Shred Camp Episode 1: the First One (Intermediate Mountain Biking)

OVERVIEW

This is the first in a series of (hopefully) pretty frequent trips I’ll be doing with the goal of getting people (myself included, I’m still trying to figure out this whole “uphill” thing) ready to ride more advanced trails. You don’t need too much experience to come on these trips, but you should definitely have ridden a mountain bike before and be comfortable riding 5-10 miles.

This trip will be going to James River Park in Richmond. They have a pretty sweet skills park, with everything from pretty simple rock gardens/boardwalks to gnarly rock drops to an awesome pump track. This makes it great for learning, since you can session a single feature in a controlled environment. James River also has a decent network of trails of varying difficulties.

What exactly we do depends on who comes on the trip/how people are feeling, but we’ll probably spend a decent amount of time in the skills park and then do about 5-7 miles on the trails.

THE PLAN:
1 PM – Leave Echols
2:30 – Arrive at James River Park
Shred for about 2 hours
6 PM – Get back to Charlottesville – subject to change if we stop for food (is it even a mtb trip if we don’t go to Sheetz?)

WHAT TO BRING:
Mountain bike/helmet (can get from club)
water – 2 Liters
snacks
gloves (optional, but recommended)
pads if you’re feeling sendy (totally not necessary, or even recommended, but if you’re someone who wears them riding this would be a time to bring them)

If you need to borrow a bike/helmet, I’ll try to get you some club gear

DRIVERS NEEDED
I can only bring 4 people unless other drivers with bike racks sign up. Gas is reimbursed +50% tip