BeaterGT Update

"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
10/02/2019 at 10:21 • Filed to: BeaterGT

Hey there fellow Opponauts!

After 7 years, today I left my first career position that I had joined fresh out of college and instead will be traveling for the indeterminable future. This idea (and several other permutations) have been in the works for a while but starting this month I’ll be bouncing all over the USA in my Legacy GT with mountain bike in tow. I probably won’t be posting all that much since Kinja is more pain than pleasure these days.

I’ll be snowbirding it for the most part, heading south to Florida and then west to California until things start to warm up again. That’s the current plan at least. If anyone has recommendations on roads to drive, things to see, trails to ride, food to eat, beer to drink...I’m all ears!

If nothing else, stay Oppo my friends.

DISCUSSION (38)

Chuckles > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:15

That is a fancy looking Legacy GT you've got there.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:18

Heading south, stop off at Creature Comforts in GA for some Tropicalia. It’s one of the best beers I’ve had period. Heading further south into Florida, Cigar City (both the brewery and cidery) are excellent, as is Funky Buddha.

When you decide to head to California, you can find the highly rated Pliny the Elder in SoCal. I recommend this and Blind Pig from Russian River wherever you can find it. As for breweries, Modern Times and Abnormal in San Diego are great stops. Heading up the coast, I can’t recommend Bottle Logic (Anaheim) and Monkish (Torrence) enough. Smog City is another good stop within walking distance from Monkish.

BeaterGT > Chuckles
10/01/2019 at 16:29

It’s amazing what a little wax can do! But i n all honesty, I had a goal to be in a R8 by the age of 30. Decided this trip would be even better.

Also, I didn’t forget about your tale of driving through scenic WV. That’s on the list.

BeaterGT > Where have all the lightweights gone?
10/01/2019 at 16:32

These are g reat, thank you! I’d love to hit the sources for some of the beers you mentioned. I’m lucky enough to get a few in Philly.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:40

Oppo Meet up map?

Cash Rewards > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:40

There is a good singletrack mtb trail in lorton Virginia just off 95 if that’s your route south. Though that’d be a terrible road trip if it was

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:46

Is this your #vanlife ?

Also, Oppo meetup somewhere?

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:50

For a second I thought you’d bought an R8 to tour the country in, and I was ready to clap so hard

BeaterGT > Cash Rewards
10/01/2019 at 16:53

Thanks for the heads up. Definitely don’t plan on sticking to highways. Have you biked down in Roanoke? Seems to be a hot spot.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 16:56

Mountain biking in Utah, lower elevations in C olorado and Wyoming is primo through O ctober. It’s already snowed in Montana so you want to be used to some riding in 40 deg. temps if you come here but still pretty good in Whitefish, Missoula etc...

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/01/2019 at 16:56

Not a bad idea! Already have a few states checked off

BeaterGT > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
10/01/2019 at 17:02

While I did think about getting a van/suv/wagon, I did no t think about starting a vlog.

I’m down for meetups!

BeaterGT > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
10/01/2019 at 17:09

Oh man, I wish! I thought about buying something else but figured “the devil you know” and all that.

And I ’ll be coming back to Phoenix! Oddly enough, I’ve been getting job offers from there.

BeaterGT > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/01/2019 at 17:14

I’ll have to save some of them for the spring! Are there places to ride year round in Utah?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:14

If you are taking 95 down, I would recommend spending a little while in Beaufort, and seeing the church ruins and Fort Fremont.

Also, Jason’s Seafood and Wings in Beaufort is amazing. It’s soul food, and the shrimp and okra over rice is awesome!

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/01/2019 at 17:20

I’ll add it to the map! Thanks!

How’s your Z treating you?

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:26

#Le gacyLife ?? Lots of braaaps included...

Let me know if you are in the Midwest somewhere. I believe you have my number.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:31

You can ride in Moab all year, it never rains and is to hot to ride in the summer.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:32

So far it’s went the most miles out of any my cars without breaking, so that’s nice. So that, on top of being a blast to daily drive, it’s awesome!

Depending on when you come through SC, I could possibly meet up, and Daender is right off 95.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:35

Russian River (brewery that makes Pliny & Blind Pig) is in the Bay Area, but their beers are plentiful in SoCal.

BeaterGT > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
10/01/2019 at 17:36

Oh, there will be plenty of Legacy footage.

VincentMalamute-Kim > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:36

For Colorado, there’s an app: https://trails.colorado.gov/

https://cpw.state.co.us/CTS

I’m easy/intermed skill level and there are a lot of very technical rock gardens/single track/whatever you want actually near me. A friend and I are going to hit some gravel roads out of Idaho Springs later this week.

If you ever need help/place to stay in the northern Front Range (Loveland), feel free to hit me up.

BeaterGT > Where have all the lightweights gone?
10/01/2019 at 17:39

I’ve only been to San Diego so pretty eager to see the rest of California.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:40

We’re a hotbed of industry... well, sometimes we’re just a hotbed.

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/01/2019 at 17:45

Too good. I’ll keep you guys in mind, as of right now it might be around November/December. Should still be warm around then right? I’m not too familiar with SC climate .

BeaterGT > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/01/2019 at 17:46

This is what I like to hear. Might have to sign up for one of those tours to get the most of it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:50

Everything is on trailforks. Just bring your fitness, there is a lot of elevation and technical ridding.

https://www.trailforks.com/

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 17:53

Hahahaha, no one knows. It usually is warm-ish, but I will not guarantee that.

BeaterGT > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/01/2019 at 17:59

Of course Colorado has an app, they’re so good at this stuff . I’d love to mountain bike there again, I’ve only been to Buffalo Creek. Appreciate all the help!

BeaterGT > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/01/2019 at 18:02

Ah yes, big fan of trailforks. As for the fitness, I’m working on it! NJ only has one of those things and it certainly isn’t elevation.

Cash Rewards > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 18:55

I have not. I’m right at the d c beltway, and don’t have too much time for mtb trips

nermal > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 20:53

Don’t skip WV, for either driving or mountain biking.

For biking, h it Snowshoe if you’re into park riding , Slatyfork nearby if you’re into being in the middle of no where with just your bike and some bears and snakes , or Valley Falls if you want really well done yet rowdy trails, and don’t mind pedaling the the top of the hill.

For driving, seek out WV-250 and try to drive the whole thing. Just make sure you have plenty of fuel, and don’t stop to pick up any hitchhikers near the maximum security prison. (Don’t worry, there will be signs there to remind you).

From there, pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway and head to NC to visit Pisgah. Plan on a few days there to get in as much as possible.

BeaterGT > nermal
10/01/2019 at 21:27

Hell yeah, thanks! I've been to Pisgah before but never WV. Any campground recommendations?

nermal > BeaterGT
10/01/2019 at 22:33

I highly recommend exploring WV , although you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared as a lot of it is pretty remote. Plan on doing about half of your normal daily “bike” mileage as the terrain is very.... raw. It will seriously wear you out from getting bounced all over the place . Make sure you take more water and food with you than you think you’ll need. There’s a bazillion campgrounds . I can comment some that I’ve stayed in, from North to South as it sounds like that’s the direction you will be travelling:

Valley Falls is pretty straight forward from a bik ing perspective. Park at the bottom of the hill, ride up the paved road to the top, and pick up a trail to blast back down to the bottom, then repeat. Everything is very well marked on Trailforks. The park doesn’t have a campground on site, but is close to Tygart Lake. It’s a campground on a big-ass lake. Lots of RVs and fishing there , otherwise pretty standard .

Canaan Valley Resort State Park is in a nicer “tourist-y” yet still remote area. Full facilities, plus a lodge or cabins if you’re feeling fancy. The nearby town Davis is very quaint with several awesome places to eat and drink. Check Trailforks for trails nearby, there are a ton of them. Worth stopping in the bike shop in town as it’s pretty cool as well. Check the Pinkbike article on the town for more info and pretty pics: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/east-bound-and-down-davis-west-virginia-2016.html

Tea Creek Campground is near the Slatyfork / Snowshoe area. I’ve stayed there and it’s.... primitive. No showers, “running water” needs to be pumped out of the ground by a giant metal hand pump, and only “pit toilets”, which are basically nice outhouses. It’s extremely remote - Not a lot of people, no cell service, if you fall and hurt yourself in the woods you’ll probably get eaten by a bear before a person finds you. Use the map from the enduro race held there as a guide for the good trails, but don’t try to do them all on one day if you’re not getting the shuttles. You can stay in the campground at the bottom, ride to the top of the hill and back down 1/2/3/4 on one day and 5/6 the next: https://www.pocahontastrails.com/2017-slatyfork-enduro/index.html

BeaterGT > nermal
10/01/2019 at 22:44

Thanks for sharing all this! Also c onfirms I need to get a full suspension bike.

Chuckles > BeaterGT
10/02/2019 at 10:31

I second the recommendation of 250 in WV. It’s my favorite road. It also has the only covered bridge that’s part of the US numbered highway system. Start in Stau nton Virginia and head at least to Philippi WV.

functionoverfashion > BeaterGT
10/02/2019 at 11:15

I’ve found decent trails using the TrailForks app actually. I’m in the northeast, so I don’t know if it’s widely used elsewhere, but the trail descriptions are pretty accurate and detailed around here.

Have fun, be safe.

BeaterGT > functionoverfashion
10/02/2019 at 12:29

Yeah, trailforks makes things much easier. I’ll actually be up in Vermont before I head down south, plan on hitting Kingdom trails before things start closing for the season. And thanks!