Looking for a good trail to start
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DannyC21
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« on: September 11, 2007, 02:41:16 PM »
I am new to mtb and I just joined this site about five minutes ago.  I live over in Roxborough and absolutely love th Wiss.  I recently bought my first hardtail bike - K2 Zed 3.0 - and have been riding the whole length of the forbidden drive to bring my endurance up.  I really want to get out on the real trails now and I don't know where to begin.  What would be a good starting spot for a newbie like me?

Also I am curious to learn if there are any group rides for beginners and things like that, that I could join up with so I can get better?  I am excited about the organization and look forward to joining up on trail repair events and things like that.  I hope to make friends with many of you soon.
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jpearce
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« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2007, 03:10:33 PM »
I'll be taking a first-time rider out with our group on Thursday night and we'll be riding the "demo" trail above the VG Inn, which is the easiest trail in the park.  You're welcome to join us - wheels out at 5:30 from the Valley Green Inn. 

Also note the PMBA meeting tomorrow night at the Manayunk Diner, where you'll meet a bunch of friendly bikers.

Jon
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DannyC21
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« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2007, 03:54:24 PM »
Thanks for the invite, but unfortunately Thrusday is a bad night for me.  I have grad class and won't be able to make the ride.  I'm kind of bummed because i would love to meet up with some local riders and get to know people.

I will see about tomorrow nights meeting.  My g/f and I both have gotten into mtb and she would probably like to come too.

Lastly, let me know when your heading up the trail with beginners again.  I would love to join.  And can you just tell me how to get to that trail from the VG.  I'll be riding a lot this weekend and would love to check it out.
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Bravo12
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« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2007, 03:59:47 PM »
I might be able to make VG on Thursday night, if I don't head up to JT for the day.  I could use a guide, since I'm not at all familiar with Wiss.
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« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2007, 10:24:45 PM »
To get to demo 1 trail: Leave Valley Green parking lot and go up Wises Mill rd. It will be a left turn up the hill. You may be coming in this way.

Right before you near the steep part of the road that's close to the traffic light, there will be a stone wall and a wooden gate on your right. You should notice a trial that crosses the road right there. This is where the Yellow trail crosses the road.

Make a left and into the woods, there will a be split in the trail not too far in. Make a right and it will just dead end into the gaurdrail. If you go left you will be on the demo 1 which is a beginner level trail. As you ride the Demo 1 you will come to a T in the trail. The trail on the right leads you to Wigard ave, right off of Henry ave,  and another potential parking spot if you would like to park at the top instead of the bottom.

If you continue straight there will be one more split in the trail. If you go left, that will take you all the way to the bottom at Valley Green where you started. It's very steep and fast and it's name is 7 MPH hill. If you go right you will reach the end of the demo trail when you get to the table top jump on the right hand side of the trail.

At this point you can turn around and do the demo 1 again, which is very popular amongst beginner riders, or continue on the yellow trail.

Hope this helps. Enjoy.
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DannyC21
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« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2007, 11:46:57 AM »
Great thanks for all the info.  I am getting out of work at 3 today and plan on riding as soon as I get out.  I'm going to give the demo a try.

Thanks
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fishnchips
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« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2007, 02:58:34 PM »
doing exactly what Tom said above, if you go just past the Table Top and turn to the right that will bring you up to the fields of Saul high school. Take that right until you get to the gravel rd and dive back into the park. That is the Wiggard rd trail, and will take you right back to the demo trail. You can keep riding that loop which is about .6 of a mile.

Better yet you come to the gravel rd (Wiggard) and make a left heading toward Henry Ave. Right before the traffic lights is a trail that dives off to the right. It run parallel to Henry and seems to almost disappear in the the tall grass, but you can still ride it. About 300yds down on the right, before Weises Mill Rd, is another trail which goes over a log and joins right in with the entire demo trail right where Tom took you in of Wises Mill. Doing this would allow you to loop the whole demo trail for probably 1.5 miles with no steep hills.
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Kelly
DannyC21
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« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2007, 09:43:45 PM »
Thanks for everything guys.  My girlfriend and I took the demo today and it was a lot of fun.  I got a good feel for what it is really like out on a trail and I absolutely fell in love with it.  I even learned that my bike can handle something tougher than forbidden drive (which it should seeing the money I spent).

I am really loving this sport and this last month of riding has been awesome, and now that I'm finally getting out onto real trails it is getting even better.  I plan to ride over to the demo tomorrow morning and then again sunday.  I went alittle bit past the end of the demo, into the yellow trail.  I went as far as I could go before it got to much for me and I walked the bike back up the hill.  I know with time i'll get better at it, but for now I'm enjoying learning what its like out there.

I ran into a few riders today, we didn't really talk except for the friendly hello.  I look forward to seeing riders on the trails and hopefully getting to know more people.
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fishnchips
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« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2007, 10:40:55 PM »
great report; well done.

what time you out in the morning? I live very close the the demo trail and my ride over there around 10ish
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Kelly
DannyC21
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« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2007, 11:59:32 PM »
We'll probably go around 10ish as well.  I also live really close, just a few blocks away, so when I get up in the morning i plan on heading out.  I have to work at 1 so I'll definitly be riding in the morning.
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fishnchips
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« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2007, 01:29:58 AM »
I'll be a padded up dude on a single speed. I can go in at Wiggard Rd; and I live on Valley
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Kelly
fishnchips
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« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2007, 08:30:01 AM »
looking outside this morning it looks a bit soppy. So I'm skipping. If it clear up later I may head out before the PMBA BBQ Banquet.
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Kelly
DannyC21
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« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2007, 09:30:42 AM »
thats cool man.  I'm skipping this morning too.  Hopefully later this afternoon i can get out there
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