Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

Planning a trip up to Mountain Creek for Saturday anyone down? I know that if we get ten or more people it's cheaper!!

I'd love to go and I'm interested, but doubt I'll be able to make it.  If that changes I'll post. Nevertheless, I hope to get out there relatively frequently over the summer, so let's stay in touch.  My name is John.  I live in Philly. My email is kochjg@hotmail.com

I'm down to go on Sunday seeing as how I have work Saturday (sucks).  But if you are willing to change the day I'll be able to go.  Just don't go slow after we get there, haha.

Thinking of heading to Diablo on Saturday, maybe Sunday instead. I can fit one on the rack and another inside if you feel like taking your front wheel off.  Anyone in?

I am thinking of going also. I gotta test the new DH bike. Not sure which day is better yet. Be back in touch soon.

Geez - you got a new DH bike?  Isn't that like Evil Knievel getting a bigger motorcycle?

Dude, when you are knocked down in life you gotta come back stronger!!! Hahahaha... But I will be wearing all the armor and full face helmet when riding this baby not like the little dirt jump helmet I was wearing when I took that soil sample... I should have been wearing a full face helmet at least... Oh well, live and learn...

LOL.

Damn, Lou.  U crazy!  Yeah...make sure you don't forget the full body armor.

That is a sick looking DH bike.  Nice build.

Nice ride Lou - I like the color.

Saturday would be best for me (supposed to be perfect weather).  Sunday may be out - may have to work.  Let me know if you want to do Saturday - leave very early, ride till muscles feel like jello (usually around 7 soild runs for me, with a break or two) and head back in the afternoon/evening.  Anyone else want to come?

Phone is 917-553-7915.

Sat may work great. I'm trying to juggle my schedule (and put rear brakes on the bike) I will call you today or tomorrow.

As consolation for not being able to do Jim Thorpe this weekend, I'm planning on heading to Diablo on Saturday.  Let me know if you're interested.  917-553-7915

John

Never been there, but it looks awesome.  What time are you heading up?

Schwing!  That thing looks niiiiiice  ;D

Ok, so I've never been to Diablo, but I've certainly heard much about it.

Are all you guys taking bikes that look like Lou's?  I'm definitely not a DH rider, but I've done a bit of lift access out at Vail and Deer Valley.  Some stuff I can hit, others I veer away from.  Is Diablo manageable on a 5.5 in. travel bike? 

I'm interested in joining you guys some time. Prbly won't happen this weekend unfortunately. 

I would head up early in the morning. I live on 15th and Sansom in the city - I'd leave there at 7:30 probably.  The problem is, I'm not coming back to Philly.  I'm making a stop near Trenton for a house warming party.  My other issue is my rear wheel.  It's pretty dogged and I haven't been able to find a replacement in time for Saturday.  I could still ride it, and just hope I don't mangle it.  I'm still not sure I'm going yet, but could be talked into it.  I was thinking of just doing bear creek instead.

Riding Diablo on a 5.5 inch bike is a risk for you and your bike.  Tom rode his Nomad there the other weekend and had fun on the more reasonable stuff (Tom is/was a DHer though). 

I'm definitely in for this weekend.  After John's last post I will certainly have to rent, it'll be much cheaper then replacing my Lefty when it snaps in half.

I live 5 mins from center city and have plenty of room for extra bikes if anyone is interested in carpooling, and I will be coming back after the ride.

Yea I personally would not want to go there on anything less than a Nomad or similar. I was able to ride the whole place with the only problem being my tires. I got three flats and then swapped out my rear for a 2.7 DH tire. This made the bike handle like night and day. Some of the trails there are basically steep mine fields of rocks, so downhill tires are a must. There are some mild trails though, and everything is clearly marked with difficulty ratings. That place is awesome.

Also wear pads and a full face if you have them. If not, rent them.

That's all good to hear. I rode Deer Valley last summer during my B-day weekend. That place is pretty much the epicenter for Utah DH.  There are some other lift accessible rides out there (e.g. Sundance), but Deer Valley is hard to beat in terms of quantity and difficulty (Ok, I'm neglecting Moab, but that's all shuttle).  I was riding a Prophet at the time and was scared on a few sections for sure.  There was a skill park area with some fairly decent sized ladder drops, and throughout the trails there were a handful of difficult moves requiring a fair level of commitment.

My bike now is setup a little beefier.  Some bigger tires wouldn't hurt at all for Diablo.  I'll definitely have to come check it out soon.

How long does it normally take from Philly to get there?

Anyone out there interested in heading out there the weekend of 10/3?  My lady is out of town and I gotta capitalize on the riding time!  It would be nice to carpool and meet some other peeps who know the area.

Hey Dave,  I just realized I'm off the 2nd and 3rd.  Not quite the weekend but if you're flexible we could either do Diablo or his up some other cool local trails.  We'll be in touch.

That's race weekend - 4th is practice and the 5th is the race so it gets pretty crowded!

Race weekend?!!  F$@#Q@k!

Durb, can't go on the 2nd or 3rd unfortunately. School is a bitch.

We'll get it together. Salisbury anyone?

Planning on going on Saturday (leaving Philly early Sat morning).  Should be ideal conditions.  I can drive one or two people up, but I'm heading into NYC afterward, so I won't be able to take you back.  Let me know if you want to go.  My number is 917 553 7915. 

Hey John,

I'm definitely interested in joining you there. I don't have a car at the moment, so I guess I'm waiting to see if anyone else is heading that way.  I don't think riding home from NJ is too feasible :)

I checked and there is a race there on Sunday the 5th.  Lou, I'd love to go with you, but I'm not sure I can make it Sunday (obligations) and it will likely be packed because of the race.  I'm sure Sat will be relatively crowded as well though.  Are you usually unable to go on Saturdays?

Anyone else interested in Saturday at this point?  Lev needs a ride.  Jamie - Nick - Tom?

Well we have an event planned for this Sat, Take a kid MTB day and also adult clinics, at the Pachella Pavilion area. I gotta go to this so Sunday is the day this weekend, but not sure if I wanna deal with all the people, but it could be cool. I am totally free weekend 10/11-12.

Sorry John I would love too, but I can't go cause we've got the "take a kid mtbiking/clinic on Saturday"

I'd especially like to take my Nomad up there for one last run before I tear her apart. Might not happen though since my new frame is in my garage begging to be built!

If Diablo is packed, what are the alternatives?  I think that's the only lift serviceable area within short range, but I'm assuming there is something that can be shuttled.  Think maybe Reading?

Hey Lev, 

There're some great DH/Freeride shuttle trails in Bethelehem.  Not far from where you and I went last week.  I think they call it south mountain and there're wonderful CC trails mixed in with some DH stuff that they shuttle on.  I was on my trail bike last time I went and came across some of it and it looked pretty burly.  The part that I stumbled on was about an 8ft drop from a big boulder which had a gap before the transition.  The local I was riding with said a lot of people take thier DH and free ride bikes there and shuttle back to the top.  I have to work this weekend but maybe sometime soon.

Indeed South Mt. is a great are for a little of both. I know which drop you are talking about which is INSANE! Love that place. However, Lehigh on the opposite side of the school is even better. I have all the details but for some reason my fingers are not letting me type where and what so you'll have to trust me. I can't do it this weekend or next as I will be at Plattekill for the Gravity East final race.

Ah - I didn't realize that Saturday was take a kid mtb day.  Is anyone else around for Sat?  If no one can do Diablo, I'd consider something else, though there are only a few weekends left until they close down.  I am going to see what I can do Sun - but it's a no go so far.  Chime in if you are still interest for Sat. 

Also, chime in if you'd go Sun

John I am dying to go Sunday! I just put a king headset on my DH rig and also trued and dished my rear wheel which almost fell apart last time we rode there. Did you ever get a wheel? Try to change your plans for Sunday dude!

Ok - I'm working on it.  I just ordered a new wheelset - will be here on Friday...

It's gonna be crowded... i can't go anyway...