I am dragging one or both of my scouts, a fellow scout leader, and one of his scouts to Brown County this weekend to plan a MTB campout for our troop and venture crew.
While the boys are inexperienced mountain bikers, they are scouts They know their limitations, and can hike anything they cannot bike. However, this isn't a hike planning trip. I don't want to subject them to trails they must mostly hump.
Slightly rocky, rooty isn't an issue, nor is grade, outside stuff that's only the top 15% of us can handle. They won't be clearing logs, but it's no issue to dismount on occasion. Tight switchbacks can be difficult when steering beyond 30º, or when rocky with a deep inside drop. Not particularly adept at sliding or drifting, even though they claim otherwise
I plan to hit Valley Branch Retreat early Friday afternoon. Hopefully they will be running a shuttle so we don't finish the day wore out. Aiming to run a lot of the green on their map, and Copper Head Ridge.
We will ride the park on Saturday, starting with Limekiln, probably continuing down Walnut trail and stopping at Hesitation point before heading back for lunch. Then plan to drive over to North Tower Loop parking to hit that and the Aynes loop.
Anything to avoid? Anything to not miss? Three of us backpacked the Rockies this summer, I don't fear anything we may have to push or carry our bikes through or around. However, I do want to concentrate our time in areas where we can spend the most time on the bikes. If there is anything that will be a real bear for us, or a real trreat, I'd appreciate insight from those that have already traversed these trails.
Thanks!
While the boys are inexperienced mountain bikers, they are scouts They know their limitations, and can hike anything they cannot bike. However, this isn't a hike planning trip. I don't want to subject them to trails they must mostly hump.
Slightly rocky, rooty isn't an issue, nor is grade, outside stuff that's only the top 15% of us can handle. They won't be clearing logs, but it's no issue to dismount on occasion. Tight switchbacks can be difficult when steering beyond 30º, or when rocky with a deep inside drop. Not particularly adept at sliding or drifting, even though they claim otherwise
I plan to hit Valley Branch Retreat early Friday afternoon. Hopefully they will be running a shuttle so we don't finish the day wore out. Aiming to run a lot of the green on their map, and Copper Head Ridge.
We will ride the park on Saturday, starting with Limekiln, probably continuing down Walnut trail and stopping at Hesitation point before heading back for lunch. Then plan to drive over to North Tower Loop parking to hit that and the Aynes loop.
Anything to avoid? Anything to not miss? Three of us backpacked the Rockies this summer, I don't fear anything we may have to push or carry our bikes through or around. However, I do want to concentrate our time in areas where we can spend the most time on the bikes. If there is anything that will be a real bear for us, or a real trreat, I'd appreciate insight from those that have already traversed these trails.
Thanks!