Remember you are on your own, you are on your own, you are on your own. Be prepared, be self-reliant.
Welcome, we have made it to event week for Piggy’s Revenge, 2024. This year we will be using many aspects of routes from years gone by, with a few new twists or long forgotten pieces from the previous 12 years of this event. Make no mistake, this is an adventure ride and it can be hard for those that are ill prepared and for those that like to think they are prepared when they aren’t. Don’t worry though, there is very little chance that you’ll lose a limb, like Chris’s grandfather did on his last ride. Catch up with Chris at the post ride party if you’d like to hear more about that ;) There is a great chance that you will have a good time and a story to tell when it is all over. And a better chance that you will have a great time, a cold beer and a hot brat! Now, onto the important information.
NO day of registrations will be considered, the event is at full capacity.
Early packet pick up on 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 6:15 AM. We must allow other park users to have use of the regular parking spots. We repeat this next piece every year and someone doesn’t do it. DON’T BE THAT GUY! 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 figure out who has not returned at the end of the day, it will be easier for us to contact someone. 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: 9:30 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.
A GPS file will be 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 individual 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 will be 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 via a small bridge. Next comes 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 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.
If you get to the start area after 1:00 pm there will be no second lap for you. This cutoff is in place for a reason, one that you don’t want to experience.
The second loop goes south at the pavilion, you will cross through 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 of 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 and 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 sight of the conclusion of the big news stories that made this property famous a few years ago.
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 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. After that, 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 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 9 and 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 10-mile preview
Start time will be 9:30 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 to 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.
Have fun,
Eric
