Thursday, December 21, 2023

Trails are great, should be a fun year! Get signed up.


 I have started riding and evaluating the routes for this year's Piggy's Revenge. The single-track sections are showing their beauty this year, and the SCORR trail crews have worked hard to get them in shape. If you have time, go out and enjoy them. The more wheels on the ground the better they get. I also ventured off the well-beaten tracks, rediscovering the various sections of the 40 and 60 loops.. 
This year has been different due to the drought, we did not flood this summer, I'm not sure how this influenced the conditions of some of the double-track sections. Most are pretty nice and hard with surprisingly smooth sections. However, the pigs will have their revenge this year, due to a lot of pig activity seen in several areas. 
The park management of the property seems to be on a fire line kick and a lot of plowing has been done. This forces the rider to find a path along the edges of thick sand or over the pig ruts. As you all know, the 60-mile course is the most challenging not only because of the distance but because each consecutive 20-mile section gets progressively harder. The first 20 miles are smooth and fast, the second 20 section starts out and finishes smooth but there is a section in the middle that will put a dent in your average. The last 20-mile section starts out with 8 miles of difficult riding but does get easier in the second half. On top of that, at the 40-mile mark, you are at the start area with a cold beer in arm's reach. Some hard thinking will happen.....not all will continue on.
Sign up now, the clock is ticking 38 days till the start, and only 25 days left to get an awesome free T-shirt with your registration. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
                   register here 

Eric 

 




Tuesday, November 28, 2023

 Piggy’s Revenge, 2024


What a long, strange trip it’s been. After another hurricane came by our area near the end of the hurricane season, the SCORR team was prepared for the worst. Luckily, we did not have the same destruction as last year. So, the work of getting the trails ready not only for winter riding season, but also for Piggy’s Revenge has begun in earnest. Trails are getting cleared and mowed. A variety of equipment has been used, including chainsaws, edgers, rakes, shovels and a myriad of other tools. Some trails are already running in tip top shape, while others have a bit more work needed. And there are piles of fresh new gravel being laid out on many of the “roads” that snake through the property. As well, a variety of other preparations are going on in the background, all in an effort  to make this one of the best days you can have on a bike.


So, what will you find this year at Piggy’s? Maybe you are ready to take on a different challenge, a longer challenge, or a team challenge. Maybe you are going to be a bit more laid back this year, and take it easy on your bike as you make your way out to the best sag stop in all the woods, Tommy’s Oasis. Maybe you are going to hang out after your ride, swapping stories with friends new and old while feasting on the best brats you’ll ever wrap your lips around. And that’s no lie, that’s an unsolicited review from my sister! So get ready for the same trails, but with some updates. Maybe even some trails that you didn’t know about. You can also expect the same fun as in years past. And maybe you will make some new friends, find a new passion, or push yourself a little further than you ever thought you could go.  Whatever you may find, we know that it will be a blast.


So get over to Bike Reg and get signed up to join us on January 28th at Piggy’s Revenge. Do that before January 9th to guarantee yourself one of those sweet Piggy’s T-Shirts. 


We’ll be ready for you. Will you be ready for the ride?


 Chris



Sunday, January 22, 2023

Everything you need to know about Piggy's 2023

 

General info regarding next Sunday.

 

Remember you are on your own, you are on your own, you are on you own. Be prepared, be self-reliant.

The Carlton did suffer from Hurricane IAN but thanks to thousands of volunteer hours, you will get to enjoy our favorite part of Florida.

NO day of registrations will be considered, the event is at capacity.

Early packets pick up with be Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at OFF TRAIL Bike and Brew (430 E. Venice Ave, Venice, FL).

Packets will also be available in the parking area on Sunday morning.

All cars must be parked at the assigned parking area starting at 6:00 AM. We must allow other park users the use the regular parking spots. Please fill out the label on the outside of our packet and place the envelope we gave you on your dash label side up. In the event we need to, will be easier for us to determine who has not returned at the end of the day. Make sure you put Eric’s cell number in your phone contacts, so you have it.

 941-468-1138.

  IMPORTANT: wrist bands = food.

The start area and bathrooms are located about a half a mile from the parking lot, right next to the after-party pavilion. We will have a limited amount of coffee and muffins as the sun comes up.

We are doing mass starts again this year. Start times are as following:

60-mile gravel: 7:45 AM

40 mile off road: 8:15 AM

20 mile off road: 9:00 AM

20-mile gravel: 9:15 AM

10-mile ride: 10:00 AM

The event isn’t timed but these start times are designed so that you will be back at the start/finish area in time for the food and beer service that starts at 11:00 and ends at 3:00 PM. Tom’s Oasis sag stop will close at 2:00 PM. If you feel that you might need more time you should consider leaving sooner. Weather and wind can change your plans, don’t underestimate how challenging these routes will be for the average bear.

A GPS file is linked at the end of this. All turns will be signed and marked with painted arrows.

Follow the signs and you will get back. Don’t overthink it follow the path of least resistance.

If you see a fellow rider in trouble, give a helping hand.

Make sure you have the basic tools and supplies to keep moving in case you develop an issue. Don’t forget extra battery power for your devices.   We cannot come and get you; you are on your own, you are on your own, you are on your own. If you need help getting out, I might be able to give you some direction. So, call me if you have cell service. Make sure you have a numbered post nearby. All intersections have a numbered post that can be referenced to the maps. The smart bear will have linked or downloaded the property maps before the event or will know how to use the GPS on their phone to determine the easiest way out.  The Carlton basically has two Powerlines, North and South which run East/West. The far western edge is the Myakka River, and the far eastern edge is a fence line/gate way down in Northport. The start area is at the bottom left corner of the property.

The South Powerline is the fastest and shortest way back.

Have fun, look up and enjoy the sights. We love riding the Carlton, it really is good for your soul to be out there.

 

Piggy’s 60-mile loop preview

Start time will be at 7:45 AM sharp.

First, it’s two different consecutive loops. The first being close to 40 miles and the second around 20.

All turns will be marked with signs and painted arrows. A GPS file is linked here too. Some sections of the south powerline will be crossed several times.

 Both loops start and end at the starting area. Sag stops will be at mile 9.1, 36, 39, and 55. An unmanned water stop will be at mile 31. At mile 17, the sag stop will be a quarter mile off course.

The first loop starts out with some grassy double track, a short section of gravel, then more grassy double track with a water crossing  a small bridge then three gravel sections with two grassy connectors between them. At mile 10.9 you will take a right onto a grassy connector.

You will cross this intersection 3 times if you do the whole distance. First you will take a right turn at mile 1.3 and mile 9.3. You will be there at mile 36 and mile 53.5 and both times, you will go straight thru. The signs will say 60 EARLY (right turn arrow) and 60 LATE (straight arrow).

At mile 17.8 you will leave the gravel section onto the Venice-Arcadia Grade by taking a left. This double track road section will progressively turn into dirt then into a grass and sandy section: the infamous Mile of Hell (it’s not that bad this year). At the top of the grade, you will take a right onto the North Powerline. This year the NPL is mostly grass and dirt, it will favor power riders for the next 4 miles. Some sections can get bumpy due to the pig damage, eventually you will take a right turn into a pine forest at mile 26.7. These double track roads are deeply rutted due to the amount of traffic during the “search for the killer event”. You will be within a few hundred feet of that gentlemen’s last stand and let’s not forget Hurricane IAN. Around mile 30.4 you will take a right onto the south powerline, thankfully it has been improved this last year and this is where you will get to recover and make up some time. Water at mile 30.7. At mile 36 you will pass Tom’s Oasis sag stop. You are now close to the Start/finish area at mile 39.2.

It you get to the start area after 1:00 pm no second lap for you.

The second loop goes souths at the pavilion, you will cross the parking lot in less than a mile.

After a gate you will start the hardest part of the ride, the River Trail, it’s 9 miles of bumpy grass, dirt, sand, fire lines and pig damage. You must find the right line, sometimes a few feet to one side or the other will make a big difference. If you are having a bad time just slow down and look up, enjoy one of the most isolated and beautiful areas of the property. Eventually you will be back on friendly gravel for the second half this loop. Don’t forget the sag stop then onto the finish area. Time for a well-deserved beer and homemade brat.

 

 

Piggy’s 40-mile Dirt loop preview

Start time at 8:15 AM sharp.

This loop is challenging this year, probably as hard as the 60 miles if not harder. You start out by doing several sections of Boldlygo singletrack trail until mile 6.7 then you are on the Venice Arcadia Grade, a grassy section. You will pass Tom’s Oasis sag stop at mile 7.3 so stop in and say hi to the volunteers.

Don’t linger too long, time to put the power to the pedals! Next is 11.6miles of gravel followed by grass, water crossings, you will be on the same route as the 60 ‘s for all of it.

All the hard work pays off, you get to ride 6 miles of tight singletrack with some of the prettiest riding in this area especially along the Myakkahatchee Creek. As a point of interest, you will be within yards of site of the conclusion of the big news stories that made the Carlton famous a few Septembers’ back.

Now you get to cruise down the smooth gravel of the South Powerline for 6 miles. Stop at the bridge and check out Big Al the resident gator. There’s a water stop at mile 23.4 and then the sag stop for the second time at mile 31.1. Next you will share the last section with the 20-mile riders: the Red Trail followed by the singletrack at mile 33.2 until the finish at mile 39.2.

Don’t underestimate this ride, we may not have any hills, but we have plenty of other challenging sections to make up for this.  Did I mention the wind?

Congratulations you finished a challenging ride! Now time for a cold beer and a bratwurst.

 

Piggy’s 20-mile gravel loop preview

Start time will be at 9:15 AM sharp.

The 20-gravel loop shares the first 17.8 miles with the 60-mile riders. It’s a combination of gravel sections with 4 grassy connectors. The first one at the start then around mile 1.3 (1.7 long) at mile 6.3. and 10.9. Those are around a mile long, time to put the power to the pedals! You will see Tom’s Oasis Sag stop twice, at mile 9and 18. Stop and say hi to the volunteers and enjoy a refreshment. IMPORTANT NOTE:  at mile 1.3 ,10.8 and 20.3 you will be at the same intersection; the first time you go RIGHT the second time you go RIGHT and then third you go  STRAIGHT. The signs will say 20 EARLY (right turn arrow), or 20 LATE (straight arrow). Remember this or you will be going in circles and doing extra miles. We will be waiting for you at the finish with a cold beer and a hot Bratwurst.

Piggy’s 20-mile single track loop preview

Start time will be at 9:00 AM sharp.

Some parts of your route will be shared with the 40’s. After the first mile you will cross a small bridge and a gravel road into an adjacent property where you will ride the South of Border Trail counterclockwise. It’s 5 miles of mostly tight single track with 4 small bridges and a view of a lake. You leave this section through the same gate road and bridge that you came in. Next is Boldlygo until mile 10 then you will cross a weir and go up Venice Arcadia Grade, a grassy double track section. Mile 11 is the legendary Tom’s Oasis sag stop. Time to refuel!

Sorry but you must keep going, next is a short section of gravel on the South Powerline then you will ride down the Red Trail, a grassy trail with a good line to follow. At 13.4 you will jump back onto Boldygo and ride to the finish at mile 18.6. Time for a cold beer and a hot bratwurst.

 

Piggy’s 10-mile preview

Start time will be 10:00 AM sharp.

This ride will leave the start area and head up to the South Powerline and go to the notorious Tom’s Oasis sag stop 3 miles away. After a brief stop, you will continue to the bridge over Deer Prairie Slough where you will try a spot Big Al the resident gator. Next is the reverse route back to the sag stop and the finish line. The out and back format allows riders to catch up to the group without fear of getting lost. Keep an eye out for wildlife, the Carlton preserve is home to a large population of deer, wild turkeys, and pigs. The gators like to hang out in the water holes along your route and don’t forget all the birds.     

 

 

Eric 

 

 

 

40-mile singletrack loop: 40 mile Singletrack 2023

20-mile gravel: 20 miles of Gravel 2023

60-mile gravel lap: 60 miles of gravel 2023

20-mile singletrack loop :  20 mile singletrack 2023


 

Monday, January 16, 2023

Latest update for 2023

 SCORR volunteers have been working really hard at removing hurricane-damaged trees from the trails  We spent 7 hours working on 2 miles yesterday. We will be ready for the 29th.

I did manage to get a ride in this weekend. The single rack sections are pristine, thanks to all the hard work of our volunteers. I will not finalize the actual loops until after I check out several of the sections farthest away from the start area. The 20 gravel loop might end up being 22 miles, and the 40-mile Singletrack loop probably will be a couple of miles longer this year. No worries it will be a perfect day, the weather is predicted to start in the 60s and warm up into the 70s. This will be great weather for some off-road adventures.  Here are some pictures from my last ride.

The single track is riding great.

You will cross this bridge on the gravel loops

This gravel section looking good.

Grassy Connectors are hard and fast, just stay away from the fire lines

He's watching you 

Another trail monitor.


Thursday, January 5, 2023

Piggy's Revenge 2023

 It's been a strange year,

Hurricane Ian really put a wrench in the works. After the storm, many personal priorities shifted and we had to adapt to new circumstances. I believe our area will feel the impact from the storm for years to come.

The Carlton Reserve was reopened to the public this Tuesday,9 weeks after Ian wreaked havoc on our area. Sitting in the eye wall for 10 hours created epic damage from the high winds. We were told the park would not open until the trails were cleared so for the last two months, SCORR has been putting in long days behind chain saws and lawnmowers. We have been diligently removing deadfall and trees from the path of our trails and some areas had multiple trees down or were so large that we had to reroute the trail. Sadly, some really stately elder oaks got toppled after 100's of years of growth.

After all of that work, we are confident that this years event will be one of our best. The trails are riding really nice and everything is dry and fast. The gravel road had a new layer of gravel last spring so they are much smoother than in the past. Soon I will go out and ride all the courses to make sure all the routes are as good as possible. The final maps will be released the week of the event.

We can't wait to host our fellow riders, nothing will be more rewarding to us than knowing you are all having a great time on our trail network.

LAST DAY to get a t-shirt with your registration is on the 10th of January, go to BikeReg and get signed up for the Piggy's 2023.


See you there,

Eric 

 

PS: The sausage and beer will be waiting for you at the finish.