Lewis Morris Challenge

[Norm]

LM is a lot of fun if you do all the fun bits in 1 loop. Where the problem comes in is when you do the fun bits, you realize you've been riding for maybe 40 minutes, and you need to repeat the fun bits 2 more times to get a good ride in. It's not a destination park but people treat it like one.

As a race venue it's more or less the same as any other race venue. The guy in front of you is beating you - go catch him. The guy behind you is chasing you - don't let him catch you. Everything else should fall into place from there.

2 laps for cat 2 is really short, but I like the change. I think there should be more races that have the short/hot feel to it, like the first Fair Hill race.

 

[bonefishjake]

i agree with you norm. LM is a great little park. i put it in about the same category as the tourne.

as a race venue, LM is actually pretty good for several reasons. for starters it isn't the most technical park so anyone with an mtb (hint, hint, roadies...) can show up and compete. it's also a pretty spectator friendly park...especially if you bring the kids. they have conveniently placed a stream right in the middle. Way to go Lord Morris!

the one thing that people under estimate with LM, despite it's non-destination status, is the amount of climbing per lap. while there are no huge, extended climbs, the course is up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down the entire time. what it lacks in truly technical features, it makes up for with pure speed. which makes it technical in a whole 'nother way...

FWIW, i prefer the direction they are running this year vs. previous

 

[freeride]

I would be happy to show anyone the course on Tuesday 7PM,wheels down. That will be the longest day of the year so there will be enough time for 2 laps. Meet at the rear parking lot. That lot is actually more convenient for those coming from the south .It avoids the trip through downtown Morristown.
Get off 287 at Maple Ave in Bernardsville, cross back over 287 and make a right turn (traffic light) onto 202 north. Go to Tempe Wick road and make left turn. About 2 or 3 miles,go past the entrance to Jocky Hollow and as you go down a steep hill look for a gravel driveway on the right which takes you to the rear parking lot. There is a gate and sign but easy to miss.
I will be going the way they ran the course in reverse in 07'.

is this ride on for tonight? is this spot you parking at okay at night? from 287 the entrance is just before ledel rd? & ledel pond? i head there's some construction on tempe wick, will we still be able to get to this lot? i was thinking about parking by patriot's path accross from sunrise lake. be that as it may, i need to go home at lunch and get my mtb. 7 pm works great for me as i get off work at 5:30 pm in paramus

 

[UtahJoe]

I always found lewis morris challenging since I feel that you dont ever get a break. Even going down the last part of the yellow trail, im usually still pedalling flat out. Personally though, I like the course in the 08-10 direction as far as fun goes. I just feel the downhills are far better in this direction. I really like that the number of laps has been reduced. Doing 4 laps was absolutely awful last year. However, highly doubtful that I will be able to make this years race. Graduation party the same day and the cat 1 start time is not going to make both possible.

 

[pixychick]

I prefer technical races b/c the technical makes me forget that I am racing. ...but I also welcome the change in pace that a race like LM brings. It also attracts first time racers, and those first timers replace all those that just moved into cat 2 and so forth. This helps keep competition.

I get a little bored riding at LM and do not ever ride there except the race. I usually race on SS just to make it feel special. Life is a box of chocolates, and I like to eat the whole box 😀

 

[PlayAllDay]

I prefer technical races b/c the technical makes me forget that I am racing. ...but I also welcome the change in pace that a race like LM brings. It also attracts first time racers, and those first timers replace all those that just moved into cat 2 and so forth. This helps keep competition.

I get a little bored riding at LM and do not ever ride there except the race. I usually race on SS just to make it feel special. Life is a box of chocolates, and I like to eat the whole box 😀

That's what ...oh never mind. 😉 See you there Ellen!

 

[MtnRider]

Just did 3 laps (n chowing down at titos burritos). Thanks pampa for showing the way though at 5.7 miles per lap must have missed something

I applaud promoters who vary the course from year to year and so far enjoyed the reverse course better

It's all good - I too like the more tech courses like waway jungle and blue better but this course is pretty relentless.. Now if someone could get creative with the ringwood race

 

[PlayAllDay]

Just did 3 laps (n chowing down at titos burritos). Thanks pampa for showing the way though at 5.7 miles per lap must have missed something

I applaud promoters who vary the course from year to year and so far enjoyed the reverse course better

It's all good - I too like the more tech courses like waway jungle and blue better but this course is pretty relentless.. Now if someone could get creative with the ringwood race

Yum, Tito's Burritos! 😀

 

[BreakPoint]

Just did 3 laps (n chowing down at titos burritos). Thanks pampa for showing the way though at 5.7 miles per lap must have missed something

I applaud promoters who vary the course from year to year and so far enjoyed the reverse course better

It's all good - I too like the more tech courses like waway jungle and blue better but this course is pretty relentless.. Now if someone could get creative with the ringwood race

What time were you out? I finished up at 2:30. I clocked the lap at 6.10 give or take some, not sure where the finish is. First lap took me 39.22, second lap was a bit quicker at 38 flat. The course is great, not very technical, but there are definitely some gravel turns where I forsee some major wipeouts.

 

[Pampa]

Good riding with you Dave!

We did a warm up lap, a fast (for us) lap and a slow lap. Question to other people that have riden the course "backwards": what mileage did you get? I've been hearing that the current course is ~6 miles long and that with some mods that might be coming up it'll be ~7 miles but I only got 5.3 miles per lap. Here is my Garmin file for the ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94029699

 

[shrpshtr325]

my gps came up with about 6, but my wheel sensor said closer to 7(im saying the gps cuts alot of corners on me), from talking to the matrys rider we met while out there on sunday its going to be close to 7

 

[freeride]

L.M. x 2

i feel like a slacker only did 2 laps tonight at lewis morris. props to Zip for showing me the way

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94043124

 

[wonderturtle]

come on, with those extra wide cruiser bars you can climb like a champ on that bike!

weather pending (t-storms possible) I will be there 4:30p on Wed

I am a no-go 🙁 dont feel well.

 

[zip]

The good thing about LM is you go fast enough that you wont pick up any hitchhiking mosquitos! Going again thursday eve at 6;30 PM in the rear parking lot off of Tempe Wick Road. I am trying to make up for a lack of prior race training. Hope it dosent rain.

 

[bigW]

Morris Lewis

hmmmm... Planning a reverse-y ride at 2pm Friday but was hoping for some more clarity on how this course differs from the race course run backwards.

My best interpretation is race course backwards and when heading down steep orange switch-backs don't make the hard left to cross the bridge but rather go right ( green? ) until dumped out unto the dirt road portion of yellow and make a left to head towards the pavillion.

As a newbie not sure how I feel about attempting that first log and log ramp at speed with ( perhaps ) folks right on my ass...

Will do a couple tries on Friday to see what the plan will be.

- W

 

[BreakPoint]

hmmmm... Planning a reverse-y ride at 2pm Friday but was hoping for some more clarity on how this course differs from the race course run backwards.

My best interpretation is race course backwards and when heading down steep orange switch-backs don't make the hard left to cross the bridge but rather go right ( green? ) until dumped out unto the dirt road portion of yellow and make a left to head towards the pavillion.

As a newbie not sure how I feel about attempting that first log and log ramp at speed with ( perhaps ) folks right on my ass...

Will do a couple tries on Friday to see what the plan will be.

- W

Join me. Ill be leading another fella who's never been to LM either. Friday aftrrnoon. Pm me ur cell #

 

[pjrohr]

Anyone ride there post-storm tonight? Trying to figure out if it'll be okay for an 8:30 jaunt tomorrow.

 

[bigW]

Join me. Ill be leading another fella who's never been to LM either. Friday aftrrnoon. Pm me ur cell #

Coolo, will PM. Would be good to pre-ride with a few folks to get some insight.

Note I have done LM many time but just one route in one direction. The newbie comment was directed at my MTB skill level.

Thanks
Warren

 

[pixychick]

If I get my new bike set up as SS today, I may head over tomorrow for a lap or two and would aim to start between 11 and 2. Anyone welcome to tag along. I'll confirm tomorrow.

 

[pjrohr]

I'd be in for that Ellen, I'll watch for the post.