What is the hardest trail in nj?

[JimN]

@stb222 has mentioned that last DH we took would probably be the most technical uphill around.

Yeah you mentioned this, I plan to try it next time.

blue to yellow

That yellow trail from Ilgelstein Rock back to TOS (or in the other direction) is one of the best, toughest trails around. It's not legal, strictly speaking, as a portion of it goes through Bergen County, which is why I didn't mention it. But yeah, that's definitely on the list, especially if you skip the go-arounds on the hard parts.

work on your track standing...comes in really handy.

This, 1000%. With the exception of riding hard, technical trails for years, preferably following someone better than you, learning to track stand is absolutely the best thing you can do to get better at riding hard, technical trails. Practice in your driveway. Practice in your living room if your wife isn't around (yes, I did this). Practice in the parking lot while waiting for your friends to get ready. Practice on the trail while waiting for your friends to catch up or fix a flat. Every time you come to a stop, track stand first. Soon you'll be track standing in rock gardens when you fuck up, and then correcting and continuing to pedal.

 

[UtahJoe]

It's not legal, strictly speaking

of course...I didnt know this, but I should have suspected lol.

 

[A Potted Plant]

Poll added please @ me for to add to the poll @UtahJoe & @JimN I hear your advise and have been doing those things. My biggest issue is conditioning and riding more isn't an option so riding earlier for longer is all I've got

 

[shrpshtr325]

riding earlier for longer is all I've got

pretty sure thats 'more' riding, if not increasing ride count, but time in saddle is a big benefit to building skills.

 

[Soundguy]

I used to think tigers blood and black magic were THE tech trails... but after a lot of alternating days between Mahlon and Wildcat lately there’s not much comparison. A lot of that is the climbing factor for sure... Blackmagic would suck balls of you threw 1000’ of climbing into the mix.

I’m assuming we aren’t counting Creek, but the tech on the backside of that mountain is fucking ridiculous, and I’d say at least 75% of Creek’s customers have never seen it because they are distracted by all the man made stuff on the front side. There are some seriously gnarly rocks up there.

 

[mtn]

I used to think tigers blood and black magic were THE tech trails... but after a lot of alternating days between Mahlon and Wildcat lately there’s not much comparison. A lot of that is the climbing factor for sure... Blackmagic would suck balls of you threw 1000’ of climbing into the mix.

I’m assuming we aren’t counting Creek, but the tech on the backside of that mountain is fucking ridiculous, and I’d say at least 75% of Creek’s customers have never seen it because they are distracted by all the man made stuff on the front side. There are some seriously gnarly rocks up there.

I disagree. Everything is easily rideable back there and not very technical IMO, especially compared to Ripper and Test of Metal. Oh with the exception being the old log ride skinny.

 

[mtn]

I guess most people here haven’t ridden stokes and some of their practically unrideable trails.

 

[JimN]

I guess most people here haven’t ridden stokes and some of their practically unrideable trails.

I was only there once. I should definitely go back, but it's so far away.

 

[Mathers]

anywhere in Hartshorne

 

[JimN]

I guess most people here haven’t ridden stokes and some of their practically unrideable trails.

So other than the trail that shall not be named, what are the hardest, most unrideable trails at Stokes? Do they have names?

 

[68nova200]

I just rode four birds... That trail has it all. Tech climbs. Ultra steep downhill and almost 100% rocks. Still haven't cleaned it yet. Direction makes a huge difference for difficulty.

 

[ebarker9]

My two:

-Black Magic at Mahlon while being stung by bees
-Tiger's Blood at Mahlon while having an allergic reaction after being stung by a bee

Actually, I do find these and trails like lumpy bumpy pretty challenging just because there's so much precision required, it's very easy to make a mistake, and then hard to get back in the groove if you do make a mistake. I think I also have a harder time on the flatter tech trails because there's a lot of "if I put my wheel slightly wrong it may immediately wedge into something and I'm crashing awkwardly" that you don't get as much with a steep climb or descent. So obviously it's somewhat individual.

 

[dmkalemba]

Not that i would try it myself, but what about going up "new way down"?

 

[Patrick]

Not that i would try it myself, but what about going up "new way down"?

i was thinking about New Way Up....
techy, steep, but not too long.

New Way UP | Strava Ride Segment in Rockaway Township, New Jersey

View Ride segment | Strava

www.strava.com

 

[BPaze]

Not that i would try it myself, but what about going up "new way down"?

A year or 2 ago Max and I made that mistake, to make matters worse we wound up way off-trail hiking up the side of the mountain. That is when I learned letting Max lead a ride will lead to an adventure, it may suck but it will definitely be an adventure.

 

[shrpshtr325]

Not that i would try it myself, but what about going up "new way down"?

youd have to be insane, i think @graveyardman67 said he has done it.

 

[Dave Taylor]

Red up in Ringwood or Pierson’s section at ringwood.

 

[JimN]

Not that i would try it myself, but what about going up "new way down"?

I think it's doable, but probably not by me.

 

[Paul H]

Red up in Ringwood

Are you talking about that section where you can fall off and die? Wasn't that a hiking only trail?

 

[Patrick]

I think it's doable, but probably not by me.

top 10 leaderboard on strava says differently. 😀