike wins! One way to look at the comparison between acoustic and electric bikes is comparing cross country skiing with downhill skiing. Downhill skiing is way more fun and that is exactly how you should look at emtbs. If you are healthy, it's not about age, it's about enjoying the things you do. I ride with state road race champions, time trial champions, current Maxxis enduro series winners and they all ride emtbs because they are hella fun! You never know who is riding one. They still have their acoustic bikes but also have ebikes. And you can't compare it to a motorcycle. Ever. If you don't think you get a work out on one, please rent one and come ride with me. You will need a beer afterwards, I promise!

LOL.... That is Mountan Bike and Cheater Bike where I come from and I don't care who rides em, it doesn't change the way I feel. I understand that you guys have fun and that is great for you. But that will never be me. It would take away the great sense of accomplishment that I get. Also get back on your mountain bike and ride with my crew if you want to spit a lung out. LOL There is a 67 year old that rides and can ride away from us going up Revolution. No I will never spend that kind of money for an electric cheater bike. A fat bike or a nice gravel bike will be comming first I think. But your passion is great. Keep doing what makes you happy is what I say.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I'm with you Hawk. I like the torture of the climb either on my gravel or road bike.

I've never got into MTB and I already have a surgically repaired collarbone so I'll leave that one to all yinz!

 

[Shredmonkey254]

I'm with you Hawk. I like the torture of the climb either on my gravel or road bike.

I've never got into MTB and I already have a surgically repaired collarbone so I'll leave that one to all yinz!

Never say never guys!!!

 

[jimmywilson69]

Touche'

I would like to get into some X Country hard tail flow trails but nothing crazy

 

[Lotso]

Touche'

I would like to get into some X Country hard tail flow trails but nothing crazy

Rochester trails. Park at ranger station. Sap Boiler to Old Gents. Rinse and repeat on upper loop.

Then Tunnel Ridge. Go up and over, the turn around when you hit the Class 4 road so you can experience one of the best flow DH trails in VT.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Rochester trails. Park at ranger station. Sap Boiler to Old Gents. Rinse and repeat on upper loop.

Then Tunnel Ridge. Go up and over, the turn around when you hit the Class 4 road so you can experience one of the best flow DH trails in VT.

Or… leave a car with lunch, beers and your chargers at the ranger station. Park at cemetery at the end of Swan Dive. Ride to ranger station, eat lunch and have a beer while charging your bikes. Then head back the way you came and enjoy beers at the old cemetery while enjoying the great view. 30 mile ride on the best flow trails anywhere! The Rochester trail network kicks butt.

 

[Lotso]

Or… leave a car with lunch, beers and your chargers at the ranger station. Park at cemetery at the end of Swan Dive. Ride to ranger station, eat lunch and have a beer while charging your bikes. Then head back the way you came and enjoy beers at the old cemetery while enjoying the great view. 30 mile ride on the best flow trails anywhere! The Rochester trail network kicks butt.

Agreed.

Is Swan Dive climbable by non-professional leg-only-powered bikers (me)?

Full disclosure: Rented ebikes in Italy for an amazing ride with Wifey- we'd be divorced after that ride if not for e-bikes being the Great Equalizers. Don;t own one but probably will in a few years...

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Agreed.

Is Swan Dive climbable by non-professional leg-only-powered bikers (me)?

Full disclosure: Rented ebikes in Italy for an amazing ride with Wifey- we'd be divorced after that ride if not for e-bikes being the Great Equalizers. Don;t own one but probably will in a few years...

If you can ride up Tunnel Ridge and enjoy it, I think you’ll be fine climbing up Swan dive. Swan dive is really good and all the other swans up there are also really good, so you might want to check those out. Chitty bang bang and perspiration are more analog bike friendly and really good too. I couldn’t imagine riding in Rochester without my E bike! You go!!!

 

[Lotso]

If you can ride up Tunnel Ridge and enjoy it, I think you’ll be fine climbing up Swan dive. Swan dive is really good and all the other swans up there are also really good, so you might want to check those out. Chitty bang bang and perspiration are more analog bike friendly and really good too. I couldn’t imagine riding in Rochester without my E bike! You go!!!

Thanks! First time I rode TR I stopped in the bike shop for water and directions to the trail. Kenzie (one of the owners, i believe?) befriended me and asked if I was on a "hummer" or not. I said I was not, so he joined me on his non-ebike while a pack of other guys ripped up on their ebikes. We did a clockwise loop. I returned to do up and back on TR so I could enjoy the DH. Included Boulder Dash for added punch.

We did trail work there a few weeks ago and they have put in trail along the class 4 road along Tunnel Brook so no more riding up to the old car before getting the goods...all manmade flow.

Can't wait to get there this year if the rain ever stops...

 

[Shredmonkey254]

If you can ride up Tunnel Ridge and enjoy it, I think you’ll be fine climbing up Swan dive. Swan dive is really good and all the other swans up there are also really good, so you might want to check those out. Chitty bang bang and perspiration are more analog bike friendly and really good too. I couldn’t imagine riding in Rochester without my E bike! You go!!!

Full disclosure: Rented ebikes in Italy for an amazing ride with Wifey- we'd be divorced after that ride if not for e-bikes being the Great Equalizers. Don;t own one but probably will in a few years…

The Lynx and I had a mountain bike tandem and that would be how we could ride together for many years. After she got her knee replaced, Lynxy decided she needed an e bike for rehab. After I got one a year later, we ride them together on gravel rides and it’s great. She’s not a mountain biker but we have fun doing dirt road rides all over the place, so you might get more use out of one then you think. We sold the tandem to a fellow in VT who's cyclist dad was losing his sight as a way to keep him out there, which we thought was so awesome.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Thanks! First time I rode TR I stopped in the bike shop for water and directions to the trail. Kenzie (one of the owners, i believe?) befriended me and asked if I was on a "hummer" or not. I said I was not, so he joined me on his non-ebike while a pack of other guys ripped up on their ebikes. We did a clockwise loop. I returned to do up and back on TR so I could enjoy the DH. Included Boulder Dash for added punch.

We did trail work there a few weeks ago and they have put in trail along the class 4 road along Tunnel Brook so no more riding up to the old car before getting the goods...all manmade flow.

Can't wait to get there this year if the rain ever stops...

My buddy rode it Friday and said it was perfect. That trail you guys put in is a fantastic addition, so much better than the dirt road.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

My buddy rode it Friday and said it was perfect. That trail you guys put in is a fantastic addition, so much better than the dirt road.

Also, the way I got hooked on E biking was all thanks to Doon at the Rochester bike shop. My buddy and I did the old Gents loop on a regular bikes then we stopped in at the shop to see if we could rent e bikes for about an hour. Doon hooked us both up with bikes for like 20 bucks. We told him that we only wanted to do the old Gents loop. He told us take the bikes do that loop and then go up and do Boulder dash too and come back down. I started shopping for bikes after that day! Unfortunately, Doon did not sell the bike brand that I wound up getting. I stopped in and gave him a very expensive bottle of Canadian whiskey as thanks for getting me hooked on this new sport. It’s the most fun thing I’ve ever done. Except for a powder day….!

 

[doublediamond]

Any damage from the storm?

 

[djd66]

Also, the way I got hooked on E biking was all thanks to Doon at the Rochester bike shop. My buddy and I did the old Gents loop on a regular bikes then we stopped in at the shop to see if we could rent e bikes for about an hour. Doon hooked us both up with bikes for like 20 bucks. We told him that we only wanted to do the old Gents loop. He told us take the bikes do that loop and then go up and do Boulder dash too and come back down. I started shopping for bikes after that day! Unfortunately, Doon did not sell the bike brand that I wound up getting. I stopped in and gave him a very expensive bottle of Canadian whiskey as thanks for getting me hooked on this new sport. It’s the most fun thing I’ve ever done. Except for a powder day….!

What model e-bike do you have?

 

[Shredmonkey254]

What model e-bike do you have?

Gen 2 Specialized Turbo Levo. This is my 5th season with it.

 

[Lotso]

Any damage from the storm?

100 closed by MadBush Falls. Culvert overflowed, road damaged. Open now. Butternut Hill washed out, as I believe Rolston Rd. All repaired. Rain was nuts on Saturday

 

[BodeMiller1]

Given a choice I do not like to earn turns. I like T-bars and most aerial lifts.

Too many bear encounters and heart attacks.

Milfs be dammed.