2012 - Allegheny Mountains Loop (AML 400)

[bikpdlr]

There's been a terrific response to the AML blog page.  LOIs are already stacking up in my inbox  

Here's a link to the AML Blog Page ... http://alleghenymountainsloop.blogspot.com/2012/01/allegheny-mountains-loop-2012.html

Please leave any questions, suggestions, scouting reports, and LOIs on this thread and I will do my best to follow-up whenever possible.

I have ATTACHED the .gpx file to this message.

*** NOTE ***  You MUST be "LOGGED IN" to Bikepacking.net to SEE and SELECT the .gpx file below.  The file link will appear below THIS POST.

ALSO... remember that maps and cue sheets can be purchased from ACA by following the links on the blog page.


Thanks,

Chris Tompkins
Danville, VA

[mmeiser]

how many people are in?

[bikpdlr]

24 RSVPs for summer ITTs and October group ITT are listed below...

ITT's

Apr   Markley   Anderson     -  Charlottesville, VA
Apr   Cricket   Butler  -  Whitefish, MT

May   Chris   Tompkins  -  Danville, VA
May   Payton   McDonald  -  New Jersey
May   Eric   Metzgar  -  New Jersey

Summer  Ruth       Cunningham  -  Pittsburgh, PA

 
GROUP ITT

5-Oct   Al   Maxey   
5-Oct   Billy   McManus   
5-Oct   Bob   Mathis   
5-Oct   Chris   Tompkins  -  Danville, VA
5-Oct   Don   Daly   
5-Oct   Doug   Wenger  -  New Hampshire
5-Oct   Jen   Wenger  -  New Hampshire
5-Oct   James   Elmore   
5-Oct   James   Hodges   
5-Oct   Jim   Lange   
5-Oct   Kelly   Klett  -  Raleigh, NC
5-Oct   Megan   Hemmer   
5-Oct   Michael   Meiser   
5-Oct   Paul   Balongie  -  Painesville, OH
5-Oct   Paul   Gadola   
5-Oct   Robert   Tuma   
5-Oct   Sam   Steeley   
5-Oct   Sarah   Caylor  -  Ontario, Canada
5-Oct   Sergio   Herrera   
   

[trebor]

I think i'd like to get myself out on that one sometime. Maybe a fall visit to the family back in VA??

Chris - I didn't realize 'till just now by your listing your hometown that you are from Danville. I grew up not too, too far from there in Charlotte County.

[bikpdlr]

Rob,

That would be great if you could make it.  Karlos says he's thinking about it as well.

Shall we consider this your formal LOI or would you like to think on it a little longer?

If so, send me an RSVP with your email address.

See you in October ...


Chris

[trebor]

not formal.... I won't know how much vacation I have left (and money for that matter) for a trip back east untill September. Just daydreaming....

[bikpdlr]

Cricket Butler and Markley Anderson set off on the first timed ITTs of the Allegheny Mountains Loop on Friday April 6th at 5:00am.

Cricket's SPOT tracker showed her at the half-way point (mile 200) at 18 Hours and 40 minutes !!!

Markley's SPOT is not working it seems...

Here's a link to Markley's blog with additional links to their SPOT share pages.

Link --> http://teamcrank.wordpress.com/

[bikpdlr]

Markley Anderson and Cricket Butler complete the first ITTs of AML !!!

Markley- 45hr31min
Cricket- 56hr45min

Markley's blog report ... http://goo.gl/cfKo5

Cricket's blog report ... http://goo.gl/Vajmz

[DenisVTT]

I can't do the group start but I'm definitely interested in doing this as an ITT, either this summer or maybe late October.

I've done the Shenandoah Mountain 100 and the trails at Douthat. I love the area.

Is there a course profile, somewhere? I can't see it from just the GPS file.

[bikpdlr]

Denis,

Here is a link to the Trackleaders page for AML.  The vertical profile is below the map.

http://www.trackleaders.com/allegheny

[jhl99]

I hope everyone recognizes that the ACA route does not apparently include singletrack, which is understandable, considering ACA's target audience. 

I like to gravel road tour as much as anyone, but when there is great single track around, I'll take it.  It just pains me that adjusting the route and applying a little local knowledge could take in some classic WV/VA single track and points of interest.

[bikpdlr]

Jeff,

In the spirit of Tour Divide, I've simply taken a page out of Matthew Lee's book and "proposed" a challenge to bikepackers that the AML "could" be ridden in a clockwise direction AND include the additional climbing and gravel of "The Ridge Alternate" and the "Mountain Lake Cutoff".  I've also stated that the route includes 235 miles of pavement, 100 miles of rail trail and 65 miles of gravel and NO singletrack.

In the simplest of terms, this challenge aspires to recognize and celebrate ACA's efforts to create and maintain an "east coast" fat tire bikepacking route.  They've done all the work researching and compiling a full set of maps, cues and information for the route and they work throughout the year to keep the route current and updated.

I myself have been promoting cross country and endurance races for the past 10 years and the be quite honest, I'm burned out...

With a wife and four kids and a full-time job, bikepacking has become my refuge.  I personally don't have the resources or desire to take on the liability and responsibility of scoping out a new route.

I agree that there are lots of possibilities in the area to take in more singletrack, but again I must add that I truly want to show up and "experience" the AML with others while pushing myself to my limits mentally, physically and spiritually.  This ride is just one (in a long list of others) that I am using to prepare for Tour Divide in 2013.  This ride is simply a test and a tool.

The vast preparation required for any "ultra" bikepacking challenge only serves to broaden our experience level and skill set.  And believe me, there is so much experience to be gained on this route.  Using ACA's maps, cues and route information will help me to develop the necessary mindset and focus needed for the 2700 mile Tour Divide.

If the GDMBR is any indication, Matt has suggested changes that ACA has taken into consideration and re-routes have implemented.  If the AML gains more exposure and interest, I'm confident that ACA would implement sustainable, improved re-routes if they believed that the changes were in the best interests of the route.

Thanks again for sharing your feedback.  It has encouraged me to share my thoughts and motivation for proposing this challenge.  I look forward to toeing the line and soaking up the AML experience with other "like-minded" enthusiasts in October...

Chris Tompkins
Danville, VA

[jhl99]

Chris:

I can appreciate where you are coming from. 

For me, a big part of the fun is planning trips/routes.  I'm going to put my money where mouth is and post up a WV route that includes some single track.  This route is not meant to take anything away from the AML or be in competition with the AML, just a different route.

JHL99

[Payton MacDonald]

Thanks, Jeff, for taking the initiative to post up a new route when you have it scoped out.  I look forward to seeing it.

Based on Markley's write up, though, the AML looks pretty tough.  Tons of climbing . . .  I'll be there in three weeks and I'm getting nervous for sure . . .

[paulmissoula]

This is exciting and will be fun to watch as it develops. There's a short blurb on the October ride and Chris' efforts in the new issue of Adventure Cyclist (May) so hopefully this route will get some exposure and offer a Divide-esque experience for east coast folks.

What bikes / gear setup are people planning to use for this?

[al_maxey]

Nice little blurb in "Adventure Cyclist" about the AML 400!! 

I showed it to my wife, thinking if I could point to something in print she would believe me that this ultra racing stuff was a legitimate sport.  Up to now I have only been able to send her links to websites that she probably never visited and told her abstract things about races that I would like to do.  The whole grassroots, no support, ultra endurance thing doesn't really seem to appeal to her. 

She glanced at the article and her comments:  "Oh look, there's a picture of Jay Petervary on the other page."  Not sure what to make of that..... but apparently she knows more about it than I first thought.

Congrats on the coverage in Adventure Cyclist, looking forward to the "grand depart" from Blacksburg in October. 

[Payton MacDonald]

I'm attempting this in a week (next Sunday).  You can track me here if you're interested: http://trackleaders.com/allegheny

Thanks,
Payton

[al_maxey]

Chris and Kelly are doing this route now, I looked at Trackleaders.com/allegheny and it looks like they both went off-course to Bartow, WV.  Was this a resupply/rest stop? What's there?  Google maps doesn't have much detail except for churches and cemeteries.

[Firedog62]

If you go to the street view in google map for Bartow WV looks like they went for supplies at a gas station. Nice to follow a race in my own state!!!

[DCrozier]

Hey all,  Is the plan to do the Mountain Lake Cutoff as you first head out of Blacksburg or do you pick it up at the end as your headed toward the finish?   

I also assume 'The Ridge Alternative' is the part of the route that heads up to Glady.  Is that correct? 

Thanks!

Darren