Laurel Classic

Race - Sep 7, 2019

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Starts with a fire road climb before turning to singletrack at the top of the hill winds its way down followed by a short climb and then a "wickedly" fast fun descent before meandering back and forth across/along the stream then climbing back up the green monster. Work your way through the tree and then down a gas line; watch the contour jumps - they bite! Then head back through the trees across the rocks and the sweet fast downhill home.

Starts with a 3.5 mile fire road climb up Straight Rd, cross over the road to begin the short climbing part of Plantation Trail, which then follows the ridge and then begins a slow descent that allows you to flow before running into several switchbacks as the steepness increases before dropping out on Spoor Hollow Rd.

Now you have another 1-mile fire road climb up to the intersection with Stone Road Trail. follow this doubletrack out for about a mile. This is predominantly flat, then you'll make a right onto Deer Trail. This is a fast downhill that will generate arm pump by the end. It is steep and has a lot of loose rock as you fly down this old logging trail from way back. At then at the end, you can't help but smile.

Deer Trail will dump you back on Straight Rd, cross over to Left Straight Run trail. This is done in the uphill direction during the Laurel Classic Long Course and the Laurel Classic Short Course. You start out meandering back and forth across the stream through the rocky bed before crossing it one last time and you begin the slow ~1.5 climb up to Sand Rd, locally known as the green monster. Yes, it just sucks the energy from you with every pedal stroke.

At the top cross over Sand Rd and enter Log Slide Trail. This winds you through the trees slowly for the bulk of the trail before exiting onto a fire break for a short climb followed by a fast descent, watch the contour ridges; they will "buck" you. Then head back into to the trees for a short stint. Then you'll cross Sand Rd again and continue down Hessel Gesser Rd.

Near the end of Hessel Gesser Rd, less than a mile, you'll make a left on to Scotch Pine Hollow Trail. This trail weaves between the trees in descending manner from Hessel Gesser Rd. It is punctuated with a few rock outcrops that come up quickly given the speed you are carrying at this point, but are easily negotiated.

At the bottom of Scotch Pine Hollow Trail make the left onto Darling Road Trail. Don't be fooled by the name, this is an adrenaline generating downhill whose difficulty is derived from the speed one carries flying down this old logging road from way back in time. It's surface varies from dirt to just plain loose rock in sections making traction difficult. Again many will experience the "joy" of arm pump before finding themselves at the bottom, back on Straight Run Rd. Turn left to repeat, turn right to head to the finish/car.