Thursday, January 5, 2017

The lowdown on Piggy’s Revenge 2017

COW PIG The myth the legend!
The lowdown on Piggy’s Revenge 2017 

Looks like we will have one of the best Piggy’s yet, the rain that is expected on Saturday should greatly improve the trails, as the 4-month long drought has made some sections sandy. A little rain the day before will make the riding conditions perfect on Sunday, expect low’s in the 40’s and Highs in the 50’s with some windy conditions. It will be one of those blue sky, cool and windy days. The perfect kind of day for a ride in the woods with friends followed by some brats and beer.
We will start parking cars shortly after 6:00 AM. The park officially opens at 7:00 Am and closes at 6 Pm.
The planned start times are: 
60’s leave at 8 AM
40’s will go at 8:15 AM 
20’s will go at 9 AM
10’s will leave at 915

Where:
You are heading to the: 
 T. Mabry Carlton Reserve  
1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway, Venice Fl, 34292.
Take I 75 to exit 193 the Jacaranda exit. Go north on Jacaranda (away from the gas stations), take a right on Border Road, stay on Border road till you see the Sign for the Carlton, (stop sign at the end of road) take a left onto the Mabry Carlton Parkway and you will see the parking area on your immediate right.
Some GPS’s will send you to the wrong side of the river so make sure you are on Border road.
Parking will be near the entrance of the park this year, we will have a sign in station for the package pickups on site. To avoid the lines, you can pick up your stuff on SATURDAY at the Tap and Cork Pub from 4 to 7 pm at 101 West Venice Avenue #16, Venice Fl 34285. The corner of Hwy 41 and Miami avenue.
The start/Finish is in the park at the Pavilion, about ½ mile from the parking area, Please only park in the designated areas as per the directives from the Property managers.
All the courses will be marked with signs and painted arrows on the ground, just follow the directions.
And if you are riding and don’t see one of the two regularly, turn around till you reconnect. 
A map of the venue will be available, on the map are numbers that indicate the numbers on post at trail intersections. So, if you are lost, stop, then go to the nearest post look up the number on the map and go from there. My phone number is on the map, if you need to call me and we will see if we can talk you back. 
But do remember to be ready, if you have mechanical or physical issues don’t count on us to come and get you. We will have limited access to the venue. 
All riders will cross 4 gates, use the Bypass on the sides of them. The third gate’s side gate opens into a pasture please close it behind you.
Don’t touch the Feral pig traps you will encounter, it’s against the rules. If you see pigs just let them be and they will get out of your way, some riders like to bark at them. The Alligators won’t be very active, and if it’s cold they might be lounging close to some trails to get warm, so give them some space.
The first single track section starts 1 mile from the start of the 20/40 loops, if you want to push the pace, make sure you are at the front before you get on Boldlygo , there are limited passing options on the trail. 
Or on the other hand, please pull over and let those maniacs yelling "track” behind you go by.
There is one sag stop but you will pass it twice.
20-mile loop sags at mile 9 and 15.5
40-mile loop sags at mile 9 and 35.5
60-mile loop sags at mile 3.5 and 31 but will also pass the start/finish area at mile 35
The 40’s and 60’s will pass an unmanned water stop at mile 18 so look for the water jugs!
If you are riding the 40 and 60 make sure you can ride at least 20 miles without a hug.
We will have coffee from Venetian Coffee roasters at the start.
The finish will feature beer from Fat Point, it’s free, and all donations will go to SCORR.
Plus, Homemade bratwurst hot off the grill and much more.
Some of our members are talented musicians, and they have been hard at work on several Piggy themed songs, I am sure you will hear them on Sunday.

Have a great adventure,

Eric Claessens
President Sarasota County Off Road Riders.