What: The Two Mile Smile
Where: The Allegheny Trail (ALT) in Seneca State Forest in Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Why: Beginner/intermediate friendly
How: Easily located trailhead on Laurel Run Rd off of Route 28. Allegheny Trail (Seneca State Forest Trail-head)
Hey, it’s Perry here! And I’m taking on Pocahontas County. Have you ever wondered what all the fuss about mountain biking is? I have news for you: it’s legit! Let me tell you about my first ever mountain biking experience!
Striking onto the Trail
Arrival at the ALT trailhead was about 5 p.m. on a Sunday. The trailhead is not hard to find, approximately one mile off Route 28. Look for a circular wooded parking lot with a green Allegheny Trail marker on your left. The Two Mile Smile was recommended as a good first trail from a local mountain biking luminary. After a quick press check of the tire and snap of my helmet, I slung a leg over the saddle and started down the trail.
Not soon after, maybe about 150 feet, I had to stop. There before me was a sturdy sunlit white bridge with three steps up! This began the first of my walks of the bike, more on that later, but not too much later. After crossing the bridge, the trail takes one of its sharpest bends to the right. Up the bike and I went as I almost immediately tried to find a higher gear. One of my first realizations was appreciating the expert mountain biker for how much rapid and precise shifting is involved. One must keep the momentum of the bike going up a trail that plateaus, descends, then climbs higher all in the space of about 50 feet. A little downhill stretch where you could have downshifted and gotten a little more momentum quickly becomes a stretch where shifting to an easier gear is necessary. And if you hit those gears and pedals right, the higher gear and more pedaling might not have been required.
Shaping Up the Conditions
So “in shape” are two words that very much used to remotely describe my condition. However, I was able to take a few upward parts of the trail in lower gear before I needed to hop off and walk the bike. (There was just a photo I couldn’t resist taking…and that’s really why I stopped!)
Jesting aside, the full appeal of mountain biking was not clear to me until that day. And the Allegheny Trail was magical in that evening sun, backlighting pine needles and turning autumn leaves, casting warm sun on the rhododendron which for some reason makes the trail tend toward a tropical tone. I had not pictured pedaling a beautiful hiking trail in the woods as mountain biking, but that is what they call singletrack.
A reason I’m writing this blog is so you don’t have to miss any time under a misconception and can get out there and enjoy the outdoors, just like I did! And it’s not to say there weren’t difficult stretches on this beginner trail, but part of what is great about being on a hiking trail is — you can hike! It’s just as pleasant to walk, push the bike along beside you and enjoy just being on this trail. The grade is not super steep. And the reward of going uphill first is…you don’t have to guess: it was really fun to go downhill!
And since it’s mostly starting uphill, that’s why they call it The Two Mile Smile…and NOT the Four Mile Smile! The destination was one of the Seneca State Forest’s CCC Shelters constructed way back in the 1930s with a grand vista. I didn’t make it all the way out there, but learned some good lessons to share because of it. I had only brought my prescription sunglasses with me. And at a certain point, it became clear that for safety’s sake, I should start back downhill. Which then put a smile for, let’s call it, a one and three-quarter-miles on my face! 🙂 And I was glad I did set back out because indeed it was becoming difficult to see. So the lesson is: always bring your regular glasses if you’re biking in the evening.
Miles of Mountain Biking Smiles
Like a kid who’s just got off a roller coaster (insert caveat) and enjoyed it, there is a similar feeling at the end of a downhill run on a mountain bike! You too can obtain the sense of adventure and possibility when one finds a new repeatable perspective on a hobby. I ended up in a really good mood for having been immersed in the extra oxygenated wilderness air, the spellbindingly backlit Mon Forest beauty. and also getting the no-secret-by-now benefits of exercise on one’s mental health. Hiking a mountain bike up a hill just to come down on it is a unique way to experience a full spectrum of goodness. From the a sublime peace of the warm evening sun shining through the tress onto the trail, to the endorphin thrilling heart beats of trying to stay on two wheels on the sometimes sharp downhill bends, Mountain Biking is a multi-layered blast of an outdoor activity.
Briefly on Bike Maintenance
On a lightly serious bike maintenance note, make sure that your bike’s brakes are functioning and in good order before you set out. You will need them. Unlike motorcycling, there is no engine braking or downshifting. And if you’re a complete beginner like me, it can get a little, ‘Whoa, Nelly!’ exciting! And then very relieving to feel those brakes functioning. One other important fact I gathered about trail etiquette is, though there was no one on the trail, it is not conscientious to go too fast down a multi-use trail. The fun should be contained to a smile, not a wahoo like holler, unless the trail is designated for mountain bikes only. It was clear to imagine myself walking my bike up the trail, as I just had been. There is not very much room for evasive actions and one or both of us could end up wrecked if someone’s going downhill without a forethought of other trail users.
Til Next Time
Hope you check out the Two Mile Smile and let me know if you do! I can’t wait to get back on my mountain bike! No spoilers for my next blog…I’m not sure what’s next! But will look forward to being here with you again!
For more info on Mountain Biking in Pocahontas County, check out this page: