How hard is Murphy?

[Danimal]

Here's the deal, my wife has a sweet new ride. She is slowly going from paved trails to some off-road. She can handle Salem easily and Theo. Theo was about her limit for now. I am wondering if Murphy will be her speed or is it too advanced for the novice. I haven't been there yet (I know it's a damn sin) but can someone post up and advise me?

Thanks in advance.

[calc]

On the relative Mohs scale of trail hardness,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness

I'd give it a combined 6 (Orthoclase Feldspar) for a beginner. (I know, I'm a nerd.):beard: It's got 3 seperate loops and if your wife is comfortable at Theo, I'd think the beginner and intermediate loops would be no problem. She could try the advanced loop, but maybe be prepared to walk a few sections that are off camber and have slight dropoffs to the side of the trail. Advanced also has a raised bridge and some more elevation changes and is longer. You never know until you try though.

[ppgc]

I would say someone who is comfortable on a bike in some dirt can ride 98/99% of Murphy without a problem. For the most part I wouldn't say it is any harder or easier than Theo just longer. :)

[Shorty]

It's got 3 seperate loops and if your wife is comfortable at Theo, I'd think the beginner and intermediate loops would be no problem. She could try the advanced loop, but maybe be prepared to walk a few sections that are off camber and have slight dropoffs to the side of the trail. Advanced also has a raised bridge and some more elevation changes and is longer. You never know until you try though.

Good advice... I'd say pretty much the same thing.

There are three bridges that I would consider high (all are on the advanced loop), and one of those is the step-bridge which is the highest skill/risk.

[FunSizeSnack]

Congrats on your sweetie's sweet new ride! Being an owner of a sweet new ride myself (as a matter of fact, that's what I've been calling it the past couple weeks) and relatively new to the sport, I would say Murphy is a great course for a beginner. That said, my first couple times were a bit shaky--but if I didn't have confidence over a patch of rocks or to hop over a log, I'd just get off my bike and walk around it. I've ridden a mountain bike a total of, maybe 15 times in my life (10 in the last 2 weeks), and I can now proudly say that I tear through most of the advanced loop:banana: (still walking over the fat logs and building rock moxie, but I'm working on it!). I don't think I've mentioned that I'm in the lowest percentile for coordination and agility on wheels.

One last thing, as a beginner, Murphy is the main course I'm riding now for the sake of confidence building. There aren't many obstacles, so you can actually keep riding, for the most part, if your skills aren't up to speed. I skipped the step bridge my first handful of times out there, but have done it twice now. Can I get another banana?:banana: Huzzah!

Best of luck to the missus! I know how frustrating it can be to learn to trust the bike and not fear the trail. It's weird at first to have to pay attention every second and be OK with not knowing what's in front of you all the time--like not panic when your wheels don't move the way you want them to move because you hit a root hidden by leaves the wrong way. It's nice to know there are other novices on the trails; I must be on the same schedule as all the iPod-clad speed demons.

[cconely]

Here's the deal, my wife has a sweet new ride. She is slowly going from paved trails to some off-road. She can handle Salem easily and Theo. Theo was about her limit for now. I am wondering if Murphy will be her speed or is it too advanced for the novice. I haven't been there yet (I know it's a damn sin) but can someone post up and advise me?

Thanks in advance.

If Theo is the at her limit, MH should be fine as long as she doesn't mind doing a bit more climbing and being close to a couple of somewhat steep drop-offs. really a great trail for doing cardio build-up work, as you can keep a nice flow going for about as long as you want to once you know the trail.

[MikeyB]

I would say someone who is comfortable on a bike in some dirt can ride 98/99% of Murphy without a problem. For the most part I wouldn't say it is any harder or easier than Theo just longer. :)

What Pete said. It's much longer. Just pace yourself and take your time.

[soupboy]

Watch out for the pumas.

[Crash]

Hit it.

[smklugherz]

Go nuts. Great course for a beginer. Not as busy as Leb, so you will not feel the presure from people riding up behind you. Enjoy the trail.

[GoatGirl]

Murphy is a great ride for her skills. It is not as tight at Theo but has more climbing. As far as the bridges there is an alternate line for the step bridge and the qualifier into the expert loop is easily walked. the other bridges are very wide and easily navigated.

My advice to you is to stay with her while she rides so that she is not alone feeling like she is not able to keep up. In fact if you ride in front of her you can show her the good lines.

Have fun and bring her on some group rides so that we can all meet her!

[jlk_250]

+1 on the recommendation to go for it. I was apprehensive my first time but in actuality it is a fun trail. IMO the advanced loop at Murphy is easier than Theo. The qualifier is far more challenging than the actual loop. Perhaps over time this will change as the advanced loop gets more advanced features but for now it is okay for anyone beyond the beginner stage.

Jon

[pitts]

Climb-wise I think its harder then lebanon, not dying at the end, but It was a workout