North River Trail, A summertime gem!

Jonathan, Ethan & Carter about to set on an adventure!

As we end July and go into August the dog days of summer are upon us.  With the heat comes low water levels making it a great time to explore one of the hidden family fun rides in our area, the North River Trail. You can do this ride as a 10 mile loop  or a point to point ride, 6 miles long, if you have some shuttle options.  This past Sunday our 5 person group opted for the shuttle version. Rich Edwards and I decided to drive everyone to the North River campgroup and then one of us would ride back later to get the truck, this decision was made since the combined age of our other 3 riders was 17 years!  

Jonathan trying not to "dab" in the river.

If you have never been on the North River Trail there is one thing to know, there are 10 river crossings. This time of year the river is low, never more then a foot deep, but you will still get wet because the crossings are wide.  The cool river feels great on your feet, or on your head if you elect to lay in the river like Ethan and Jonathan (Carter demanded to be carried each river crossing).  We saw numerous other folks out enjoying the trail, two families who were hiking out after a night of camping and several horse groups. Each group was happy to see each other and it provide a great opportunity to teach the kids about trail etiquette.   

Ethan riding over the bridge, yea to narrow handlebars!

Our adults bikes are usually an advantage on every ride we do with the kids but this proved wrong as we came to the last river crossing with the large suspension bridge, here the kids where able to ride away and leave us adults in the dust. We will post the ride on MTB project so you can have the details on the ride. 

-Thomas

Just like adults...riding lets you eat more!!

North River Gorge Trail...Family Style

So here is the before photo of......

The entire crew getting ready to start at the North River Campground.

the crew that patiently ventured down the six or so miles of the North River Gorge Trail this past Sunday. I say patiently because patiences is what it takes when you join a determined 3 year, an exited 5 year old,  and their over confident parents for a biking adventure. The North River Gorge Trail seems to have become a tradition of sorts during the summer solstis weekend, the weekend when Chris Scott and I celebrate our birthdays (this was year #45).  It is alway great to see Chris's whole Family come out for the North River Adventure, this ride includes siblings, neices, newphews and even Chris's 70+ aged parents.

For the Jenkins Family the adventured included taking Ethan on his Jet 16" and Carter on his worn out scoot bike. We made sure we also took a Burley Trailer knowing Carter would eventually retreat to the wet pull behind.  It is mind blowing watching young kids ride off road. Can you image ferns over your head? How about numerous river crossings up to your waist that seem to stretch on forever?  I would image this was the equivilent to the you or I riding in the Amazon. 

Every Stokesville Ride include a great swim session afterwards!

Enjoy was able to do the "Full Pull", with some assistance. Carter determination that him scoot half of the distance and then spent the remainder in the Burley safe haven. At the end of ride we were able to enjoy time spent on the rocky shores of the North River, doing what kids do, play with rocks!