..somewhere centrally located and make it a weekend of fun riding. It looks like we are all scattered around, so, let's meet in the middle-like Colorado! Anyone interested?

Man, I hate flying on some little airplane seat.

geoorge

Why do I always have to say something here :mad:

From Florida...

From Florida...


Ideas on different locations?

I'll be there gathering or no gathering

Ideas on different locations? I'm sure there will be some of us Clydes there anyway.

Why do I always have to say something here :mad:

Instead of writing whatever you have to say in the subject line put it in the main text body.

How about seperate meeting east and west? Colorado sounds great if your out west, but a guy from maine or Florida isn't going to make it[unless it's july, the fla guy will definitely make it]. I'm a big fan of the rail trails, there are a number of these in the virginia-west virginia area, being from tennessee, I'd be there for sure. I guess someone just needs to step up to the plate and start setting something up. Any takers?

I like the idea of an East/West thing. I'm from Virginia and would have a hard time making it to Colorado/Utah/California/etc. I know several others that would like to attend but are in the same boat as me.

However, I have experience organizing these kinds of things (I'm one of the organizers for www.imprezafest.org ) and would be glad to help. I think it's a good idea.

...start out with an East coast event and see how that does. Then we can work on the West coast thing. I'd travel-that's half the fun. Mtbing is an adventure. Set it up and let's do it. PattD

...start out with an East coast event and see how that does. Then we can work on the West coast thing. I'd travel-that's half the fun. Mtbing is an adventure. Set it up and let's do it. PattD


We could have an informal gathering in Michigan the first Sat in November at the Iceman Cometh Challenge. THere is quite a large group of Clydes that do that race. It's a really fun event. Might be a good place to gather late in the year. If your interested though you better sign up soon. SPots fill up usually by June. PattD

Does Michigan qualify as East Coast?

I would suggest an East Coast meet somewhere in North Carolina. That is a central location for everyone on the East Coast. Sure, some will have to drive farther than others, but nobody from Florida will have to drive to New York, and vice versa.

Before we pick a place, we need to decide [vote?] on what type of riding the majority are looking for. As I said in an earlier reply, I'm a big fan of the rail-trails. Like most clydes, I'm not much on the steep stuff, and the rail trails are perfect for us gravity challenged guys. But of course some guys would be bored by the flatness of your average rail trails. In the western half of virginia, there are 2 wonderful rail trails. The Virginia creeper is 35 miles long, realatively easy, very scenic and also has the iron mountain trail that shoots off of it that is a real lung burner for those so inclined. The local town of Damascus is smack dab in the middle of the trail and is quite acustomed to weekend gatherings of bikers, hikers [ the appalachian trail runs alongside the creeper for a while] and other outdoors oriented folks. Lots of campgrounds and bike shops are there too.They have an anual trail days festival that is more of a hiker's gathering, but maybe we could put our gathering a week beofr or after that. About an hour from the creeper trail is the New river statepark, which is a 57 mile long rail trail. There are several small towns along it that could serve as a base for something like this also. Between these three trails, plus a few others in the area, I'm sure there would be something for everyone. Feel free to let your preferences known!

BC....everyone come to BC, really.....I'm poor and lazy so going anywhere else is not gonna happen....lol.

Before we pick a place, we need to decide [vote?] on what type of riding the majority are looking for. As I said in an earlier reply, I'm a big fan of the rail-trails. Like most clydes, I'm not much on the steep stuff, and the rail trails are perfect for us gravity challenged guys. But of course some guys would be bored by the flatness of your average rail trails. In the western half of virginia, there are 2 wonderful rail trails. The Virginia creeper is 35 miles long, realatively easy, very scenic and also has the iron mountain trail that shoots off of it that is a real lung burner for those so inclined. The local town of Damascus is smack dab in the middle of the trail and is quite acustomed to weekend gatherings of bikers, hikers [ the appalachian trail runs alongside the creeper for a while] and other outdoors oriented folks. Lots of campgrounds and bike shops are there too.They have an anual trail days festival that is more of a hiker's gathering, but maybe we could put our gathering a week beofr or after that. About an hour from the creeper trail is the New river statepark, which is a 57 mile long rail trail. There are several small towns along it that could serve as a base for something like this also. Between these three trails, plus a few others in the area, I'm sure there would be something for everyone. Feel free to let your preferences known!
As a veteran of mtbr who has hosted 5 gatherings, I can tell you that if you open the decision of where and when to ride to a vote, and 50 people vote, you would get 50 different answers. You need to pick a weekend and go with it.

A) we could do one gathering in a central part of the nation. Have everyone fly into one city/state for three days and we ride our asses off. The positives: we would all be in one place; we could divide the groups easlily enough based on riding levels. The negatives: depending on the size of the turn out, a large number of Clydesdales on any terrain may be a little too much for that area ;-) ; for those coming out from far away transportation may not be an easy thing and will be the most prohibited.

B) Alternating coasts: one year on the East, the next year on the west. Problem is the same; if you live too far from the hosting city, you may not attend.

C) Hosting two gatherings on the same weekend on both coasts. That would take care of the distance issue for most. As clysdesales, most of us don't like long climbs, so we would have to choose carefully.

If this does become a reality, i'm willing to offer my services as a host/organizer

My $0.02

Just a thought, If you all wanted to do a central location together. Indiana has some tastey countryside. I`m currently seeking more information about the Hoosier National Forest. Southern IN. has plenty of scenic hills and valleys. Indycyclespecialist.com has some cool links. or bicycleindiana.org.
Or for that matter Kentucky has some beautifull land. I havent ridden there, but i do plan on finding any open trail networks for MTN. bikes. Even though i`m a clyde. if something was going to draw me too a gathering would be at least the draw of the terrain. Lush greenery and some challenge physically and mentally. I can do a rail trail just down the street. Indianapolis has created some nice rail trails here. But as soon as you go street. you better be ready for the Indy500 pacecars that seem to inhabit every square mile of this city. anyways cant wait to see how this turns out. I`m about 65% finnished with my new bike and i`d love to start taking it out on some new riding adventures.................Ghost

. The Virginia creeper is 35 miles long, realatively easy, very scenic and also has the iron mountain trail that shoots off of it that is a real lung burner for those so inclined. The local town of Damascus is smack dab in the middle of the trail .

... About an hour from the creeper trail is the New river statepark, which is a 57 mile long rail trail. There are several small towns along it that could serve as a base for something like this also. Between these three trails, plus a few others in the area, I'm sure there would be something for everyone. Feel free to let your preferences known!

I know where Damscas, Maryland is, but I've never heard of the creeper or New River state park. Does the creeper have another name?

I live near Reston, home of the Reston to Great Falls trail.
Dan

I know where Damscas, Maryland is, but I've never heard of the creeper or New River state park. Does the creeper have another name?

I live near Reston, home of the Reston to Great Falls trail.
Dan

This is the Damascus located in Southern VA. Close to Marion, Abingdon, etc. About an hour from Bristol. I'm actually heading there tomorrow. I'll have pics Sunday.

If this does become a reality, i'm willing to offer my services as a host/organizer


As would I.

Are we going to do this or was this just a waste of bandwidth???

I know where Damscas, Maryland is, but I've never heard of the creeper or New River state park. Does the creeper have another name?

I live near Reston, home of the Reston to Great Falls trail.
Dan
The creeper is officially known as the virginia creeper trail. It is the #1 rail trail in the country as far as popularity goes. The new river state park is in the wytheville area, you can find info @ www.virginiastateparks.com. You owe it to your self to check these out!

This subject is really getting some airplay here and ever since I mentioned the Virginia creeper trail, there seems to be some good interest. I think it's the nicest place to ride that I've found in my 20 years of being an avid cyclist. Hey mister cosmo, you go ahead and check it out tommarrow, get back to me @ cyclust@charter.net when you return and let's pick this ball up and run!.I know you'll come back just bustin'.Maybe we can do a small "warm up" gathering in a month or so more for folks within a day's drive, then if support is strong, work on a fall event or one for next year. I'm not much on organizing events, but I ride the creeper about once a week, so I know the trail, the area and the good eatin' places {you know were gonna eat some viddles} and could come up with a short list of motels and campgrounds. Maybe I could work out a few discounts at motels and such. Saddle up!

This subject is really getting some airplay here and ever since I mentioned the Virginia creeper trail, there seems to be some good interest. I think it's the nicest place to ride that I've found in my 20 years of being an avid cyclist. Hey mister cosmo, you go ahead and check it out tommarrow, get back to me @ cyclust@charter.net when you return and let's pick this ball up and run!.I know you'll come back just bustin'.Maybe we can do a small "warm up" gathering in a month or so more for folks within a day's drive, then if support is strong, work on a fall event or one for next year. I'm not much on organizing events, but I ride the creeper about once a week, so I know the trail, the area and the good eatin' places {you know were gonna eat some viddles} and could come up with a short list of motels and campgrounds. Maybe I could work out a few discounts at motels and such. Saddle up!
Sept? Oct? or sooner?
I'm hosting ABS in Washington state in August, so I'm unable to go anywhere.

what are your thoughts? The only places that I can think off that are "clydesdale friendly" are:
So Cal: I don't know where all the trails are there, but I've riden there twice and the trails were all fun and doable.

Eastern Wa &/or OR: I don't know where all the trails are there, but the terrain is beautiful.

British Columbia, Canada: Delta Water Shed & Squamish are the only two places in BC that are true XC ride areas. The only other choice, which would be my favorate, would be Whistler. There is plenty of lodging, I believe there is camping somewhere near by, and the resort has both DH and XC trails.

My vote, Whistler in Spring 2005?!

Are we going to do this or was this just a waste of bandwidth???

Fall is a great time of year to ride, and allows plenty of time to get something informal together. All you need to scope out a location-pick several different rides each day-point people in the right direction for lodging-and then run with it. I'm kind of stuck on Colorado this year-3rd kid on the way in August! But, you never know.

I'm would love to see some riders down here we have some really great trails & this is sort of a halfway point bewteen north & the south on the east coast.If you look up Harbison stare forest on-line that you can see what kind of riding we have we.Its just a thought let me know! :cool: it would have to be after may 16th just getting back from Disney with the family.. :D

I'm would love to see some riders down here we have some really great trails & this is sort of a halfway point bewteen north & the south on the east coast.If you look up Harbison stare forest on-line that you can see what kind of riding we have we.Its just a thought let me know! :cool: it would have to be after may 16th just getting back from Disney with the family.. :D
I guess the middle of the west coast would be somewhere in Northern California, Norther Nevada, or South Idaho. Any Clydesdales in those woods that can toss in some suggestions??
<img src=http://mitglied.lycos.de/harueckner/west_usa.jpg>

I'm thinking east coast clydes could meet in NC for some pisgah love in early september. I know that's where I'll be.

I'm thinking east coast clydes could meet in NC for some pisgah love in early september. I know that's where I'll be.

Sounds good to me. Let's organize something.

I'm up for a midwestern gathering this year. No one mentioned southern Illinois, so I will now. True, Illinois is mostly flat cornland, but the southern most tip is littered with long trails. Anyone else from the IL area.

Sounds good to me. Let's organize something.
well lets get on it. Anyone else down for meeting in brevard in early sept? I've got a prior commitment to be in the OBX for a week or so then, but no reason I can't go straight to that from biking.


Cosmo, you've got experience with organization and logistics, I picked brevard because its simply a good jumping off point. I know that NC has the kind of riding to satisfy anyone. The rail-trail crowd would have a blast at nearby tsali, gravity goons can hit the nastier stuff from davidson river campground, etc... I've got a significant amount of training in expedition logistics, but not much in the way of an MTB gathering. Let me know what your feelings are, your attitude seems to be like mine. The sooner plans are made the better.

I guess the middle of the west coast would be somewhere in Northern California, Norther Nevada, or South Idaho. Any Clydesdales in those woods that can toss in some suggestions??
<img src=http://mitglied.lycos.de/harueckner/west_usa.jpg>

Now you're talking, I can't really suggest an area, but if it ends up in NorCal, I can make it.

george

well lets get on it. Anyone else down for meeting in brevard in early sept? I've got a prior commitment to be in the OBX for a week or so then, but no reason I can't go straight to that from biking.


Cosmo, you've got experience with organization and logistics, I picked brevard because its simply a good jumping off point. I know that NC has the kind of riding to satisfy anyone. The rail-trail crowd would have a blast at nearby tsali, gravity goons can hit the nastier stuff from davidson river campground, etc... I've got a significant amount of training in expedition logistics, but not much in the way of an MTB gathering. Let me know what your feelings are, your attitude seems to be like mine. The sooner plans are made the better.

PM or E-mail me with more info on the area. I have never been there, but was planning on going later this season anyways. Also, if you know of any local shops that would be interested in sponsoring or whatever, let me know. If not I can find that out myself.

Put me down for the East Coast / NC gathering. I'm in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but will be happy to help any way I can. If we can decide on specific dates, I'll put them on my calendar.

tachyon

my vote for an est coast ride goes out for the dark mtn. trails in wilkes county nc. 6 miles of trails and its still expanding. the brushy mountian cyclists club that created it actually had an olympic mt. biker come ride the trails. he rated them higher than the atl. ga. olympic course. i plan to go ride them as soon as i get my new bike.

my vote for an est coast ride goes out for the dark mtn. trails in wilkes county nc. 6 miles of trails and its still expanding. the brushy mountian cyclists club that created it actually had an olympic mt. biker come ride the trails. he rated them higher than the atl. ga. olympic course. i plan to go ride them as soon as i get my new bike.


Dark mountain is cool (its actually closer to where I live) but I think to provide the real variety, altitudes and length that we're talking about, pisgah's the place to be. I also feel similar about SC, I like SC but why ride there if you can go a little bit further and get world class singletrack?

check yer pm's cosmo

We should definitely do this. I have never ridden any of the NC trails (planning to later this season) but I would be willing to offer my organizational skills. So which trails does everyone suggest? Tsali? Pisgah? Others? I enjoy the technical stuff as much as anyone else, but for something like this, I think a more moderate ride would be better. Give everyone a chance to meet everyone, talk, etc. while riding, and not being white-knuckled all day.

..somewhere centrally located and make it a weekend of fun riding. It looks like we are all scattered around, so, let's meet in the middle-like Colorado! Anyone interested?

Heya,

I'm here in Santa Cruz and we have some awesome possibilities. Most notably I'd say the forest of Nisene Marks: Aptos Creek Trail, Soquel Demo Forest, Buzzard Lagoon, etc.

It's more of a locals scene, shade covered redwood forest w/ everything from fire roads to the spiciest singletrack around. The ride that I'm thinking of would consist of:
* climb elevation - 11,358 ft
* avg. grade 11%
* max. elev 2,579 ft
* dist. 39+ miles
(attached photo is a bit fuzzy but info above describes)

There are hotel and campsite possibilities nearby: New Brighton State Beach for camping will be opening very soon, http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=542 .

I think some time about September or so after most of the race season is over may suffice. Anyway, this is my suggestion. Ya'll hollar,

Troy

i would tend to agree with cosmo. the dark mtn. trails are intermediate level. some technical stuff, some jumps if anyone wants to tackle that. as i said earlier, it is only 6 miles of trails. but you can alternate routes and ride them backwards, ect. it isn't too rough so it'll be good from a social standpoint. not to mention the fact that with the short length anyone who has bike problems(us big boys know what thats like) you won't have a super long hike out.

Yeah, I totally hear what you're saying, I just find it hard to tell other people to drive a long way to hit something that short. I think what seems like the best idea is to meet in at tsali and then have smaller groups head other places should the need arise. Dark mountain is neat, but I can hardly see driving all the way here from NY or from Florida to ride a 6 mile stretch of trail. If we all meet at tsali, that allows for 40+ miles of singletrack that we can all ride, and gravity junkies/climbing masochists can head to fontana dam (very close to tsali) or to other spots in pisgah. Also, since tsali is 4 loops that are roughly 10 miles apiece (I know that's not exact) you're never that much of a walk-out from your campsite. Plus the outfitters at the NOC are about 5 mins away by car, I spent a month a the NOC and know that the wrenches there do their absolute best to get people riding again ASAP.

Now you're talking, I can't really suggest an area, but if it ends up in NorCal, I can make it.

george

Mammoth California...it's just a ways south of reno and tahoe...then again tahoe has some good stuff too...

Heya,

I'm here in Santa Cruz and we have some awesome possibilities. Most notably I'd say the forest of Nisene Marks: Aptos Creek Trail, Soquel Demo Forest, Buzzard Lagoon, etc.

It's more of a locals scene, shade covered redwood forest w/ everything from fire roads to the spiciest singletrack around. The ride that I'm thinking of would consist of:
* climb elevation - 11,358 ft
* avg. grade 11%
* max. elev 2,579 ft
* dist. 39+ miles
(attached photo is a bit fuzzy but info above describes)

There are hotel and campsite possibilities nearby: New Brighton State Beach for camping will be opening very soon, http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=542 .

I think some time about September or so after most of the race season is over may suffice. Anyway, this is my suggestion. Ya'll hollar,

Troy
This one to me looks like it could be a winner. Waddayathink?

I'm up for a midwestern gathering this year. No one mentioned southern Illinois, so I will now. True, Illinois is mostly flat cornland, but the southern most tip is littered with long trails. Anyone else from the IL area.

We're probably in the minority, but I'd be up for a Midwest ride, be it Southern Illinois, Sugar Bottom in Iowa, Kettle in Wisconsin etc

Yeah, I totally hear what you're saying, I just find it hard to tell other people to drive a long way to hit something that short. I think what seems like the best idea is to meet in at tsali and then have smaller groups head other places should the need arise. Dark mountain is neat, but I can hardly see driving all the way here from NY or from Florida to ride a 6 mile stretch of trail. If we all meet at tsali, that allows for 40+ miles of singletrack that we can all ride, and gravity junkies/climbing masochists can head to fontana dam (very close to tsali) or to other spots in pisgah. Also, since tsali is 4 loops that are roughly 10 miles apiece (I know that's not exact) you're never that much of a walk-out from your campsite. Plus the outfitters at the NOC are about 5 mins away by car, I spent a month a the NOC and know that the wrenches there do their absolute best to get people riding again ASAP.

Sounds good to me. Should we think about "officially" organizing something?

Sounds good to me. Should we think about "officially" organizing something?

Yep, I sent you a PM or two yesterday (or the day before, can't be sure) :)

Yep, I sent you a PM or two yesterday (or the day before, can't be sure) :)

D'oh! Sorry. Didn't chek my PM's......

D'oh! Sorry. Didn't chek my PM's......

Oh, no worries at all. That's why planning starts early!

Sounds cool. There are a few goodies I've read thrown out so far. The place Fire Horse threw out sounds nice. Anyone ever done WOMBLE?

How about a destination poll?

I'll be there gathering or no gathering

Hey..me too! Are you hooking up w/ a particular group there?

Hey..me too! Are you hooking up w/ a particular group there?

Hey Padre,
Nothing formal planned, just hooking up with some buddies from my old Orange County stomping ground and bringing along some new friends from Colorado. I think we are riding Porcupine on Thursday, maybe Amasa on Friday, then Slickrock, etc. I haven't been doing ANY riding in the last month due to business travel, so I plan on getting spanked a little. Hoping to have my new and first FS ride built up by then (Ventana El Chamuco), but if not, I'll be on the SS really getting spanked.

How about you?