Tell me about your Hatfield / McCoy experience (WV)

[vulcanbill]

When did you go, what were you riding, which trail system or systems did you visit?  It'll be about a 6 hour ride to get there and I'll be looking to stay at a nearby campground.  Maybe a Thanksgiving weekend adventure...not sure.  Just trying to get some realistic expectations.  Ride reports?  Pictures?  Video?  

Thanks.

BillO

[Windblown]

Here's a thread from some folks that were down there last weekend. It's a long thread but there are some after action videos and some tips about what to expect, trail numbering system, etc.  Of course this is only from one of the systems areas. It's a mighty dang big place all together. I haven't gotten down there to ride any of it yet.

http://www.dcsportbikes.net/forum/f85/hatfield-mccoy-sept-28-30-a-77060/index12.html

[DNA]

I went twice a year for several years- a spring trip and a fall trip.

We rode out of several (5?) different trail  heads, and I liked them all.

It is like a ski resort - with greens blue and blacks - some are dirt 2 track - some are uber technical single track.
$50 ish gets you a sticker for the helmet that is a year round pass for any all trails.  Get them at all the local gas stations - ask around - they are plentiful.

I cannot recal which one was best as they all had great riding - but one has small rental cabins fro $30 per night that were awesome.  The also have RV hook ups  so the rv crowd stayed there and we were across from them in great little cabins.  Ride out ride in hot shower amp dinner.  Perfect.  

Broken fingers not mandatory but can be accomplished...

I think it was this one:
http://www.trailsheaven.com/businesses/detail/Trails_Heaven_Lodging,169.aspx

If you are serious - I can hook you up with the group I went with - very good people you would like.

[DNA]

Forgot to add - if there has been a lot of rain - there can be big bogs and water holes in some areas.

While this sounds fun, mud is actually pretty tough and crossing long deep water holes gets messy. I did see a few bikes get dunked, and had a lot of drops myself on slimey tight switchbacks that were slick as snot around the rocks and roots.  Technical trails are way tougher when they are wet.

I'd ask a local and seek a dry area if possible.

[Windblown]

Here's a ride report from the guys recent trips down there. http://www.dcsportbikes.net/forum/f85/hatfield-mccoy-summary-muddawg-77353/

And a really nice video put together by one of the riders of one of the tougher trails. I like it because the "Opps" moments are featured rather than edited out. This gives you a much better feel for what it's really like to ride it.

[Scratch33]

MudDawg's a cool guy, and I'm not saying that just because he bought a bike from me.

[Windblown]

MudDawg's a cool guy, and I'm not saying that just because he bought a bike from me.

He full of shyt and tell him I said so. Hahaha.

And not just cause he bought your bike which I was eyeballing...  

 

[vulcanbill]

Thanks.  Can't wait to get home and see the videos.  Probably gonna be bunny trails for me for a while based on descriptions though.  Pretty sure the XT won't be doing much in the way of advanced...  

Now I just need the same thing for Tasker's Gap or whatever that's called.