Well Manhattanprjkt, Pallila, and I went out Saturday for an afternoon ride with a group of friends to one of the newest and best riding spots in Western PA. as land is aquired, by the Roaring Run Watershed organization it is being built as recreational trails including some kickA$$ Mtb trails, and beautiful Rails to trails. some of the most goergous waterfalls in the area are here at Apollo.
our ride started off at a quick pace and built up from there. Since the trails were mostly new to us, trying to judge how long we would be out, and how much energy to expend during the ride was tough in the early going, and the leaders were setting a Fast pace. We had ridden about 2hrs 45min before I started to crack. I tried to get some energy by pounding a GU powergel, but I think it was too late. we rode for another half hour before I was completely spent. I actually had to sit trailside and eat another GU and 2 clif bars just to make it back to the car. I went through 100 oz of water (with a little gatorade mixed in) and still lost 5.2 lbs over the course of the ride. I did manage to get a few photos though so here goes.
Here are 2 shots of Tawni working through a set of tight Switchbacks.
Another rider on Switchbacks
Don rippin up the Switchbacks.
This is Pallilo hitting the gravity rock.
Mark hitting the gravity rock and gettin almost to the top. Mark and Don have been the ones planning and organizing the building days at Apollo. They have put in countless hours and done lots of backbreaking work here. It is good to be out riding with them, They enjoy riding here as much as getting other people out to ride it with them!
Don on the Gravity Rock
Gravity rock with full armor on a 70+ degree XC ride! this guy was tough!
Steve sitting trailside helping get me through the bonk. That is his new Fisher Cake1 deluxe it is a pretty bike.
here are 2 photos of Steve checkin out my new Yeti while I ate and snapped a few pics. He was actually gonna get a 575 before he found a smokin deal on the Cake.
As I rode back to the car on the Rails to trails, I realized the the crank arm was loose, and the ghost shifting I had was from that rather than cable stretch etc. After showering, we headed to my parents where I ended up eating 2 plate fulls of turkey meatloaf, lentil loaf, peas, mashed patatoes, stuffing and gravy, and then a bowl of fruit salad for desert. If I could have fit more in, I would have! I woke up this morning still hungry. I have to figure out a good plan for pre-ride eating. Like maybe even starting a day or two in advance!
I cant complain though this was an awesome day to be riding, with some awesome people. If you are in Western PA and want to ride some of the best trail and see some of the best scenery give me a shout, and well ride Apollo, at the Roaring Run Watershed!
our ride started off at a quick pace and built up from there. Since the trails were mostly new to us, trying to judge how long we would be out, and how much energy to expend during the ride was tough in the early going, and the leaders were setting a Fast pace. We had ridden about 2hrs 45min before I started to crack. I tried to get some energy by pounding a GU powergel, but I think it was too late. we rode for another half hour before I was completely spent. I actually had to sit trailside and eat another GU and 2 clif bars just to make it back to the car. I went through 100 oz of water (with a little gatorade mixed in) and still lost 5.2 lbs over the course of the ride. I did manage to get a few photos though so here goes.
Here are 2 shots of Tawni working through a set of tight Switchbacks.
Another rider on Switchbacks
Don rippin up the Switchbacks.
This is Pallilo hitting the gravity rock.
Mark hitting the gravity rock and gettin almost to the top. Mark and Don have been the ones planning and organizing the building days at Apollo. They have put in countless hours and done lots of backbreaking work here. It is good to be out riding with them, They enjoy riding here as much as getting other people out to ride it with them!
Don on the Gravity Rock
Gravity rock with full armor on a 70+ degree XC ride! this guy was tough!
Steve sitting trailside helping get me through the bonk. That is his new Fisher Cake1 deluxe it is a pretty bike.
here are 2 photos of Steve checkin out my new Yeti while I ate and snapped a few pics. He was actually gonna get a 575 before he found a smokin deal on the Cake.
As I rode back to the car on the Rails to trails, I realized the the crank arm was loose, and the ghost shifting I had was from that rather than cable stretch etc. After showering, we headed to my parents where I ended up eating 2 plate fulls of turkey meatloaf, lentil loaf, peas, mashed patatoes, stuffing and gravy, and then a bowl of fruit salad for desert. If I could have fit more in, I would have! I woke up this morning still hungry. I have to figure out a good plan for pre-ride eating. Like maybe even starting a day or two in advance!
I cant complain though this was an awesome day to be riding, with some awesome people. If you are in Western PA and want to ride some of the best trail and see some of the best scenery give me a shout, and well ride Apollo, at the Roaring Run Watershed!
