Conditions Weekend of 1/21/17

[jfleming10]

Does any one anticipate anything in the vicinity being ride-able this weekend? Wondering about Nebo or something further south if necessary. Don't feel like riding in a cave. High temps and a new bike have me really itching to ride..

[pigfarm]

I cant imagine anything being close to ride-able.  Might be a good weekend for a gravel road tour of Brown county.  The gravel route for the Epic is on MTBProject and I think the Gravel Grovel and fun run route are still posted if you need some ideas.  The warm weather does make it tempting.

[jfleming10]

I suppose that's the voice of reason, hard as it is to bear :/


You mind posting links to the gravel route from the epic? I can't seem to find it. Is it an official 'ride' on there, or just a collection of trails?

[Dave Tozer]

While not at all what you were looking for, there is the Mayor's "Polar Bear Ride" tomorrow. 

Personally, I see me doing a cross bike mega urban tomorrow.

At least it's warm.

[jfleming10]

Part of me is considering throwing my tent in the car and driving to Big South Fork in TN.
4.5 hrs and it's an IMBA epic.
Free weekends only come so often.

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

Please take note if you intend to follow the Gravel Grovel Routes

There are two sections that are typically underwater this time of the year.

1) The section from Elkinsville to the Boat Ramp on Crooked Creek Road.
2) The lower section of McGowan / East Rodgers

There are also some sections that could be pretty muddy. 

1) 10 O'Clock Line
2) Trail D

[matt_laker]

If you have a fattie, another option for something different that I've done several times recently is riding alongside railroad tracks.  Thick gravel, no puddles, some sticks and stuff to watch out for...better in areas where the gravel is packed down more and not so thick but can't control/predict where that will be until you've done it. About 6-8psi seems to be the sweet spot.  It's a good workout and I always feel safer than riding on the road...just a thought!

[pigfarm]

I suppose that's the voice of reason, hard as it is to bear :/


You mind posting links to the gravel route from the epic? I can't seem to find it. Is it an official 'ride' on there, or just a collection of trails?

I always search "brown county epic" on the app on my phone.  Typically comes right up.  Good advice from Paul.  I should have included that.  Personally, I would stay off any part of the route that wasn't proper gravel road.

[jfleming10]

That did the trick for finding it, thanks!


Ended up not riding this weekend, but did a short walk on Bobcat yesterday. It was really mushy in some sections down in the ravine. Unfortunately there were fresh tire tracks through it. That section along the creek bed is starting to get fairly washed out already, unfortunately.

[Fett]

I always search "brown county epic" on the app on my phone.  Typically comes right up.  Good advice from Paul.  I should have included that.  Personally, I would stay off any part of the route that wasn't proper gravel road.

I was out on the gravel roads in Hoosier National Forest this weekend. Lots of people out riding gravel roads, probably training for Death March.  There are so many great roads.  One place that a lot of people start from is the Fire Tower on Tower Ridge Road.  There are gravel roads spurring off in 3 different directions with tons of different routes. I got in 50 miles and did not even scratch the surface of the possibilities of the area. It is just a beautiful area even if you are not on singletrack.