Rothrock State College

Hi all: Just thought I would drop a line to report on my latest (latest being time of year) ride. A buddy and I went to Rothrock on Friday and rode 12.5 miles of beautiful, technical single-track in shorts and t-shirts -- It was 58 degrees and mostly sunny. Anyone familiar with Rothrock -- We started at parking lot just past Tussey Mtn. ski area, went out Longberger Trail to Bear Meadows Natural Area. There is a deadfall across Longberger extention (part of trail between Kettle trail and north Meadows Road) that is quite impressive -- it lays diagonal across trail, is 10-15ft long and 2ft off the ground. You climb up on it via a pile of rocks, ride across the log(top is sawn flat) and exit off log via another pile of rocks. I had to stop momentarily at top of entry rock pile to wipe the tears from my eyes, then proceeded on. What a miricle of engineering genius. We then went back Bear Meadows Rd to Tussey Mtn. Trail. TMT is beautiful as well as challenging. It goes right along the top of the ridge and the valley on the right is quite impressive. At the pipe line, we took a left that leads (high speed) to Corner Rd. that leads to Bear Meadows Rd. just above parking lot. I went over the bars in a drainage ditch across road from parking lot and almost snapped me right tibia.

In summation, If you live anywhere near State College Pa. you MUST ride Rothrock. This ride is one of but many trails and gravel service roads in the park. Enjoy the warm weather.

Altoona Tim