Gee, Beth. Since I'm the one who wrote (and
experienced) that OD story, I better explain ... there is only one really narrow
area of the trail -- lasting for about 100 yards -- located on Little Crease
Mountain. Actually,
every time I go down to Front Royal and ride that trail, the narrow section just
seems to get easier and easier, so ... that story was written as a first
impression because this *was* the most memorable stretch of the whole
50 miles.
Rest assured, it is wide enough for your
horse to traverse, otherwise the OD trail committee would not use it at
all, and (if they use the trail this year) you will probably be past the
narrowest part before it even dawns on you. Not to worry about vertigo,
either --the foliage and tree growth is so incredibly thick and lush
any view of the slope will be completely obscured, and you will be
concentrating on the trail so much you won't even be aware of anything else
around you until the trail empties out on the gravel roads of the valley floor
. The reason I know about the steepness of
the mountain slope is because I've ridden this trail in the late fall and early
spring when there was nothing to obscure the "downward views". However, Little
Crease is small potatoes compared to the Tevis trail -- according
to a friend of mine who rode the Tevis and said **nothing**
can compare to how narrow that trail is!
Leatherwood *is* tougher than the OD because
of the constant up-and-down. With the OD the rocks and long climbs will be
your challenge, but the views will be worth every step up and down those
mountains.
So, ignore the "horrors" of my story,
concentrate on the fun aspects I've written about, and come prepared to
enjoy the time of your life. The OD is truly one awesome endurance ride,
unlike any other you will ever have in your life!
