2015-2016 BIYF online winter complaint repository

3/12, 4hrs. Team ride in Philly. Did a sweet Belmont loop, then hit Cresheim and a good part of wiss. Robert M. joined us, super nice dude and real fast. Cat2 30-39 watch out for him.

https://www.strava.com/activities/515131093

This skinny is way steeper/tech than it looks, was stoked to clean it. Thx Todd for the pic:
imagejpeg_0~2.jpg
 
3/12 - 10:01:42 https://www.strava.com/activities/515366675

3/13 - 1:17:12 https://www.strava.com/activities/516147473

Yesterday I started from the bat cave around 6:30am. I crossed Green Pond and took some trails behind the Hibernia Auto Restoration place and into White Meadow Lake. I skipped the trail here and just took the road over to Mount Hope Historic Park. I cut through there mostly on a rail trail and then hit a little singletrack before taking the trail under 80 and 15 into Wharton. I took the rail trail in Canal Park over to Berkshire Valley Rd, and then a real short road ride into Berkshire WMA. I went up the old railbed and then hopped on the road and crossed 15 in the center of Jefferson and popped into the Mahlon WMA.

I tried to shortcut through some local Lake Shawnee trails from memory, but I screwed it up and came to an impassable river and had to kinda cut through someone's yard to get around it. Then I just took the railbed in Mahlon up to the power lines and down to Glen Rd in Sparta. I crossed onto Ridge Rd and took the power lines and fireroads through Sparta Mountain WMA. I made my way out to Rt 23 and then rode some railroad tracks to some ATV trail to the Harry Cole trail in Stockholm. I was following a GPX file I had that I thought took Harry Cole all the way to Cannistear, but I was wrong and it doubled back toward Stockholm Rd. I then followed another GPX file to make my way back to Cannistear. There was a good amount of busted ATV trails that were pretty damn hard.

I rode up Cannistear a bit and then ducked behind a fence and onto the gas pipeline. The GPX file I was following went off the pipeline and back on it, presumably due to the huge swamp on the pipeline. I didn't find any trail there and just bushwhacked through following the line on my Garmin. I eventually got back to the pipeline and was in Wawayanda. I rode down Pines and then went and did Budda and Thirsty Dog before taking Old Coal down to Clinton Rd at P7.

I rode some trails in the watershed there and made my way to the top of Stephens Rd. I skipped the ridge trail and just took the white trail south, which is still pretty technical. At Hank's Pond I took Van Orden Rd over to Union Valley Rd, and then ducked onto some old jeep trails that go down to 23. I scooted across 23, crossed the railroad bridge, and made my way down the west side of Charlottesburg and Splitrock Reservoirs. I came down Timberbrook to Durham and then cut through Farny to get back to Wildcat. I made my way back down to the bat cave lot just before sunset. Then I stuffed my face, got drunk, and passed out.

So Wildcat to Mahlon to Wawayanda and back to Wildcat almost entirely off road. The ride was super awesome but I was pretty beat after. I was tempted to stay in bed this morning, but I got up and headed out to the BSA for the Short Track. It went about as well as I expected it to, and it was pretty painful.
 
3/13/16

3:00

https://www.strava.com/activities/516236943

"We don't have to climb every hill in New Jersey", the junior Hardy Boy said during a ride about eight years ago. But, we can climb some of them, cuz there are so many good ones. Going west on Mountain Ave in Berkeley Heights, I was cruising hard downhill when I noticed that the tan Honda Accord passing me had its brake lights on. Of course the 19 year old (?) driver right hooked me. I missed his right rear quarter panel by about two feet, which doesn't sound very close unless you are sliding on gravelly macadam with both wheels locked up at 25 mph. I chased him for 3/4 miles but he drove in a big circle and I lost him. Probably a good thing for both of us. This is what we looked like with two blinking tail lights:

upload_2016-3-13_15-10-14.png


Very easy to miss that purple and yellow vest. Clearly my fault if we had collided.
 
what a great day to be outside!

@Arwen's Mom - hell yes cookie monstarrr

Sunday 3/13, 12.9 miles 0:50 moving time - https://www.strava.com/activities/516351095

i was supposed to get up at 4 am and do a double lap of every trail on the island for ~70 miles but i never set my alarm, so i got up at around 9 to my friend justin texting me he was feeling better and wanted to ride trails on his new rad as fuck purple trek stache. so i hauled ass down to the ferry and pulled up just as he got out, aw yiss.

then we rode to the train to not waste time getting to trails

Sunday 3/13, 32.2 miles 3:12 moving time - https://www.strava.com/activities/516355149

rode the easy trails with my buddy justin, he got a sangwich, then escorted him back to ferry since he was getting tired and still wasnt 100% not sick

hit one of two categorized climbs on the island to get back to the trailhead and wander around a while. i found some super steep downhill bowl section to dick around on, then i stopped to water the plants and my other friend charley blasts right by me as im lettin loose. so i quickly get back on the steed and chase him down, we meet up then we shred the shit out of the gnar on the way back to our respective hoods.

he splits off to go back home to wifey and newborn, and i head up to my new favorite segment. i moved around some mud bridges so we can actually ride on them and not in the mud next to them, and broke up some fallen tree so its not a potential eye gouge fest and just kindof aimlessly wander my way back to my hood. continued putting up some ribbon to mark off the connector of the new section of trail so we dont get lost in the fields of devils club and brambles.

high on bikes. seriously guys, bikes are awesome.
 
JimN said:
3/12 - 10:01:42 https://www.strava.com/activities/515366675

3/13 - 1:17:12 https://www.strava.com/activities/516147473

Yesterday I started from the bat cave around 6:30am. I crossed Green Pond and took some trails behind the Hibernia Auto Restoration place and into White Meadow Lake. I skipped the trail here and just took the road over to Mount Hope Historic Park. I cut through there mostly on a rail trail and then hit a little singletrack before taking the trail under 80 and 15 into Wharton. I took the rail trail in Canal Park over to Berkshire Valley Rd, and then a real short road ride into Berkshire WMA. I went up the old railbed and then hopped on the road and crossed 15 in the center of Jefferson and popped into the Mahlon WMA.

I tried to shortcut through some local Lake Shawnee trails from memory, but I screwed it up and came to an impassable river and had to kinda cut through someone's yard to get around it. Then I just took the railbed in Mahlon up to the power lines and down to Glen Rd in Sparta. I crossed onto Ridge Rd and took the power lines and fireroads through Sparta Mountain WMA. I made my way out to Rt 23 and then rode some railroad tracks to some ATV trail to the Harry Cole trail in Stockholm. I was following a GPX file I had that I thought took Harry Cole all the way to Cannistear, but I was wrong and it doubled back toward Stockholm Rd. I then followed another GPX file to make my way back to Cannistear. There was a good amount of busted ATV trails that were pretty damn hard.

I rode up Cannistear a bit and then ducked behind a fence and onto the gas pipeline. The GPX file I was following went off the pipeline and back on it, presumably due to the huge swamp on the pipeline. I didn't find any trail there and just bushwhacked through following the line on my Garmin. I eventually got back to the pipeline and was in Wawayanda. I rode down Pines and then went and did Budda and Thirsty Dog before taking Old Coal down to Clinton Rd at P7.

I rode some trails in the watershed there and made my way to the top of Stephens Rd. I skipped the ridge trail and just took the white trail south, which is still pretty technical. At Hank's Pond I took Van Orden Rd over to Union Valley Rd, and then ducked onto some old jeep trails that go down to 23. I scooted across 23, crossed the railroad bridge, and made my way down the west side of Charlottesburg and Splitrock Reservoirs. I came down Timberbrook to Durham and then cut through Farny to get back to Wildcat. I made my way back down to the bat cave lot just before sunset. Then I stuffed my face, got drunk, and passed out.

So Wildcat to Mahlon to Wawayanda and back to Wildcat almost entirely off road. The ride was super awesome but I was pretty beat after. I was tempted to stay in bed this morning, but I got up and headed out to the BSA for the Short Track. It went about as well as I expected it to, and it was pretty painful.
Click to expand...
Holy Crap Jim! That IS Epic!
What happened on Budda? You were on it for a while and then veered off? Same with Old Coal? Or is it just the tracker messing up?
Do you actually know most of these trails? Or are you winging it? Wanna share that GPX file?
 
https://www.strava.com/activities/516021964

3/13, 1hr recovery or something. I planned to ride out through my local WMA but a huge tree was down and I didn't feel like bushwhacking. I explored a little bit off of Pine St, where the boy and I have scouted in the past, and found a new(to me) moto pit. He will dig it. Was happy to mostly beat the rain and get an hour in on my tired legs. Came home and split wood, washed cars in the rain (cars suck anyway), fixed treehouse (lab) door, drank a SN Bigfoot, and changed super high backyard flood lights, not all in that order.
20160313_103018.jpg
 
3/13/16

Moving time: 1:21:56
Miles: 10.9
Fatbike

Ride with the Beachwood group ride this AM before coming home for a day of chores. I just almost fell off the roof after being stuck up there for an hour so it is time for a cocktail. And I am trying not to buy that ice cream truck as a back up/deep snow/sand bike.

@Arwen's Mom those cookies look good.

https://www.strava.com/activities/516257602

image.jpeg
 
03/13
1:03
BIB on CLP

@Arwen's Mom, you miss my point with the strava file. I don't look at all that many but when people do big rides it is nice to see what they rode, like oh shit, they rode that 4 hours in ?! type if thing. Or when you ride all this local off road stuff that isn't in parks, it allows people to see where there are places to cut through and such.
 
3/13/2016
Moving time: 2:31:41
https://www.strava.com/activities/516319083

We actually got a little yard-work done this morning. Mainly just doing the spring clean-up. So, since I consider that to be way ahead of schedule, I allowed myself to not finish the whole yard. And, of course, go for a ride. I will join @Arwen's Mom and tell a story with pics.

Luckily I discovered this issue while putting the bike on the car and switched bikes:
IMG_1526.JPG


Early on in my ride, I thought I saw a cut-through behind this American Legion. It didn't go where I hoped, but I stumbled upon this:
IMG_1527.JPG


The bridge below over the Ramapo River was wiped out in Hurricane Irene. It took a couple years to repair and its already got some rotten boards on it. But, it provides a connection to link Sterling Forest and Harriman.
IMG_1528.JPG


The woods road on the other side of the NYS Thruway dates back a bit. If you can't make out the words on this marker below it says: "This road was built in 1894 by EH Hariman to show the advantages of level road in hilly countries." This guy was some sort of railroad magnate.
IMG_1529.JPG


This road leads up to the Elk Pen. I believe the same dude (EH Harriman) also put miles and miles of fence to contain his imported Elk from Montana. They didn't thrive. There are no elk in Harriman today.

The bridge is still out across Stahahe Brook and it probably never will get replaced. They rerouted a hiking trail to avoid the crossing. Anyway, you can still cross on the rocks and there is a fairly nice cascade right above the old bridge location (see below):
IMG_1530.JPG


After leaving the area of the Elk Pen, I climbed a bit up the seasonally closed Arden Valley Road. Its really nice to be able to just ride up the middle of a road. Shortly after passing the entrance to Island Pond, there is an old woods road called "Crooked Hill Rd". This takes you west of the Pond and right out toward the White bar trail which was my aim. Its a pretty unused trail. So, its very isolated and peaceful and not very maintained.

IMG_1531.JPG


After working my way south on White bar down to Kanawauke Rd, I headed thru some of the closed camp roads. There are quite a mix of cabins and old buildings. Some are in real disrepair and some will be freshened up and used this coming summer. I liked this one for its cool siding:

IMG_1532.JPG


I worked my way thru the camps and out the back down to the old Arden Rd again. Once back on the Sterling Forest side, I decided to run up an unmarked trail toward the old Southfields Furnace. It must have been something in its day. Very large! But, its in rough shape now. Efforts have been made to brace it up and preserve it from getting worse.

IMG_1537.JPG


And finally, another nice cascade before hitting the road...
IMG_1538.JPG


I do love these rides (or hikes) that have a little element of history. Hope you enjoyed!

Ride on.
 
huffster said:
3/13/2016
Moving time: 2:31:41
https://www.strava.com/activities/516319083

We actually got a little yard-work done this morning. Mainly just doing the spring clean-up. So, since I consider that to be way ahead of schedule, I allowed myself to not finish the whole yard. And, of course, go for a ride. I will join @Arwen's Mom and tell a story with pics.

Luckily I discovered this issue while putting the bike on the car and switched bikes:
View attachment 32769

Early on in my ride, I thought I saw a cut-through behind this American Legion. It didn't go where I hoped, but I stumbled upon this:
View attachment 32770

The bridge below over the Ramapo River was wiped out in Hurricane Irene. It took a couple years to repair and its already got some rotten boards on it. But, it provides a connection to link Sterling Forest and Harriman.
View attachment 32773

The woods road on the other side of the NYS Thruway dates back a bit. If you can't make out the words on this marker below it says: "This road was built in 1894 by EH Hariman to show the advantages of level road in hilly countries." This guy was some sort of railroad magnate.
View attachment 32777

This road leads up to the Elk Pen. I believe the same dude (EH Harriman) also put miles and miles of fence to contain his imported Elk from Montana. They didn't thrive. There are no elk in Harriman today.

The bridge is still out across Stahahe Brook and it probably never will get replaced. They rerouted a hiking trail to avoid the crossing. Anyway, you can still cross on the rocks and there is a fairly nice cascade right above the old bridge location (see below):
View attachment 32779

After leaving the area of the Elk Pen, I climbed a bit up the seasonally closed Arden Valley Road. Its really nice to be able to just ride up the middle of a road. Shortly after passing the entrance to Island Pond, there is an old woods road called "Crooked Hill Rd". This takes you west of the Pond and right out toward the White bar trail which was my aim. Its a pretty unused trail. So, its very isolated and peaceful and not very maintained.

View attachment 32780

After working my way south on White bar down to Kanawauke Rd, I headed thru some of the closed camp roads. There are quite a mix of cabins and old buildings. Some are in real disrepair and some will be freshened up and used this coming summer. I liked this one for its cool siding:

View attachment 32781

I worked my way thru the camps and out the back down to the old Arden Rd again. Once back on the Sterling Forest side, I decided to run up an unmarked trail toward the old Southfields Furnace. It must have been something in its day. Very large! But, its in rough shape now. Efforts have been made to brace it up and preserve it from getting worse.

View attachment 32782

And finally, another nice cascade before hitting the road...
View attachment 32783

I do love these rides (or hikes) that have a little element of history. Hope you enjoyed!

Ride on.
Click to expand...

Love all those pictures
I always wanted to take pictures of that furnace, it's bigger than its look in this pictures.
 
March 13, 2016

Another Sunday, another Short Track Race....

Warm up
00:14:11
1.6 miles
Borrowed Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29er
https://www.strava.com/activities/516141643

MTBNJ No Snow Short Track Race #3 - Silly Sport Class
00:48:52
6.9 miles
Borrowed Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29er

Ok... So after the warm up on the borrowed 29er, I know this is gonna be way more fun than on my old 26er hard tail.
I "find" myself in the front row for the start. Thats cool.. I'm usually there for CX races cause my OCD forces me to register first. @Norm says some stuff that vaguely sound like words, blah blah... SIREN!!! GO GO GO!!!! Miss the pedal (some things never change) and we head up the fire road... One dude in front of me, then I pass him. Oh shit. We're 30 seconds into the race and I'm in the lead. THIS IS BAD. I need someone to chase. Thankfully going into the single track, I'm in spot 2. There are three of us together. Two guys wearing tuxedos and me. We ride in circles 6 times, and thats how it ended, more or less. I was 20 seconds back of the winner, and 5 seconds ahead of third. First time on a podium. That was cool. Podium beer is cool too, gonna have one of dem tonight.

All around a great day. Was able to hammer the course on Harry's bike. Helped out at registration during the Expert race. Pushed myself beyond what I thought I could do in a race, and came home with some beer, and cool egg medal/trophy/ribbon thing.

IMG_5072.JPG
IMG_5077.JPG
IMG_5079.JPG


https://www.strava.com/activities/516141693


Edit - 01:02:03 total moving time today...
 
Last edited:
stb222 said:
you miss my point with the strava file. I don't look at all that many but when people do big rides it is nice to see what they rode, like oh shit, they rode that 4 hours in ?! type if thing. Or when you ride all this local off road stuff that isn't in parks, it allows people to see where there are places to cut through and such.
Click to expand...

Or he sends a message 2 months after asking for route rec's to say "oh yeah, I didn't ride any of them, but I beat your time up the Manyunk Wall!" 😀

In all seriousness, the greatest benefit of Strava is exactly what Kev said, finding new routes. I learn new spots so much faster now, especially considering my terrestrial nav issues vs. nautical nav.
 
JimN said:
3/12 - 10:01:42 https://www.strava.com/activities/515366675

3/13 - 1:17:12 https://www.strava.com/activities/516147473

Yesterday I started from the bat cave around 6:30am. I crossed Green Pond and took some trails behind the Hibernia Auto Restoration place and into White Meadow Lake. I skipped the trail here and just took the road over to Mount Hope Historic Park. I cut through there mostly on a rail trail and then hit a little singletrack before taking the trail under 80 and 15 into Wharton. I took the rail trail in Canal Park over to Berkshire Valley Rd, and then a real short road ride into Berkshire WMA. I went up the old railbed and then hopped on the road and crossed 15 in the center of Jefferson and popped into the Mahlon WMA.

I tried to shortcut through some local Lake Shawnee trails from memory, but I screwed it up and came to an impassable river and had to kinda cut through someone's yard to get around it. Then I just took the railbed in Mahlon up to the power lines and down to Glen Rd in Sparta. I crossed onto Ridge Rd and took the power lines and fireroads through Sparta Mountain WMA. I made my way out to Rt 23 and then rode some railroad tracks to some ATV trail to the Harry Cole trail in Stockholm. I was following a GPX file I had that I thought took Harry Cole all the way to Cannistear, but I was wrong and it doubled back toward Stockholm Rd. I then followed another GPX file to make my way back to Cannistear. There was a good amount of busted ATV trails that were pretty damn hard.

I rode up Cannistear a bit and then ducked behind a fence and onto the gas pipeline. The GPX file I was following went off the pipeline and back on it, presumably due to the huge swamp on the pipeline. I didn't find any trail there and just bushwhacked through following the line on my Garmin. I eventually got back to the pipeline and was in Wawayanda. I rode down Pines and then went and did Budda and Thirsty Dog before taking Old Coal down to Clinton Rd at P7.

I rode some trails in the watershed there and made my way to the top of Stephens Rd. I skipped the ridge trail and just took the white trail south, which is still pretty technical. At Hank's Pond I took Van Orden Rd over to Union Valley Rd, and then ducked onto some old jeep trails that go down to 23. I scooted across 23, crossed the railroad bridge, and made my way down the west side of Charlottesburg and Splitrock Reservoirs. I came down Timberbrook to Durham and then cut through Farny to get back to Wildcat. I made my way back down to the bat cave lot just before sunset. Then I stuffed my face, got drunk, and passed out.

So Wildcat to Mahlon to Wawayanda and back to Wildcat almost entirely off road. The ride was super awesome but I was pretty beat after. I was tempted to stay in bed this morning, but I got up and headed out to the BSA for the Short Track. It went about as well as I expected it to, and it was pretty painful.
Click to expand...
Frickin BEAUTIFUL! Somebody forward this to Grady. You are becoming a true mountain man Jim. Stuff like this is what it's all about.
 
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