from what I hear about this "ride" you may as well drive it in your car!!! Or a golf cart for that matter--you certainly don't need an ATV!

Have fun, and I love coming upon hunters in the woods when I ride....I have just as much of a right to be there NOT HUNTING than they do!

Share the woods---gives the deer more of a chance anyway and keeps hunters on their feet.

 

Doug,

You obviously haven't ridden the Marienville trailbike trail. There is one section ( remember the wooden bridge across the swamp?) that is run on the trailbike trail. Frankly, if they were to run the whole run on the bike trail, a lot of people would crap out, saying it's too hard! Even though I have made it around numerous times on my 2x4 Polaris Sport, some people out there would think it too rough for even a 4x4.

------------------
Mike Chero 97 Polaris Sport 400L/ 97 Polaris Trailblazer 250ES

http://users.penn.com/~hal9000/mikeetta.html

 

Responding to Pflueeb's post above;

Does this mean you're not coming to the Tour de Forest, Bob?

Tree Farmer

 

Mike,
I've tackled the bike trail many times. You're right- it is a challenge for any quad. It's too bad the bike trail isn't designated as part of the Tour de Forest. I guess it's meant to be- we don't want the event to attract too many Pflueger-types...

 

Attract this!

 

For those of you who attended, how was it? Was it mostly road riding as we have heard it was? Will you go back again? Just curious.
Thanks

 

Jim, the Tour de Forest is laid out over mostly logging roads, normally closed to ATV traffic, and some woodland trails.

T de F is not a technically challenging ride, nor is it advertised as such. T de F provides an opportunity for ATV (and < 125cc dirt bike) riders to enjoy the scenery of Allegheny National Forest. If you want more technically challenging trails, the Cochranton Poker Run might be more your cup of tea (if you're willing to accept the delays 6,000 riders necessarily create on three trails).

We saw riders from a 4-year-old girl on a mini-quad, escorted by Dad or Grand-dad on his ATC; to a six-year-old on a mini-bike; through some guys in their 80's on quads (Really. Guys even older than I!). There were family groups, couples (as in boy-girl, girl-girl, boy-boy), and strings of maybe eight to ten buddies riding together, along with lots of singles. With few exceptions, courtesy, cooperation, and fun were the order of the day.

While light mist fell at times, NO DUST! This marks a big contrast to May's ride. The glorious autumn leaves brigtened the gray days with their bursting reds and golds. The hills, valleys and rivers of the Allegheny National Forest must be lovely at any time of year, but they are especially beautiful in the fall.

The outer perimeter of the T de F network (Pink Loop) covers about 50 miles. The Green Loop and the Yellow Loop are within that area, the Pink and Yellow sharing the most primitive trail sections. (T de F includes an optional poker run, BTW.)

Eric Baatz and I rode over 80 miles Saturday and about 70 Sunday, leaving time to watch the mudbog rodeo, to literally pig out at the truly excellent pig roast, and to watch some informal mud bogging along the route.

Would I come back? Well, this is my second trip. Administration improved over the excellent job done last May (pre-registration works wonders). Speaking for myself, sure, I'd come back. I like technical riding, too; but, that's another dish on the menu.

If you like long rides in the woods with pretty scenery and enjoy visiting with lots of ATVers to break bread and to talk with, compare equipment and rides, then you might enjoy Tour de Forest.

If, however, you're expecting the eastern version of the Rubicon Trail, you will be disappointed.

I thank the Marienville Volunteer Fire Company, the Marienville Lions, and everyone else whose vounteer effort made the T de F opportunity available.

Tree Farmer

[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 10-12-1999).]

 

I've been to Tour De Forest twice. There are definately around 1000 other atv's there. I'd say the majority of them are 4x4 types. Most of the riding is on logging roads, but there is one section, that takes about 30 minutes to get to on boring dirt roads that is a blast! You'll get really muddy and most likely get stuck a few times. The roast at the mx track is pretty sweet to. But if your driving over 3 hrs i probably wouldn't do it if your an aggressive rider looking for a challenge.

 

John R. and I were going to do the Tour de Forest in a set of wheelchairs but dropped out at the last minute because of the muddy conditions......

I just thought I'd send this topic to the top of the list again.

[This message has been edited by pflueeb (edited 10-20-1999).]