Sterling Forrest Group Ride 10/26/2026 9.30a

christryon

christryon

JORBA: Six Mile Run
JORBA.ORG
From Palisades MTB, crossposting for awareness:

Join us for a group ride leaving from Laurel Meadows Pond Trailhead at 9.30am SHARP! Come and see all the work Tahawus and the GSD crew has completed this past year. We'll have food and raffles post-ride so please register so we can get a head count. Please consider donating to support us in continuing to build these beautiful trails.

We look forward to seeing you on October 26th!

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I would love to ride. Will there be a novice/intermediate ride group? I'm still in the kind of "suck at this" phase.
 
@Scotty In general, there's groups for every level at rides. The only time that doesn't hold true is when the terrain at the park is difficult (Wildcat is an example, there is no beginner level there).

It's normal to evaulate an obstacle and decide you should walk it instead of riding it. I've done that on group rides this year. There's also nothing wrong with showing up and riding as far as you can and turning around. Most times there's someone that can point you back to the lot or ride with you if needed.

Maybe @jmanic can comment on the overall difficulty level of Sterling.
 
Well… There wasn’t a true beginner group at this weeks Chimney ride though we did have a slower pace intermediate group. Dave (pretty sure his name was Dave… I’m awful with names) did a nice job adjusting things as needed. Sometimes, a group will split into two if it’s called for. Happens all the time so @Scotty, I think you’ll end up having a positive experience if you come. Just my 2c.
 
christryon said:
@Scotty In general, there's groups for every level at rides. The only time that doesn't hold true is when the terrain at the park is difficult (Wildcat is an example, there is no beginner level there).

It's normal to evaulate an obstacle and decide you should walk it instead of riding it. I've done that on group rides this year. There's also nothing wrong with showing up and riding as far as you can and turning around. Most times there's someone that can point you back to the lot or ride with you if needed.

Maybe @jmanic can comment on the overall difficulty level of Sterling.
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Thanks!
shrpshtr325 said:
sterling is fine for beginners, id be very surprised if there wasnt a beginner group, go ahead and sign up
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Thanks. I did.
 
Juggernaut said:
Well… There wasn’t a true beginner group at this weeks Chimney ride though we did have a slower pace intermediate group. Dave (pretty sure his name was Dave… I’m awful with names) did a nice job adjusting things as needed. Sometimes, a group will split into two if it’s called for. Happens all the time so @Scotty, I think you’ll end up having a positive experience if you come. Just my 2c.
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Tom, "thegock" hung back with me and made sure that I had a good experience.
 
Scotty said:
Thanks!

Thanks. I did.
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shrpshtr325 said:
sterling is fine for beginners, id be very surprised if there wasnt a beginner group, go ahead and sign up
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I got a response from Palisade MTB that was very non specific about how the ride would be done. I'm going to pass on this one. YDKSAMTB has a ride at Allaire on Saturday, They reached out to me with a no drop commitment.
 
shrpshtr325 said:
sterling is fine for beginners, id be very surprised if there wasnt a beginner group, go ahead and sign up
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Ok, when was the last time you were on a ride with a beginner? The new stuff is ok BUT most beginners are not up for a thousand feet of climbing. The older trails are a rock hammer fest. Please remember most beginners are not on 8 grand pivots, they are on hardtails or 38 pound full suspension bikes that will be dropping parts the whole ride. If you want a beginner to quit the sport, take them to sterling.
 
The only part that sucks about Sterling for "beginners" is there is not bail out. You are committed to the 7 or 8 mile loop. Unlike other parks there are no trails to cut through if you are having difficulty. As far as terrain it is VERY beginner friendly with go arounds for all features.
 
Stef said:
The only part that sucks about Sterling for "beginners" is there is not bail out. You are committed to the 7 or 8 mile loop. Unlike other parks there are no trails to cut through if you are having difficulty. As far as terrain it is VERY beginner friendly with go arounds for all features.
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I don't mind hard. I don't mind walking when it gets too steep, too technical, or too rocky. My bike has more capability than me. What I can't do is go somewhere without a commitment yes or no to a beginner/intermediate group and that someone will always be there sweeping.
 
Stef said:
The only part that sucks about Sterling for "beginners" is there is not bail out. You are committed to the 7 or 8 mile loop. Unlike other parks there are no trails to cut through if you are having difficulty. As far as terrain it is VERY beginner friendly with go arounds for all features.
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Sorry, I has to disagree. 6 years ago I took my brother-in-law on a ride in sterling. He lives near hartshorn and rides there all the time. He was looking for a challenge so I took him to sterling, we parked at gate house and started on the clock wise loop. He went over the bars 3 times in the first 3 miles. He is not a bad rider but all those spike rocks that stick up in the middle of the trail were killing him. Look, I get it, you spend years pounding rocks in Ringwood, jungle, the creek and way way , sterling is not a big deal, but most people that ride south of rt 80 would not consider sterling beginner friendly. Jmo
 
scott62 said:
Sorry, I has to disagree. 6 years ago I took my brother-in-law on a ride in sterling. He lives near hartshorn and rides there all the time. He was looking for a challenge so I took him to sterling, we parked at gate house and started on the clock wise loop. He went over the bars 3 times in the first 3 miles. He is not a bad rider but all those spike rocks that stick up in the middle of the trail were killing him. Look, I get it, you spend years pounding rocks in Ringwood, jungle, the creek and way way , sterling is not a big deal, but most people that ride south of rt 80 would not consider sterling beginner friendly. Jmo
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You really are a troll huh
 
Stef said:
You really are a troll huh
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Just stating my opinion, here is a shot of trail forks…. Remind me again, what does mean when the trail is shown as black? That’s not beginner. Like I said , the new stuff is ok but some not beginner friendly climbing is involved with that.
IMG_3956.png
 
scott62 said:
Sorry, I has to disagree. 6 years ago I took my brother-in-law on a ride in sterling. He lives near hartshorn and rides there all the time. He was looking for a challenge so I took him to sterling, we parked at gate house and started on the clock wise loop. He went over the bars 3 times in the first 3 miles. He is not a bad rider but all those spike rocks that stick up in the middle of the trail were killing him. Look, I get it, you spend years pounding rocks in Ringwood, jungle, the creek and way way , sterling is not a big deal, but most people that ride south of rt 80 would not consider sterling beginner friendly. Jmo
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Very informative. Thanks.
 
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