How much of Lebanon can you ride?

[gopherhockey]

The question is.... can you ride it all. By that I mean ALL the rock gardens (including going over the right side larger rock in the XX loop, not the weenie bypass to the left). All the log piles. ALL the drops (including the rock near #7 in the XX where most go to the left). This also includes the long log ride after the tabletop. Oh, speaking of tabletop - you have to have cleared the top to put yourself on the "I can clear it all!" list.

I safely post this because as of a few weeks ago I finally cleared the long log ride just after the tabletop, which put me in the "I can clear all of Lebanon without dabbing" list. I'm sure many of you were there long before I was though.

Are you on this list? If not, what are you missing...

Don't forget the log over ride just after the 2nd bridge. The stairs. Both bridges.

Not as hard as the Farm, but still with its challenges. I know many can put themselves on the list, and many probably have just one or two things you have not ridden yet.

I admit I don't ride the log ride regularly. It took me a while to go off the very end of it too, I always wanted to go off where it splits and hangs down to the left (you know what I mean if you have ridden it). Doesn't count if you haven't made it off the very very end of that one.

Oh, and can you do all of this without ever dabbing on any obsticle or stopping on the trail to catch your breath?

:p

[martini]

Better yet, I can do it all HOLDING MY BREATH!:cool: Yeah, I'm better than you....

Seriously though, I've done it all, just not all on the same lap yet. The one thing that always trips my up is the log crossing after the second bridge. After that is the table top. I can do it, but I'm just not that comfortable in the air. I can ride everything else, but its always a challenge no matter what.

[Dr. Guitar]

That log bridge is the only thing left for me to do. Well, I usually skip the bridges too. I have this head game in washouts and on things like the log bridge I am working on. I have the skills, it's just applying them, and putting on the blinders.

How about that rockface just before the switchback to the tabletop?

[Rocky Mountain]

Last Sat we road for quantity not quality by doing 5 laps of the XX Loop in about 2 hrs. Ivan and Noah kept pushing me until my arms were shaking from fatigue. That rock face was my biggest obstacle but I can ride it now with little hesitation. The table top drop off before that has always scared me since "white man can't jump". I used to ride BMX as a kid when I jumped like a rabbit but now I am grounded.

[KleinCrazy]

I have rode it all, no dabs, on both the SingleSpeed and the Full Suspension Bike.

[gopherhockey]

Ahhh.. quantity. That too is a good question. How many laps do you (or can you) do at one time?

I find that when I start to fade I feel unsafe in the XX loop and head back out on the other trails... so what I usually do is 2 laps of XX, then go all the way back around to the parking lot and back out to do another 2 or so. I haven't yet tried for a XX marathon, but it sounds interesting!

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by KleinCrazy
I have rode it all, no dabs, on both the SingleSpeed and the Full Suspension Bike.

You had to pull out the old singlespeed thing. ;)

I should get mine back out on the trail - I haven't ridden it since May when I blew my knee out on it.

You have given me something new to strive for... dang you. :p

[ice ice baby]

I can almost ride it all clean. I can't quite get my back tire on the downslope of the tabletop, but I can ride the logride 75% of the time. Other than an occasional rock garden slip, I basically have Lebanon down.:banana: :banana:

[scarface]

I can ride it all except the log ride. I am always too lazy to try:) But then again, last time I was out, i fell 2 or 3 times. Consistency would be nice:) Something to work on.

Plus, i fall when i ride the trail when its really wet and muddy...<just kidding>

[Tetreves]

Originally posted by martini
Seriously though, I've done it all, just not all on the same lap yet.

I'm right there with you. The hardest obstacle for me is the long log ride. I've cleaned it before, but I still can't do it consistantly.

I also start feeling like I'm fading after 2 laps of XX. Than I don't feel like I'm in full control and fully focused, I'll either screw up bad or play it safe (and dab). But this is only a serious problem for me on the XX loop. I still feel ok on the X loop at this point.

[socrates]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
Ahhh.. quantity. That too is a good question. How many laps do you (or can you) do at one time?

I find that when I start to fade I feel unsafe in the XX loop and head back out on the other trails... so what I usually do is 2 laps of XX, then go all the way back around to the parking lot and back out to do another 2 or so. I haven't yet tried for a XX marathon, but it sounds interesting!

I've found if I just so a quick lap of the parking lot between complete laps I get another wind behind me...

[TML]

So far I've cleaned everything except the table top, with both gears and the single. I've never really tried that hard on the table top though. I'll have to make a point of trying to jump the whole thing.

Other stuff that sometimes gets me is the log ride in its entirety. Can usually do that about 50% of the time though. I dont continue the lap till I get it though. There are a couple of other things, that I usually dont hit on the first lap though cuz I forget that they are slightly off the main line. I pass by them and notice that I just missed one of the challenges and hit it next time around.

Such good fun!

[MUni]

I used to be able to ride all of Leb clean. Then the XX opened up...now I can ride the XX clean but I've gotten careless in the X loop and have a UPD (Un Planned Dismount) almost every time through. It's like some kind of strange curse or something.

[Maverick]

Nope, I definately can't ride all of leb. I think I have a mental thing stopping me from being able to do all the rock gardens. I can do the first bridge, but haven't tried the second. I haven't been able to do the whole log ride yet.

My rock phobia is really starting to annoying me. I don't know if I'm thinking about crashing so much that I do end crashing or what. :confused: I can get air born no problem, but them dang rocks kill me.

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by Maverick

My rock phobia is really starting to annoying me. I don't know if I'm thinking about crashing so much that I do end crashing or what. :confused: I can get air born no problem, but them dang rocks kill me.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I notice many people look at the nearest rock and don't take their eyes off. This always causes problems.

It can be hard to do, but look past the rocks you are about to negotiate and pick a line. Don't always take the easy looking line either... take for instance the rock garden in the X loop. I don't know how many times I'm following really strong riders around the trail only to see them take the inside line through the rock garden and dab around the corner or earlier. That rock garden is a clear example of where NOT to take the line that appears to have the least amount of rocks.

THe best line there IMHO is to the left. You come around the corner and look to the left. The first thing you see is a very large rock standing up. (to the right, a smaller rock that looks much more inviting). Take the rock to the left. It is a big smooth rock that you roll right over. Once you are over it, you have a wider line to make the right hand corner. Don't get sucked over to the area where it looks like you can get between all the rocks - thats a bad line. Keep going straight ahead to the left side and just sweep right around.

Probably more than you wanted to hear - it can be annoying to hear people telling you it is easier than it looks.

I helped Liz get over the rock garden by sitting there pointing to where here eyes should be. I told her to ride right to where my finger was and then as she kept her attention on that point in the trail, I would remind her to keep her momentum up.

Now she hardly even thinks when going over the rock garden.

We're now working on getting her over the right side of the tree on the XX rock garden (over the large rock at the very end).

(maybe she was just in a hurry to ride over my hand and that was her motivation... hmm... hehe)

[zerpy]

Hey I can make EVERYONE feel better:)

I haven't even tried the X or XX loops yet. Figure'd that I can't even make it though the intermediate sections of the trail and stay vertical, I'd probably kill myself on more difficult sections!

I have a real bad time with log crossings. I know (at least think I know) what I'm going to do but on the larger crossings (I think there is only one in the "normal" sections fo lebanon that gives me trouble anymore) I freeze and flub it up. Then when I'm laying there trying to stop the bleeding I see other people hop across it effortlessly - grrrr:)

[Wonderpony]

My record is doing the XX 2x in a row- hitting everything w/o unclipping once. (except the long log - I forget it's there and am going too fast - by the time I remember it- it's not worth slowing down for....) Oh yeah - and I did stop between my 2 rounds. (waiting for some newbies)

"including going over the right side larger rock in the XX loop, not the weenie bypass to the left"

Is that one of the first rock gardens? Going up hill? If so - I did hit it w/o falling but not very gracefully.

Havent come close to clearing the table top yet but I'M WORKING ON IT!! - I'm a little chicken - I just need to get more SPEED.

I LOVE THE XX LOOP!!

Since the heavy rain I have had troubles w/ the log bridge - or what ever it's called - just passed the second regular bridge - before the steps - It seems like it throws my front tire funny or slants more or something. I can see that others have been having an issue w/ it too because that poor little tree on the right is missing quite a bit of bark.... :hit:

[gopherhockey]

The log over after the 2nd bridge moves around a lot and becomes twisted really bad.

We are probably going to need to make a regular style log ride bypass on that one as well. I know many want to ride it, but many are too nervous and now you have to get off and disrupt your ride to get over it (or be tempted to cut around off the trail)

I think a log ride to the right would be a good option.

We can find a way to anchor the log ride in better too - maybe a good project for our last trail work day next Tuesday.

Anyone have ideas on how to anchor those two logs in so they don't twist? Maybe some huge spikes? ;)

[martini]

Yeah, I'd say a big ass spike or two would keep the logs in place. I guess thats why I'm so leary of this crossing. Just too loose. I'll be able ot come up this coming Teus to help out. I finally got another car, so I can get away with out leaving my wife at home ALL day long. I think reworking the logs a bit woul be good too. If memory serves correctly, the ramps seemed kinda punky to me. I like the style of ride though, so I think we should keep it.

[Dr. Guitar]

I did both bridges, and tried the log bridge 3 times today. I still can't complete the log bridge. I get my front wheel inches from the ground and start to vere twords the tree on the right. I even ran into that tree hard today, I wasn't hurt though.

As for those of you that don't try, or are affraid to try some things, do what I do when aproaching something scary for the first time. If it looks too big, steep or what ever, get off your bike. Walk your bike over the obsticle, with you bike to your side. Watch your wheels and bottom bracket. Everything that has been man made is passable. I find If I watch my wheels roll over things, it is like witnessing that it is passable, and makes it less daunting.

[Maverick]

if us girls can do it you can too!!!

I don't know about that, you girls could kicked my butt with one arm tied behind your back no problem. :hit: :cryin:



I have a real bad time with log crossings. I know (at least think I know) what I'm going to do but on the larger crossings (I think there is only one in the "normal" sections fo lebanon that gives me trouble anymore) I freeze and flub it up.

I use to have that problem. I found my trick to be is just to build up some speed (not a whole lot) and roll over them. When I first started I would go way too slow and try to pedal over them, that is hard. Now I just build the speed and roll over them. Same with the big log piles in the X and XX loops. I'm sure others can probably clear them 5 times faster then my method but I gets me over them.

Don't worry, I was like that 2 months ago. Been there, it sucked. Once you do it once or twice it'll seem like nothing. I'm sure it'll be the same way once I finally get through them dang rocks. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :fool:

[viv]

all of it

[Krejci]

The unicycle guy can ride leb clean with one wheel, and i have 2 and i struggle at times. I mean i can get most of it, but the rock gardens are not my cup of coffee. Not fair! Hey unicycle, i wanna see you there sometime, i think that would be great to see you go down a hill on a uni cycle! :banana:

[grizzly adam]

MORC should make "bogey" stickers and give them to eveyone who can make it all the way around without dabbing or falling and then people could ooooohhhhhh and aaaaaaahhhhhh at those that have the most "bogey" stickers.

I have a couple bogey stickers on my MINI - he he:geek:

[Dr. Guitar]

I saw Unibiker once. Dude, you are hardcore. In someways, I imagine that controlling one wheel can be easier than two. Seeing you get over a log pile, or through the rock garden climb would be cool.

[MUni]

Originally posted by Dr. Guitar
In someways, I imagine that controlling one wheel can be easier than two. Seeing you get over a log pile, or through the rock garden climb would be cool.
If you like the technical aspect of cycling, MUni (Mountain Unicycling) might appeal to you. Speed isn't usually part of the equation when it comes to unicycling. For example, it takes me an 1hr and 10-20min to do a complete lap (XX then exiting through X again) at Leb. (BTW I always ride the whole trail to get to the XX, poaching is for wimps)

I don't know that I can give a judgement as to whether uni is easier than bi, I used to do a lot of road on two wheels but I've never really done off road. It's my guess that the overall skills and muscle groups required for uni are very different than bi. Even the pistons work differently...on uni we usually run a higher cadence than cyclists, we also develop different muscle groups for braking and maintaining control on hills and obstacles. (Here's the sales pitch ;) )... It's a much different kind of work out, but one that will improve your skill no matter what your main discipline is. I've heard of pro downhill skiers that have learned uni to improve balance and muscle control. My wife does ballet and has noticed a significant increase in her control and balance since she learned how to ride.

If anyone ever wants to give it a go, just let me know on the trail or in the lot. I'm always happy to let others try it out.

[Dr. Guitar]

Hey Muni. My Dad has an old unicycle. I tried to ride it once, but had no luck. My comment about controlling one wheel was aimed more at the idea of only having to concern yourself with one point of contact on the trail.

[At the Gates 2121]

I have rode it all, no dabs, on both the SingleSpeed and the Full Suspension Bike.

is that including the right hand turn on the camelback ?????????

[berrywise]

is that including the right hand turn on the camelback ?????????
Haha check the date it hadn't even been built yet :crazy:

[At the Gates 2121]

:alien: [QUOTE=gopherhockey]The question is.... can you ride it all. By that I mean ALL the rock gardens (including going over the right side larger rock in the XX loop, not the weenie bypass to the left). All the log piles. ALL the drops (including the rock near #7 in the XX where most go to the left). This also includes the long log ride after the tabletop. Oh, speaking of tabletop - you have to have cleared the top to put yourself on the "I can clear it all!" list.
\


I have not done it since the addition of the camelback it kicks my butt, other then that I have owned that trail on a few ocaisions

[dave t]

So, if most riders are clearing Leb, it's time to kick it up a notch, eh.

I try to make the things that have become easy just a bit tougher.

Some examples:
The log steps after the camelback can be wheelied two and even three at a time if the right combos are used. (bring the wheel up before one and not touch til past the 2nd or 3rd)

The goofy logs after the teeter. Hit them with a hop and they can be doubled. The three close ones that are angled might be a triple.

As soon as you are on the camel spur, wheely the rest off the end.

Try the big rock garden at speed. I think it should be possible to go fast enough that the last rock is a jump.

Ride the log by the table top without using the brakes after clearing the table.

There is a little stump in X about five feet before a big root in the switch back with the line of "babyheads" that I used to use as a jump to clear the root. (I can't seem to do it anymore but I will again soon!)

There used to be logs (with no piles) that were too big to just wheely over. The trick was to get over with no dab and preferably no ring-hit. A combo wheely / hop works really well on logs way bigger than you would think could be cleared.

Anyone else play these or other challenge games out on the trail.

[KleinCrazy]

So, if most riders are clearing Leb, it's time to kick it up a notch, eh.

I try to make the things that have become easy just a bit tougher.

Two Ideas,

Swivel Teeter and Teeter Drop

[manual63]

Two Ideas,

Swivel Teeter and Teeter Drop
I got an idea. Get on the teeter and about halfway.....do a 180 and roll off of it backwards. Bust out a 180 again to go from back to front after you clear the teet......:D....that would be fun.....and possible on my P.2 or trials bike....I think??

[KleinCrazy]

I got an idea. Get on the teeter and about halfway.....do a 180 and roll off of it backwards. Bust out a 180 again to go from back to front after you clear the teet......:D....that would be fun.....and possible on my P.2 or trials bike....I think??
Ok Shad,

Since I have Myself completing a double teeter ride.

Let me know and I'll bring the Camera out to get this on Film. I would be highly impressed.

[At the Gates 2121]

Ok Shad,

Since I have Myself completing a double teeter ride.

Let me know and I'll bring the Camera out to get this on Film. I would be highly impressed.


We need a mouse wheel :D

[destrago]

I've only been riding offroad since April, and I've only done XX a few times now. First of all, it's awesome. I usually ride the intermediate around do X, XX, and then finish out on the dream trail (new exit), then do either intermediate again or Intermediate-X-Dream again. I usually don't have the mental focus to do XX again after going all the way through the loop once already.

I can usually make it without stopping for breath - it's the torn cartiladge in my knee that prevents me from riding more (until I DO run out of breath completely). I do stop for 3-5 minutes between laps to let any lactic acid buildup drain. Some days when the knee is really bad I only do one lap.

As for stunts:
I can make X completely except the corner rock garden - I usually slip up on that and the few times I've made it have been at about 3 mph (feels like cheating, although I was encouraged to see a bunch of other people botch it right in front of me last weekend).
On XX, it varies but it's usually the large log at after the bridge and the huge rock at the very beginning that trip me up routinely. The stairs climb gets me working pretty hard and gets me to downshift pretty far.

Coming out of XX back onto the dream trail ending is awesome. After the technical riding in the X and XX the wicked flow and mad downhills on the dream trail I'm usually going road speed (15-20mph probably, don't have a computer) until I feel like I'm gonna slip out at any second. Then I slow down or.. slip out... it's all good.

My first goal is to build speed: make the stunts I can make faster and build endurance on the uphills and long winding stretches. The few technical things I miss don't bug me that much, it's the rush of hitting a big logpile or a jump at 15 mph and getting mad air (and landing it!!! (most of the time)) that keeps me going.

[manual63]

Ok Shad,

Since I have Myself completing a double teeter ride.

Let me know and I'll bring the Camera out to get this on Film. I would be highly impressed.
I do 180s on my freestyle bike all the time. I was practicing doing the balance in one place to 180 on my trials bike last week. I don't see why I couldn't do it....or at least try it. So, yeah......I will let you know. I might need to wear a helmet for that......:laugh: :laugh:. I am busy these days with my *RMIL in town. So, I am not sure when I can make it out there.

*Romanian Mother In-Law

[SPR]

I got an idea. Get on the teeter and about halfway.....do a 180 and roll off of it backwards. Bust out a 180 again to go from back to front after you clear the teet......:D....that would be fun.....and possible on my P.2 or trials bike....I think??I may be riding the trails this Sunday with a friend who's talented enough to do this and probably crazy enough to try. :crazy: I'll make sure I have a camera along.
Now let's hope that forecast for rain Sunday is wrong.