Those Trails You Love to Hate (or Hate to Love)

[Waldo]

We've all got 'em - those trails you hate but keep coming back to, or the ones that you look forward to but always end up miserable once you're on 'em. What trail is your nemesis?

I know I'm gonna get flamed for this one, but I hate The Luge. I'm a bit...OK, a lot afraid of heights. The first time I rode it, I didn't know what to expect so I was totally focused on the trail. It was one of my first good singletrack descents and I was feeling my long-dormant motocross senses tingling. But it was, no pun intended, all downhill from there. Each time after I've ridden it progressively worse. I know what's there - namely some steep drops if you go off the trail - and it makes me pucker up. Then I'm riding tight, on the brakes too much, overthinking it all, looking at my front wheel, looking at every rock and rut, and doing pretty much everything else wrong that I can think of. I know how I should be riding it, but I just can't get my head on straight there.

It's pretty much in my backyard, and my riding friends all like it, so I'll give it a few more tries. I still have hope for a breakthrough. In the meantime, I frickin hate it.

The ones I hate to love are climbing Mathis or Dreaded Hill. There's just nothing fun about those, especially on a warm day, but ithey're always enough to give me a sense of achievement when I get to Top of the World or to the Reynolds bench without stopping. Still, every time I'm at the bottom of either, looking up and what I'm about to do it makes me ask myself, "Self, why do you do this?"

So what're yours?

[guero]

i love to hate holy jim. it is such a killer ride, with plenty of stream crossings, lush plant life, and shaded canopy. then u climb up above it to nice chapparel and have what feels like a million switchbacks. it can be brutal with the heat, or the cold. ive ridden it in hail storms and snow, and also in 90 degree heat. it really feels like the longest 5 miles ever to get to the main divide. it is a great ride, but really kicks my ass every time.

[GeorgiaOfTheJungle]

SJT (San Juan Trail) is my ultimate nemisis. Doesn't matter when/with whom/what, there MUST be blood shed, and I always have to shed a little. In fact, the days I shed a little are a blessing.

The Luge is catching up though. Last year, I rode through there the night before going to Ireland and spent the entire plane ride picking out cactus. Good thing I got a great Guiness at the end

[Shannon]

I hate SJT also. I'm also really really freaked out by heights. That trail makes me miserable.

[jfromlv]

Locally, I'm not sure of any trails I don't like. I used to feel that Bonelli was really boring, but over time, I have learned to really like it. Some of the trails up at Mt. Wilson are pretty scary, if you're scared of heights, don't go.
My nemesis trail is actually a race course at Mammoth. It is not normally open for riding. You get off the Gondola at Mid-station, then take another two seater chair lift from there. I was on the lift looking down at the course, thinking, hmmm, it must look better when you're down there. NOT! It was so rocky, rooted and steep, I had no idea what to do. So I rode it. I have never been so puckered on a trail, though. I crashed no less than ten times practicing it!

[Pain Freak]

Upper Merrill in the San Gabes. I don't know what it is, I just never feel comfortable on this trail. I've rode a lot of trails that are a lot hairier, and I've been on trails with a lot more exposure, but it's just doesn't feel right. The more I ride it though, the less uncomfortable I am with it, but if I don't ride it on a regular basis, it's back to the same ol high pucker factor.

[Franky]

I love to hate Strawberry Peak. The pucker factor is right up there with any trail in the San Gabes. I can get through the 1st steep climb but it's the 2nd one out of the canyon that always kicks my butt. Seems like when I ride that trail it's either 90 degrees or freezing cold. Somehow I keep coming back for more.

[allison]

Ooh, cool thread!

I dunno, mostly there are trails I just hate, or just love. Joplin I HATE. I've ridden it twice and I refused to go back after the first time but did. I'll probably end up riding it again. But I hate it. The only decent part about it is getting to ride down STT and THE LUGE

[bjammin]

There are trails that I hate at night, but love during the day and vice-versa.
Hodges: love at night, snooze fest during the day
SJT: love during the day, eats me up at night. Same w/ OC/Luge.

[Keith B]

I love and hate equally Mathis - its sub 15minutes of very steep grade that I swear I'm never going to ride again when I'm doing it but always come runningback for more - whats wrong with me?!

[GeorgiaOfTheJungle]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I love and hate equally Mathis - its sub 15minutes of very steep grade that I swear I'm never going to ride again when I'm doing it but always come runningback for more - whats wrong with me?!

Maybe it's your quote

[Keith B]

Busted! LOL!

[mytrustysteed]

Gotta be Blackstar.

[Sprockethead]

The drop on Flo has owned me, I can do pretty much the whole trail until the drop. I'm sure I can do it, but I'm just scared to lose an organ.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

The drop on Flo has owned me, I can do pretty much the whole trail until the drop. I'm sure I can do it, but I'm just scared to lose an organ.

I dunno bud, that's STIL. I'm not sure I even want Justin trying it on his Socom

[tkblazer]

damn andy, that looks like a fun drop... i'm sure with good speed its cake... then again its always easier said then done..

[jfromlv]

I love that drop on Flo, just do as the trail's name implies, flow into it, and off of it, super smooth landing! Good luck with it, I hope you get it this summer, feels good to get over "hurdles".

[Keith B]

I think I could roll that easy. *cough*

[OMR]

I'm with Keith on this one... Mathis on the 29er single speed. I abosolutely hate that trail because it's so doable but the resting points are few and far between... but the damn bike knows this and turns on to lower Mathis on its own accord. I have no control....I think it likes to hear me whimper!

OMR

[Kid A]

[SIZE=5]4MEB#2@Oaks[/SIZE]