Good beginner trails at Forbidden Drive?
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Author Topic: Good beginner trails at Forbidden Drive?  (Read 867 times)
brian attig
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« on: September 11, 2007, 10:41:02 AM »
My name is Brian and I'm a 44 yo neophyte MTBer, just rode some of the Forbidden Drive trails last weekend.  Eager to learn more about the trails and in particular given my beginner status learn about what trail sections are good for a starter. 

Also wondering about beginner group rides - wondering if there is regular weekend group for this level?

All comments welcome and thanks!
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fishnchips
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« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2007, 02:30:01 PM »
Hey Brian. we might have some beginners out with the Thursday ride, wheels out 5:30 from Valley Green (VG) weather permitting. Helmet mandatory.

Also keep your eye out for an MTB 101 class we're trying to get launched.

And you're welcome to meet at any PMBA rides not necessarily to ride but at least to say 'hi' and get some encouragement.

If you're just started and getting used to the bike cruise along the Forbidden Trail, especially if you are wearing clipless pedals as it's important to train yourself to pop out of them like 50 times before you  take them to the trails. I can't say any of the trail system is easy, but if you take your time and walk anything that looks formidable you'll be fine.
« Last Edit: September 11, 2007, 02:34:35 PM by fishnchips » Logged
Kelly
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« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2007, 03:12:50 PM »
We'll have at least one new rider with us on Thursday, so it would probably be a good opportunity for you.  Also note the PMBA meeting tomorrow night at the Manayunk diner.

Jon
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brian attig
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« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2007, 08:16:56 PM »
Kelly, Jon - Thanks for the replies.  With work and 2 kids, can't make anything weeknights but will look for opportunities to connect with the Philly MTB scene weekends and where possible.

I noticed there was one Philly MTB event that had laid out different trails based on difficulty (I think it was called Ralley In The Valley or something like that).  Didn't seem like White, Orange or Green trails were organized by difficulty - so assuming you just have to "know where to go" to find a section suited to your level.

Hoping there's someone out there who can steer me toward some "easier" sections (relatively speaking).  Or maybe I just need to suck it up and take my lumps, Brian
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Dmitri
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« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2007, 09:49:03 PM »
Brian,

Keep asking and keep an eye on the posts here, I'm sure we'll find a way to get you out and show you some trails.

I think the easiest loop in Wiss would be to start from Valley Green Inn, heading north, towards Wises Mill rd. Climb up the road, almost to the Henry ave., there will be a trail head on your left, across the road from a low stone wall and a gate.
Follow that trail. That's what we call a Demo Trail #1.
Stay on that trail for 2-ish miles, it's generally fairly tame and realtively level.
Eventually, you'll come out to an intrsection with a gravel path, with a little concrete bridge, hard to call it a bridge, more like a 4'X4' plate over a drainage ditch. Turn left down hill on that gravel path, and it will bring you back down to the Forbidden drive about 1/2 mile south of Valley Green Inn. I think that loop is about 3-4 miles long. You can do it in either direction I described, or in opposite direction.
In my opinion that's the best begginer loop in Wiss to get your "feet wet"

dz
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fishnchips
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« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2007, 10:55:04 PM »
Hey again Brian. The loop dzm just posted sounds like the best bet. I would warn you though that taking Wises Mill road up is not 'easy' as it is a long climb. But because it is on the road it is actually easier than working your way up the mountain on the trail. But it will be a blast from there.
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Kelly
brian attig
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« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2007, 11:17:43 AM »
Thanks dz and Kelly - I will definitely be checking that out. 

I rode with a more experienced MTBer colleague visiting from Germany last Sunday and we started from Manyunk, picking our way up east of the creek to right around VG.  Definitely had some "challenging" sections and those I simply walked, prefering to save myself to ride another day.  Did manage a few decent downhill runs along the way.  Then mostly took the Drive back to Manyunk.

My German friend was blown away by the trails - he's from southern Germany around Nuremberg and says despite all the Black Forest areas there is nothing that compares to the trails around VG.  Brian
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