My buddy and I are riding at Wiss for the first time this Saturday. It looks like folks may be away for the camping trip but If anyone will be around and can show us some good loops that would be much appreciated.
I'm coming down from southern CT and my friend is coming up from D.C. We were looking for something in the middle and I had heard good things about this park (and PMBA) during an IMBA trail-building course I did a few months back.
Happy trails, Chris
I also may be available. I have to work at 6pm so will probably ride later morningish but you guys would be welcome to tag along if you like. As Mtrosle says, just let me know when you are riding and if it works out I'd be happy to show you around.
My buddy needs to stop in and see his grandma first so I don't think we'd get there before 11 or 12 but I can always hope for an early start. As far as parking, I think I read to park near the Valley Green Inn and that there is a trailhead there. If you can recommend an alternate place to park and start a ride I'm all ears.
I'd guess we'll ride maybe 3 hours if I can hack it. That would be max, but it could be shorter depending on trail conditions and pace.
A couple notes on parking... if you park near the Inn, I'd personally stay away from the lots on Valley Green Road. The upper lots have been plagued with break-ins (targeting cars with bike racks) and the lower lot is designated for Inn patrons/handicapped park users only. The lot on Wises Mill Road (on the other side of the park, but also right by the Inn) is a better bet.
You could also try Northwestern Ave at the other end of the park. It's a short ride down the gravel path, Forbidden Drive, to a trailhead right after Bells Mill Road. Of course that particular climb is like a punch in the face. :) Also note that while Google drove on Forbidden, that's, well, forbidden.
Perhaps someone else has more updates on the break-ins. Perhaps the situation has gotten better, but it would suck to come all this way and have that happen.
Have fun!
Keep in touch here on the boards and let us know you're schedule as Saturday approaches. 3 is a bit late for me, but I may be able to swing it. At the very least I may be able to show you some of the hightlights of the park. What type of terrain do you like to ride and how are your climbing legs?
You can park at Valley Green Inn, but it may be a swamp of people in the afternoon. You could park at Livezey Pavillion, which is on the way to Valley Green Inn, but less crowded. Map here.
The subject line kind of misappropriated my last post. I was saying we might ride 3 hours, not meet at 3pm. I told my friend to meet me at 11:30 so I can get his bike sorted out and hit the trail by noon. I just need to let him know where by Friday.
As for terrain, I prefer smooth, fast, flowy singletrack- but being from CT I usually have to ride fairly technical trails with lots of momentum-killing rocks and roots. I can handle small drops but I'm not a free-rider by any stretch. My climbing legs are not what they once were but I'll get in the granny, find my happy place and keep turning until either me or the climb is done. My buddy has been in super training mode on his road bike all summer.
Both Northwestern and Wises Mill Rd. seem easy enough to park at- really doesn't matter as long as it facilitates a good loop. If I have to tackle a gut-punch climb I'd much rather start with it than end with it.
I'll go back to the map I found on this site and see if I can make sense of the recommended loops on mtbr as well.
If the map they provide at the park is any better I'll want to pick that up as soon as I get there too.
What time are you planning on riding? Any thoughts to where you may park or how long you want to ride? I may be able to show you both around, but my schedule is always fluid.
Keep the rubber side down.........