Piggy’s 60-mile loop
The start time will be at 7:45 AM sharp.
First, it’s two different consecutive loops. The first is 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. 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.
60 mile loops gps
