Mid Atlantic Muni Meet and Ride in June?

[Nurse Ben]

I had so much fun last weekend at the Southeast MuniGathering that I want to do it again, but since it's getting hot down here and all you Yanks were too "wimpy" to make the drive South, I figure we can all meet in the middle.

So, when and where, I need a little help here, for perspective it is four hours from my home to Roanoke, Virginia. That should be midway for all the DC folks. I don't know the riding areas, but some place that has variety and dries quickly.

Post your thoughts and availability, pick a weekend from the dates listed on the poll, then we can narrow down location as folks chime in.

I'm thinking of driving up on a Friday to camp, ride all day Saturday, then drive home Sunday.

Fun, fun, fun!

[MadFurai]

I am not familiar with the trail systems in Roanoke, but after some Googling, it sounds like Carvin's Cove might be a real good place. See link below:

http://www.singletracks.com/bike-tra...il-system.html

That is about a 3 hour drive for me, so not too bad. I can probably do it any weekend in June, but I'll have to double check..

[munimag]

I have not been there but I have heard that Douthat State Park has very nice mtb trails and a campground. Here is a link to some info:
http://www.singletracks.com/bike-tra...tate-park.html
It is about an hour and a half north of Roanoke. Has anyone been there? I'll have to check my calendar before I vote on dates.

[rolandisimo]

http://www.svmba.org/

Nice sounding trails in Southern VA

We also have good options around Raleigh
Ro

[rpt50]

The International Jugglers Association 65th annual festival is in Winston-Salem July 16-22. Don't a lot of jugglers also unicycle? Maybe you could set something up in conjunction with that event.

[MadFurai]

I'm fine with Danville, Roanoke, Richmond or Raleigh.

@Roland
I lived in Raleigh for 5 years when I went to NCSU. I was on 2 wheels back then. I still have tons of family in that area that I could shack up with for a weekend of riding. What trail system do you ride the most down there? Seems like I used to ride Lake Crabtree and Lake Johnson often... There might be better options now.

[Nurse Ben]

[QUOTE]The International Jugglers Association 65th annual festival is in Winston-Salem July 16-22.QUOTE]

Maybe, but that's in July, too hot for camping.

Focus people, JUNE, pick a date that works best, and keep posting trail options.

[MadFurai]

Let's get the date and location set in stone by this weekend if possible. I'm committed to attending assuming at least 1 other Municyclist can make it. Would be great to have more, though.

[Jonathan Erh]

hot here in July to ride, let alone camp. Weather Underground is forecasting a high of 97 for this Saturday, which is still in May, I think.

[Nurse Ben]

Anyone?: http://www.virginia.org/mountainbiking/

Isn't there a deevloping trail network that is going to run the length of the Shenandoah Parkway?

Yeah, hot it will likely be, but up in the mountains it will be cooler, also anything North of the Tennessee Valley will be cooler for me

We just missed this one, maybe next year: http://www.mtntouring.com/mountain/h...val%202011.htm

It'd be fun to meet somewhere that has some Northshore styled wood ramping and such, just so we can play around, might also attract some of the Young Guns

[minimalist]

I could make it to any of the areas in North Carolina and Southern Virginia. I voted for the third weekend but actually I could make it on any weekend other than June 9-10. Perhaps the poll should allow multiple selections.

[jbtilley]

Originally Posted by MadFurai

I lived in Raleigh for 5 years when I went to NCSU. I was on 2 wheels back then. I still have tons of family in that area that I could shack up with for a weekend of riding. What trail system do you ride the most down there? Seems like I used to ride Lake Crabtree and Lake Johnson often... There might be better options now.

Not speaking for Roland but to somewhat answer your question:

Lake Johnson - They only allow bikes on the paved greenway now. The unpaved trails are for hikers only. The nice thing about that area is that there are a few hills that will test you a bit. Other than that the greenway is a bit too short to make this a location that I'd frequent.

Lake Crabtree - This is still a very good location. If you park at the back end you also have immediate access to:

• Lake Crabtree - single track. A nice place to learn/get your introduction to muni. Maybe... 8 miles worth of loops in there.
• Umstead - double track. There's probably 12+ miles. you can do loops or down and backs for lots of distance. It's a good place if you're still not to comfortable taking on the single track. There are several nice moderate climbs that go on for quite the distance and there are a few shorter climbs that are a bit challenging.
• Other trails - three more single track trails. Not official trails but people ride them all the time.
  • 11 miler - nice step up from Lake Crabtree. I hear there's 11 miles out there but I've only ridden about 4 of them. I'll have to dedicate some time to get lost/explore one day.
  • 8 miler - probably my favorite trail, if for nothing more than some of the descents. There are a few climbs that are a bear as well. The technical aspect is a solid step up from the 11 mile track... at least for me.
  • 3 miler - another single track that is more of a connector from one side of Umstead to the other.

So from one parking spot you have access to 12+ miles of double track and about 30 miles of single track that offer something for nearly all skill levels. A nice very nice area to start a ride from since it has several options.

There are also several other trails that offer a higher degree of difficulty within a 45 minute drive of that location but I haven't had the chance to go to those trails. Plenty to keep my busy and keep me progressing in that one area. I've also gone out to Uwharrie a few times, which isn't too technical but it will test your climbing endurance. It's about 1.5 hours west of Raleigh, has camping, and maybe 15 miles of mixed double/single track.

I'm also interested in this event, depending on how well my finger heals up (broke it 5.5 weeks ago). Also, if a part of the point is to get out of the heat then Raleigh definitely shouldn't be your destination. It seems like the heat likes to settle in the Raleigh area more than surrounding areas... or that could be me just being pessimistic again.

[knoxuni]

id be up for a weekend of street trials and muni!

[scha6645]

This sounds like fun as well. I am in.
BTW, raleigh has plenty of diverse single track trails for beginner to very advance technical trails.

[Nurse Ben]

id be up for a weekend of street trials and muni!

Wes, you are banned from this thread, seriously, your no show rate is atrocious, I am no longer convinced that you even ride a unicycle

Okay, back to serious participants...

Think mountains, think cool and dry, what about riding near Harrisonburg, Virginia? There's a river, a couple of them, camping sorta midway for lots of folks.

Is West Virginia an option, like Canaan Valley? I'd make that long drive if I had company, it is so nice up there and that is just about the coolest place to ride outside of New England or going out West.

I think I'm heading to Ashville this weekend for some 36er riding at Bent Creek; gonna escape the heat.