Episode V: The Mohican Trippple Strikes Back

Many MTB rides, gravel rides, and adventure rides speak highly of building a course that ensures riders will have the perfect bike for sections of the course, then that perfect bike will be absolute torture through other sections of the course. The Mohican Trippple consists of three sections, 25 miles of MTB, 25 miles of gravel, and 50 miles of road. This bicycling challenge provides each rider with the opportunity to switch bikes during the ride to have the proper bicycle for each section.

The Route:

The Elevation Profile:

The Route Curator:

That octopus is giving the middle finger each time the climbing elevation of the route will surpass 2,000 feet.

The Start Line:

On Saturday 6/5/2020, 15 riders assembled at Mohican State Park campground to set out on an adventure. 12 began the day heading out to tackle the full length Mohican Trippple, 2 riders set out to conquer the new Mohican Mini Trippple, and the fifteenth rider joined on for riding the trail portion.

The Mohican Single Track:

The Mohican single track is phenomenal right now. 24 miles of trail; 2 downed trees. The effort put in by the volunteers to keep this trail cleared of trees and the track in great shape is incredible. Here's a pic of Allen, Bob, and Suzanne enjoying the trail:

The Gravel Route:

This year's gravel route shook things up a bit. Instead of heading south to Greer, the route headed east to Valley Stream climb:

After descending the big climb at Valley Stream, the ride heads west for 10 miles on surfaces ranging from pavement to ballast like gravel with several punchy climbs:

The Road Route:

The 2020 road route was nearly identical to last year's road route, but not completely identical. Several riders pointed out Kling road, with a big, "where the heck did that come from?"

Pic of several riders enjoying the Mifflin stop halfway through the road route.

Note: Suzanne looks way too happy 75 miles into the trippple in that pic.

Ride Totals:

Several people had different recordings for distance and elevation totals, but I'm writing this blog, so only mine counts:

• 24 miles MTB
• 25 miles gravel
• 54 miles road
• Distance: 103 miles
• Elevation: 10,938 feet
• Completed strava ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/3574513160

2020 Mohican Trippple Finishers:

2020 brought out a record number of Mohican Trippple finishers, 10 in total. Of these, 2 finishers were women and four finishers were first time Mohican Trippple riders! Incredible year!

• Bob Bard - 1st time rider, 1st time finisher!
• Chris Holmes - 4 time participant, 3 time finisher!
• Allen Kraus - 1st time rider, 1st time finisher!
• Scott Lang - 2nd time rider, 2nd time finisher!
• Deb Lohr - 3rd time rider, 2nd time finisher!
• Chris Marquardt - 5 time rider, 2nd time finisher!
• Doug Metzger - Original bad idea ride expert, 5 time rider, 3 time finisher!
• Rodney Palmer - 3rd time rider, 2nd time finisher!
• Suzanne Peats - 1st time rider, 1st time finisher!
• Todd Pollock - 1st time rider, 1st time finisher!

The new finishers will have their names added to the Mohican Trippple cup displayed at Spoke Life Cycles!

All Mohican Trippple finishers received a gnome for all their hard work. Huge thanks to Doug Metzger for taking the time, effort, and money for providing finisher awards for the 2020 Mohican Trippple participants (as well as the Biketoberfest MTB epic and 2019 Mohican Trippple)!

Kathy's Mohican Miserable Metric:

A shorter Mohican Trippple course has come up several times with the idea that more riders may be inspired to take on the challenge. Here's the list of reasons why multiple versions of the Mohican Trippple route were never really created to define a Mohican Trippple finisher:

• It's a free event.
• If riders do not want to complete a certain section of the event, then don't. All the routes are miserable. Grab a bike and go!
• 2017 had 3 finishers on a 100 mile route. 4 additional riders quit after mile 90 in a thunderstorm that was not letting up before dark. These 4 would not be considered finishers.
• 2018 offered a double metric, which was shortened 4 miles due to a bridge out. This ride has 1 official finisher logging all the available miles at 121. 1 rider skipped the MTB portion, but logged 130 miles. 1 rider skipped several hill climbs on the gravel portion, but logged a double metric. 3 additional riders covered 100 miles. Only the rider covering all the actual miles available was considered a finisher.

This year, Doug Metzger put together mini-trippple route.

• 6 miles MTB
• 16 miles gravel
• 35 miles road

2 participants took on this challenge, Kathy Metzger finished it. Then Kathy is like, I gotta run and finish this brick. Then Kathy ran 2 miles. Lastly, she got to name the ride...Kathy's Mohican Miserable Metric. Expect to see this on future Mohican Trippple events:

• 6 miles MTB
• 16 miles gravel
• 35 miles road
• 2 miles run (or walk, but it's now apart of the shortened challenge)
• 59 total-ish miles

Notable mentions:

One of the main ideas behind the Mohican Trippple is riding sections of the ride that appeal to the rider, and if another section isn't interesting, then skip it! Lyndsay Styles did just this. She ripped through the MTB trail and gravel portions. The road portion wasn't exactly interesting to her after completing the first two sections, so she skipped that portion and called it a day.

Jennifer Marquardt played a huge role in meeting riders at the halfway point of the road ride ensuring riders had the ability to get to the finish line. This year, every rider that started the road portion, finished the event. Even given the ability to quit, the riders persevered, or Jennifer told everyone on the trippple no on a sag back to camp, I'm not sure.

Melissa Tansey gave the mini trippple route a try this year. She was able to complete the MTB and gravel sections, but gave in on not finishing the road portion. Riding road may sound easy on this ride, but Loudonville has relentless hills. This was Melissa's second time attending the trippple, I'm sure she'll be back next year. #unfinishedbusiness

Alan Frishman gave the Mohican Trippple a third try this year. A mile into the MTB trail, he had enough. Alan rode with Kathy and Melissa on gravel and road portions of the mini triple route. This fits in with the main idea of the triple, ride the portions you want to and pass on the others.

Pic of Alan, Kathy, and Melissa:

Though times are not recorded at the Mohican Trippple, the last rider in is still the DFL. This year's DFL was Todd Pollock. He is also a first time rider and a first time finisher. Props for sticking with the ride all the way through and nearly completely on your own. Here's a pic of his fat bike with the gnomes:

Future of the Trippple:

Expect to see the Mohican Trippple back in 2021 in a 100 mile version, along with it's now shorter companion, Kathy's Mohican Miserable Metric. Plans for the event will begin taking shape near the end of this year for date planning and campground reservations. Typically, a private facebook event page is used for organizing the event. If you have participated in the past or shown interest, you have likely seen these FB events and will see another. If you would like included for next year's event list, let us know and we'll include you on the invite list.