Intermediate Backcountry Ride – Chestnut Ridge

OVERVIEW

This trail has been teasing me for a while. Early in the semester, I went out for a big ride that planned to include the climb up Little Bald Knob and the Chestnut ridge descent. But, we had to turn around because of thunderstorms, and instead got a sad wet descent down the climb trail. Just a few weeks ago I was back – but this time on foot. I said something along the lines of “damn, this descent would rip on a bike” enough times that my hiking group was just about ready to toss me off the ridge. So, it is time to return with bikes and a far more favorable forecast.

We plan to ride the following loop in its entirety (18.5mi 3500’): https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7001383/twot-camp-todd-chestnut-grindstone
In addition, there’s a great little add-on on the way out that will be optional to ride (4 mi 1000’): https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000578/trimble-mountain-trail
The way this will work is that, as we pass the Trimble Mountain TH on the road segment of the ride, people will have the option to ride the entire loop, head up part-ways to get some of the descent, or just chill out and have a picnic for the hour or so it’ll take to ride. That means for this ride, you can do anywhere between 18.5mi 3500’ and 22.5mi 4500’. If you’re thinking of riding at the lower end of that spectrum you won’t be alone, Sujith is leaning towards the lower end too.

The plan:
-meet at the shred shack at 8:30am
-load up bikes and head out
-arrive at the trailhead around 10
-ride
-back at the cars around 3
-back in cville by 4:30

You bring:
-water 2L: I can put 1-2 bottle cages on each bike, if you would like to carry more on the ride, bring a backpack. Let me know in the trip questions if you’d like bottle cages on the bike.
-any snacks you need
-a way to carry your water and snacks – let me know in the trip questions if you’d like to borrow a club pack.
-closed-toe shoes

We bring:
-bikes
-helmets
-tools

Driver needed! We have space for two others but would love to have more if we can get another driver – drivers get priority off the waitlist and gas reimbursement + 50% tip! Please let me know about your bike carrying abilities if you have a car.