The Outdoor Experience Organization -- Riding Part of the Trans-Sylvania Epic

Most of you have probably heard of the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic by now -- the 7-day staged mountain bike race based out of Seven Mountains Boy Scout Camp near State College. The organizers are giving you a chance to ride one of the stages. Go here for info. Did you know that by riding that one day, the proceeds will help towards maintaining the Rattling Creek Trails? The Outdoor Experience Organization's mission is:
to build and create, improve upon, and document forest trails in the state of Pennsylvania for the use of foot traffic, bicycles, cross-country skiers, equestrians and other user groups in order to increase interest in sustainable, healthy, and enjoyable outdoor oriented activities; build outdoor recreation tourism in Pennsylvania; and contribute to improved community health and wellness by increasing availability of fitness-related outdoor recreational activities and enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities.
This includes Rattling Creek and if you go to the Organization's website, you'll see there's something in the works for the trails. Soo.... if you have nothing to do on Memorial Day, why not sign up for a ride on the hardest stage of the now infamous Trans-Sylvania Epic and at the same time, support the trails of Rattling Creek? Sign up here.

Trail Gods Were At It Again

Mountain bikers are a caring, good bunch of gents and gals. We see it at the Bash, at other events, races, and I witness it numerous times on the trails. They care about each other, about the trails, about the event they are at. They aren't afraid to chip in, help out, share, or lend a hand. They remove tree limbs, ramp up logs, and will stop and take a minute to do a little trail maintenance. I even know a couple guys who will carry a small folding saw with them to do some maintenance while riding. Today, I saw no less than 5 or 6 trees that were chain sawed to get them off the trail. Someone took a bunch of time to walk all of Fawn Kill (about 3 miles) and also got a huge tree on Doc Smith. THANK YOU. You know who you are, but I don't know who you are or I'd send you a personal thank you. Mountain bikers ROCK!!! Thanks guys and gals - you're all the best.

Trail Update March 18, 2011

RIDE ON! No ice, snow, or even gushing water at this point. Just a couple trees to hop over every now and then, but hey - that's mountain biking! Hello springtime - nice to have you.

Water Water Everywhere

If you ride on Sunday, March 13, be prepared to get wet. There's some serious water flowing in the woods and all those runs that are normally dry, are now true runs. Rattling Creek trail is very wet and there's many sections of the trail that the water is running straight down it. The trail normally flows beautifully, but today its flowing with water so beware.

Trail Update - Icy Roads and Some Snow

There's still snow at spots on the trails and the fire roads and snowmobile trails are thick ice. I can't tell you not to ride 'cause there were some hearty souls on the trails today; but I didn't last an hour on the ice and in the 4-6ish inches of snow in some of the low lying, shady spots. Its like a different world in the woods. I left home with temps near 40 and it was 28 degrees in the forest. I'll keep you posted.

The Last Bash - Setting a Record

Registration is open less than a week and we are 1/3 filled-up with attendees already for the Last Bash. If that's any indication of the attendance this year, we'll be bursting at the seams! Rick's been making his list(s) and checking them twice. We're sure to have all details covered with Mr. Brown finalizing specifics. What the hell -- maybe we'll even throw in an extra Porta-John this year. It IS the Last Bash - so we need to go out with a Bang! :)

The Last BASH - 2011

It's official. The final episode. The last chapter. The end to the BASH is near. This September will mark the last year for the annual BASH. After 12 years of organizing, we're calling it quits. There's a couple changes for this year: no Chili cook-off on Friday night. Our entries were down; thus, not enough food! We're tossing around other ideas for Friday night dinner -- maybe a pizza party in the bunk house. And there's no Rock's Ridge nor Hill Climb for Sunday. It's a free day to do as you please. Everything else is the same -- Camp Muckleratz, Gonder's Grub House on Saturday evening, entertainment both Friday and Saturday, the beverage wagon, organized rides on Saturday, same $45.00 registration. Oh, and we're giving you a t-shirt with registration for the LAST BASH too. Can you guess what will be on it?? So sign up here and be one of the 150 final attendees.