New rider in the North

V

va_bank

New Member
Hey All,

Been reading this board for a while now. 3 months ago I dusted off my old Raleigh M50 and decided to check out Mahlon Dickerson, which is 5 minutes from my house. Started out slow, but now can ride those trails for 2 hours, which I never thought I could. I do use word "ride" loosely, as it entails about 20 minutes of walking, especially the time I tried to ride uphill on the Devil's staircase on my 40 lbs bike. As I layed dying on top of it I noticed the sign for it and thought "Oh. There's the devils staircase that I've read about on the interwebz. I wonder if anyone rides it uphill - if yes, I'm a noob. If no, I'm just stupid."

This was last Saturday. After that I made it to the north side of the map, where I ran into a few of you walking back from your trail maintenance outing. I'm sorry I didn't get to indroduce myself to all of you - I'm sure I'll see you again. I had no idea that people volunteer their time like this to keep the trails alive, I always assumed it was the park's responsibility. I was impressed and would like to help out someday.

Huge thanks to 'Utah Joe' for guiding me through the north side of the trails. This must have sucked for him as he had to wait for me at the top of every hill. But now I know exactly how much I have to learn... just when I thought I was getting better 🙂

Also, big thanks to the rest of you. Reading your discussions pointed me in (what I hope is) the right direction for upgrading my bike. I just came back from Marty's of Morristown, where I ordered a Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29er. Great shop, great customer service. The bike won't be ready until next week, but I'll live.

Anyway, thanks for reading and get ready for noob questions.
 
There is a bypass to the devils staircase called stonegate (look for blazes of a yellow rectangle with black dot). Stone Gate switchbacks up the same climb that Devils Staircase goes right up. I usually ride up that. Devils staircase is rideable but difficult.
 
Greetings!

I'm thinkin' maybe we could have weekly (or bi-monthly) 'northerly' newbie rides like they so successful execute down at Allaire?

Just a thought...


:popcorn:
 
You picked a great bike from a great shop. Keep at it, the hills get easier after a while. Then they start getting fun.
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Me too! No-drop, often stop suits my riding style. I'm not a noobee but certainly a slowbee. I was also in that work group that you ran into in the parking lot. Pick a time and place either Sat or Sun and I'll be there, weather permitting.

Bill

Oh yea, that was a most excellent bike choice.

va_bank said:
I'm in, if it can be done on Sat. or Sun. morning. Mahlon Dickerson preferred 😉
Click to expand...
 
Hey Luke 🙂

You need to get the other guy in that picture to come riding - I gave up already. He's got a serious technical problem with his bike - a flat tire.
 
I'll be in the Saffin Pond parking lot at 8:00AM this Saturday (weather permitting) I usually go a bit later, but we gotta take the kids to teh Sussex Fair.

If anyone shows up, I'll be happy to ride with them. I look exactly like the guy on right in Luke's picture, except a bit thinner.
 
VelocityBoy said:
Greetings!

I'm thinkin' maybe we could have weekly (or bi-monthly) 'northerly' newbie rides like they so successful execute down at Allaire?

Just a thought...


:popcorn:
Click to expand...

I'd be down for something like that. Allaire rides are a bit slow for me .. no offense! .. but if we're talking beginner rides on northern rocky stuff, I could use some pointers.
 
Okay here's the deal-io, as far as trails up north, I know Waway, JH, and RW very well but honestly, if we're talking real beginner rides with instruction, multiple leaders, with do-overs and such, the only option is Ringwood. There are simply just not enough viable trails at Waway or JH that are conducive to a real beginner ride such as I believe Frank and others do such a great job with at Allaire. I've led true novice rides at Ringwood before and for the vast majority of the time we'll stay on the fireroads with maybe some easier singletrack like by the model airplane field or Poison Ivy thrown in for those more adventurous. I'd be amenable to something like that,...for example, the majority of the ride might be on fireroads but one week throw in, 6 Bridges, the next week mostly fireroads but then maybe Skylands, the next week, Renegade & Schoolhouse...you get the idea...

Another consideration is that I am a JORBA member but just a footsoldier; if we do want to go forward with this, do we want to fly the JORBA banner (I'd like to, and will speak to the responsible parties if we decide to go in this direction)? Or independently?

Bottom line is I think Beginner/Novice rides up north are a good idea and I'd be willing to get involved in helping set them up.
 
walter said:
ummmm, what???
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Man, he sure wasn't on the "Save Me" ride in June the Allaire boyz 'n girls put on for me! We were f'in flyin'...average speed was 4-5 mph faster than *any* group ride I've been on at Mahlon...

va_bank...

Welcome. I was one of the trail diggers you met last weekend. First ride @ MD on that 29er will make you feel like the rest of us have been cheatin' 🙂
 
walter said:
ummmm, what???
Click to expand...

I mean the Allaire beginner rides Walter! I thought it would be understood since we're talking about beginner rides. Sorry for the confusion, the ride with you guys the other day was very challenging to say the least 🙂
 
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