Time is getting short.

I rode the 20 miles loop of Piggy's Revenge this last week-end. It is a nice loop with only a mile or so of bumpy trail and the rest is smooth and easy to ride. There will be a bail out point at the 14 miles mark so average rider should be able to do it in around 2 hours of riding. During my ride, I crossed paths with a dozen deer, about 10 wild turkeys, several gators and the usual pigs roaming around. If you are a beginner or intermediate rider worried about the challenges of Piggy. the 20 mile loop will be a perfect ride to try and stretch you riding abilities. If you don't try something out of your comfort zone you don't improve. Consider challenging yourself and a friend in the only local off road endurance event. The whole course will be marked so you will not get lost and after the ride, you will enjoy some homemade sausages hot off the grill and take home a t-shirt to remember your accomplishment. Join SCORR for a fun day in the wilds of the Carlton.
You must sign up before the event.
All the money raised helps us improve your local trail system. 
Shortly I will determine the final routes for the 40 and 60 milers then I will start working on the GPX files.They will get posted soon.This year I have explored the whole property and picked the best routes possible.We will have a beverage stop around the 28-29 miles mark.Tommy O. will be there in his special oasis.He did mention something about dancing girls.It should be quite fun!
Eric

Piggy's Reconnaissance Rides

Over the next few weeks, I am going to ride the trail system and put together the three Piggy loops. I have a pretty good idea where I want to go. Part of the process is evaluating the condition of the roads and trails.Yesterday I covered 20 miles of the proposed route and because we had a very wet summer this year, things are just starting to dry out. The wet conditions have delayed the mowing by the County, so I expect some areas won't get mowed by the time we ride so expect some wet areas. There is nothing quite as exciting as riding in chest high grass, 3 inches of water and knowing you are on the alligators home turf. I will try my best to avoid most of those areas as I don't expect them to dry out by January 12th. Another factor in the route planning is that the Forestry guys are having fun making potato fields.Most of the time,they leave us a small edge to ride on. In the end, we will have a big loop with various turns that will determine your final distance. So if you feel like the pigs have the upper hand during the ride you can peel off and shorten your distance. Eric

Here is a potato field and yes, there is a trail just to the right a little ways up the trail.

 A example of a fast straightaways that hasn't been mowed yet.

 Can you see the controlled burn to the left?

Oink Oink!

Yeah, it’s on! Piggy will get his revenge for the third year in a row.

Can you handle pig ruts, sugar sand, smooth sections, 3 new miles of single-track, wild animals at every turn, nice cool weather, like minded cyclists, a serious challenge to your endurance and some homemade sausages at the finish?

The 3rd annual Piggy's Revenge will take place on Sunday, January 12th 2014.

We will follow the same format as in previous years where you can choose between three distance options: 60, 40 and 20 miles. The ride will be mostly in the Mabry T. Carlton Preserve in Venice Florida and will be just as challenging as the previous years.

Choose a gravel, cross or mountain bike as your weapon of choice. It’s very flat in this part of Florida but we make up for it with rough sections (think pig ruts new and old) and sugar sand.

The route will be marked with painted arrows and a GPX file will be available. Early January weather can be unpredictable since cold fronts come and go but regardless it will still be a lot nicer than the other 49 States.

We are planning to make the event bigger and better than former years. On a sad note the Park Managers are making us buy insurance, so a participation fee will be needed to help cover our expenses. SCORR (Sarasota County Off Road Riders) will help me with Piggy's Revenge this year. Tom is planning a water stop you won’t forget. Can Steve be beaten this year? Will the trails ever dry up? Will 12yr old Spenser return to fight the pig, putting some seasoned adults to shame?

Much more information will be available as we get closer to the start date.

If you are interested and have some questions drop me a note at Scorrider@gmail.com.

Pig Master, Eric

January 12 th 2014

We are back .
January 12th will be day.
The format will be similar to the past years.Three distances 60,40 and 20 miles.
More detail to follow soon.

Piggy's Revenge 2013 What Happened?

Wow, what a day! We had 62 riders this year which is almost triple the amount compared to last year. Everyone found their way back and the weather was perfect. Steve defended his tittle and finished the 60 miler in first place for the second year in a row. Can he do it a third time? Scott gave him a run for his money this year but Steve held on. For all you 20 mile loop riders, 11 year old Spencer finished the 40 right in the middle of the pack. Way to go Spencer!!
The new way of marking the loops with spray paint worked out great. The terrain was challenging in places but everyone seemed to have had a good time. The homemade bratwurst, pulled pork (thanks Darrin), roasted potatoes (thanks Rich) and pasta salad (thanks Randy) were enjoyed by all. Also, thanks to our cycling musicians for handing out water mid-ride. The turnout showed  the land managers that there is a great demand for off road riding in our area.
SCORR (Sarasota County Offroad Riders) will help me organize Piggy's Revenge next year. We have great expectations for a larger turn out, better riding areas and more awesome sausages.

If you haven't already, please join SCORR by liking us @ Scorr Rider on Facebook. That will be the source of information regarding our progress in improving the riding, weekly rides, volunteering opportunities, etc...
There you will find some pictures taken by the volunteers and even a link to a video posted by one of the riders. Thank you to everyone who showed up and a huge thank you to the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Preserve for supporting Piggy's Revenge.  Thanks, Eric

Ok everyone, I have the whole ride marked.What a big job and a big thanks to Rick who helped me out greatly. I was out on the trails today and the conditions are great, no sand, very little pig damage, nice hard rolling surfaces. While marking the trails, I saw 2 HUGE alligators, lots of deer butts (they were running away), a coyote, a cow pig, a dead pygmy rattler and a hawk was squawking at me from his perch. It should be a great day out there tomorrow. If you are gps'ing the parking use Mabry Carlton  Preserve or Border Road in Venice. We are at the east end of Border road just look for the park signs. I'm boiling the brats in beer and onions as we speak.  I hope to see you all tomorrow - - Eric

What to expect on January 6th

It is looking like the weather is forecasted to be near perfect for the ride.  We might even get a little rain earlier in the week which will help firm up the trails. The gates to the preserve open at 7:30 AM. The parking lot has about 30 spots so when it gets full, you will have to park on the right side of the shell road. Please allow enough room for others to get by you. There could be some horse trailers using that road as well. The park will be open to the public, hikers and equestrians so please show them respect on and off the trail since you are ambassadors for the cycling community. I will collect your names and phone numbers before the start so I can keep track of who’s checked back in at the end of the ride. Depending on how fast all this goes we should have the start around 8:30 am and I will have a quick riders meeting at that time. Don’t get there 5 minutes before and expect everyone to wait for you.

I will lead out a neutralized mass start for the first mile (blue trail) then all bets are off when we hit the red trail. All three rides do the same route for the first 17 miles. I will have signs at the critical turns so make sure you look up and read the signs. The rest of the trails will be marked with spray paint before and after each turn but it’s real easy to get disoriented at the Carlton. A few common sense rules: if you get to an intersection without any paint , a wire fence, a locked gate, a river or a highway you made a wrong turn go back to the last known turn. You will cross through several gates and most have a bypass along the side of them or they will be held shut with a chain so please close the gates behind you. On the 60 mile loop, you might meet some cattle in a pasture so make sure all gates remain closed.

The idea of this ride is to challenge yourself and there will be difficult parts that will take you out of your comfort zone so press on regardless and enjoy the sights. You can’t let the pigs have their revenge. If you yell at the pigs they will run away (I like to bark at them). If you’re lucky enough to experience it, the deer like to run along with you. Look out for gators along the side of the trail especially along the power line sections. BIG Al, a very large gator, likes to hang out near the bridge you cross on the 60 loop.

At mile 29, you have to decide between doing the 40 or 60 mile loop so know your limitations. The hardest part of the ride will be behind you, the rest of the loop will be faster and smoother. Another bail out point will be at mile 44 where you can cut out 5 miles at that point if you find yourself moving really slowly and want to cut your ride short.

The park gates close at 6:00 pm and your car will be locked in. You should have a fully charged cell phone with you. Maybe turn it off for most of the ride. I will not go and look for you. You are on your own. But I might call you if I don’t have you checked off at the end of the day. I will give you my cell number the morning of the ride.

You must be self reliant. Look at the maps posted earlier and get familiar with them. Bring enough tools etc. to make it home. It could be a long walk.

We will provide some water around the 29 mile mark. Keep in mind its heavy and we will have to bike it in, so supplies will be limited. Bring enough water to ride 50 miles. Bring all necessary food with you. We made some homemade bratwurst (Pigs contribution to the fun) that I will be grilling at the finish. I should also have some foamy beverages on hand. If you have something you want to throw on the grill or have a special drink, please bring it.  No glass containers or pets are allowed in the park, sorry. I hope you can hang out a while after the ride, I want to hear all the tall tales from your experience.

Remember we put on this free event for the fun of it and constructive criticism might be accepted.

We hope you come back next year and bring a friend.

We’ll see you Sunday… have a great time.

Eric and The Crew