Super Bowl Sunday Preview

Wondering what it will be like for this Sunday's 30th++ edition of the Super Bowl Sunday Ride? We sent out our roaming reporter "Old Man Freeride" to Shenandoah Mountain on a cold morning to evaluate the conditions...Here is his report!

Ice happens when it is 13 degrees!

Ice will probably greet most riders. Intially this will  be spitting out of the rocks bands up the steep cuts next to the road...but expect things to change a little as you get close to the "Bob Turn" about two miles from the Briery Branch Gap.  At this point the road is mostly covered but completely rideable, a nice packed in surface thanks to those vehicle explorers trying to get up to the mountain.

I brought my bathing suit for nothing!!

At the saddle there still might be a few vehicles in the "Long Term Parking" spots but I image they will be moved then by either the owners or new vehicle owners. At the saddle sits about 5" of very dry snow, lacking the moisture needed for a good mid ride snow ball fight.

One of two vehicle hibernating at the saddle. 

From the saddle for the next 3 miles as you make your way to  Flagpole Knobup the snow should stay pretty consistant with a solid ice layer underneath the white stuff.  Even with the cold mountain temperatures and "West by God Virginia" winds the bright sun will bring out dirt on the south facing slopes.

As usual the last 1/4 mile to the highest point in Rockingham County will have some snow drifts and making the final push to the group photo epic!

The downhills? I imagine the top portion of the descents will still have some deep snow and ice but this will quickly break and dirt will appear as the sun hits the south/east facing descents.

Fresh Tracks on the last pitch to Flagpole... Freshies!!!

So, load up your packs, deflate your tires, bring warm layers (think wool!!) and plenty of food because it is time for another great edition of Harrisonburg's oldest annual mountain bike ride!

-SBC's roaming reporter, "Old Man Freeride".