The A2 Enduro: first event 4/21 or 4/22

[300hp]

Ok, what is it?

The A2 enduros will essentially be group rides, with a chance to push yourself on flowy downhill stages during the ride. The concept is modeled after European enduro events......they have Alps and stuff, and we don't, so let's make the best of what we have.

What is the first one?
The first A2 enduro is going to be a 7-8 mile ride around the trails of Ann Arbor, and will include 3-4 "special stages" varying from flowing flat-slightly downhill to rooty-techy downhill that will make some riders think twice. The stages will vary between 45 seconds and 3 minutes each, depending on the stage and the riders ability. This is Michigan, after all.

What will the stages be like?
I don't want to disclose too much, but one of the stages will be a variation on the infamous "ridge trail" here in ann arbor. The other stages will be different. The goal is not to give an advantage to any one kind of bike or wheel size. In some places, the 29ers will have a clear advantage. In others, wheel size will be secondary to the sheer ability of the rider. We will ride to the fun stages, on some roads, trails and connectors that make up parts of the "local loop" in Ann Arbor. There will be a top and bottom spotter to look out for other trail users. THIS IS NOT A RACE OR SANCTIONED EVENT AT ALL. It is merely a chance to have fun on a bike and ride the same trails in a different way then you are used to. However, for your individual benefit and amusement, riders runs will be crudely timed with FRS radios and a stopwatch. This is purely for fun, and the safety of other trail users, if we see any, is paramount, as it would be on any group ride. People who don't play nice will be asked to leave. Promptly.

What will it be like between stages?
Just your typical Ann Arbor trail riding. Short, steep climbs. Some flowy trail, some not. It is all single speed-able. I certainly prefer gears, but my bike is heavy.

What bike should I bring?
Well now, I can't answer that question for you. Whatever bike you think is best for mountain biking. I don't mean road riding on dirt, I mean mountain biking. Anything can be done on a rigid 29er to a BMX bike. I think that a full suspension trail bike is the most fun. The biggest asset might be a quick release clamp on your seat post so you don't have to take a tool out.
There are a couple stages where some riders might prefer knee pads or some light protection, but we are not talking about downhill gnar or hucks here, so totally optional.
**Please don't wear bright colored jerseys. Loud, neon colors, or other "look at me" garb is not a good idea. Think "under the radar."

What skill level should I have?
This is Michigan. There is nothing scary. Depending on the riders, one of the stages might have 5-7 knee high jumps. Not doubles, just little jumps. They can be rolled or ridden around (awkwardly and slowly). If a little technical riding and downhill doesn't sound good to you...well, you won't find this any fun.

When?
Well, I'm open to either Saturday or Sunday. Doesn't matter much after that to me. Expect to start in the afternoon, and spend around 3 hours, give or take. Let me know what you prefer. Probably a 2 pm start. Meet at Island Drive Park in Ann Arbor (near the hospital)

What next?
If people like it, I have a number of "stages" we can link up to make a full half day event later in the summer. There is also the potential to do a similar style event on a different trail network later in the year.

Again, this is just people getting together for fun. There is nothing at stake. You are purely responsible for your own actions and their outcome. Got it?

Post up with interest. I would prefer to keep this smaller the first time, so please don't link it to other forums. I am also open to any suggestions. I just thought it would be fun. I hate climbing and only do it so I can ride downhill, so why not do it with a few friends?
H.

[mtbfree]

You know I'm in! I was contemplating doing a day trip up to Copper for the trail day/get together on the 21st, so Sunday would probably work better for me in that case, but I'm definitely not committed to driving up to TC and back, and if I had to choose, I'd come to Ann Arbor instead.

[irishpitbull]

I'm in. Let me know if you need any help setting it up.

[300hp]

word spenc. It's just the local loop....you know what it's like. Copper is always fun. I'm going to go up and hopefully shoot a bit with Creamy at his new place of employment the weekend after that, I think Tom is in too, if you want to go up the next weekend. Your girlfriend is probably going to kill you with how much you're going to be gone lol. Yesterday Emily told me I go into a time warp when I touch my bike and that I should ask it to be my girlfriend hahaha

H.

[ColorVoyeur]

If it's 4/22 I'll probably be there. I know the usually DH lines well, but know almost nothing of other trails in the A2 area.

[mtbfree]

word spenc. It's just the local loop....you know what it's like. Copper is always fun. I'm going to go up and hopefully shoot a bit with Creamy at his new place of employment the weekend after that, I think Tom is in too, if you want to go up the next weekend. Your girlfriend is probably going to kill you with how much you're going to be gone lol. Yesterday Emily told me I go into a time warp when I touch my bike and that I should ask it to be my girlfriend hahaha

H.

Hahaha, nice. The gf hasn't given me any trouble yet, but that could very well change soon
Unfortunately, the weekend after this is Massenuten, so it's a no go to ride with Creamy for me. I'm hoping to get up to Boyne for their opener on May 18 (I think that's when they're opening), so you should get in on that

[300hp]

totally in on the opener. I have friday off, but Em's graduation on sunday. I'm thinking about going up thurs. night, staying at my dads, riding friday, then back down friday night. You're welcome as well. Now. Back on topic.

No one needs to bring anything, except for beer for after. And, not like, "a" beer, many beers

h

[lawndart]

Im in holla. Pull for Sunday.

[kyle_vk]

If that wasn't the weekend before finals i'd probably down for checking it out. Hopefully one of you guys can get some pics/video for the rest of us to see!

[iamkickstand]

word spenc. It's just the local loop....you know what it's like. Copper is always fun. I'm going to go up and hopefully shoot a bit with Creamy at his new place of employment the weekend after that, I think Tom is in too, if you want to go up the next weekend.
H.

For nearly the same $$ you could go to massanutten!!

I'm out on the ann arbor ride, I have the little guy and I think a few of the trails might be a bit over his head, espescially with all the pedaling involved. I'd like to get down there and ride one of these days though.

[300hp]

Chadwick,
1. My buddy at school lives 15 minutes from crystal and has to go up over break, so I'd be hitching a ride.
2. I don't have a working dh bike right now.
3. If I can get it together by that weekend, I'll still go

While X may not be up for the whole thing, I think he would love the DH trail, because its pretty fast and everything has a really big easy ride around. Riding down the fire road that goes up the hill is really fun too, he could go and get comfortable with speed. It'll be a 4ish minute sustained downhill from the top for him. He would have alot of fun and you wouldn't have to pedal anywhere. 2-3 of the stages will start and end in the park there, so he could totally push up and ride down and participate. Basically, we're going to start at the park, go on a little trail ride to the first stage (or two) then ride back to the park for the remaining stages. We've got some good sized hits on the dh trail now and it has gotten quite rocky. Wouldn't be a bad way to get a couple extra runs in before Mass. I'm spinning out of a 36t front ring on the top stretch of the downhill now, so it has good speed.

Also, one of the trails is pretty mellow, and you can park in a parking lot about a quarter mile from it.

[iamkickstand]

May have to try and give it a go.

would my DH be a total waste there? I wouldn't mind doing some shock tuning, but don't want to pedal that thing around.

[mmrobertson69]

Sounds like a blast and a great way to learn the A2 trails.

[300hp]

May have to try and give it a go.

would my DH be a total waste there? I wouldn't mind doing some shock tuning, but don't want to pedal that thing around.

Nope, wouldn't be a total waste on the dh trail or the ridge trail at all. My Remedy is set up burly (dh wheels, 160mm fork) and it gets knocked around real good at speed on the dh trail. It's short (50 seconds DH, 2 min ridge trail) but seeing how repeatable it is, it's my favorite place to tune bikes. Make a run, make a change, make a run. Good place to bracket things in (find what feels good, and then go to either extreme past it) quickly. Since the run is so short at speed and there is no way to get lost, Xman can follow you, and you won't have to wait more than a few minutes for him. The ridge trail has some good "chunks" on it where you drop your front wheel down a couple feet with your butt over the rear wheel. Good place to dial in you low speed comp. The ruta del morte steps/stairs/drops are the closest thing we have to a rock garden around here, and good for setup as well.

[ColorVoyeur]

Has a day been determined yet?