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Now in it’s low profile 7th year, the annual Slatyfork Shuffle is but memories for us to enjoy. It all began back in 2003 when several mountain bikers, who regularly posted on a mountain bike forum (sorry not this one), decided to meet for a long weekend of riding in Pocahontas County WV. Since most of the riding was near a little community known as Slatyfork, WV it was dubbed the Slatyfork Shuffle.
It was never a large gathering, more like 10 to 15 riders from all over the east coast converging on the little Monongahela National Forest Campground along Tea Creek, thus named Tea Creek Campground and lying along the Williams River below Tea Creek and Gauley Mountains.
The trails in this area are well known and even contains the trails included in a noted IMBA Epic ride. Most famous are Tea Creek Mountain Trail, Red Run, Bear Pen, Props Run, Gauley Mountain Trail, Boundary Trail and the list goes on.
This year 10 riders ignored the rainy forecast and showed up at the campground on Wednesday afternoon, the 15th of July. Two from Massachucetts, one from PA, one from FL, another from Alabama, one from VA and the rest from WV. Though it rained that night, Thursday looked a little better. The chance of rain was high however it never rained during the ride which began with a shuttle up to Little Laurel overlook on Scenic Hwy. 150 just 1/4 mile from Gauley Mtn. Trail and across from Tea Creek Mtn. Trail.
Our first ride took us out Gauley Mtn. Trail, past Red Run Trail to Bear Pen Ridge Trail. We followed Bear Pen Ridge Trail down to Tea Creek and Boundary Trails. Here is just one shot from the top of Bear Pen at a rock garden and then one at the intersection during a break.
After our break we crossed Tea Creek and headed up Boundary Trail which has a tough climb to the top of a mountain and an awesome overlook.
Then it was down the remainder of Boundary Trail to Bannock Shoals (a 6 mile downhill on an old grassy fire road now no more than awesome singletrack) and back to camp.
(Yours truely on Boundary Trail)
Our second day, Friday was only about 10 miles because it rained most the morning and we did just a short ride in an area not bothered by the water. The ride included Cow Pasture Trail, Cranberry River Trail, one short connector I can’t remember the name of and Pocahontas Trail back to the Cranberry Visitors Center where we started. Here are a couple pics from that ride.
The third day, Saturday took us on a tough ride out Gauley Mountain Trail, down Red Run Trail (one of the toughest trails in this area), up Right Fork trail (quite overgrown this time of year) and then Tea Creek Mountain Trail (super technical 1/2 mile boulder field on top of the mountain followed by about a 2 1/2 mile knarly downhill that will make your arms and hands numb).
(Part way down Red Run Trail)
(Everyone attempting nasty rock garden on Right Fork trail)
(Near end of boulder field on Tea Creek Mountain Trail)
What a great time, great food (especially the fish pockets and sword fish brought by our Mass friends), great riding and making new friends with a passion for mountain biking, like us. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Hope to see them all next year.To see my entire Slatyfork Shuffle 2009 album click the following link.
http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m219 … le%202009/ODN
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Great pics and ride report ODN. I was really hoping I could make it this year, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Life got in the way and it turned out to be a pretty bad week for me. Looks like you had a good crew. Miss those fish wraps from our MA friend. And funny, Davis pointed out the weather forecast of beautiful for the whole week on MTBR. Of course when you get to Slatyfork that place makes is own weather. Its rained on me every day I have ridden there. Looks like you had the same luck.
Boundary, Bannock Shoals, and Tea Creek Mountain are on the not ridden yet list of Slatyfork trails. Maybe next year.
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"CraigCreekRider" wrote
Its rained on me every day I have ridden there. Looks like you had the same luck.
Boundary, Bannock Shoals, and Tea Creek Mountain are on the not ridden yet list of Slatyfork trails. Maybe next year.
Thank CCR, at least it didn’t rain on us while riding. As for Boundary, you rode at least 1/2 of it on your last ride. It actually goes left just before you jumped up that steep little bank into the old strip mine area. Bannock Shoals is a fun down hill and Tea Creek Mountain will kick your aaaahhh,
you know. Tea Creek Mtn. is a steep climb from the overlook you started at, then there is this monster boulder field for 1/2 mile on top, then rocky decent for a bit, then another short steep climb, and another before you finally start down hill for what seems an eternity. I had to stop three times to get the feeling back in my hands and arms. It’s actually a bit scary. Fairly steep decent (constantly on brakes) it nearly straight down on left and straight up on right. It was fun but I was glad to reach the bottom.. 😃If you plan on going up that way again, be sure to give me a little notice. I’d be glad to come down and ride with you.
ODN
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Another great post. Thanks for sharing ODN.
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