Planning a Pisgah/Ashville Trip

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Hey guys,

Well a group of us Florida folks are planning a trip to the Asheville area for Memorial Day weekend. We will probably leave South Florida Thursday after work and arrive in the area early Friday morning. So we will ride all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday (maybe something short Monday, but doubtful). I have been to the area many times and know some of the trails, but I am looking for advice on what would be good to ride and in what order. We will be in a group of ~ 14 (intermediate to advanced riders, maybe a begginer thrown-in) and have vehicles to shuttle with. We will be a good mix of riders and would much rather ride Downhill than climb, but we aren't "Downhillers." Below is what we rode last year, so maybe you can kind of figure out the type of riding we liked.

Friday - Thrift and Sycamore Cove, I am very familiar with this figure 8 loop. I knew I wouldn't get anyone lost, and the climbing is kinda easy and the downhill(s) are fun. The faster, fitter people did 2 loops while some of the others had enough after just 1.

Saturday - We went to the N. Mills area and Parked at the Trace Ridge Trail Head. From there we pedaled up the Fire Service road to Spencer Gap, we followed Spencer Gap along the top and then descended down Trace through the trail head and all the way down to the River, Crossed it and then pedaled back up to the Trail head. From there we did Fletcher Creek, and then some of us went back up Trace and came down Spencer.

Sunday- We rode Dupont from the Corn Shoals Trail head.

Ok, this year... I would like to do some more "shuttling" not necessarily all DH type stuff, but maybe to eliminate climbing the Fire roads so much. When I say shuttling I mean leave 1 truck at the bottom and bring the WHOLE group back to the top and riding as long of a trail as possible, not making repeated short runs (but that is a possibility) I need to plan this in a way that we get as much bang for our buck. So the best bet is being able to hit as many trails in one area on a given day.

Some of my thoughts
Kitzuma - I love this trail and would like to take this group here, but what else could I do that same day? I mean I have done 2 loops there, and shuttling is just or almost as fast as riding back up the abandoned Highway. Also I do not know how to get there. Is this trail on the way into Asheville or some where else on the outskirts? If it is on the way into Ashville we could hit it Friday morning as we come into town ( we will be coming up i-26) ride it, then go check into our hotel/cabin whatever and then ride some thing later in the afternoon.

Laurel Mountain - I have ridden this trail as an out and back, up the trail to the top then turned around and took the 7 mile downhill,+ 3miles of gravel road. I have never done the Pilot Cove side. Is this trail good for Shuttling?

Brown Mountain? The pictures I have seen of this trail look like a lot of fun, deep berms, jumps etc, but is it just 1 section that I keep seeing pictures of? Is there enough riding where ever that is for a whole day of riding?

Bent Creek - the climb to the Heinous trails might be right at the limit for this group (not me!). I have done this area twice, one time I had a friend that lived there show me around and it was awsome. The next time we kinda did it on our own, we made it to the Heinous trails no problem, but seemed to miss a bunch of stuff coming down. It wasn't nearly as fun as I remembered, so maybe we missed some stuff? I am not sure.

Help me plan this trip! I have found with a group this big it is MUCH MUCH better to have a good plan laid out and then only modify it if we HAVE to (Bad weather etc) If you don't 1/2 your day will be spent arguing and deciding. I think that is it for now. I know it is a long way away, but it is never too early to plan. Also if anyone is up for riding with us/guiding the beers will be on me after.

Thanks!

[biggins]

yoyoyo whats up homes. i got your pm, give me a few and ill see what i can do. you may also wanna talk with bizutch/jeremyr about some shuttling. bennet gap and places like that. ill be back in a little while.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
yoyoyo whats up homes. i got your pm, give me a few and ill see what i can do. you may also wanna talk with bizutch/jeremyr about some shuttling. bennet gap and places like that. ill be back in a little while.

wErD, no problem I figured you'd get back to me, but I was bored and wanted to get some thoughts down before I actually started working.

I have shuttled Bennet Gap before, and it is fun. But it is kinda short, maybe I could work that in as a short ride at the end of a day or in conjunction with something else? Maybe drop off at the top of Clawhammer, come down Black Mountain to Thrift, then do Sycamore, then go back to the Ranger station and start shuttling Bennet?

The whole key is trying to decide what to ride and in what order so you we are not running all over the Pisgah Forest in the trucks instead of on the bikes.

[biggins]

it sounds like you know the pisgah area pretty well. kitzuma is east of asheville on I-40 about 15 minutes. in the town of black mountain. i love that trail but it sucks on a big big bike which kinda sucks because a big bike is the most fun way to go down that trail. i have some pretty horrific tales from that trail. as far as brown mountain goes, that place is off the hook. you can make a day out of it then camp and get a tour of wilsons creek area with the hick hucksters as well. if you do the 1-8-7-6-1-9 combo at brown you will get your ass worked but it is so worth it. bring a big bike for brown mountain cause that place is blazing fast with lots of hits on it. although the captain rode it on his switch ( 5 inch) with no problem he still was not able to keep up with the big bike.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
it sounds like you know the pisgah area pretty well. kitzuma is east of asheville on I-40 about 15 minutes. in the town of black mountain. i love that trail but it sucks on a big big bike which kinda sucks because a big bike is the most fun way to go down that trail. i have some pretty horrific tales from that trail. as far as brown mountain goes, that place is off the hook. you can make a day out of it then camp and get a tour of wilsons creek area with the hick hucksters as well. if you do the 1-8-7-6-1-9 combo at brown you will get your ass worked but it is so worth it. bring a big bike for brown mountain cause that place is blazing fast with lots of hits on it. although the captain rode it on his switch ( 5 inch) with no problem he still was not able to keep up with the big bike.

Cool, where is Brown Mtn in relation to Asheville?? We won't be doing the Camping thing, we are a bunch of pretty boys ya know!:D There will be a good mix of riders so we need to stay away from trails that would require a Big Bike. I am sure a few people will be on XC rigs, I ride a Heckler, and thats all I have :D

[biggins]

from asheville you will want to travel east. it is between marion and morganton. it is worth the drive and the the guys on xc bikes will still have fun. everything is rollable. it can be kind of epic due to some of the technicality of a few trails. deep ruts and stuff can be found. your heckler would be a lot of fun on it. there is some climbing involved unless you have a pretty serious rig to drive to the top. id be all about going out there with you guys maybe we can get a large ride up that day. also we go there and drive back when done. its only about 1.25-1.5 hours from my house to the parking lot.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
id be all about going out there with you guys maybe we can get a large ride up that day. also we go there and drive back when done. its only about 1.25-1.5 hours from my house to the parking lot.

You can only come if you bring your avatar girl and some of her friends. :D :cool:

[biggins]

if i had that girl i would not go anywhere. id just stay home and....well you get the idea.

[biggins]

a pic of berm at brown mountain.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

We are also looking for a place to stay. Possibly cabins or something. There will be ~ 14 of us, mostly guys, so we cant be shacking up 2 to a Queen size bed.

Let the cracks begin....

But if anyone knows of a good place to stay, or has a hook-up, or a referral that will be a good price and you get a kick-back, let me know.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Come on.... No one else but Biggins is helping :(

[T-Pirate]

Sorry, didnt catch this thread. I dont know much more than has already been said, other than you mentioned getting dropped off at the top of clawhammer, I dont think you are allowed to drive up clawhammer. Another fun, but nonshuttlable trail is Horse Cove Gap, its kind of taken over by horses, and sort of out there, but it has some killer downhills on it. Its off some gravel roads past the cradle of forestry. Trace and Spencer are always fun, as is Bennet gap, both ways down. It sounds like you have ridden about as much of pisgah as I have though.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Ok we have Hotel Accomodations..

We are staying in Black Mountain
at
Comfort INN Black Mountain
585 SR 9
Black Mountain, NC 28711

Playing with MapQuest and the info I could find it looks REAL close to Kitzuma, so I was thinking this

Day 1... driving through the night from FL (NW on 26)... stop eat breakfast some where. Then head east on 40 towards Kitzuma. Do 2 laps (shuttling). Then head to lunch and check in at the Hotel. Finally arent Sawannoa dirt jumps also in that area? I have seen pictures of the big jumps, but are there jumps there for all skill levels to play on? Well not begginers, but say Advanced technically skilled XC guys?

[biggins]

well brown mountain will open back up on march 15. your staying in black mountain? i just moved there this week. kitsuma is so much fun. the swannanoa jumps are about 10 minutes from black mountain. there are some smaller sets there that are beginner oriented but can still be intimidating for people because its a twelve pack. your gonna take people that have never climbed real mountains before up kitsuma?!?your a :devil: you can actually ride your bike from where you are staying to kitsuma.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
well brown mountain will open back up on march 15. your staying in black mountain? i just moved there this week. kitsuma is so much fun. the swannanoa jumps are about 10 minutes from black mountain. there are some smaller sets there that are beginner oriented but can still be intimidating for people because its a twelve pack. your gonna take people that have never climbed real mountains before up kitsuma?!?your a :devil: you can actually ride your bike from where you are staying to kitsuma.

Come on, if we shuttle old 70 out of the picture, even if they have to walk every switchback it is not that bad! You should have seen the time we took a BUS of 26 riders on that trail. The bus had to park right by Ridgemont? So we had to climb a pretty steep but short road/on/off ramp to get to the first trail head. There were people huffing and puffing already, I knew they were gonna be hurting.

Our trip is Memorial day weekend and day 1 will be that Friday! You coming? Show us around and beer and food is on me!

I am pretty sure 1 day we will spend at Dupont. Everyone likes that area. Any other suggestions, let me know.

[biggins]

did i hear beer and food? what is the date of that friday? yeah dude 2 good uphills. i ride with some guys that cruise that sh!t with no problem not a dab or even a sweat really. boombatsz pedals that on his rm-7. last time he was here we rode it in the rain. including the old 70 climb back to the car.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Finally

The time is getting near. Biggins I was concerned when I saw a picture of you in a cast at the Asheville Comp. Are you still in riding condition?

Is the "ClawHammer" ride that descends Black Mountain shuttleable?

[T-Pirate]

I think biggins is out, how long til you are up here, we can ride probably.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by T-Pirate
I think biggins is out, how long til you are up here, we can ride probably.

Cool the more the better.. We will be there the Friday AM, before Memorial Day, which is May 28th. We are staying in Brevard at the Holiday Inn at the intersection where Back Country OutDoors is. Since we will have been driving through the night we will probably want to take it slightly easy on Friday, so the more shuttling the better.

[T-Pirate]

I'll see, we have exams the week after that, but I assume we can get up for a day of riding sometime on the weekend. I will tell you what day we can get up there then you tell me where you are riding.

[biggins]

Originally posted by Mtb_Rob_FL
Cool the more the better.. We will be there the Friday AM, before Memorial Day, which is May 28th. We are staying in Brevard at the Holiday Inn at the intersection where Back Country OutDoors is. Since we will have been driving through the night we will probably want to take it slightly easy on Friday, so the more shuttling the better.

yup im out for a while. however if yall come to asheville i would me more than happy to give you a tour of some of the local watering holes arounnd town

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
yup im out for a while. however if yall come to asheville i would me more than happy to give you a tour of some of the local watering holes arounnd town

No doubt, I am sure I will still call to harrass your brain. Leave the Banjo at home and I will still buy you a beer :cool: :cool:

Get better

[biggins]

Originally posted by Mtb_Rob_FL
No doubt, I am sure I will still call to harrass your brain. Leave the Banjo at home and I will still buy you a beer :cool: :cool:

Get better

sounds good to me, icant pick the banjo for a few months anyway.lookin forward to meetin you guys soon.

[bizutch]

Hey bud...you're looking for a really, really long descent...one time shot.

The best bet for that is the Mt. Mitchell shuttle....relatively intermediate, super long....ends at the base of Kitsuma...then if you feel froggy, you can go ride Kitsuma as a loop.

The whole shuttle takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete. Real fun but you wouldn't wanna leave a tour bus at the top.

Fred at Pro-Bikes can tell you how best to get down it.

828-253-2800 or fred@pro-bikes.com

Biggins, can I borrow your front wheel? We're shuttling this weekend and I am waiting on my new rims to come in.

Peace,
Butch

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
Hey bud...you're looking for a really, really long descent...one time shot.

The best bet for that is the Mt. Mitchell shuttle....relatively intermediate, super long....ends at the base of Kitsuma...then if you feel froggy, you can go ride Kitsuma as a loop.

The whole shuttle takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete. Real fun but you wouldn't wanna leave a tour bus at the top.

Fred at Pro-Bikes can tell you how best to get down it.

828-253-2800 or fred@pro-bikes.com
Peace,
Butch

Sweet man, we aren't actually coming in a tour bus this time. A smaller group. That sounds awsome, cause then if we have any energy after that shuttle and Kitzuma we can hit the dirt jumps in that area.

[bizutch]

you'll have to park the vehice a ways down the road from the entrance to the shuttle. It leads off the parkway.

Just be sure to walk your bikes in to the woods. The rule on the parkway is that you aren't supposed to ride a bike on anything within 200 yards of the parkway. It's basicly a rule to keep them off the mountains to sea trail which parallels the parkway.

[biggins]

Originally posted by bizutch
Hey bud...you're looking for a really, really long descent...one time shot.

The best bet for that is the Mt. Mitchell shuttle....relatively intermediate, super long....ends at the base of Kitsuma...then if you feel froggy, you can go ride Kitsuma as a loop.

The whole shuttle takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete. Real fun but you wouldn't wanna leave a tour bus at the top.

Fred at Pro-Bikes can tell you how best to get down it.

828-253-2800 or fred@pro-bikes.com

Biggins, can I borrow your front wheel? We're shuttling this weekend and I am waiting on my new rims to come in.

Peace,
Butch


yeah you can borrow it.youll have to come and get it though cause i cant drive

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
you'll have to park the vehice a ways down the road from the entrance to the shuttle. It leads off the parkway.

Just be sure to walk your bikes in to the woods. The rule on the parkway is that you aren't supposed to ride a bike on anything within 200 yards of the parkway. It's basicly a rule to keep them off the mountains to sea trail which parallels the parkway.

Sounds good... Want to show us the way? We would probably do this on Saturday or Sunday May 29 or 30th?

Originally posted by biggins
yeah you can borrow it.youll have to come and get it though cause i cant drive

Bring this guy some beer or something... I saw the pictures.. ugh :dead:

[bizutch]

might can do that. got a bud who has a huge trailer and sister-in-law who would drive us. depends on what the rest of the "crew" is doing that weekend.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
might can do that. got a bud who has a huge trailer and sister-in-law who would drive us. depends on what the rest of the "crew" is doing that weekend.

Sounds like a good ride, Kitzuma is bada$$ on its own, so having a long Shuttle run into it sounds perfect. Then maybe some Dirt Jumps after

Let me know... We should have at least 2 SUV's and one Pick-up truck.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
The best bet for that is the Mt. Mitchell shuttle....relatively intermediate, super long....ends at the base of Kitsuma...then if you feel froggy, you can go ride Kitsuma as a loop.

The whole shuttle takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete. Real fun but you wouldn't wanna leave a tour bus at the top.

Fred at Pro-Bikes can tell you how best to get down it.

828-253-2800 or fred@pro-bikes.com
Peace,
Butch

Fred said you are in trouble for recommending me contact him for a SHUTTLE. He said all trails should be ridden up and down regardless of the type of bike!

[bizutch]

Originally posted by Mtb_Rob_FL
Fred said you are in trouble for recommending me contact him for a SHUTTLE. He said all trails should be ridden up and down regardless of the type of bike!

I don't like 3.5 hour rides that result in me climbing back up a dirt road for 30 minutes. I guess I should have warned you that if you go on a ride with Fred, bring a map, a desire to suffer and more food and water than you ever thought you'd need.....:p

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
I don't like 3.5 hour rides that result in me climbing back up a dirt road for 30 minutes. I guess I should have warned you that if you go on a ride with Fred, bring a map, a desire to suffer and more food and water than you ever thought you'd need.....:p

No no no.. .That doesn't sound like fun for me either.

He gave me some basic info, but not enough that I would feel comfortable with.

Let me know if you can make it. This is the one ride on our trip that I wont do without a guide, so whatever day you can make it...

Let me know.

[T-Pirate]

You stoppin in G-vegas? You should.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by T-Pirate
You stoppin in G-vegas? You should.

Well if that is where I gotta go to get your AutoGraph:p

Seriously, my buddy and I are finishing up the plans next week, so I will let you know. The group is small enough to where we can make some changes on the fly if we have to, but having planned a few of these trips before it is MUCH MUCH better to have a plan and stick to it if possible.

[bizutch]

Ok. just keep reminding me. I can't promise, but if I can't I'll get somebody who can.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by T-Pirate
You stoppin in G-vegas? You should.


T, its not looking good for a G-Vegas stop. I completely forgot we will be passing by your area around 6am Friday morning.

[SpaZwEll]

What are you guys plans on Saturday?

I am going to roll in late Friday night on 1206. Maybe we can catch a ride.:)

[T-Pirate]

Originally posted by Mtb_Rob_FL
T, its not looking good for a G-Vegas stop. I completely forgot we will be passing by your area around 6am Friday morning.



Ok....well I DEFINATELY wont be up by then, so thats too bad. What time are you leaving from florida then?! Well if you decide to come down, I checked it out, you will pass within about 15 minutes of the trails.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by SpaZwEll
What are you guys plans on Saturday?

I am going to roll in late Friday night on 1206. Maybe we can catch a ride.:)

Saturday and Sunday are interchangeable at the moment depending on who is available to show us some trails. I am comfortable doing option (B) without a "guide" but not option (A). Not including Bizutch who has gratiously offered his services (possibly) I have another buddy that lives up there, that is checking his schedule. So it will either be (A) or (B) and then which ever it isn't we will be doing that ride on Sunday.

(A) Shuttle down Mt Mitchell (Heartbreak Ridge) to Kitzuma, then ride Kitzuma and last but not least stop by some dirt jumps.

(B) In the N Mills area. Leaving a vehicle at N Mills River, then going to the Parkway, riding down Laurel Mountain all the way to the N Mills, then up to Spencer Gap, across, down Spencer Branch then the lower part of Trace back to N Mills. Then possibly back up to Spencer Gap and down Trace the second time.


Originally posted by T-Pirate
Ok....well I DEFINATELY wont be up by then, so thats too bad. What time are you leaving from florida then?! Well if you decide to come down, I checked it out, you will pass within about 15 minutes of the trails.

We are leaving S Florida Thursday after work, as early as possible, it is about a 12 hour drive.

[SpaZwEll]

Originally posted by Mtb_Rob_FL

(B) In the N Mills area. Leaving a vehicle at N Mills River, then going to the Parkway, riding down Laurel Mountain all the way to the N Mills, then up to Spencer Gap, across, down Spencer Branch then the lower part of Trace back to N Mills. Then possibly back up to Spencer Gap and down Trace the second time.

[/B]

That one sounds good. I'll be on 1206 camped out by Slate Rock trailhead. Probably will be able to ride w/ you guys Saturday. Sunday and Monday going to be xc.

let me know

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by SpaZwEll
That one sounds good. I'll be on 1206 camped out by Slate Rock trailhead. Probably will be able to ride w/ you guys Saturday. Sunday and Monday going to be xc.

let me know

I have no idea where 1206 Slate Rock Trailhead is

These are all XC rides, we are just properly planning so we spend more time going down then up. Here is the make up of our group
3 guys on Hecklers ( I was the FIRST to get 1 just FYI)
1 guy on a Big Hit - but he rides the most road at home, and is the youngest
1 Specialized Enduro
1 older Jamis Dakar
1 Blurr
I am not sure what the last guy rides.

[SpaZwEll]

It is Forest Service Rd 1206. The same road that cuts through Pisgah from North Mills River Campground to other side of Pisgah on US276.

If you don't know where it is you can find it on one of the topo maps in the park.

I'll probably just bring my blur too, and not the big bike. Makes it a lot easier on the climbs.

But if you don't know where. I can just meet you somewhere.

[Lwac]

You guys aren't bringing a sand-bagger named Ralph up here are you? I sure hope you're not going to invade Bent Creek again either. Geeze, we're still finding Thunderbird bottles in the bushes!

Regarding Laurel Mountain suggestion:

Because you might have acouple of slowpokes, leave a vehicle at the Mills River parking lot. Don't be cheap - pay the $3. Be sure to take a good map. Haul yourselves up to the Laurel Mtn trail head. Warm the legs going up the ridge line. At Good Enough Gap (you might have to study your map for the location. If you hit a steep hike-a-bike, you missed it. GEG is the last "rest area" before the Pilot Rock hike) go right down to the Big Creek connector. Enjoy the scenery to the reservoir. Wade and eat something. Those who have had enough can go out by way of the Trace Ridge parking lot and either take a gravel road ride or take a bonus trail back down to the Mills River parking lot. While they’re sucking down all the liquid refreshments, those folks who want to travel more can look at the great map they remembered to bring and do the Middle Fork/Fletcher Creek loop and end with the same two options.

Someone will have to go get the shuttle vehicle. It's only three miles up the road. Be sure to save those guys a beer.

All in all, you get in 20+ miles, technical x-country and a lot of beautiful scenery. But, you may have done this before and found it boring.

Asheville - with an "e"

8)

[BillT]

Rob,

This is Bill...I'm friends with Mark and live up in Orlando and will be joining you guys on the trip. I think I might have met you the last time there was a big group up from south FL up at Alafia/TOE.

All of the rides mentioned sound great - I just can't wait to get out of Florida and ride something new! I was supposed to get the remaining parts for my Blur today to get it built up for the trip, but they didn't come, so I may end up having to bring my old Ellsworth (which really isn't all that bad).

Anyway, looking forward to the trip.

Bill

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by Lwac
You guys aren't bringing a sand-bagger named Ralph up here are you? I sure hope you're not going to invade Bent Creek again either. Geeze, we're still finding Thunderbird bottles in the bushes!8)

Nope, no one named Ralph is going. However I do not know a few. Bent Creek is great, but I am not that familiar with the trails there. Last time I climbed all the way up the the Heinous drop-ins did that trail, but then missed most of the other stuff going down ad the rest of it seemed like just fire-road descending. I had a good time, but these guys will kill me if I make them climb all the way up past 5 points for 10 minutes of tech Dhill and then Fireroad the rest of the way.

I cant wait

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
Ok. just keep reminding me. I can't promise, but if I can't I'll get somebody who can.

I am reminding you :D

[bizutch]

I'll make a couple calls.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
I'll make a couple calls.

Anything anything? We are leaving tomorrow. I CANT WAIT! I will PM you my cell phone # as we will have 10 hours of a drive. Even if you can't hook us up with that specific ride it is always good to party with the locals.

[Jeremy R]

I wish I could show you guys around, but I will be at the US Open instead.:D
If you have that Laurel Mtn. ride figured out, and you hit up Kitsuma, then I'm sure to have a blast no matter what.
I ride up there all the time, and I still do not know all the stuff that the locals do. Have fun!

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by Jeremy R
I wish I could show you guys around, but I will be at the US Open instead.:D
If you have that Laurel Mtn. ride figured out, and you hit up Kitsuma, then I'm sure to have a blast no matter what.
I ride up there all the time, and I still do not know all the stuff that the locals do. Have fun!

Good luck at the US Open. I am good to go with the Laurel/Spencer/Trace ride. I am working on the info for the Mt Mitchel to Kitzuma. Once I am at Kitzuma I am good, but its the shuttle part before it.

[bizutch]

working on it now. Sunday right? You'll need a driver to drop everyone off up top....is anyone willing to or are you wanting to leave a vehicle at the top and send someone back up to get it?


I'm sure there may be a place to leave a vehicle up top on the parkway at one of the overlooks but didn't know if EVERYONE was gonna do the shuttle.

[SpaZwEll]

Let me know i you want to meet up to ride Saturday. I am heading up Friday night. :D

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
working on it now. Sunday right? You'll need a driver to drop everyone off up top....is anyone willing to or are you wanting to leave a vehicle at the top and send someone back up to get it?


I'm sure there may be a place to leave a vehicle up top on the parkway at one of the overlooks but didn't know if EVERYONE was gonna do the shuttle.


Sunday is perfect, we will do the Laurel ride Saturday. We are definitly going to need a place to leave vehicle(s) up top. Not all of us will fit in 1 vehicle. So we would have to leave 1 car at the bottom and the rest at the top. When we are finished we will send some people to go get the cars at the top.

However we are also working on another option... A friend up there runs a "tour" service which he has a 15 passenger van and an open trailer, but that possibility is looking slim.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by SpaZwEll
Let me know i you want to meet up to ride Saturday. I am heading up Friday night. :D

PMing you my info, we are staying at the Hampton Inn in Brevard right across from BackCountry Outdoors.

[bizutch]

Originally posted by Mtb_Rob_FL
PMing you my info, we are staying at the Hampton Inn in Brevard right across from BackCountry Outdoors.


Geez....if you're staying in Brevard, you got 10 days of riding at your back. Black Mountain, Clawhammer, Avery Creek, Bennetts Gap, Pink Beds, Farlow Gap, Daniel Ridge....and on and on and on and on and on............:p

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Thanks to all the guys that offered up some info....

We arrived kinda early Friday morning even after taking a NOT SO SHORT, short cut through Greenville SC up 276 to Brevard. I told my buddy to stay on 26 until Asheville, but he wanted to try out the directions via his Laptop and GPS. 276 is a beautiful drive but NOT exactly what I wanted to see after being in the car for 12 hours.

We rode Dupont all day Friday and as always it is a great ride. I should have done a few more laps of Burnt Mountain.

Saturday got all f--cked up trying to coordinate a bunch of different stuff but we finally got it together around noon, headed up to the Parkway and went down Laurel to an "un-named" connector trail to Big Creek. Holy crap was the connector trail steep and switched back. I spent enough time behind my seat that I was actually worried my shorts would get caught in the rear wheel. From there we descended down the rest of Big Creek, which is a cool trail but I was over the creek crossing after the 3154254 one. Big Creek dumps out at a reservoir that is close to the Trace Ridge trail head. We climbed the short climb to the Trace ridge trail head and then descended the lower 1/2 of trace crossed the river and back to where one of our trucks was at N Mills river. We rested, ate lunch and then shuttled up to Spencer Branch, climbed Spencer Branch and headed down from the top of Trace. Trace really isnt anything difficult, but it is so fast and so much fun. Then we went down the lower 1/2 of Trace again. Then a few of us got shuttled back to the Trace Ridge trail head and did the lower 1/2 once again while the rest of the folks headed up to the Parkway to get the other vehicles.

We got rained out Sunday and headed home. Despite the shortened stay I still had a great time. Thanks to Jeff "SpaZwell" for being so patient Saturday. Unfortunately someone from S Florida (not in our group, but one of our friends) got hurt descending a trail from the Parkway and was being rescued out by the Mountain Patrol. We had to use our Shuttle truck to help out the other group getting their cars and stuff, which cut down on our riding.

Biggins, I got your message on our way out of town, the whole Mountains thing really messes with Cell phone reception. We never really made it into Asheville, although we kept planning on it. By the time we were done riding each evening, showered up it was already 9pm or so and we didn't want to make a late late night of anything, so we just ate in Brevard.

I didn't take any riding pictures, if I get any from my friends I will post them up.

[BillT]

It was a pretty fun trip. I too would have liked to have done Burnt mountain at least 1 more time (if not 2 or 3 more times). I think I could have totally trashed my Truth with a couple more hard runs down that trail. Saturday was a bit of screw up - my personal feeling is that we should not have waited as long as we did. Taking away the initial hike-a-bike and the 15 million stream crossings, the ride from up top was pretty fun. The second run was a blast as well after that initial climb (man, do I dislike climbing - give me a ski lift any day!). It was unfortunate that Sunday got rained out, but what can you do. I am looking forward to next year when I'll be able to do a week or so out west (Mammoth or maybe Whistler).

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Yep if we didn't wait we could of gone up to Spencer Gap again and descended the Spencer Branch instead of Trace as well.

Oh well, we live and learn.

[BillT]

That would have been fun. I really enjoyed all the descending and the trails were in great shape. Unfortunately, the larger the group is, the harder it is to get it moving. Maybe next year we can all go to Mammoth and enjoy the trails out there - you'd love going down Bullet (very long with a very fast upper section and more technical, but still fast middle and lower sections) and Velocity (short, very steep DH race course with a cool bridge over another trail) as well as all the other trails there.

[biggins]

did the guy get hurt going down beaverdam gap from the parkway?the short trail that comes down to spencer/trace?

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
did the guy get hurt going down beaverdam gap from the parkway?the short trail that comes down to spencer/trace?

I am not exactly sure where it was, but it was a She. We tried to wait for the second group forever so they did not go with us. Our local left a note to go down a different trail (with directions), so I am not exactly sure what it was. However they were coordinating extraction efforts from the Trace Ridge Trail head.

We went down starting from the Pisgah recreation area on the Parkway. Walked the first 1/2 mile of the Laurel Mtn trail and then rode what was REALLY REALLY rooty rocky mostly hike a bike stuff at the top and then it opened up a little. Then we came to where a trail veered to the left (UN-named connector trail to Big Creek.) This part was FREAKING AWSOME, but steep and switched back 235432 times.

I hope your band thing went well. Sorry we couldn't make it. We were trying to make the most of the "White Squirrel Festival" in Brevard
http://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/funmeter1.gif

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by biggins
did the guy get hurt going down beaverdam gap from the parkway?the short trail that comes down to spencer/trace?

This is good info, when we shuttled Trace, we actually just took that Forest Road that starts at N Mills River(I forget the # right now) to the Spencer Gap Single track and climbed that. I guess we could of taken that road all the way to the top dropped down Beaverdam gap.

Going ALL the way down Trace is so much fun. :D :D

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Many props to all you guys that take Riding Pictures. My camera never made it out onto the trails. Here are some that I did take

Loading up. Santa Cruz should love us. That is 3 Hecklers with a Big Hit yet to be loaded. Who wants a crappy specialized ruining the picture anyway :rolleyes:
http://www.freeridesouth.com/pics/pictures/2829.jpg
Cool Picture I took when I got bored 45 minutes into the 121444444444 hour drive. My big ass knocked the PathFinder in Nuetral... oops
http://www.freeridesouth.com/pics/pictures/2830.jpg
Finally we are unloading at Dupont
http://www.freeridesouth.com/pics/pictures/2831.jpg
What you DON'T want to see when you wake up and look out your hotel window on your MTB Trip
http://www.freeridesouth.com/pics/pictures/2833.jpg
All of us trying not to cry after cutting our trip short 1 day (thats me in the visor sitting shot-gun)
http://www.freeridesouth.com/pics/pictures/2832.jpg

[bizutch]

I never got a phone call from you about Sunday....there was a group doing the Mitchell DH shuttle that day....it poured until 11am, then stopped. They were riding about 12-1pm . You could have done it with them with no problems...they had agreed to show you the route.

But you were in Brevard...which always gets dumped on.....how you didn't call me?

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
I never got a phone call from you about Sunday....there was a group doing the Mitchell DH shuttle that day....it poured until 11am, then stopped. They were riding about 12-1pm . You could have done it with them with no problems...they had agreed to show you the route.

But you were in Brevard...which always gets dumped on.....how you didn't call me?

Sorry man.... After our organizational nightmare that was Saturday we had decided just to ride with our group on Sunday, we were going to do Clawhammer or the rest of Dupont. I also ran into another friend of mine from Atlanta on Saturday who had done the Heartbreak ride without the shuttle. When he described the ride to our group a few of the guys looked at me with some dismay, and they were not thrilled about the hour drive (however they are more than happy to f--k around for WAY more than an hour doing useless crap). In order to try to make everyone happy the plans changed. Oh well, I do not forsee myself planning for such a group again.

Thanks though

[bizutch]

it's cool. why do you think I got those other guys to lead you down....so I didn't have to babysit the stragglers. I'm sure you and your buds were fine with the ride but the select few who can break themselves on Trace Ridge would have ruined it for everyone.

If you come back up, I'll hook you up on an epic shuttle that's way better. Bring a fullface and some knee pads.

:D

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Originally posted by bizutch
it's cool. why do you think I got those other guys to lead you down....so I didn't have to babysit the stragglers. I'm sure you and your buds were fine with the ride but the select few who can break themselves on Trace Ridge would have ruined it for everyone.

If you come back up, I'll hook you up on an epic shuttle that's way better. Bring a fullface and some knee pads.

:D

I hear ya. There was a bit of waiting on the Laurel/Big Creek downhill. Its all in good fun though, I rather wait and have everyone make it down in one piece with a smile (or at least a muddy grin) then have to wait for EMS or something. This group is a good bunch of people so I am happy (even though my mood at any one particular moment may not seem to agree with this) to sacrifice a little riding skill/fitness whatever for the good company.

I do not own a full face or Knee Pads... I do every thing on my Heckler, clipped in and holding on. :D :D Occassionally I will even lower the seat:rolleyes:

I know Trace isn't hard, but damn it is SO much fun, one of these days I will man up and hit the big double leading into the trail head. I was a little disappointed that the big log going across a section on the lower section was cut away, I came so close to clearing that sucker on my Sugar last year, I know I was going over it on the Heckler.

Thanks again for everyone's input though.