Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park, Cleveland, OH

Single Track Sunday
Place: Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park, Cleveland, OH
Ridden: February 2015

Click on video to watch.

We named our blog "Nankman Adventures in Cycling" because it highlights the journeys we take and the adventures we encounter all in the spirit of mountain biking.  The recent weekend to Ray's tops the lists of adventures; neither Joël nor I can think of any mountain biking trip (or any trip in general) that was more adventurous than the weekend spent traveling to Cleveland, OH to ride at Ray's Indoor MTB Park.



We waited to embark upon the six hour drive until the weather report showed that the recent snow storm which was passing through our area was out of the way. Our goal was to drive to the Ohio border, stay overnight at a rest stop, and then continue the other 90 minutes or so to Ray's the next morning. Well, things did not go as planned; the snow storm was NOT out of the way. After driving six to seven hours through at times white-out conditions and averaging no more than 30-40 miles per hour, we decided to call it quits for the night.  The rest stop we choose was about 60-70 miles short of the Ohio border and took us two hours longer than planned to get there.  Luckily, we had packed a bottle of wine because it was Valentine's Day. Hunkered down in our mummy bags to stay warm we toasted to our Valentine's adventure and watched the snow fall outside.


Waking up the next day we found everything to be frozen; water bottles, my contact case (yes, with contacts in it), even the milk and orange juice that were in an insulated cooler. Guess that is what happens when the temperatures get into the negative numbers overnight. Oh well, things were thawed out via the defrost vents on the van's dashboard and we soon got on our way...until the next rest stop. This is where I locked the keys, along with our wallets, jackets, and one of our cell phones, in the van.  After over an hour filled with multiple phone calls to try to get help, Joël ended up breaking in through a back window to unlock the backdoor.

So, finally 20 hours later after leaving PA we arrive at Ray's.  We rode for a few hours and then turned around to head home. Being that it was too late to make it all the way back to home, once again we spent the night in a rest stop.

We left PA around 3pm on a Saturday, and arrived home to PA around 9am on a Monday. Most couples go out for a fancy dinner or buy/get jewelry for Valentine's Day...Joël and I spend almost 40 hours traveling while experiencing a snow storm, sleeping in a van during sub zero temperatures, sharing wine in mummy bags, and keys locked in the van...all for a few hours of riding. And we would not want it any other way, that is what "adventures in cycling" is a about.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël

Susquehanna State Park, MD

Single Track Sunday
Place: Susquehanna State Park, Havre de Grace, MD
Ridden: February 2015

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Located along the Susquehanna River valley with its heavy forest cover and rocky terrain, Susquehanna State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities as well as points of historical significance.  Trails open to hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use are abundant, while the river is used by fishermen and boaters.  The park contains a family friendly campground and areas open to day use for picnics. History buffs are drawn to many historic buildings and mansions, a working grist mill, and remains of an old canal system.

The mountain biking trails are considered some of the the most popular and difficult trails in Maryland. And they certainly are challenging.  Steep climbs and descents are all there is, it seems like we were either going up or down. Water bars are abundant- which just adds to the challenge when climbing. There are rocky sections of trail, but nothing is unrideable. At some points the trails crosses open fields, so there are a few places to relax and look around for a bit. The trails are marked with colored blazes and name signs but bring a trail map along, we didn't see any kiosks or trail maps available trail side. We have been told that in total there is about 30 miles of trails in the park; we rode 20ish miles and did loop back on the same trails just a few times.

Just an FYI- there is a dog leash rule for the park that is instituted. Clifford was told by a park ranger he had to be on a leash. Thus, Cliff was stuck with having to stay on the leash and thus not much trail time for him in this adventure.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

Wharton State Forest, aka "Batsto", NJ

Single Track Sunday
Place: Wharton State Forest, aka "Batsto", NJ
Ridden: February 2015

For video click here

After numerous winter storms dropped snow on all of the Northeast and most of the Mid Atlantic, finding places to ride that did not have snow was becoming increasingly difficult. After calling many local bike shops in MD and DE, Joël found out the only place currently with decent riding conditions the weekend in question was Wharton State Forest, known to many as Batsto Trails.

Wharton State Forest is located in the Pine Barrens of Southern NJ.  The average elevation of this area is about 80 feet above sea level, so needless to say there is no climbing here.  But flat terrain brings about another challenge, one is always pedaling, which can be exhausting in it's own way. The trails here are hardpacked, sandy single track that weaves among pine trees, sometimes coming precariously close to the trees. A great place to work on cornering skills.

Total miles of single track trail open to cycling is about 30. In addition to the single track, there are miles and miles of dirt roads to ride on.  Just be on the look out, there are also numerous trails marked for hiking only.

As noted above, many people refer to these trails as the Batsto Trails, because this is the name of the common parking area people choose. This parking lot is adjacent to the Batsto Village, a restored historical village. In addition, a visitor's center and park office is at this parking lot if one needs trail information or wants to learn more about the history of the area.

For the experienced mountain biker looking to get in an epic ride, this may not be the place. But for the snow-bound, cabin-fever suffering cyclist, it is a great place to get in a winter ride.

- words by Jess

- video by Joë

- guest video by Clifford

Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield, VA

Single Track Sunday
Place: Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield, VA
Ridden: January 2015

Click on video to play

Pocahontas State Park was our first stop during our weekend adventure to Richmond. If you did not see the blog post last weekend, not too long ago PA was being hit by a winter storm that was dumping a good amount on snow on the area. We decided to escape the snow and traveled to Richmond, VA for the weekend.  We rode our bikes, slept in the van, and enjoyed a weekend of warm and sunshine while our northern friends were buried in snow.

Just 20 miles from downtown Richmond Pocahontas State Park offers boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, cabins, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, and environmental programs.  The park was part of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) program (for more on CCC camps see the Tall Pines blog here http://nankmancycling.blogspot.com/2014_09_01_archive.html).  The park has more than 80 miles of trails throughout 7,925 acres open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. About 52 miles of those trails are multi-use, the remainder being designated only for certain activities.

We rode primarily on the mountain bike specific trails. These are a network of single track trails developed specifically for mountain biking. They are twisty with many short, steep ups and downs. There is a smattering of log overs and rock gardens, but overall the trails and smooth and flowing.  The trails are rated beginner to advanced; the advance trails having the log overs and rock gardens and a few skinnies to have fun on.  The advanced trails all so have tons of fun "halfpipe" sort of trails features.  The trails are set up as multiple loops within loops, so it is easy to add on miles or cut back to the parking area whenever needed. All in all the single track is about 12 miles or so of trails.

To add in some extra time and to see a bit more of the park, we also did a loop of the multi-use trails. What we rode was primarily gravel roads/fire road type of riding.  We went by the CCC museum and site of the original CCC camp, the dam, and the park office. These trails are a good way to see the park.

All in all a fun place to ride with various trail options depending on what type of riding one wants to do.  A note for visitors- one must pay to use the park. Payment is made at the park office, and then you get a paper to put in your vehicle. We didn't know this and thus it added a bit of extra driving around the park when we already had time constraints to get a ride in before it got dark.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël