Rattling Creek SingleTrackers

The RCST Website is Down - Maybe for Good

2009-07-20T04:13:00.002-04:00

If you've been checking the RCST1.org website and have been wondering why no recent updates, it's because our other computer died along with the software to update the website and we haven't quite figured out what to do just yet other than maybe use this here Blog, which works fine. Yes, that site was antiquated and needed a faceflift, but we didn't think it would happen this way. One of our wonderful club members offered to do a website -- but for a cost (he works for an IT company), and we really didn't want to take on another monthly cost for the club. Sooo.... after the BASH, that website will likely disappear and you'll see a permanent link to this blog.

July 4 Firecracker Ride

2009-07-06T07:17:00.003-04:00

It was a nice turnout for the ride. Some familiar faces, and some familiar faces we haven't seen in a while too! Andy Miller, Andrea Strubhar, Brian Arnold, Shawn Withers, Chris from Mountainside Ski and Sports, Joe Daversa, and some other folks I didn't know showed up for the ride. While Rick nor I could partake in the fun and festivities the rest of the group had on the 4th due to family obligations, I'm sure the group had a great time. Isn't it all good??

July 4 Firecracker Ride - BYOB(urgers)

2009-06-23T21:13:00.003-04:00

It turns out we have to make some changes to the July 4 Firecracker ride this year. Yes, we're still doing group rides -- it'll be Rick with a more casual group and Jill with whatever else everyone else wants to ride. Keith won't make it, and Jill and Rick have family visiting from out of town so they won't be able to stay after the ride to cook up dead meat and chat. You all are certainly welcome to bring your own eats. There are charcoal grills at the picnic area you are welcome to use. You'll have to supply your own charcoal for the grills, and of course the dead meat, rolls, and snacks. So come on out for the ride! 10:00 am at the Minnich Hit picnic area. See www.rcst1.org for directions to the Minnich hit picnic area.

Trail Report, June 14, 2009

2009-06-15T21:20:00.002-04:00

18 horses, 7 mountain bikers, a family of hikers, 2 turkeys, 1 ruffed grouse, a chipmunk and a tick or two -- not bad for a sunny day in the woods. The horse people were very nice folks on gorgeous animals - I was impressed. The horses were all very well behaved as they passed me -- maybe it's cause I WASN'T in neon? Might make a difference. :) Of course about 15 minutes later I wasn't as happy when I rolled over some leave-behinds of the horses. Nice. My bike needed a good scrubbing anyway. Don't worry, the horses weren't on single track - it was Rim trail. They tend to stick to the roads or snowmobile trail. The trails are still in awesome shape. There are a couple face slappers here and there, but nothing we can't live with. It's also getting easier to get over some of the logs we talked about removing -- maybe we'll let them stay. Have Fun!

Trail Report - June 8, 2009

2009-06-08T07:09:00.002-04:00

We have another trail god to thank. If you notice trees removed - thank Emory Ehrenfeld the next time you see him. He spent several hours on the Rattling Creek trails on Sunday not only riding, but clearing trees. Our club has some dedicated folks and Emory is one of them. The trails are still in pretty good shape with everything grown in now. I noticed a couple face slappers on Doc Smith and Rattling Creek that we'll have to get to, but all in all, even with all the rain, the trails were good to go with few wet/soggy spots. There are two really big trees down on Rattling Creek that we'll have to hike in with a chainsaw - but it appears some folks are getting over them with the chain ring marks on them. There's some serious gypsy moth feasting going on and its quite obvious on Rattling Creek and other areas where there's a concentration of oak trees. You can see chewed leaves on the trail and if its calm, you can hear them! No, I'm not kidding. They have voracious appetites and will clean a tree in a couple weeks. And I also noticed two deer INSIDE the Deer EXCLOSURE. Poor things. Rick said water could be a problem for them -- but I commented if they got in, they can get out. They're not so dumb.

IMBA Action Alert - PA State Parks!

2009-06-05T20:56:00.000-04:00

From IMBA:

Take Action to Protect Pennsylvania’s Parks and Forests
IMBA’s Mid-Atlantic office urges mountain bikers to help protect vital natural resources, including singletrack, by asking the Pennsylvania legislature to reconsider drastic budget cuts. The proposed cuts would negatively impact 117 parks and 2.1 million acres of forests managed by the state.Take Action by speaking in favor of strong funding for Pennsylvania’s treasured parks and forests. IMBA’s online form allows you to easily contact your state legislator and let him or her know that you support an equitable review off all state programs, and that state parks and forests are critical to the economic well being of the state and the health of its citizens. Additional InformationThe Senate’s current budget plan (Senate Bill 850, now in the House as Bill 1416) reduces the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) budget by about $19 million more than Governor Rendell’s current proposal. This could force DCNR to close between 35 and 50 state parks, and close more than 1,000 miles of State Forestry roads. Prime mountain bike trails in state parks such as Blue Knob, Laurel Summit, and RB Winter would be affected. The list of closures centers disproportionately on the central region of the state, where the state parks are vital to tourism and local businesses. For example, every park that the Wilderness 101 ultra endurance race passes through would be closed. The State Forest system itself would need to close 20 percent of their forest road inventory to meet the proposed budget. Read the DCNR press release. While IMBA appreciates that in these tough economic times we all need to tighten our belts, the Senate’s plan cuts a disproportionate amount from the DCNR budget. The proposal cuts the state park budget by 14 percent and the state forest budget by 30.5percent (a 17-percent reduction to DCNR overall). State parks and state forests have already taken strong cost-cutting measures to accommodate the economic downturn: reduced maintenance, limited purchasing and reductions in travel and training. The next step, should the Senate bill pass the House, would be closure and reduction in programs. DCNR is already facing a loss of their trust to the tune of $174 million, a fund created by resource extraction fees and leases.

Memorial Weekend Ride Report

2009-05-25T03:28:00.002-04:00

Oh what a beautiful day -- the rains held out, the trails are in tremendous shape, no mechanicals, and a group of about 9 made for a perfect group ride day. Since the group was small, we all rode together and those that felt like they were done, headed back when they felt like it. The group was Ricky Brown, Keith Whitcomb, Brian Arnold, Andrea Strubhar, Mike Althouse, Joe Daversa, Emory (who actually went on his own with two folks unfamiliar with the trails), Rick Michael, and jill. There was a 9:00am crowd too - Rick Begley and company (why don't they ever ride with us????). Dale Shomper gets man-of-the-day recognition. He took the chainsaw while the rest of us were riding, and got down some of the nasty logs that have been hanging around for awhile -- mainly the one on the top of Rattling Creek that you had to crawl under and wondered when that sucker was going to fall on top of you. We can't thank Dale enough. That one required about a mile hike in with chainsaw in hand. Emory also did his deed on Doc Smith with a nice hand saw. Our club has some of the best members - thank you, thank you, thank you. The ride? Excellent. Its rare there are no mechanicals, but today was the day. The group started breaking apart at about mile marker 10, and two die-hards stuck it out the whole loop. Food awaited and the festivities of the welcome summer biker-picnic began. The 9:00 am crowd joined in on the socializing and all had a good time - thanks for coming out!

Coming Up - Memorial Weekend Ride, Sunday May 24

2009-05-15T06:51:00.002-04:00

The RCST schedule has the annual Memorial weekend ride slated for Sunday, May 24 at 10:00 am. The ride starts at the Minnich Hit Picnic area -- plan to start RIDING at 10:00 am - not get there, change a flat, change your clothes, get your food/drink ready, then ride at 10:30. 10:00 AM SHARP the groups leave! If there's no one there at 10:01 a.m. when you arrive, don't say you weren't warned! The groups will be based on the turnout and who feels like riding what. Rick, for sure, will be taking a shorter, easier ride -- maybe 10-15 miles on the easiest trails with fireroad and snowmobile trail mixed in. I'm not sure what Keith is doing -- last year he didn't ride because of carpal tunnel surgery, but I'm not sure about this year. I'll do whatever folks want to do. I'm (jill) good for all the rocks and the entire loop if that's what people want to do. Don't expect any race pace though. For you racers, hopefully someone like Shawn Withers, or maybe even ANDY! will show up and you follow them through the woods. But we'll have to wait and see. Weather plays a huge factor. I'll try to keep you posted as it gets closer.

Raystown Weekend

2009-04-26T15:52:00.002-04:00

For those of you who aren't already in the know, the Raystown Mountain Bikers Association finished up some new trail at Raystown Lake and May 9-10 is the big grand opening weekend. You can register for the weekend at Bike Reg. Here's the link. 32 miles of trail in the works since 2002. Looks sweet.

Trail Update - April 10

2009-04-10T06:00:00.002-04:00

With the rains we've been having, you'll be running into a couple wet areas, but nothing that we'd have to deem "off limits." Dry Run at the sign post is wet and it appears a four-wheeler of some sort decided to try to run the trail (no damage to the trail, but you can see tracks on each side of the trail). Rattling Creek has some standing water too. But you are all good riders and know what to do when you come across a wet spot, don't you? RIDE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE WATER. Don't go around, don't go down the extreme sides -- go straight down the middle and don't worry about a wet bike or feet. Save the trail from widening.

Woods Report - March 27

2009-03-28T05:41:00.002-04:00

The trail angels were at it again. And you know who you are and we can't thank you enough over and over and over again. I noticed some rather hulky logs were moved - musta been a bunch of you to move that sucker! And I noticed some ramping of logs, and some nice go-around paths starting. It's all good, and the trails are in great, great shape. Except for the tightness. Even without the leaves on the blueberry underbrush, the brush was scratching my legs. So wear your long socks this year -- at least until we get some time to start trimming back the sides. They will ALL need trimmed. The extra tight sections are on Rattling Creek -- the longest trail which will take the most time to trim. And we mentioned it before, but it's worth mentioning again. Weiser state forest is public land and anyone is allowed on the trails. So watch for horses. It appears someone is starting to clear Shale Run to use it, so beware if you are riding Shale Run/Preserve line. It's possible they are heading out Fawn Kill also because last year Rick and I noticed some "widening" of the trail at spots (as they did Matter which was fine with us 'cause it was less trailwork we had to do!). We're just not certain because the only contact we have with a horse group (Jim Theurer) says they stay on snowmobile trail and never use the singletrack. All in all, enjoy!

Rattling 50 Marathon Update

2009-03-24T06:27:00.003-04:00

It's on. Registration is up at Bikereg.com for the Rattling 50 Marathon, being put on by HighSpeedCycling.com and VisitPA.com Mountain Bike Team. $70 bucks, 50 miles, or $25 bucks for 17 miles. Base camp is the Girl Scout Camp on the other side of the mountain near Carsonville. And if you don't feel like going into Bike Reg to read about it, here's the write-up -- he talks about YOU GUYS and your stellar trail building skills. Oh, and the BASH is mentioned, so get your registration in early (we are 1/6 filled already):

Weee're Baaaaaack!! That's right kids here we go again. 50 Rattling Miles is back on the schedule because I need to put on another race like a junkie needs another fix. This is a killer course. Don't believe it just ask me. Better yet, send me your money and come try it out for yourself. Or just send me your money and don't come. I don't really care as long as I get the cash. The Rattling Creek Singletrackers (RCST - google "Rattling Creek Singletrackers") have done a stellar job creating an incredible network of trails on this wide ridge in central PA. RCTS got on board with the IMBA way of trail building early on and built a showcase of what can be accomplished when mountain bikers and property owners and governmental organizations work together. Now you get to race on their creation. Thank you RCST!! Yinzers Rawk!! The trails are killer and the camp is sweet too with camping available on site for a nominal fee. Please note that the camp is ours from Friday through Saturday evening so do not plan to spend Sat night on site. And, if you like the race you ought to come back and check out the RCST Bash Sept 10-13 to ride the trails and eat chili and see if you can navigate Rock's Ridge without a single dab and become King or Queen of the Bash! There will be three checkpoints on the course for all marathon racers. We will transport bags to CP#1 which doubles as CP#3. We will stock CP#2 with an assortment of yummy stuff that you'll probably regurgitate on the climb out of there...yummy!! New for 2009 is a little Open XC race. This is mostly for fun and frolic and for those of you not into a long long day in the saddle. Prizes are small, but then so is the entry fee so come out and have a blast with us and see if you can't kick your buddies' butts.Looking for lodging for the weekend? Then check out www.visitPA.com and while you're there see what other things you might find to do in Harrisburg, Hershey or any of the rest of central PA one your way to the race or home. VisitPA.com is a killer way to find new things to do and see in PA even if you've lived here your whole life. You can also get pics of the sexy visitPA.com team members on the site and if that doesn't make you want to click on over then I don't know what will!Get reg'd up in advance because I stick you with late charges on the day of! I'm a bastard that way. $20 more if you can't sign up for the Marathon in advance and $10 more if you're too lame to pre-reg for the xc event! More info on the event website at www.highspeedcycling.com

Woods Report - 3-14-09

2009-03-15T06:23:00.002-04:00

Things are DRY - way too dry for spring. Wolf Pond is completely dried up and the trails have very few soggy spots and at this time of the year, there's usually water running everywhere and a lot of mushiness. Wolf Pond road was the only area I saw some mud and slop. Everything else is dry, dry, dry. The woods were quiet yesterday -- very calm, little activity or visitors. All you could heard were flocks of geese heading north. I saw two backpackers (rare for Weiser), and two local walkers, a ruffed grouse and a bunch of crows. The weather station is intact, although I'm not so sure its working 'cause everytime you go into the link from this Blog, it says "off line." I expected to see it laying over or something... but it wasn't. So I'm not sure what's up with it. No other mountain bikers around - at least not where I was riding (West side).

Gotta Love Those GRIZ Mugs!

2009-03-12T20:17:00.004-04:00

Here's a sneak preview at the 10th Anniversary BASH Mug. Yup, we got Griz working on them EARLY -- actually we got Griz WORKING instead of playing all the time. That bum.

Woods Report - 3-7-09, Thank You to Some Trail Gods!

2009-03-08T04:31:00.005-04:00

There were about 9 or so folks riding in Weiser yesterday -- nice. Who could refuse on a such a perfect weather day. There were a handful of soft sections on the trails, but not to the point of muddy. And YOU know who you are but, but we don't - so we have to THANK YOU publicly. Someone has been cutting treefall off the trail. (Dale???) We knew there were several, but we noticed several were removed and there's now only a couple. We have the best trail riders -- they stop and clear things, replace rocks that got kicked out, and generally are simply good stewards of the trail -- thank you, thank you, thank you. At first, I thought maybe it could have been horse people, and Rick said no, there's no evidence of horses on the trails (they typically don't use Fawn Kill). All in all, we are very grateful for everything folks do to help out. You could see evidence of people stopping to throw limbs off the trail. Awesome. We also noticed some fresh blazing on Fawn Kill. We have no idea who's doing that either. Last year, DCNR blazed Rock's Ridge (at least we thought it was DCNR), this year its Fawn Kill. They'll likely do the other trails also. I'll continue to keep folks updated on trail happenings. Aren't blogs great!?

Ride, Ride, Ride!

2009-03-05T12:34:00.003-05:00

Weekend is looking A.W.E.S.O.M.E. and the trails are clear -- except for a tree here and there -- so be on the lookout for tree fall. Rick and I will be out riding Saturday afternoon -- so we may run into you. We'll be the slow moving couple (VERY slow moving) enjoying the scenery and weather, and stopping every now and then to clear the trails.

Volunteers Needed to Put On a Rattling 50 Marathon

2009-02-24T06:28:00.003-05:00

Kuhndog of www.highspeedcycling.com is planning to run the Rattling 50 Marathon again this year. The 50-mile marathon was run in 2007 with about 100 attendees and is part of the MASS. Last year it wasn't held, and this year its back on. It will be August 22. Please e-mail me if you can help run the race and I'll forward your name to Kuhn. The help Rick and I will be doing is trying to keep the trails open this summer so people can ride. Please e-mail me if you can help Kuhn with the race rebjsw@epix.net I'll pass your name onto him. Many thanks, Jill

The 2009 RCST Mountain Bike BASH Update

2009-02-22T18:38:00.003-05:00

The BASH - to be held September 10, 11, 12, and 13 this year -- has been and always will be capped at 150 attendees. It keeps it manageable for the organizers and also maintains that close-knit, family-like bonding feeling you've all grown to love so much. You know, the mountain biker camaraderie at its best. The past two years we sold out as the word spread about the family reunion we hold each fall. In 2007, we just hit the limit and last year, we went over by about 20 with late arrivals. And this year? Its February, and we're already at 25 paid, registered comrades. We're planning the best yet -- complete with 10th anniversary t-shirts, a VEGAN meal rather than vegetarian (you meat eaters wouldn't understand), GONDER'S is confirmed (he giggled when I called to reserve the date -- one year Keith "forgot" to call Gonder and we almost didn't get him -- ever since that Gonder laughs when I call, and not Keith.), and the prize table will have QUALITY items this year, not quantity. Griz is firing up the oven for 8 custom RCST mugs. We plan to have maybe 20, really nice swag items this year (think bike stand, maybe a fork, maybe a set of pedals - items to be determined - ideas welcome). Oh, and the design is done for the t-shirt, subject to the club president's approval. But we think he'll like it. So the BASH planning is coming along nicely. If you were late with registration last year - I'd recommend you NOT be late this year! Do you want turned away???

Trail Update - Feb 21-22

2009-02-19T06:29:00.002-05:00

We had a light dusting of snow last weekend, and some slushy garbage yesterday, but certainly nothing that would make me say the trails are not rideable --I believe you'll be ok -- especially with today's temps hitting 40. Whatever snow/slush is there should be gone by the weekend. Rick and I may even try to get out for a change. We've been talking about doing some trailwork for months, and on Saturday we are going to try to get in on Hop Back and start cutting it back big time. Not sure yet on that. Have fun riding!

President's Day Weekend - No Snow

2009-02-13T04:52:00.002-05:00

All it took was 2-3 days between 40 and 60 degrees and the snow is gone. The trails are clear. Well, except for some treefall that I'm sure happened with the high winds we just had. Enjoy the weekend! Ride safe.

Watching the Snow Melt -- Soon!

2009-02-09T20:53:00.003-05:00

I know some of you pay no attention to snow/ice and ride anyway (you freaks!)... but us fair weather maidens are watching for the snow to melt and will keep you posted when its gone. The last couple warm days really melted the majority of it, but we still see snow at the tops of the mountains. I'll keep a watch and let you know at the end of the week.

Still Snow Covered - February 7 and 8, 2009

2009-02-07T04:52:00.002-05:00

Yup -- the trails are still covered with snow and ice. Rick doesn't think it will melt this weekend, but I'm thinking maybe by next we'll be seeing dirt again. So we'll keep you posted on the trail conditions. Definitely not good for this weekend.

BASH and 2009 MASS Finals Conflict

2009-02-03T13:21:00.001-05:00

As an FYI, there's a conflict this year with the BASH and the Mid-Atlantic Super series finals. We're sorry that this may cause aconflict for some of you, but we've been holding the BASH that same 2ndweekend in September for the past 10 years, so we will not be changingthe date. See you the weekend of September 10-13!

Trail Update - Super Bowl Weekend

2009-01-29T19:32:00.001-05:00

Stay home and watch the superbowl. The trails are snow/ice-covered with about 3-4 inches of goop. Even if it starts to melt (doubtful) with 40 degree temps, it'll be very slushy and sloppy -- non-rideable.

Trail Update - January 24

2009-01-24T05:10:00.002-05:00

Trails continue to be snowcovered with 3-4 inches of snow. Dave Daversa commented it was "slow going, but still fun." Spoken like a true trooper!