Note from the Ride Manager
This year we've really gone mad and are putting on our first 100. Now I know you all
think this is a tough ride..but I'm making the 100 as easy as I can. To make it easier,
your first and second vet checks will be away at the same location. We're taking you
on the "Big O" loop about 15 miles long and a mostly flat and "moving out" trail. By
the time you've done it twice you'll have about 47 miles under your belt. Some of us
raced that loop the other day and did it in less than an hour! We had a major ice
storm in Dec. and will hopefully clear about 50 miles of trail. If you see a crew
member (they'll be announced at the Ride Meeting) buy them a beer, they've earned it.
Last year I got a nasty gram from the DNCR about riders coming down Oak road
holding hands and stopping traffic from passing. Then on top of that shouting
obscenities and making rude hand gestures. Even if the locals are rude please do
not respond in kind. We are the visitors and whether you like it or not the DCNR
controls whether we can ride there or not. If they get complaints it makes it a lot
easier to say no.
I’ve been riding in Michaux State Forest since 1992 and I am still finding new
wonders and beauty. Each season brings a different perspective on the greatness of
this treasure and the wonderful job the DCNR and State Forester do in managing it.
The forest is abundant with wildlife and on your ride you’re likely to see deer, turkey,
hawks, and maybe even a bear! That being said, and while there are several parks in
the area (including Mt. Alto, PA's oldest), this ride is not a walk in the park. It is an
endurance ride. While there are no cliffs you ride along, the ride is designed to have
a fast section and a technical section for each loop. Every loop will have several
long climbs and descents. In pacing yourself you should keep this in mind, “If you
see a hill in the distance you’re going to climb it”. There are some rocky sections
generally 200-300 yards in duration. I’ve vacillated back and forth between requiring
shoes (RM option) and just recommending them. Here’s where we’ll leave it. I
strongly recommend shoes all the way around, and suggest those who are thinking
of top-tenning use pads. I will trust your judgment to do the right thing for your
horse and hope you’ll consider my recommendation in making your decision.
Although most of the trails have numbered markers, we’ve taken to naming them.
For example, there is Ecstasy, Pat’s Pretty Loop, Lovers Lane, Kim’s Bear Trail, Triple
Delight, and Diamondback.
Ecstasy is a wonderful old logging trail that follows the east side of South Mountain
and parallels High Rock Road. It takes it’s name from a friend of ours who at the end
of the galloping section used to exclaim “that’s better than s_ _”.
Pat Oliva is the namesake for Pat’s Pretty Loop, when I‘d ask her where she wanted
to ride she’d always say oh “lets do that pretty loop”. It crosses the base of Eagle
Rock which is stunning and does a steep ascent to the top of Eagle Rock.
Lovers Lane is a connecting trail to one of the forest roads and got its name when
Bucky and Bart were in the lead and came across a young couple on a blanket in the
grass. It’s a good thing they were off to the side of the trail since we were moving at
a good clip. Bucky yelled out one of her famous Helloooooo’s and the poor
embarrassed girl rolled herself into the blanket to hide. Unfortunately, I was on a
young green horse that refused to go by the blanket until it knew there wasn’t a
monster in there. I finally convinced the poor girl to stick her head out and say
something so the horse would know she was human.
All the years I’ve been riding up here and always wanted to see a bear. No such
luck! I finally convince Kim Orr to come up and ride the mountain and her first time
out we take a little used trail. When she and Luke came around a bend, lo and behold
there’s a bear.
Triple delight was one of the first trails we found that you could really move out on. It
went through an old section of the forest (since logged and returning nicely) and as
you were galloping up the last hill there were three drainage ditches that the horses
would always jump. What fun! They have now put drain tiles in those ditches so no
more jumps, but it will always be Triple Delight to us.
So based on all this I guess you know how Diamondback got its name. Snakes are
rare but here. In all the time I’ve been riding up here I’ve only seen two (and hope to
keep it at two). 2005 update! Due to the dryness saw 3 this fall! But this is a forest
and that is their habitat.
If you love to ride and enjoy beautiful scenery that changes with every bend, I think
you’ll enjoy this ride. I look forward to seeing you here and if there is anything you
need to make your ride more enjoyable I’ll do my best to make it so.
Regards
Skip & The MichauxMadness crew
This year we've really gone mad and are putting on our first 100. Now I know you all
think this is a tough ride..but I'm making the 100 as easy as I can. To make it easier,
your first and second vet checks will be away at the same location. We're taking you
on the "Big O" loop about 15 miles long and a mostly flat and "moving out" trail. By
the time you've done it twice you'll have about 47 miles under your belt. Some of us
raced that loop the other day and did it in less than an hour! We had a major ice
storm in Dec. and will hopefully clear about 50 miles of trail. If you see a crew
member (they'll be announced at the Ride Meeting) buy them a beer, they've earned it.
Last year I got a nasty gram from the DNCR about riders coming down Oak road
holding hands and stopping traffic from passing. Then on top of that shouting
obscenities and making rude hand gestures. Even if the locals are rude please do
not respond in kind. We are the visitors and whether you like it or not the DCNR
controls whether we can ride there or not. If they get complaints it makes it a lot
easier to say no.
I’ve been riding in Michaux State Forest since 1992 and I am still finding new
wonders and beauty. Each season brings a different perspective on the greatness of
this treasure and the wonderful job the DCNR and State Forester do in managing it.
The forest is abundant with wildlife and on your ride you’re likely to see deer, turkey,
hawks, and maybe even a bear! That being said, and while there are several parks in
the area (including Mt. Alto, PA's oldest), this ride is not a walk in the park. It is an
endurance ride. While there are no cliffs you ride along, the ride is designed to have
a fast section and a technical section for each loop. Every loop will have several
long climbs and descents. In pacing yourself you should keep this in mind, “If you
see a hill in the distance you’re going to climb it”. There are some rocky sections
generally 200-300 yards in duration. I’ve vacillated back and forth between requiring
shoes (RM option) and just recommending them. Here’s where we’ll leave it. I
strongly recommend shoes all the way around, and suggest those who are thinking
of top-tenning use pads. I will trust your judgment to do the right thing for your
horse and hope you’ll consider my recommendation in making your decision.
Although most of the trails have numbered markers, we’ve taken to naming them.
For example, there is Ecstasy, Pat’s Pretty Loop, Lovers Lane, Kim’s Bear Trail, Triple
Delight, and Diamondback.
Ecstasy is a wonderful old logging trail that follows the east side of South Mountain
and parallels High Rock Road. It takes it’s name from a friend of ours who at the end
of the galloping section used to exclaim “that’s better than s_ _”.
Pat Oliva is the namesake for Pat’s Pretty Loop, when I‘d ask her where she wanted
to ride she’d always say oh “lets do that pretty loop”. It crosses the base of Eagle
Rock which is stunning and does a steep ascent to the top of Eagle Rock.
Lovers Lane is a connecting trail to one of the forest roads and got its name when
Bucky and Bart were in the lead and came across a young couple on a blanket in the
grass. It’s a good thing they were off to the side of the trail since we were moving at
a good clip. Bucky yelled out one of her famous Helloooooo’s and the poor
embarrassed girl rolled herself into the blanket to hide. Unfortunately, I was on a
young green horse that refused to go by the blanket until it knew there wasn’t a
monster in there. I finally convinced the poor girl to stick her head out and say
something so the horse would know she was human.
All the years I’ve been riding up here and always wanted to see a bear. No such
luck! I finally convince Kim Orr to come up and ride the mountain and her first time
out we take a little used trail. When she and Luke came around a bend, lo and behold
there’s a bear.
Triple delight was one of the first trails we found that you could really move out on. It
went through an old section of the forest (since logged and returning nicely) and as
you were galloping up the last hill there were three drainage ditches that the horses
would always jump. What fun! They have now put drain tiles in those ditches so no
more jumps, but it will always be Triple Delight to us.
So based on all this I guess you know how Diamondback got its name. Snakes are
rare but here. In all the time I’ve been riding up here I’ve only seen two (and hope to
keep it at two). 2005 update! Due to the dryness saw 3 this fall! But this is a forest
and that is their habitat.
If you love to ride and enjoy beautiful scenery that changes with every bend, I think
you’ll enjoy this ride. I look forward to seeing you here and if there is anything you
need to make your ride more enjoyable I’ll do my best to make it so.
Regards
Skip & The MichauxMadness crew
Michaux Madness-- May 24th & 25th 2008
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