GHORBA

Fatbiker

That's right boys and girls! We're holding an official GHORBA ride at Lake Bryan in Bryan, Texas located near College Station. Lake Bryan is a man-made lake created by the local power company to cool their generators and is open to boaters, swimmers, fishermen, and skiers/wakeboarders. There's also camping sites and RV hookups for those who enjoy a longer stay. But what's best about Lake Bryan are the two well maintained trails created by the Brazos Valley Mountain Bike Association! The West Trail is a 7+ mile beginner loop while the East trail is a 13+ mile interemediate loop. Our friend Joel Reyes of BVMBA will be leading a group on the East trail while yours truly will lead a ride on the West trail. We will meet at the parking lot near the Lakeside Grill at 9am with wheels down at 9:30am. Cost to enter the park is $5.00 per car.

A map of the Lake Bryan trails can be found here: http://www.bvmba.net/lakebryantrails.php
The mileage on the trail map is not correct due to recent re-routing of the trails.

A map to the parking lot can be found here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107741433443274077808.00048a476241afec47bf8&ll=30.712667,-96.465833&spn=0.027266,0.047035&z=15

This ride is open to all riders and is not limited to GHORBA members. We hope to see you there!

In the future we hope to have other out of town rides at popular places such as Rocky Hill Ranch, Bluff Creek Ranch, Cameron Park, BLORA, plus trails around Austin and other parts of Texas.

Mike Strawn

Fatbiker · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject:

If anyone wants to carpool I can take two riders plus their bikes. Send me a PM as first come first serve. Ice cream bribes go a long way with me. Hint. Hint.

Fatbiker · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:56 pm Post subject:

I'd like to get a good head count of those who will be attending the Lake Bryan ride. If you would please PM me and let me know how many riders you will be bringing as well as which group you would like to ride.

The groups are:

East Trail (13.5 miles) Fast ride
East Trail (13.5 miles) Slow ride
West Trail (7 miles) Slow ride

All rides will be no-drop.

Mike

bobdole · Trail Blazer Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 137

Would it be enjoyable to ride the west + east?

Fatbiker · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:44 am Post subject:

If you want to ride both trails I recommend you ride the East first as it is nearly 14 miles long and takes lots of energy then ride the West. I've done it once and halfway through the West I was extremely sore. Both trails are fun but in my opinion the East trail is stictly for intermediate and up riders. I've been riding every weekend for more than four years and I've wrecked plenty of times on the East trail including once recently. You really need to be on your toes at all times or not be embarassed to hop off the bike and walk the really tricky spots.

The East trail features a rock garden, quite a few whoop-ti-do's similar to what's at Memorial Park, some fast downhills down the side of the levee, and miles of twisty single track. The majority of the trail is shaded by the forest but it still gets very humid due to being near the lake so bring lots of water. If you're going to ride the East trail you'll need a guide the first time you go out. It's very easy to miss large sections of trail if you don't know where you're going and the map doesn't help too much. There are at least 3 spots where you can choose which way to go and it's not obvious which is the correct route. If you ride by yourself make sure you turn right and take the gravel road at the Turbo Road/Cutoff section. There is a small teeter-totter at the interesection that will let you know you're at the right spot. If you go straight over the teeter-totter you will miss out on 3/4 of the trail.

The West trail has three short but steep climbs up the side of the levee right at the beginning of the trail but after those there is very little climbing left. There are a couple of high speed runs down the side of the levee plus a large but smooth halfpipe and lots of tight, twisty singletrack. Bumble Bee Boulder Dash and Valley of the Thorns really live up to their names. The trail is a continuos loop but a map is helpfull as you will be riding on top of the levee a lot during the first half of the trail and you need to know where to jump back onto the single track.

DTL · Noob Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 7

How long a drive is it to lake bryan from houston? I've never ridden out there but am thinking about attending the west trail group ride on the 31st.

Fatbiker · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject:

From downtown Houston is it roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on how fast you drive. I live in Spring and can make it in 1 1/2 hours if I drive 70 once I hit Hwy 290. It's worth the trip. Especially if you're a little tired of all the Houston trails and you want something different. With 13+ miles on the East trail and another 7+ on the West trail it's worth your time to drive up and give it a ride.

If you have the energy I highly reccomend everyone give both trails a try but if you're going to pick only one then ride the East trail. Even if you have to walk some of the harder stuff it's worth the effort. The East trail is the only one where you really need a guide the first time you go out so take advantage of the BVMBA guides who are volunteering their time. It's very easy to make a wrong turn and miss huge sections, in fact the first two times I rode I missed more than 8 miles of trail.

For those who are riding with me on the West trail first I will offer a tour of the East trail afterwards if you are interested.

Kimberly · Noob Joined: 26 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

I would love to come join this ride, but I'm wondering how beginner-friendly it will be? I am trying to branch out from road biking, but as of right now I have zero mountain biking experience. I don't want to get in over my head here, is this a pretty technical trail and I would be better off starting out somewhere else?

Thanks!

Suzanne · Lower Trail Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 60

Fatbiker · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject:

I have to agree with Suzanne. Double Lake, Stephen F. Austin State Park, Flintridge, and Huntsville (in that order) are better for learning to ride a bike than Lake Bryan. The West trail at Lake Bryan is a beginner trail but does have a few uphill climbs that are very tricky for beginners but there is nothing wrong with walking them. In fact, there's nothing wrong with walking anything until you feel comfortable riding them. I ride the East trail at Lake Bryan but there are still a few spots that I have to walk. Eventually I'll have the skills to ride the entire trail but not just yet. If you feel comfortable riding over roots and understand how and when to change gears on your bike then you can ride Lake Bryan's West trail. I will be leading a slower group of riders on a no-drop tour of the West trail and you can come along. No-drop means we will stop occasionally for everyone to catch-up and get a breather. We won't leave anyone behind.

Also, keep an eye out for the next GHORBA skills clinic as they are an excellent place to learn to ride your mountain bike.

Kimberly · Noob Joined: 26 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Ok, thanks for the info. It sounds like maybe this isn't the best ride for me to start out with, as much as I would like to! Just out of curiosity, where do the Memorial Park trails fit in, compared to the others that were recommended? Are they much harder? I've ran back there so I'm kind of familiar with the conditions, but just wonder how they compare to the others like Double Lake or Huntsville.

Suzanne · Lower Trail Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 60

Kimberly · Noob Joined: 26 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Thanks Suzanne! I would love to ride MP sometime, if it ever stops raining... I guess I will plan on venturing out to Double Lake this Saturday and see how it goes. Hopefully things go well and before too long I will be able to join some of the group rides!

Fatbiker · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

Lake Bryan received some rain this week so I'll have an update on trail conditions no later than Friday evening.

melanie · Phred Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 23

Keep us posted on what you know about the trail conditions. I'm still trying to decide if I'm coming or doing a road ride.

Mel

Fatbiker · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:05 pm Post subject: Ride Postponed Due To Rain

Spoke with Joel Reyes of BVMBA this afternoon and he said the trails are too muddy to ride and will not be ready to ride this weekend. The trip is rescheduled for Saturday August 28th at 9:00 am. We would reschedule it sooner but BVMBA does trail maintanence next weekend and we have a GHORBA ride on August 14th at Cypresswood.

As I am one who does not like to let a good weekend go to waste I plan to ride at Bluff Creek Ranch this Saturday with wheels down at 9:30 am. Although this is not an official GHORBA ride I will be more than happy to lead a group around the 7+ mile loop. Call your friends, load up the car, and don't let the rain keep us down!

A map to Bluff Creek Ranch can be found here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=30.060626,-96.912589&spn=0.027449,0.04622&z=15&msid=107741433443274077808.00048c918b0cc58277a27

Bluff Creek Ranch website: http://sitekreator.com/BCR/main_page.html
Cost is $8 per person to be paid at the ranch house. Bring cash.

Directions from Houston:

Take Hwy 290 towards Austin
Follow Hwy 290 thru Brenham to Giddings, Tx
Turn left on Hwy 77
Drive approximately 9.5 miles and turn left on Owl Creek Rd.
Entrance to Bluff Creek Ranch is on the left.

Fatbiker · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 4:44 am Post subject:

Turns out we are having one of our excellent Skills Clinics on the 28th so we're moving our ride up one week to Saturday August 21st. I'm sorry for all the moving around of our ride date but I think it's a bad idea to ask people to choose between the ride and the skills clinic. Personally I want to do both so to have them on the same day just doesn't work. I hope to see everyone at both events.

Mike Strawn

Fatbiker · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:20 pm Post subject:

The BVMBA crew have been hard at work getting the trail ready for our ride this Saturday the 21st so let's not disappoint them with a weak turnout. We've had great turnouts for our last two rides at Double Lake and Cypresswood and I have no reason to believe it will be any different for Lake Bryan. The weatherman is predicting rain this week so I'll be watching the radar and will stay in contact with BVMBA so I can give updates on the trail conditions. Will give a final go or no-go on Friday evening. This is a great place for both beginners and more advanced riders to test their skills and meet fellow riders. Bring plenty of water and snacks as the trails are long and it can get pretty humid at times.

Mike Strawn

Fatbiker · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 8:13 pm Post subject:

As of today, Tuesday August 17th, there has been no rain at Lake Bryan and it looks to stay that way.

Fatbiker · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:29 pm Post subject:

So far so good! Lake Bryan received a little rain yesterday but not nearly enough to close the trails. Just packed down the sand a little. I've been watching the BVMBA Forums and from what I've read they've been working overtime to clean the trail and mow the tall grass and weeds off the levee. If you've ever been out there you know what a huge job that is! I would love for us to have a huge turnout to show our appreciation for all their hard work so please come out and join us this Saturday at 9:00am. As I've mentioned before there are trails for beginners as well as intermediate/advanced riders so there's something for everyone.

Mike Strawn

TJS · Noob Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 1

This is probably a little late, but I'm thinking about going to this and I'm not sure if I want to make an almost 2 hour drive by myself. So if anyone has room for 1 more and wants to save on gas, send me a PM. Or I can drive if anyone is looking for someone to ride with.

EDIT: Found a ride.

melanie · Phred Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 23

I'm planning on leaving the Tomball area around 7:30 to head up to Lake Bryan.
Mel

Fatbiker · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:16 pm Post subject:

Officially we are good to go! Lake Bryan is dry, has been cleaned up, and is ready for us to ride. I can't wait as I haven't been up there in over 2 months!

Mike Strawn

Fatbiker · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject:

While much of Houston got soaked with rain this week Lake Bryan was dry as a bone which resulted in us having a great ride! Fifteen riders, most from the Houston area, showed up and had a blast riding the two trails. We had everyone ranging from complete beginners to race ready riders so it was a good mix of skill levels. Joel Reyes and the BVMBA'ers put in alot of overtime to make the trails ridable and it really showed. There was no tall grass or weeds to slow us down plus they cleared most of the leg and face slappers from the tight singletrack. On a personal note I got to reconnect with some old friends, meet new ones, and had a blast riding with all of them. I can't wait for our next two rides in September which will probably be Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area near Killeen, Tx and our local trail Sugar Land Memorial.

Thanks to everyone at BVMBA for hosting our ride and to all the riders who attended and made this a successful event.

Mike Strawn

radams · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject: good fun

Mike,

The ride was fun and the BVMBA guys were great. Thanks to them for hosting. Now, can we dial back the temps a little?

Russell

Fatbiker · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:49 pm Post subject:

I tell you what, by 1:00 pm I was ready to be riding on an overturned kayak! Riding the levee back on the East trail my temperature gauge said it was 110 degrees and it's pretty accurate. That was just crazy. Good thing alot of the trail at Lake Bryan is under the forest canopy or it would be un-rideable. I'm glad you had a good time and got a humidity steambath.

melanie · Phred Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 23

Thanks Mike for organizing the ride and thanks to the BVMBA for clearing the trail and coming out to ride with us. It was a great ride and it was nice to cool off in the Lake and enjoy some food afterwards.
Mel