Guess what we saw on our last recon ride? How would you deal with this?

The piggy loop is starting to take shape. I am seeing a big loop with mostly gravel roads, some single track and very little asphalt. The windy days have dramatically dried up most of the trails. I think I might have to provide a water stop somewhere around the halfway point. You will be in the middle of nowhere most of the time so you will have to rely on yourself and maybe the help of others if the need should arise.  

It should be a lot of fun; a true wilderness experience. You and your bike versus the trails, the weather, the pigs, the deer and the alligators. Mostly you versus your desire to quit. So if you think you have what it takes, send me an e-mail. Forget endurance, work on your mental game.

Eric 

We are riding the trails again !

These last two week-ends, I have begun riding the trails around the Carlton Tract. There is still a lot of standing water. The recent rains from the two tropical storms have flooded a large part of the wilderness area. The deer are out in great numbers, however, fewer pigs were seen. This year, I will try and pick the best trails to form the loops. The goal is to avoid the very sandy or plowed trails we rode last year. Right now, I think I have a rough idea on how to connect the hardest trails, including some single track and some road and the majority will be gravel (80% or more). A cyclocross bike would work great on the gravel but would be a little bit of a challenge to ride on the single track section. I might include several creek crossings and some fence jumping though still to be determined.Watch out for the jumping deer .More to come soon .
Eric

Piggy's Revenge 2013

We are planning next years Piggy's revenge .The date will be January 6Th .A Sunday .By doing the even earlier in the year , The sand should be less of a factor.The Forestry guys won't be plowing yet.A new route is on the works ,we want to include more gravel and some single track.We are thinking of one big loop in the 60 mile range as well as some shorter options .We also want to find a alternative to marking the whole trail with the use of a GPS or maps ...EJC

Thanks for participating

Twenty three riders decided to try their luck at Piggy's Revenge .

I was perfect weather ,the trail were a little dry so the sand became a factor.

Also the Forestry department decided to plow up sections of the trail .

This made the first 8 miles challenging.Only two finished the whole distance .

Steve a Over the hill old fart and Donna Open female .I was very impressed .Congratulations !!The other riders tried their best but Piggy's got the best of them .

Maybe next year......

Eric .

Last minute details

The big event is this Saturday .I just want to give you some helpfull info.

The Exit off 75 is #193 Jacaranda BLvd or Venice-Englewood. As you get off the exit

you want to turn away from the gas stations or North .Follow Jacaranda Blvd to Border road.

Take a right and go to the end of Border Road .There you'll take a left into Carlton Preserve.

Follow the signs to the park entrance.

We will park in the Horse trailer parking .Try and keep the cars close to one side so we don't take too much space away from the horse people.

There are restrooms neaby ,the water there is not the greatest tasting stuff.

Bring some as you'll need a refill.The park has a no glass bottle policy.

The 42 miles loop has water and food available at mile 15.

Next stop is your car .Then the 20 miler doesn't really have anything available .

I might have some water at the start.You are on your own!I will not go out and bail you out.

So bring anything you might need to get out of trouble (tubes,pump tools etc..).

Some parts of the trail are very remote.Help one another if needed .

At the finish I will have homemade Piggy's Revenge Sausage on the grill

and some fixin's.

Maybe a cold one or two.

There are some hotels at exit #193, #205 I think the cheapest is probably the Motel 6 in

Venice Florida on hwy 41.I will be at the start at 700 am ,sign in at 715 am

a rider meeting will be at 800 am then we start the 62 miler .

The start for the 20 will follow.

OH did I forget ?We also have a theme song thanks to Tom.

Eric

Getting close !! Trails to be marked!!

After some debate, I've decided that I will mark the whole loop (I know what I will be doing on Friday the 24th ). Riders will have a directional marker at the intersections, a set of paper directions and most likely a map. This magical combination should keep most of you on track, although there is always that direction challenged rider. Remember you are on your own and responsible for your own hide. I will not be out there looking for you. The trails are getting a little dry but rain is in the forecast and more rain = better trails. The pigs are as active as ever and you will get to meet some of them on the ride. I am thinking of making some homemade Piggy's Revenge sausage for the finishers. If you are thinking of participating, send me an e-mail so I can plan this better. Right now the head count is approaching 30. I am not counting all of you that mentioned to me personally that you were coming. A lot of wildlife, some very remote areas, meat in tube form and a bunch of like minded people. It's going to be GREAT fun and hard to beat.

Eric

January updates

The route has been finalized.I am working on a few loose ends but the main scope of the route has been identified.The directions will be available on paper only .
The format will fit a sandwich size Ziploc baggie.Here is a link to a map holder that would be very helpful:
http://www.oklahomabicyclesociety.com/hintstips/mapholder/mapholder.htm

A cut off will be enforced between the two loops.If you can't get to the check in area by 2:00 pm you will not get the second set of directions.You will have to take a picture at a certain landmark (specified the day of the event)to prove that you did go to the farthest point(phone pic.is fine).The start will be right after the riders meeting at 8:00 AM .We will have sign in starting at 7:15 AM.

The start will be at the Carlton reserve:1800 Mabry Carlton Pkwy, Venice, FL 34292-1837.
The only variable now is the weather . the best case scenario is some rain in the day preceding the event.This would create fast trails.
Spread the word .
Eric