[ThatHurt]

Quick question, I have a coworker wants to be introduced to mountain biking. Due to time limits trails outside of Fredericksburg are to far away. Lodi is well, Lodi, and a bit to tough for an intro and I think he might keel over dead if I took him to the quarry, so, back to the topic of the post, has anyone ridden the Argyle Heights / Ferry Farm trails recently? If so, what kind of condition are they in (i.e, just how over grown as I don't think there is mud to be found).

Thanks Kindly,
Dave

[f5000sl]

I work right across the street from them & was just talking about them today to a fellow co-worker; but haven't ridden them in about 8 yrs. I'd be really interested in hearing some more about them too.

[ThatHurt]

It has been over a year since I last rode there myself. I have not heard much talk of anyone riding there so wonder if the brush has completely taken over the trail. At one point there were night rides on Friday nights that used the trails occasionally but I haven't heard or seen them either.

[head]

ThatHurt, on 08 July 2010 - 09:39 PM, said:

I have a coworker wants to be introduced to mountain biking. I think he might keel over dead if I took him to the quarry.

i haven't ridden argyle in a couple of years so i'm useless for that information but i will suggest that you take your friend to part of the quarry that won't make him keel over dead. i suggest starting at foo bridge then riding scout trail ->wicklow -> usgs. at the usgs gauging station, bear left to stay on usgs until it ends at the short rooty climb up to ridge. then you've got a few choices:
1. if your friend is digging it and wants more action, then go up the short climb to ridge, turn left, and follow ridge back to the quarry.
2. on the other hand, if he's done and wants to head home, then just turn around and go back the way you came.
3. and a third choice, if he wants just a little bit more then turn around on usgs, start heading back the way you came, but then turn left onto the beach trail and ride some of that as an out-and-back.

i've taken noobs to both the quarry and argyle and things have gone better at the quarry following the routes i described above. for one thing there are less intersections so it's a little easier to keep rolling without having to stop and look over your shoulder every 50 feet to make sure nobody is getting lost. plus, the route at the quarry is relatively flat. and while there aren't many big climbs at argyle, there are plenty of ups and downs that can cause somebody who is unfamiliar with how to shift at the right time a lot of hop-off-and-walks, which is frustrating.

[Bikerdude]

I have to agree that parts of the Quarry may be good for a newbie. I took a friend to Ferry Farm thinking that it would be a good place to teach him and he almost always came away bleeding from falling on branches along the trail. Frankly it just isn't maintained and parts of it are quite tight and slow which takes some skill and that's where the unskilled get skewered!! There is a big outside loop that is pretty good but unless you know your way around it's elusive. I agree that the bottom of the Quarry would be a good starting point. There's enough to make some newbies pucker and who knows he might be a natural and ride the whole trail. And yes the friend is still riding with me after all and he has fould that he likes the Quarry. Just give them the standard "if you don't think you can ride something get off and walk it" lecture. No need to call 911 first time out. Of course he'll never know unless he lets go of those brakes!!

[trailgenie]

Bikerdude, on 09 July 2010 - 05:36 PM, said:

I have to agree that parts of the Quarry may be good for a newbie. I took a friend to Ferry Farm thinking that it would be a good place to teach him and he almost always came away bleeding from falling on branches along the trail. Frankly it just isn't maintained and parts of it are quite tight and slow which takes some skill and that's where the unskilled get skewered!! There is a big outside loop that is pretty good but unless you know your way around it's elusive. I agree that the bottom of the Quarry would be a good starting point. There's enough to make some newbies pucker and who knows he might be a natural and ride the whole trail. And yes the friend is still riding with me after all and he has fould that he likes the Quarry. Just give them the standard "if you don't think you can ride something get off and walk it" lecture. No need to call 911 first time out. Of course he'll never know unless he lets go of those brakes!!

Yeah, what Head said. I used to do the night rides at Argyle 2-3 years ago, back before the quarry got re-established. I enjoyed it, but it doesn't get attention. Plus, there are a lot of confusing intersections. If you REALLY want to go test it out, call Olde Towne Bicycles and ask for Geoff or Dan. There the ones who arranged the night rides there when I used to work for them.

1907 Plank Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-371-6383

[ThatHurt]

I think the last ride I did at Argyle was on an Olde Town night ride. I am more familiar with Argyle vice the Quarry, but based on the sound logic everyone has put forth, we will be attempting the loop mentioned. It is a closer trip for him and no need to car pool in such as Lodi might need to avoid the fee, so should increase the odds of him enjoying the ride. I think we'll be coming out as the trail work day starts tomorrow, so should be now spider webs left on that loop.

Thanks for all the suggestions

Dave

[Bikerdude]

ThatHurt, on 10 July 2010 - 03:09 PM, said:

It is a closer trip for him and no need to car pool in such as Lodi might need to avoid the fee, so should increase the odds of him enjoying the ride.

FYI - Annual or single ride passes are per rider NOT per car. We are lucky to have Lodi and the Quarry and in the case of Lodi this helps Mrs Griggs cove insurance in case someone gets poison ivy and thinks it would be a good idea to sue her because it wasn't trimmed away fromthe trail far enough.