A guide to mountain biking in Northern Virginia (Off the beaten track mountain bike series)

Rating:
Summary: is it me? or are these hills getting bigger?
Review: I first purchased this book last year, and have now ridden two of the major areas in the book. #1 Elizabeth Furnace ( rides 1,9,22 ) #2 North River (rides 14,16,17 ) For the most part the author has done a very good job of preparing his maps ( est. the distances, showing landmarks, stream crossings ) although the maps are not made to scale (according to author). The maps I used I would rate as 90% accurate. The problem with this book, is how the author rates the difficulty of the different rides. The rides that he rates as moderate, I would rate as difficult or very difficult. The Hankey Mountian ride (#17) involved a five mile climb up a fire road. The author fails to include this in his ride description, saying only that the ride up is smooth, with a few steep pitches. ( more like 10 steep pitches, some you just have to walk).In Elizabeth Furnace, the Signal Knob ride(#22) rated very difficult by the author, involved a one mile plus portage up the mountain over boulders. Wearing cycling shoes with cleats, this was not easy. Once you make the ajustment in ride difficulty the book was very useful.( note: I am 46 yrs. young and have been mountian biking for 8 yrs. and am height/weight proportionate )