Sherando Lake – Int-Adv MTB

OVERVIEW

If you’ve ever looked at one of Phillip’s 30mi+ backcountry rides and thought “well that looks super sick but probably a bit too much for me”, this trip is for you. I’m planning on taking a group of intermediate-advanced riders to Sherando lake, one of my all-time favorite backcountry MTB areas, and it’s only 40 min away. I’m hoping to ride up Mill Creek, which includes the so-called seven switchbacks from hell, a steep, sustained, and extremely fun climb. After conquering the switchbacks, we’ll descend via Torrey’s Ridge -> Slacks -> White Rock Gap. This is truly a victory lap of a descent. It’s a beautiful combination of chunky-rocky and fast-flowy sections. Then we’ll bike out a few miles on the road, and head out. Total: 18 mi with 2300′ of climbing.

Check out these links to get an idea for the trails we’re riding:
Mill Creek: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5238196/mill-creek-trail
Torry Ridge: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000624/torry-ridge-trail
Slacks: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5279026/slacks-trail
White Rock Gap: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/5279489/white-rock-gap-trail

Required skill level:
In terms of level, I am hoping to make this as accessible as a backcountry ride can be. The climb non-technical, but tough because you do over 1500′ without a descent to break it up. But, if you allow yourself to take breaks it should be manageable. The descent trails have tough sections too, but they’re limited and can just be walked over. Overall, if you can ride most of the Ohill trails comfortably and are in reasonable physical shape, you should sign up. Reach out to me at 617-780-1129 if you’re not sure.

Timing:
8:00 am: meet at Shred Shack
8:15 am: be packed up and ready to go
9:00 am: start riding trails
2:00 pm: be back at the car (this should be a fairly conservative estimate)
2:40 pm: back in cville
***Crazy things can happen on mountain bike trips, so we highly recommend against scheduling anything super-duper important Sunday afternoon, though I expect we’ll be back by conservatively by 3***

I’ll provide
– Bikes/helmets (if needed)
– Bike racks
– Pumps, tools, etc

You bring
– Water: 2-3L
– Food: lunch and snacks
– Appropriate clothing/footwear
– gloves are recommended for keeping the fingers working in the cold and protecting your hands from scrapes if you fall – $10 Mechanix work gloves are great
– sunscreen?
– a bag to carry your water and food: the club has some daypacks if you need one (let us know in the questionnaire)

***DRIVERS NEEDED***
Drivers will be given priority off the waitlist and are are reimbursed for gas + 50% tip up to $20 – please arrive with a full tank of gas!