rocky mountain bikes trailhead

Big Rock Creek Is Now Open for Mt. Biking (Trail Fee Applies)

Map to the Mt. Biking Trail Area

Great news folks, some of the most incredible trails in the whole Midwest are now open for Mt. Biking! Big Rock Creek has opened its doors to the cycling community, and if you were lucky enough to get out there during the ski season, you know how exciting this is.

I was out riding on the Big Rock Creek trails over the weekend and I was completely blown away. I've been told there are 20-30 miles of trails that run through the property, and the first comparison that comes to everyone's mind is that this trail system is very similar to the Birkie trail. However, since this trail system is so new, there are some things to be aware of:

• The access point to the Mt. Bike trails is not the same as the access point to the ski trails. Big Rock Creek is planning on renting out its clubhouse, so it's our responsibility as cyclists to not interfere with the business side of things. The access point is indicated on the above map, and there is plenty of real estate between the access and the clubhouse so it should be a breeze to stay out of sight.
• These trails are roads that run through the property, but they are not gravel roads, it's more like two single track trails running side by side. Please use caution as the terrain is extremely challenging! Learn the trails before you let 'er rip!
• Trail passes are $10 per day or $75 for a season pass and $100 for a family pass. Passes are available at CyclovaXC and you must sign a waiver of liability.
• To get to the trail you have to cross about a quarter mile of mowed grass, then you pass through a gate and enter a different age. It's truly awesome out there!

Here's what the access road looks like (on 235th St. within sight of 87):

This picture was taken facing South on 235th St. (Lone Maple St.) looking towards Highway 87

You drive down the gravel road until you go through a gate (about 1/4 mile in). You can park down in that area, or up on the clearing at the top of the hill (access is by a mowed path on the left). 

This place is brand new so the whole thing is a great adventure (plus you pretty much get the trails to yourself). 

This is the grassy area on the top of the hill for parking and hanging out, the trails themselves are more worn in.

We're looking for a lot of feedback about this area--what you like and what needs to be improved, so please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or comments (bj@cyclovaxc.com). I'll be at Cyclova June 12th, 13th, and 14th if you want me to personally give you a tour of the cycling area. Frank is in the process of getting a GPS map of the whole trail system and we'll post that as soon as it's available.

Also, keep in mind that the clubhouse area is available to be rented out. Spread the word, Big Rock Creek is a unique and special place and we're excited about training out there!

Another grassy area you can ride through, however the trails themselves are more well-defined than this

In my excitement last weekend, I forgot to take a picture of the actual trail! I'll have something like that posted next Wednesday.

See you out there!

View Larger Map

gravity mountain bikes

Transition to Gravity MTB Begins with Enduro

Posted 1 day ago by pathcaptain

BURKE, VA — Gravity mountain biking has been an interest of mine for some time. But not many cross-country mountain bike riders understand what is involved in Gravity competitions. The skills are different, the gear is different, and even the bikes can be different. The transition from Cross-Country (XC) to Downhill (DH) involves more than just being crazy enough to literally throwing yourself off the top of a mountain. However, if you are serious about moving into this sport, your knowledge of Gravity competitions can be overcome by first understanding which Gravity event you want to transition into.

Pulling Serious G’s
The trill of speeding down a hill at Mach-three with your hair on fire has all the elements of danger, excitement, and a bit of madness that we like. The beauty behind Gravity XC is in its diversity of challenges. You can race Han-style (solo) in the Downhill (DH) that just has you roll off the top of a mountain, descend along a twisting strip of singletrack, and rocket out 500-1,000 feet below your start in less than 3-minutes. Too fast for you? Then work a little cross-country mountain biking into your Downhill event in the Supper Downhill (Super-D) that makes you work the decent in a little more gradual way. That is unless your on one of those Super-D courses that try to emulate a roller coaster in which you ride for 2-miles and more or less ride off a cliff on an e-ticket to the bottom.

Lemmings Unite
If solo Gravity events are not exciting enough for you, then maybe it’s time to find some friends. You and a racing buddy can work a shorter version of the DH by riding side-by-side in a speed-infested grudge match called the Dual Slalom (DS). All your Downhill skills are put to the test in the Dual Slalom, but with the added pressure of a competitor in the next lane combined with a need to control your bike enough to move back-and-fourth through a series of gates, moguls, and berms. This high-speed dual can be further expanding by adding two more riders in the Four Cross (4X). The 4X is the Dual Slalom with a longer course, bigger moguls, and four riders working a wide DH course while peddling at full speed. This way you and three of your closest competitors can really fly down a hill at break-neck speed without any of that pesky uphill stuff to wear you out. Yet, if the DS or 4X is just not enough companionship, you can have a whole gaggle of your buddy’s go off the cliff with with you in what the Australian’s are calling the Avalanche (AV)! With roughly 200 riders working a decent at one time, they mass start Downhill chaos often sees all sorts of face plants and wipe outs within the first 1-minute; and that is just the first heat! In the Avalanche, riders work the mountain slope for a good time so that they can gain a front-row position in the final event. What’s not to like?

Mountain Biking’s Future
But that is not end. To make your Gravity XC education complete, you must embrace what has become the King of Gravity mountain biking: The Enduro (EN). The Enduro (short for Endurance) is a Gravity competition that combines all the best parts of Downhill racing into a multi-day event, requiring racers to complete 5-8 stages to win. An Enduro is by far the most exciting event in mountain biking right now considering how it does not require riders to exhaust themselves with one of the primary parts of XC mountain biking: climbing hills (unless you have an Enduro that includes a Uphill (UH) race along side a Downhill race). The need to grind up a mean set of near vertical switchbacks is left out of most Enduro’s, replaced with the quite power of a gentle ski lift. However, not having to ride hardcore XC in an Enduro does not make it any less daunting. What it lacks in hill climbs it makes up for in multiple Downhill rides, usually over a weekend, where Gravity jockeys ride down the hillside over and over again. Some events even require riders to remove their chain in a “chainless” ride down the hill, with only pure Gravity and skill to get them to the bottom before anyone else. Other Enduro’s take all the rider’s best times over the multi-day event, rank them, add the time differences up, and then make the final race a Pursuit XC event (surprise — there IS cross-country in the Enduro) where each rider gets a head-start equal to the time difference between themselves and the next rider. These “winner take all” Enduro’s try to combine all the skills of mountain biking into one event by requiring riders to be more well-rounded.

Begin at the Top
The key to Gravity is learning how to move down the face of a mountain without killing yourself. Doing this sport safely and fast is something that could take someone years before they developed the skills and results to be competitive. Of all the Gravity events, XC riders are probably most compatible with Enduro racing. By combining the endurance of XC with the technique of DH riding, a cross-country mountain bike rider could find the Enduro format a perfect entry point into a Gravity riding future.

mountain bikes repair

Mobile Bicycle Repair Unit: Five Guys with Big Hearts

Jun 4th 2013

By: RL Policar

5 comments

This past Sunday afternoon I assembled another team of guys to join me in Santa Ana, Ca. to help fix bicycles for the homeless. This was my third outing fixing bicycles and it seems like the word is spreading in the local community. Every time I do show up, more and more people are bringing their bikes to be serviced. I was privileged to be joined by some great guys. You may recognize the name Moe Ramirez (The Moe); he was one of the original co-founders of BikeCommuters.com, along with our friend Gabe Preda and two of our fine readers, David Peckham and Andrew Li.

We met up at 3:30pm and set up shop. Once the locals found out that we were there, they all started showing up. We tried to work as fast as we could to address all the issues, but honestly, at a certain point, it got overwhelming. Most of these bikes are in so much disrepair that most of us here would either replace the whole bike or donate it to Goodwill. But for the folks there, this was their livelihood. Notice Dave on the left side of the photo. He put in some great effort on this beach cruiser that belonged to “Girl-Tony.” Though this bike looks pretty, it came to us with a loose bottom bracket, brakes not working, bent derailleur hanger and it wasn’t shifting. Girl-Tony got her name because there are 3 other people named Tony, but she was the only girl named Tony.

This was at the beginning. Later on a large line had formed. I lost count of how my bicycles we serviced.

The repairs ranged from basic derailleur adjustments to full over-hauls. The most common problem we saw were non-working brakes. Either their pads were so worn out they couldn’t stop or their cables were frayed and broken. One of the guys we helped was telling us the that he was doored by a car which damaged his shifter and brakes. Due to the fact he didn’t have brakes, he got a ticket for it. So I made sure I installed a new shifter cable since it was damaged from the crash as well as adjusted his brakes.

Here’s Moe dealing with and old shifter housing problem:

One of the more common problems we had: shifter cables and housing that needed to be replaced.

Gabe and Andrew working together to replace cables. Notice Andrew’s DIY workstand. We’re hoping he can do a small write up on how he made it. That stand worked like a charm!

The team ended up working on so many bikes that when it was time to go, we couldn’t leave because there was still a long line of folks waiting for help. We cranked out a few more repairs and had to call it a day. Once again the locals appreciated it and we kept getting compliments, hand shakes and even “God bless you!”

From left to right: David Peckham, Gabe Preda, Moe Ramirez, RL Policar and Andrew Li.

It certainly a service that is much needed and we’re very grateful to be able to provide it. Our next scheduled event is on July 7th. We could sure use more help. All we ask is you bring a work stand, basic tools and a desire to help. We could also use some donations in the form of hard goods. From brake pads to brake/shifter cable/housing, tubes, tires, lubes, degreasers and any old bicycle parts you may not be using. You can either ship them to the BikeCommuters.com World HQ or if you’re local to Orange County, Ca., I can pick it up from you.

I do want to thank the guys that came to help. I really appreciate the heart and willingness to help out. One thing I do believe is that God has blessed me with the skill to fix bicycles and it’s my way of giving back to those who need the help. I hope our team of Mechanics can grow in the future and if you’re a Jr. High/High School student that needs community service hours, come out and help — I’ll sign off on your forms.

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peak mountain bike trails

Britton Peak Trail

This trail is possibly the shortest trail to a Sawtooth Mountain overlook on the Forest.  It is a quick, though steep, quarter mile hike with a nice scenic view from the top.  This is also the starting point for the Britton Peak singletrack mountain biking trailsin the summer, and the Sugarbush crosscountry ski trail system in the winter. Be aware when either biking or hiking that the mountain bike trails may be used by both bikers and hikers.  Hikers should step off the trail and yield to bikers when they meet.  Click here for a map of the mountain bike trail system. At a Glance Usage: Light-Medium Closest Towns: Tofte Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. Map Information and Feedback Activities Bicycling HIDE Mountain Biking Britton Peak singletrack mountain bike trails start from the same trailhead as the hiking trail to Britton Peak overlook, but are separate from the overlook trail.  Bicycles should not use the overlook trail. Also starting from this trailhead are the Sugarbush XC ski trails.  In most areas, the bike trail is separate from the ski trail.  The ski trail surface is not adequate to withstand the impact of bicycle use, so please do not bike on ski trails. There are three loops with 5.5 miles of singletrack bike trail in total. Usage: To control erosion, please do not use the trails if they are wet.  Also, please stay on the trail; avoid 'widening' the trail. Hiking SHOW

Areas & Activities Find An Area Location 47.598718 -90.861936