Sharpback Hollow – wonder how deep it is?

After two days of cruising gravel like dual-sport royalty, Day 3 showed up with different energy. Gone were the sweeping fire roads and misty autumn vibes. This was the technical chapter — a choose-your-own-adventure of expert sections, mountain climbs, rocky descents, and more mud than should legally fit in central Pennsylvania.

We topped off Guy’s oil, and we were ready. Mostly.

Little Poe Rd: Welcome to the Rock Garden

We kicked things off with Little Poe Road, a bonus line I added to spice things up. Not officially part of the BDR-X, but 100% part of the fun. It climbs up a steep, rocky two-track with ruts deep enough to hide a medium-sized goat. The descent down to Poe Paddy State Park wasn’t any kinder — just rocks stacked on rocks, with a few bonus washouts thrown in to test commitment and tire pressure.

At the top, we stopped to peel off cold-weather gear — not because it was warm, but because wrestling 325+ pound bikes over baby boulders works up a sweat. Guy called it “an energizing start.” I called it “a great reminder I’m still new to this.”. The view at Penn’s View Overlook at the top of Poe Paddy Dr, an expert section taken from the MABDR, made the hard work worthwhile.

Don’t be fooled – this is the bottom of Litte Poe – we were too busy to video the fun stuff!

Longfellow Draft, Paddy Mountain, and Sharpback Hollow: Let the Gauntlet Begin

After Poe Paddy, we hit a string of expert sections that came fast and didn’t let up.

• Longfellow Draft: Wet, rutted, and greasy — the kind of trail where your rear wheel wants to be in a different county than your front.
• Paddy Mountain Rd: Steep and rocky with elevation that made the air feel thinner.
• Sharpback Hollow: Mud. Just… mud. Deep, dark, sticky, tire-swallowing goo that looked like it had been fermenting since the last ice age. Guy found out his new Gore-Tex boots weren’t all that waterproof.

This was the heart of Day 3 — a terrain buffet for anyone who likes their dual-sport rides served challenging. No major drops, but plenty of dabs, paddle-walking, and “why is this the route?” commentary over the comms.

Sharpback Hollow – we’re too far in to turn around now!

Sharpback Hollow – one last surprise!

Duncan Trail, Tea Knob, and Red Tongue: Full Commitment Required

We kept pressing east and hit Duncan Driveable Trail, a rocky, grassy mess of a track that tried its best to twist ankles and high-center skid plates. We took a snack break on the roadside afterward, laughing more out of relief than hunger.

Then came Tea Knob and Red Tongue Driveable Trails, which leaned heavily into the “expert” part of the day. More mud. More ruts. And the growing awareness that our legs were done. Walters Rd, the final expert section, was mercifully tame — a soft landing after a full day of trail brawling.

Back to Lock Haven: Bikes, Beers, and a Proper Send-Off

Rolling back into Lock Haven was both a relief and a celebration. We washed the bikes, loaded the trailer, and limped over to Main Street Grill — same place we ate the first night, now officially our start-and-finish line. The food hit the spot, the service was top notch, and the mood was all high-fives and exaggerations. We’d earned it.

Day 3 Tally:

• Miles: ~170
• Terrain: Rock-strewn climbs, rut-filled descents, and all the mud you could want
• Mishaps: Zero crashes, several moments of spiritual crisis
• Highlights: Poe Paddy, Sharpback, Duncan, and making it out upright
• Group Quote: “I tipped over because the ground just wasn’t where I expected it to be.”