[syadasti]

Location - Merli Sandowski State Park - Carbondale, PA (between Binghamton, NY and Scranton, PA). PM me for directions

Date: Either the 14th (preferred) or 15th - depends on what works best for the most people

Time: Noonish

Length: 14 Techno-Miles

References: MtnBikerNJ, Jacksonpt, and Fell Mountain thread

General Info: 100% natural flowing rocky terrain with tons of variety - best flowing technical trails I've ridden. Definately worth 160 mi. drive for me.

We do a 14 mi. loop (main loop is less than half of that, so you need to know the proper order) - only a 1 mi. or so is doubletrack/road - all the rest is singletrack - at least 2 mi. of slickrock trail. Pete's Brother's trail is mind blowing. Very rocky, so its ok to ride there even when wet, just a bit more challenging with the sliding. Bicycling magazine ranked it as one of the top 10 trails in USA. Best of all - we almost never see anyone there - no riders, no hikers, its totally empty on the trails for the most part.

So, who is in?

 

[jacksonpt]

Don't do it... He'll kill ya - he tried to kill me, but I got away, just barely!

Just kidding. I rode the trails a few weeks ago, right before Mountain Bike Weekend. Great trails, especially if you like rocky technical stuff. It was real wet and slippery when I rode it, which was a bit much for me, but I can't wait to get back when I'm in better shape.

Only 1 real climb, but lots of techy stuff, mostly rocks - from baby heads to table tops. Would be a good ride in the dry, it was a pain in the wet though.

 

[stosh]

Yo I'm so in!!!





































NOT!

 

[MtnBikerNJ]

at least you bailed before actually committing to going!

i do have to say that the trail is seriously fun. Can't wait to do it again actually... of course its been about a month for me since i've been on a bike!

 

[Nate at RIT]

How're conditions down at Merli now? I'm out in Idaho, so I'm curious, and won't be making the ride, but I've heard it's been raining out there a lot this summer. Man, be glad you have Merli. Out here, it's the total opposite. Sandy trails out on the side of foothills with almost no rocks, exposed to the sun, no trees, sooooooooooooooo boring.

 

[syadasti]

Conditions are good at Merli. They were even decent when I was riding there in light rain w/Jackson. I haven't been there in a month or so but that place usually does great when its wet cause you are riding on a durable surface (rock) most of the time...

 

[Deyv]

Thanks for the invitation Josh, but we already have 2 rides we need to choose from on this exact date.

The way you described this trail, we will probably try to do it at some point.

Will let you know.

 

[syadasti]

Thanks for the invitation Josh, but we already have 2 rides we need to choose from on this exact date.

The way you described this trail, we will probably try to do it at some point.

Will let you know.

Sounds good.

I was thinking I could also do a weekend trip and possibly ride around Ithaca also - Shindgan, Hammond Hill, Jenksville, Chenago, Oakley Corners, etc... Those places are North of Fell, so that might be an option for you as well.

 

[Sandwich]

Sounds really good...maybe I'll be around for that weekend, keep us updated on what happens. What time would you be going? It looks like at least a two hour trip, but it's just 81 south, so it won't be impossible.

 

[syadasti]

Sounds really good...maybe I'll be around for that weekend, keep us updated on what happens. What time would you be going? It looks like at least a two hour trip, but it's just 81 south, so it won't be impossible.

Its about 2 hrs. and 30 minutes for me. I was thinking around noon for a meeting time, but maybe later - depending on who is coming.

 

[Pulser955]

Im probly about 2 1/2 hours from thare too i might be in for that.

 

[Mike B.]

Sounds good.

I was thinking I could also do a weekend trip and possibly ride around Ithaca also - Shindgan, Hammond Hill, Jenksville, Chenago, Oakley Corners, etc... Those places are North of Fell, so that might be an option for you as well.

I've been wanting to go to Fell for a while, 2+ hour drive from here, but it sounds worth it. As for the Ithaca area, it is unbelievably wet around here. The normally dry areas of Shindagin are soaked at the moment. It was also partially logged last year if you haven't been there in a while, there are plenty of new ruts. If we get some dry days it may not be bad by the 14th weekend. Chenango is always dry for the most part but not terribly exciting as you know.

 

[spincrazy]

Just gotta see when the time comes. Work.

 

[syadasti]

Bump

Don't miss this ride!

 

[syadasti]

I invited the NY Dirt Riders on Saturday, so far 4 have accepted and more possible:

Bill W., Barry D., Mike M., and Robert C.

Should be a great ride

 

[syadasti]

Update

Date: Saturday the 14th

Time: Noon

PM me for directions from 81 (you can mapquest to carbondale and it should get you to 81)...

 

[syadasti]

Update II

Tom L. and Chris M. from the NY Dirt Riders have signed up for the ride. The list grows...

 

[MtnBikerNJ]

sounds fun... have a garage sale to put on though... seriously, i'm even selling stuff to get the new business up (and clear sheot out of the house...)

 

[syadasti]

Today they are only supposed to get .14" rain over 4 hrs of the day - should firm up the dry spots, but its mostly rocky, so no problem either way. Tonight, no rain for the area:

Tonight
Partly cloudy; fog late
Low 50° F

Saturday 8/14
Times of clouds and sun
High 70° F

Two possible additions:

Jim from Planet Bike
Xtree-Pete

 

[syadasti]

From the South, use mapquest for directions to Binghamton, NY to get to 81N

From the North, use mapquest for directions to Scranton, PA to get to 81S

Directions to Fell:

1. Interstate 81N to Exit 202 (Right - Route 107E)
or
1. Interstate 81S to Exit 202 (Left - Route 107E)

2. Route 107 E approx. 3 miles to Rt 247 N (left turn at first stop sign)
3. Route 247 N approx. 1 mile to Petrilak Rd (right turn at Skyline golf course)
4. Take Petrilak Road to stop sign
5. Take left at stop sign, go until you see the park entrance on your right

 

[syadasti]

Just waiting for the seat (one pictured is off another bike):

This ride is going to be awesome

 

[MtnBikerNJ]

pretty. where's the orange flag on the long pole?

 

[syadasti]

pretty. where's the orange flag on the long pole?

I think my cell phone has GPS built in for emergencies, you figure out how far ahead I am via that instead

 

[MMcG]

Just waiting for the seat (one pictured is off another bike):

This ride is going to be awesome

So that is what is taking place of the Locomoto eh?

what model fox fork is that?

How much does that thing weigh in at?

 

[syadasti]

I'll answer it, but you gotta come on the ride!

Its a 2005 Fox TALAS RLC

It weighs 30-32 lbs. I guess (didn't put it on a scale yet) with those 2.4 Tioga tires. Feels light for what it is

 

[MtnBikerNJ]

I think my cell phone has GPS built in for emergencies, you figure out how far ahead I am via that instead

haha yea no doubt... or maybe we should just put lead in your tires?

of course, since you've had flats on the last 2 rides I did with you, and it took you 30 minutes to change it

 

[MMcG]

I'll answer it, but you gotta come on the ride!

Its a 2005 Fox TALAS RLC

It weighs 30-32 lbs. I guess (didn't put it on a scale yet) with those 2.4 Tioga tires. Feels light for what it is

Looks beefy - is it a little bit taller than the 2004 Talas in terms of axle to crown height? My Talas felt too short axle to crown and the offset of the crown caused my bike's HT angle to feel steeper than I wanted it to.

 

[syadasti]

Damn thread highjackers!

Yah the 05 fox forks have 130mm travel - 5mm taller, come in brakebossless options, and will take up to 8" rotors. They beefed up the dropouts even more on the 05 vs. the 04 - they are more boxy looking.

 

[spincrazy]

WAS SICK RIDING. Best I've ridden on this side of the world hands down.

 

[syadasti]

Awesome riding at usual.

Once again, too much flow to stop for photos. Got all the NY Dirt Riders going through the end of Handlebars (I think you can see spincrazy in the distance on this photo of Barry from TN):

Bill

Merta

 

[MtnBikerNJ]

nice.. wish i went... haven't ridden in TOO LONG!

 

[syadasti]

nice.. wish i went... haven't ridden in TOO LONG!

But you did score the "DOPE" spy shots - where are they already

 

[spincrazy]

But you did score the "DOPE" spy shots - where are they already

HUH? Please explain.

 

[syadasti]

HUH? Please explain.

Don't you remember Bill talking about those new brakes he saw

 

[MtnBikerNJ]

yea i saw them pretty DOPE.. but i have things going on that I can't drop everything to spread the word!

 

[syadasti]

This Saturday at noon - Fell Mountain Ride II. Don't miss it this time!

PM me if you have any questions

WAS SICK RIDING. Best I've ridden on this side of the world hands down.

 

[syadasti]

This Saturday at noon - Fell Mountain Ride II. Don't miss it this time!

PM me if you have any questions

Was cancelled due to overhelming bailers

How about this Monday - COME ON!

 

[syadasti]

Looks like no Fell Mtn this weekend - PM me by 7 am if interested, otherwise it will have to wait for another weekend

 

[spincrazy]

Labor day means I'm LABORING. no rest for the wicked....

 

[syadasti]

How about this Saturday or Sunday - Weather looks to be good on either day...

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/local_index_day.asp?zipcode=18407

So - who is coming. PM me if interested...