Occasionally in the course of regular mountain biking, a person finds an epic ride - one that covers many miles, takes in grand vistas, requires legs of steel that pump like pistons, and a healthy set of lungs (or in general I guess just lets me feel tough). The NotoMa is one of those rides.
The NotoMa actually covers the Northern Skyline trail starting at the North Ogden Pass, rides up to Ben Lomond Peak, then cuts down the mountain to Willard Basin, taking the dirt ro
ad until it delivers you to Mantua (hence the No - North Ogden, to Ma - Mantua - the idea came from Jeff Reed, inspired by the LotoJa). All in all the ride is somewhere between 22 to 25 miles.
My dad and I first did this a couple of years ago on our own, but this particular year we were invited by Jeff Reed, a neighbor, and his family. I guess it has been a yearly tradition for them to tackle this trail.
The first portion includes a number of switchbacks on a fairly
steep grade up to the ridgeline, with some technical portions scattered throughout. This portion I have rode quite frequently with my dad over the years and just the out and back portion is a decent ride by itself. You then ride along the eastern ridge, before doing
a little more climbing a popping out along the western ridge. After a short portion you have a steep technical section that is difficult to ride, then some steady climbing until you reach the saddle.
Continuing up to the peak is quite the challenge - the first part is rideable, but it soons turns steeper, looser, and more technical. I was able to ride quite a few portions, but given how much effort it takes to get to this point, most of this
section was a hike-a-bike. Once you get to the peak, however, you are rewarded with this incredible view in every direction.
After stopping at the peak for some food and rest, most of the rest of the ride is downhill. There are some awesome technical downhills that you just have to hang on tight, but they are absolutely
exhilarating! You end up doing a little more climbing to roll into Willard Basin on a dirt road, and then it is mostly downhill on a dirt road to Mantua.
From that point we normally stop and have a vehicle come pick us up in Mantua at the park in town. Jeff's group ending up taking the road back to North Ogden, but since I despise road riding it is not something I have or will be doing any time soon.
I decided to go for a quick ride on a Saturday afternoon up the Northern Skyline Trail. It had been a long while since I've ridden the trail, but its one of my favorites. The trail is steep and rocky with switchbacks for the first three miles to the ridge. The first bit is in the shade of trees, but most of it is exposed which resulted in a sunburn for me. Heading back down this trail always flies and is a blast, although I twice kicked up rocks that left dings in my shin.
Occasionally in the course of regular mountain biking, a person finds an epic ride - one that covers many miles, takes in grand vistas, requires legs of steel that pump like pistons, and a healthy set of lungs (or in general I guess just lets me feel tough). The NotoMa is one of those rides.
ad until it delivers you to Mantua (hence the No - North Ogden, to Ma - Mantua - the idea came from Jeff Reed, inspired by the LotoJa). All in all the ride is somewhere between 22 to 25 miles.
My dad and I first did this a couple of years ago on our own, but this particular year we were invited by Jeff Reed, a neighbor, and his family. I guess it has been a yearly tradition for them to tackle this trail.
steep grade up to the ridgeline, with some technical portions scattered throughout. This portion I have rode quite frequently with my dad over the years and just the out and back portion is a decent ride by itself. You then ride along the eastern ridge, before doing 
a little more climbing a popping out along the western ridge. After a short portion you have a steep technical section that is difficult to ride, then some steady climbing until you reach the saddle.
section was a hike-a-bike. Once you get to the peak, however, you are rewarded with this incredible view in every direction.
exhilarating! You end up doing a little more climbing to roll into Willard Basin on a dirt road, and then it is mostly downhill on a dirt road to Mantua.