Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540851
November 2025 27 Soon, 380+ riders exited Charlie's farm and began what would be two incredible days of sweet, flowy trails. Right out of the gate, we were treated to miles of freshly cut single track that wove up and over through the hillsides. Now, you'd think with that many riders hi ng the trail almost all at once, it would be a bit of a cluster, but I'm happy to report that the vast majority of Monkey Bu riders appear to be quite experienced, with only one short bot- tleneck at a hill climb within the first 5 miles of the event. Included with the entry fee, each entrant received a meal voucher redeemable at the on-site food truck rodeo, which was open throughout the day and weekend. I took advantage of these ckets, and I'm happy to report the food was nothing short of spec- tacular. Saturday night's fes vi es included a killer live classic rock band, and all were treated to an impressive fireworks display. The amount of new single track that Wayne County members cut this year was impressive beyond words. Whether it be steep, rooty climbs and descents or challenging off-camber ridges that turn you on, the Wayne County crew cut trails that appealed to all. With so much to offer, it's no surprise that the Mon- key Bu is a rac ng more and more riders each year. My ride of choice for the Monkey Bu 2025 was my 2024 KTM 300 XC-W Hard Enduro, a bike that has undergone numerous upgrades and improvements over the last two seasons. Earlier this season, I had Drew Smith at Works Enduro Rider set the suspension up for rocks, roots, and generally slower-going terrain, and as always, Drew flat-out nailed it, as the bike just ate up everything in its way with no drama and turned as if it was on rails. Another upgrade that has prov- en to be a tremendous bargain is the Two Stroke Performance ERM unit provided by Slavens Racing. Having the ability to easily tune your Austrian TBI bike to fit your needs is a game changer. The learn- ing curve has been fun, and now that I'm in mately familiar with it, fueling changes can be made way faster than changing jets. With li le rain in the Northeast over the past few months, as expected, the area was quite dusty. However, a er the first hour or so, riders found their groove and spread out enough to keep the dust manageable. I'd like to thank the club mem- bers and landowners for their generous hospitality, which included a much-appreciated lunch stop and a few lemonade stands along the pavement sec- ons.