Camelback and Big Pocono, Tannersville, PA

Single Track Sunday
Place: Camelback, Tannersville, PA
Ridden: December 2014

Video

Click on video to play

Camelback Trails are a mix of single track and fire road trails located in Tannersville, PA. They are just up the road from Camelback Ski resort, hence the naming theme.

We have been to these trails only a few times despite the rather close proximity to where we live. There is no official map of the place, so riding there on your own can be a bit frustrating.  The other thing about the place is the way the trails get overgrown. At times there is so much scrub brush grown over one can barely see the trail.  The trails have potential to be fun, but going there with someone who knows the trails and going in the fall or winter when the vegetation is at a minimum is recommended.

Without having a map or guide, who knows how much and where we actually rode. The single track seems limited, most of the trails are double track and/or fire roads. There is also a powerline that runs through the area, which would make for a super fast descent and a super tough climb back up.

The trails run along the top of the mountain, so overall, not an immense amount of elevation changes (unless one ventures on the powerline just mentioned).  There are an amazing amount of springs, waterfalls, and even a lake (Deep Lake) that are crystal clear and mountain fresh. They make great places for Cliff to stop for a dip to cool off and get a drink.

So overall not one of our favorite places, but definitely somewhere worth visiting.  I am sure we will be back again in the future.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

2014 Giant Northeast Highlights

Single Track Sunday

Event: Highlights of 2014 Giant Northeast Racing Season

Place: Mid-Atlantic Super Series Races and a few other places

Ridden: 2014

Highlight Video

Click on video to play

This week's Single Track Sunday is a highlight video of the year, with a focus on the Giant Northeast team.

This year was our first year riding for Giant Northeast, and it has been a positive experience for both of us.  Getting to ride amazing bikes, making new friends, and sharing the "Ride Life" and "LIV Beyond" philosophies has made 2014 a good year for both of us.

Riding the Lust Advanced 0 and Anthem Advanced 27.5 has made for many great miles on the trails. The 27.5 inch wheels accelerate quickly and roll over things easily, the Maestro suspension absorbs the chatter well on the downhills, and is stiff and efficient on the uphills, and the SRAM components keep the gears shifting smoothly.

New riding partners and racing friends have been made by being part of the team. And added bonus to this; friends in other places means more places to ride!  And teammates visiting us means people to show around the local trails. It's been a fun year making new friends out there on the trails.

But of course even with awesome bikes and great gear, we would not be on the trails at all without the help and support of Saucon Valley Bikes.  Our local shop, SVB, has kept our bikes in working order and makes sure we are race ready. And let's not forget ProGold lube, keeping those chains happy and Stan's keeping the tires from going flat.

2014 was a great year of racing for me, a so-so year for Joël.  I hit all my goals and did better than expected at many races.  Joël just had a tough time getting into the grove at some races.  Highlights of the year were a FIRST place at the Trans-sylvania Epic for us in the Co-ed Duo Division, a FOURTH place at the 100 mile race the Wilderness 101 for me, and FIRST overall for me and SECOND for Joël in the MASS Endurance Series. Most important was we finished every race we started, no DNFs here. A stomach virus at TSE, sitting on the side of the road at Wilderness, and multiple flat tires at Tuscarora sometimes had us questioning what we were doing, but we persevered though the tough times and came out of these times stronger and knowing we can make it through the tough times.

And a key aspect of the year- going through all of this together. We train together and often race together (doing multiple duo races a year).  We both enjoy mountain biking, but what we enjoy the most is mountain biking together, helping each other through the tough times and enjoying each other's good times.  And of course, ride would not be complete without Cliff, the best trail friend ever!

Thanks to everyone for all of the support this year. Here's looking to 2015!

Race results for 2014
Tuscarora 4 hour Endurance: Jess 7th; Joël 7th; multiple flat tires for both of us at this race
Team Relay- who knows our places but we had fun
Michaux 4 hour Endurance: Jess 4th; Joël 6th
Fair Hill XC (Cat 1): Jess 13th; Joël 28th
Iron Hill 4 hour Endurance: Jess 2nd, Joël 6th
French Creek 4 hr Endurance: Jess 2nd, Joël 3rd
Greenbriar 4 hour Endurance: Jess 2nd; Joël 4th
Trans-Sylvania Epic Stage Race: 1st Place Co-ed Duo
Rothrock Trail Mix Marathon: Jess 3rd, Joël 10th
Stoopid 50 Marathon: Jess 5th; Joël 90th; we rode together, taking pictures and stopping to enjoy the scenery
Patapasco 66 Mile Marathon:1st place Co-ed Duo
Wilderness 101: Jess 4th, Joël 51st
Rattling Creek 50 Miler: Jess 3rd, Joël 9th
Fair Hill Endurace: Jess 7th, Joël 15th
Raven Enduro: Jess 1st, Joël 7th
TREXX Fest Enduro: Jess 5th, Joël 9th
MASS Endurance Series Overall Endurance- Jess 1st, Joël 2nd
No DNFs, we raced and finished every race we entered.

Limestone Cross at the Kiln, Emmaus. PA

Single Track Sunday
Event: Limestone Cross at the Kiln
Place: Camp Olympic, Emmaus, PA
Happened: December 2014

Video recap of event

Click on video to play

Written recap of event

This edition of Single Track Sunday has Joël and I as spectators, not riders. All of the riding we did this past week was local trails and places already featured on Single Track Sunday, so we decided to do something a little different and feature an event in which we watched, not rode in.

Limestone Cross at the Kiln was a cyclocross race in Emmaus, PA.  Cyclocross is something new to Single Track Sunday, so you may be wondering what it is.  This is a type of bicycle racing that typically takes place in Autumn/Winter. It consists of many short laps (typically 1-2 miles per lap) of a course consisting of grass, pavement, gravel, wooded trails, steep hills, and obstacles in which riders needed to quickly dismount, run a bit, and quickly remount again. The courses are typically very twisty.  Races usually last between 30 minutes and an hour. The bikes used look much like road-style bikes, they are just built slightly stronger and have bigger tires.

The location of the race was Camp Olympic, a public park managed by Lower Macungie Township.  This park has been around for ages, having undergone many improvements in the past few years.  It consists mainly of large open fields with a creek running though the park, some picnic groves, and rumor has it a pump track is in the works.

Cyclocross is something Joël and I do not have an interest in racing. Nothing against this type of racing, just something we are not interested in.  It's a fun sport to spectate because one can see pretty much the entire race and see riders go by multiple times. Heckling riders can become quite the event at cross races, to the point where mobs of people congregate in one area to cheer riders on; often handing out beer, food, and even money.  So something that to us is fun to watch, just not race.

- video by Joël

- words by Jess

South Mountain Bethlehem, PA

Single Track Sunday
Place: South Mountain Bethlehem, PA
Ridden: December 2014

Ride Video

Click on video to play

Ride Review

These are what Joël and I would consider our local, hometown trails.  They are only a few miles from our house, an easy ride there on the roads and a short enough ride that Clifford can travel there in his cart. This a favorite spot and common location for the Sunday morning group ride we are part of.

This trail system was built when mountain biking was just starting. The trails were built by and are maintained by the individuals who ride them; with many of the people who built them still riding there. Trails sometimes change due to things such as fallen trees, erosion, and power company activities; occasionally a new trail is built.  This keeps things interesting and fresh.

With names such as Lung Buster, Bones, Superman, and Dude Where's My Ball one may wonder what type of trails these are. They are rocky, gnarly, and unforgiving.  There is never an "easy ride" done at Lehigh.  The majority is single track, with a couple of old jeep trails and power company access roads here and there. A few miles of downhill trails have been built, adding to the fun.  The trails climb up and down the side of South Mountain with a few miles looping all around the top of the mountain. There are some spectacular views of South Bethlehem and Hellertown.

Total mileage is at least 15; probably even 20 or more if one doesn't mind looping back onto the same trail for a bit to reach a different trail.  With a little road riding, these trails can be connected to Sals (Walking Purchase) and even South Mountain Emmaus (Alpine) for an all day epic ride.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

Jordan Creek Parkway, Whitehall, PA

Single Track Sunday

Place: Jordan Creek Parkway, Whitehall, PA

Ridden: November 2014

Video

Click on video to play

Ride Review

Jordan Creek Parkway is a 269 acre suburban park located just north of Allentown in Whitehall, PA. The park offers a variety of options for recreation of all varieties.  Much of the park is a wooded area with trails for hiking, running and mountain biking of all levels.  The area is excellent for bird watching and nature study. The Jordan Creek weaves through the park and offers fishing opportunities.  In additional to nature activities, athletic fields are available that are suitable for softball/baseball, football, soccer, cricket, and other sports.  A disc golf and picnic area are also located within the park.  Pretty much no matter what your outdoor activity is, Jordan Parkway has you covered.

All levels can mountain bike at Jordan. The network of trails constantly loops back to the main trail that bisects the park. This allows for a quick ride if time constraints exist and also allows riders of all levels to choose from a variety of trails. The trails have something for everyone from straight, flat double track to single track with log overs, log rides, and short rock gardens. Overall the terrain is fairly flat; there are a few technical climbs and descents that will challenge the advanced riders.  Overall, the trails are hardpacked ground, however drainage is poor at some places so use discretion when the conditions are wet.  Total miles- who knows? Certainly not the place for an epic, all day ride but there are so many small loops with in loops that one could ride there taking trails from different directions and from different connector trails for an hour or two meanwhile never be more than a few miles from the parking lot. Rumor has it there are plans to connect this trail system with the IRT.

As for our ride, it was nice to see some of the non-regulars show up for the Sunday morning group ride.  Geiger, Turtlestino, and Angry Frank Racer Boy mixed things up a bit. The conditions were a bit slippery and sloppy due to the snowfall earlier in the week, but it was still a great ride with friends.  Clifford always enjoys the Sunday morning group rides, it is a chance for him to run the trails with his friend Barnaby.

Overall, Jordan is a place where beginners can ride the whole network of trails, encountering numerous opportunities to improve their skills. Intermediate to advanced riders can pick up the pace and choose the more technical trails to increase the difficulty level.                                                                                                                      - video by Joël                                                    - words by Jess