What is the BEST trail in PeeYea? It doesn't matter the distance, difficulty, etc.
just post your vote for the BEST;
where it is;
and why you think it's #1 in PA.
Wow, the first half decent thread in this forum in a coons age, at least for one post. I think I'll rescue it. I vote The Tubs in Luzerne County. I've been riding there forever and I never get sick of it. And aside from the odd fallen tree, it requires very little trail maintenance.
Wow, the first half decent thread in this forum in a coons age, at least for one post. I think I'll rescue it. I vote The Tubs in Luzerne County. I've been riding there forever and I never get sick of it. And aside from the odd fallen tree, it requires very little trail maintenance.
I vote the same. However Brian and I (with a few helpers) keep that place so spiffy that is just doesn't SEEM like alot of maintenance is required. haha. Thanks for being one of the riders who would actually move a fallen tree rather than just bushwack around it
Are we talking about true mtn bike specific trails,and all most exclusively used by mtn bikers,where logs and other challenging terrain is welcomed and bushwacking isn't an issue because it's mtn biking and the idea is to ride the terrain as presented to you.I've had the good fortune and opportunity to ride a good many places over the years,but to date one of the finest and most challenging mtn bike areas in Pa is the Mt Penn/Antietam trails,still one of the best kept secrets.truly built and maintained by mtn bikers with various terrain to test your skills.whatever feeds your need CC,AM or DH these trails and runs deliver!
Not a "trail", but my favorate ride in PA(or anywhere) was the epic improvised ride that went from Stroudsburg, to Jacobsburg, and back. Over 60 miles of extremely diverse terrain(about 80% dirt) included paved road, singletrack, doubletrack, ATV trail, rail trail and bed over flat and climbing terrain.
One almost has to expect the first 5 responses on this thread when posting on the PA (oops..meant the NEPA) Forum. Getting to be a PIA to even post on here.
My personal faves are Mt.Gretna trail #15, Mt.Penn, French Creek, in that order. Coincidentally they fall in order from most technical to least, although Mt.Penn is just about right there with Gretna.
None of them are any good right now though with over a foot of snow on them and more to come!
Mountain Top - from Brown St. to Slayline (old smashing plates). It has everything: one of the toughest climbs I've ever done (the fire road to the upper Earth area before Dead Deer), and the gnarliest DH sections I've ever seen in NEPA.
Finius, I'm counting on contributing to Reconstruction come the spring, so you let me know if you're heading outsomewhere and can use another (somewhat) strong back, hmm-kay?
bear could probably guess this already, but Miles of Smiles at Blue Mountain has to be my favorite. We took it at the end of our day there on our last run. Then did another last run. Then a third. Then finally a fourth last time down that trail before calling it quits. I don't think it's anywhere near miles long, but it's all fast berms and tabletops that let you go real fast and force you to hang on tight. The best part is it's still fun even if you're not any good at that kind of stuff.
The best trail in Pa? Boy that's a tough one. How can one person judge what is the best trail in Pa? It's a very large state. It would be impossible for one person to ride them all and then make a fair judgement (of course if you're looking for volunteers put my name on the list).
I can honestly say of all the trails I've ridden it would be tough to say what is the best one. Some I liked more than others of course, but can I say that one is head & shoulders above the rest? No.
Pee-yay trails are like pizza, sex and beer: Even the bad ones are still pretty darn good.
The best trail in Pa? Boy that's a tough one. How can one person judge what is the best trail in Pa? It's a very large state. It would be impossible for one person to ride them all and then make a fair judgement (of course if you're looking for volunteers put my name on the list).
I can honestly say of all the trails I've ridden it would be tough to say what is the best one. Some I liked more than others of course, but can I say that one is head & shoulders above the rest? No.
Pee-yay trails are like pizza, sex and beer: Even the bad ones are still pretty darn good.
Any of them that I have had the pleasure of helping to build/maintain.
no doubt that there is a bias toward trails we've help build or maintain.
to me, the selfless act of volunteering my time and energy to trail work pays off 10 fold whenever I ride that trail with others who I see enjoying themselves, being totally stoked on riding that trail....and knowing that trail is there for anyone anytime get our and bring happiness to their day... (except for right now because it's under 3 feet of snow).
oh, and with that in mind, I'd vote for Mt. Gretna's trail 15
no doubt that there is a bias toward trails we've help build or maintain.
to me, the selfless act of volunteering my time and energy to trail work pays off 10 fold whenever I ride that trail with others who I see enjoying themselves, being totally stoked on riding that trail....and knowing that trail is there for anyone anytime get our and bring happiness to their day... (except for right now because it's under 3 feet of snow).
oh, and with that in mind, I'd vote for Mt. Gretna's trail 15
I have to agree with you on that point, Moonraker! I do have to admit to being a little selfish in building trails that I can enjoy, but the real payoff is seeing everybody else enjoying them! You just have to get someone to pack the snow down for ya!!!
One almost has to expect the first 5 responses on this thread when posting on the PA (oops..meant the NEPA) Forum. Getting to be a PIA to even post on here.
Moonraker...many faves...including Trail 15....
I bet if we were all riding EWRs in all our threads we would be with the in crowd...
wait for it...
wait for it...
...naw all that exposure on MTBR, plus all the Moto guys we race/ride with would want one.
I'll throw Moraine and Raystown /Allegrippis out there. I sure do miss riding Michaux since I moved away from that area. Whatever you want, it's there, and lots of it. If you know where to look
No doubt. The 3 feet of snow is making it hard to ride them right now though! It's going to be a wet spring with all of the snow melting.
I grew up 5 minutes from Michaux, and my family still lives there. They were snowed in until yesterday when their log cabin's mile long road was finally cleared of the 6 foot snow drifts by Heavy Duty equipment. They have a full size 2WD farm tractor and a 4WD Yamaha Rhino ATV with a plow and neither of them could make a dent in the snow.
Laurel Mountain. Rocks, roots, bears, flying porcupines. What more could you possibly want?
I second this. Laurel Mountain is my favorite place to ride in PA. Love it up there. I have a nice little loop banged out that is the perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Other good trails/areas:
Roaring Run, Apollo
Roaring Run, Donegal
Boyce Park
Seven Springs for some downhill fun.
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain
Marsh Creek is just a few miles away form home. A few years ago it was pretty beat down. Recently a local group, working with IMBA, have added/rebuilt miles of single track. While I did not work with the trail builders, I did start providing janitorial services. I began clearing blown down trees and limbs with a folding bow saw. Last year my wife upgraded me and bought me a Silky KAMISORIME saw. I probably look like a ronin with a sword strapped to my camelbak. I can cut up to 10" trunks with that saw.
Marsh Creek pales in a technical comparison to French Creek or Wissahickon. But, the work I do on the Marsh Creek trails definitely makes it my favorite. Sometimes I feel like Tom Bombadil wandering the 'wood' and clearing the trails for wayward travelers.
Marsh Creek is just a few miles away form home. A few years ago it was pretty beat down. Recently a local group, working with IMBA, have added/rebuilt miles of single track. While I did not work with the trail builders, I did start providing janitorial services. I began clearing blown down trees and limbs with a folding bow saw. Last year my wife upgraded me and bought me a Silky KAMISORIME saw. I probably look like a ronin with a sword strapped to my camelbak. I can cut up to 10" trunks with that saw.
Marsh Creek pales in a technical comparison to French Creek or Wissahickon. But, the work I do on the Marsh Creek trails definitely makes it my favorite. Sometimes I feel like Tom Bombadil wandering the 'wood' and clearing the trails for wayward travelers.
I know it's about all I can offer you, but,
Thank You!
Marsh Creek is a great place, I did the race a few years ago!
We need more people like yourself as you are a true asset!
It's funny. For years now I have done it, just to do it. It's fun, like splitting cord wood with a maul. A few months ago a group of riders rolled up as I was cutting a walnut limb that had fallen across the trail. They offered me a hand and then a heart felt thanks. That one thank you made the years of near anonymous service feel pretty sweet.
It's funny. For years now I have done it, just to do it. It's fun, like splitting cord wood with a maul. A few months ago a group of riders rolled up as I was cutting a walnut limb that had fallen across the trail. They offered me a hand and then a heart felt thanks. That one thank you made the years of near anonymous service feel pretty sweet.
Happy trails NEPMTBA, keep the rubber side down.
Just being able to see people enjoying the trails we work on is awesome! When you get just that one person that thanks you, it does make it all worthwhile!!!