IMBA EPIC RIDE AT VIRGINIA CITY
June 2000

June 3-4: Above normal temperatures and cloudless skies graced a weekend of local trail work and mountain biking. Approximately 40 enthusiastic cycling advocates, Imba members and local land managers came to historic Virginia City from Northern California and Nevada to participate in the third of eight IMBA Epic Rides scheduled for the year 2000.

EPIC SATURDAY

The weekend began at Miners Park with Rod Kramer (IMBA Development Director) from Boulder, CO, introducing himself and the basic philosophy and mission of the International Mountain Biking Association. The other participants were IMBA members from Northern Nevada and California, along with local land managers from the BLM, Forest Service, and handful of RW club members as participants and designated ride guides. Everyone had a chance to introduce themselves, where they were from, and why they had chosen to participate in the weekend event. The common thread seemed to be that all loved their sport and wanted to put back something back into it. To help contribute and maintain the trails so that we always have them in the future to ride. After the introductions, everyone carpooled to the southeastern end of town, just above the picturesque head frame of the Combination Mine to begin some trail work. There the group worked on a mile or so long section of trail that had recently been part of the VC moto cross race. This section had also been part of the Sun Mtn Massacre mountain bike race that Jim Crompton promoted in the early 1990's. After years of use, whoops, berms and trenches had developed. With brand new, “fresh out of the box” arsenal of McClouds, rakes and picks, the work contingent made excellent progress in eliminating most of the compression bumps and trenches, and created a cross slope and drainage swaths essential to good trail design. After a few hours of hard work under the hot sun, we admired our accomplishment and headed back to Miners Park. There, the IMBA Epic Sponsors displayed their products, passed out information, and even had products available for testing the next day.

EPIC SUNDAY

Now time for the reward, time to ride! Meeting again at Miners Park, brief introductions, and the recap of the IMBA philosophy and goals, three separate groups of abilities headed up to "C" Street for the start of the epic ride. All the groups rode together for a mini- parade through the heart of historic Virginia City, past such landmarks of the Delta Saloon, Bucket of Blood, and the many more 130 year old plus buildings. A hard left took us past the Mackey Mansion as we quickly dropped down to the VC High School and municipal dump. On to the dirt, a gradual climb to the east brought us to a saddle, where we connected to the previous days section of trail work. All that work, and just a few minutes of pedaling had us past the work section and to the paved highway. From there, one group headed south, down a motorcycle track, commonly referred to as the Yellow Jacket, ending up at the southern end of Gold Hill. Roughed up from the moto cross race weekend two weeks prior, a little trail work here could make for one fun downhill section. From Gold Hill, a climb up into American Flats, a hike-a-bike section up to the lower Ophir Grade single track, brought the long route riders up to Jumbo Junction. The other two groups avoided the downhill and headed up the gradual Ophir Grade to Jumbo Junction, the saddle in the Virginia Range between VC and Washoe City.

From Jumbo Junction, McClellan Peak was the goal, winding up and past a beautiful grove of cottonwoods nestled on its northeastern slope. After taking in the views from the top in all directions, the route descended steeply to the jeep trail paralleling the "other end" of the Flume, the water system from where VC gets its water (which originates from Marlette Lake in the Tahoe Basin). The original grade of the wooden flume is still visible, with wood, rock and nails still in evidence. The jeep trail, however takes a big "dip", ending with unrideable section to get out. The captain of the Auburn tandem impressed all by throwing the tandem on his back and running it up the loose and steep hike-a-bike section. A couple more ups and downs brought the riders to Five Mile reservoir (VC's water supply), back to Jumbo Junction and the only rest station on the route. The club's easy up, manned by Jim Crompton along with some benches and chairs, made for great resting and view point. Shade, water, drink mix, fruit, cheese and fudge from the Chocolate Nugget Factory made it easy to linger and chat with all the participants. From here, most chose to take a singletrack back down to American Flats, on to the abandoned V & T Railroad grade, and gradually climbing back through the mining pits on VC's south end and up into town.

Those looking for a little more "epic", climbed the jeep road heading north from the aid station, following the ridgeline of the Virginia Range. A few miles of high and panoramic riding finally topped out, with a final rocky descent ending up on to Hwy 341 just above Lousetown Road. From there, gravity and the momentum of the tandem "towed" the remaining singles back to starting point of Miners Park.

Hot and pleasantly tired, welcome shade and munchies awaited. Chips, cheese, salsa, fruit, ice cream sandwiches, Italian shaved ice and a couple of cases of FAT TIRE AMBER ALE personally transported from Colorado, replenished essential nutrients. A sponsor schwag giveaway, a trivia game, posters, water bottles, and bandanas from the BLM, plus more water bottles from the club insured that no one went away empty handed! Not to mention the commradieries and new friendships that were made, the Epic ride weekend was successful in bringing those together with the common interest to make trails and cycling better in our own backyard.

POSSIBILITIES
So what came out of this IMBA Epic Ride weekend? By working more closely with our local agency (the B.L.M.), we now have a better understanding of how each other works and what each is looking for. We plan to work together to develop an established trail system that may make Virginia City a destination for mountain bikers in the near future. The VC Epic Ride has helped foster this relationship and direct our energies towards this mutual goal.

MORE TRAILWORK IN VC
With some planning, imagination and hard work, many possibilities abound for a trail network in the VC area. From the many reconnaissance rides, these realistic options came to mind from the ride guides and Fran Hull of the BLM:
a. Extending the OPHIR GRADE SINGLE TRACK from the beginning of the grade all the way to Jumbo Junction.
b. Establishing the OTHER END OF THE FLUME TRAIL by using the original flume grade above the existing jeep route on the western flanks of Mt. McClellan Peak and ending at Five Mile reservoir.
c. Connecting the QUARRY SINGLE TRACKS on the eastern side of town together.
d. Trail work and cleanup on the YELLOW JACKET SINGLE TRACK downhill section.
e. A DESTINATION SINGLE TRACK, possibly starting near Ophir Grade, winding up and following the ridge line up to and past Mt Davidson, northward past Cedar Hill and circling back to north part of VC.
f. Creating a trail map and trail markers for the rides mentioned above.