Sourlands First Time

mtbville

mtbville

New Member
I am an beginner/intermediate rider and mistakenly tried out Sourlands today. I tried going up from the TH up 1 and 2 but it was too rocky both ways. I went back down and did the pondside trail and mapleflats which were not too bad for my level. I went up part of the gas line which was pretty cool but tough. Are those steeper trails going up towards the boulders and around even doable at expert levels? I didn't see any other riders on the north side Any other recommendations? Would it be better going up the gasline and then do 5 to 4 and down vs. up? What about further south around 6,8,9?
 
mtbville said:
I am an beginner/intermediate rider and mistakenly tried out Sourlands today. I tried going up from the TH up 1 and 2 but it was too rocky both ways. I went back down and did the pondside trail and mapleflats which were not too bad for my level. I went up part of the gas line which was pretty cool but tough. Are those steeper trails going up towards the boulders and around even doable at expert levels? I didn't see any other riders on the north side Any other recommendations? Would it be better going up the gasline and then do 5 to 4 and down vs. up? What about further south around 6,8,9?
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awesome that you gave it a go. in all seriousness - the whole park is rideable. just keep going back. there are sections of the the sourlands that i still end up bailing on and i have been riding there for years. every time i go, i try to add at least 10 yards to what i can't do. its a really technical place, but all it does is make most other parks easier.

the secret to getting more riding than walking in is direction choice. start out from the parking lot and head left to climb up. take the whole park in a clock wise direction and its easier.

my loop: go 11 to 9 to 8 to 6 to 5, then left on the pipeline to go further up - bear left into 3 amigos (not really solidly marked, and not on the map), and go down back to 6-ish. then 6 to 5 to 4 through the boulders to 1.
 
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I started typing an intermediate ride and a more techy ride. Then I gave up. 😀 Just post a ride and ask for a tour. You will get something.
 
mtbville said:
Thanks. Why up 3-Amigos and back to 6? Anything special up that way to backtrack?
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3 amigos is a killer trail - so much freaggin' fun. hands down the best designed trail there with loads to play on. last couple times i have been to the SL, i went straight up the gasline/fireroad straight to 3 amigos, just to go down it and find new lines - there are lots of boulders to play on, and i still haven't come anywhere near to dialing that trail at speed.

i go back to 6 because it hits one of my favorite (yet trickiest) rock gardens. its the one right before you cross the gasline again. it starts right off the last of this series of boardwalks and crosses a stream in the middle (at the end of the trickiest part). the left line is a PITA right off the boardwalk. the right line isn't much easier, but i have had more sucess on. so i look to get a repeat ride on a fun technical section, and also you get to ride some cool stuff between 3 amigos and where you begin to overlap. its connector trail - i'm not sure if its still 3 amigos - but its by some pretty big rocks close by roaring rocks.

other than that, i guess you could cruise all the way back down, and cut somewhere across the middle of the mountain to boulderama, but then you'd miss some mellower stuff (i.e. a break!) up top getting to boulderama.

i think that makes sense - anyone else chime in here - i'd like to hear some loops.
 
next time i get out i'll post up - that's if i can plan it. i have a 17-18 month old, so planning things right now gets a little difficult. i dont ride fast at all - i ride for fun, and always love showing someone around the SL, so if you're down for a ride keep your eyes peeled. i usually go at the buttcrack of dawn tho.
 
clarkenstein said:
my loop: go 11 to 9 to 8 to 6 to 5, then left on the pipeline to go further up - bear left into 3 amigos (not really solidly marked, and not on the map), and go down back to 6-ish. then 6 to 5 to 4 through the boulders to 1.
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Anyone happen to have a GPS file with these trails on it?
 
de00304 said:
Anyone happen to have a GPS file with these trails on it?
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i ride sans GPS, but if you're not doing anything on sunday i am going to try to get out to the sourlands - early tho. i climb like a snail but go down at a decent clip. i would be glad to show you around.
 
de00304 said:
Anyone happen to have a GPS file with these trails on it?
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This map shows the new trails that aren't on the printed one (in blue, green and red ink). I need to update this now that the trails are officially blazed. Hope this helps.

SLmap.jpg
 
clarkenstein said:
i ride sans GPS, but if you're not doing anything on sunday i am going to try to get out to the sourlands - early tho. i climb like a snail but go down at a decent clip. i would be glad to show you around.
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I appreciate the offer Clarkstein - we have other plans for Sunday though, so maybe another time, thanks!
 
Clarkenstein ,

What does "early" mean? I might join you, and although I'm an early riser, my warm-up time-requirement is directly proportional to how early I start the ride!

Tom P.
 
de00304 said:
I appreciate the offer Clarkstein - we have other plans for Sunday though, so maybe another time, thanks!
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cool - hit me up.

one piece crank said:
Clarkenstein ,

What does "early" mean? I might join you, and although I'm an early riser, my warm-up time-requirement is directly proportional to how early I start the ride!

Tom P.
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is 7:30 cool? i just gotta double check with tower control for take off before i can commit.
 
I also rode there for my first time on Wednesday. Daaaaaaamn I was kind of discouraged and my bike was pissin me off too (it wasn't staying in gear). I am a Begginer/intermediate as well and rode the trail counter clockwise. It was annoying not being able to try to pick the best path cause there was so much leaves covering everything but when my bike was alright i was decent and had a good time. I gotta get my bike back in order and get back out there. Next time
Peace
 
Dave M said:
I also rode there for my first time on Wednesday. Daaaaaaamn I was kind of discouraged and my bike was pissin me off too (it wasn't staying in gear). I am a Begginer/intermediate as well and rode the trail counter clockwise. It was annoying not being able to try to pick the best path cause there was so much leaves covering everything but when my bike was alright i was decent and had a good time. I gotta get my bike back in order and get back out there. Next time
Peace
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counter-clockwise? that's bold. going up that first climb is a task to get to boulderama. next time you go back, try going clockwise. the trail has much better flow that way IMO.
 
I was there two days ago and there are no leaves on most of the trails on bolderramma, completely clean, it was weird
 
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