Here is the second of four galleries from the Bike Magazine crew, reminding us all how awesome shredding bikes on the ups and the downs is. Check out Seb Kemp and the crew riding at the Dupont State Forest inside!
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Photos: Dan Barham
Words: Vernon Felton
Location: Big Rock-Cedar Rock Loop – Dupont State Forest
Courtesy of Bike Magazine
Seb Kemp shredding some leaves at the top of the Big Rock trail. Rider: Seb Kemp. Bike: Santa Cruz Blur TRc
We tested our trail bikes on Dupont State Forest’s Big Rock-Cedar Rock Loop. From the Corn Mill Shoals trailhead (off Cascade Lake Road), you ride a few hundred yards before turning left on Big Rock Trail and immediately begin ascending. This is tough, technical climbing; think big rocks, challenging ledges and a dose of roots. Soon, however, the trail opens into exposed granite “slick rock”. The traction? Outstanding. The views? Breathtaking. Big Rock winds through a few forested sections before intersecting with Cedar Rock Trail atop the mountain’s granite dome. Marvel in the 360-degree views before turning right and bombing down Cedar Rock Trail (keep an eye out for hikers, of course). Follow the stone cairns as you bullet train down the pock-marked granite. There are a few technical bits near the bottom, so stay on your game. All too soon, Cedar Rock dumps you out onto a double-track (Little River Trail). Go right and wind your way back to the beginning. It’s a short (roughly four mile) loop, but it packs a hell of a lot of great climbing and descending in a small package. A must do. –Vernon Felton
Kemp gapping some roots shortly after the leafy corner on Big Rock trail. Rider: Seb Kemp. Bike: Santa Cruz Blur TRc
The next day saw a pre-dawn wake up time to catch the morning's golden light. Rider: Seb Kemp. Bike: Santa Cruz Blur TRc
Climbing up part of the Cedar Rock trail. Riders: Seb Kemp and Ryan LaBar. Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TRc and Ibis Mojo SL-R.
Some of the slick rock on the Cedar Rock trail. Riders: Ryan LaBar and Seb Kemp. Bikes: Ibis Mojo SL-R and Santa Cruz Blur TRc.
Descending Cedar Rock trail. Riders: Seb Kemp and Ryan LaBar. Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TRc and Ibis Mojo SL-R.
Boosting some of the rock slabs near the bottom of Cedar Rock trail. Rider: Seb Kemp. Bike: Santa Cruz Blur TRc
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