Epic Mountain Bike Rides
I am going to try something a little bit different for today’s post and get some feedback out of you guys. Everyone has a favorite trail. It can be your locals only spot or that destination that you finally got the chance to ride.
Here Is What I Want You To Do
Share your favorite riding spot in the comments section below. We all share the same passion and excitement for the sport of mountain biking, but sometimes it takes different forms on different trails. I (and everyone else) want to know your favorite riding spot and your experience riding it. Use the comment section below to share with the rest of us where that is.
What Is My Favorite Riding Spot?
Pisgah National Forest – North Carolina
There are miles and miles of the best singletrack you will ever find. From the locals only quiet spots to all out tourist destinations like Bent Creek and the new lift assisted 26 West, you can find anything within a 30 min drive in the mountains of North Carolina.
Out of all of the options you have at your disposal in Pisgah, the Laurel Mountain and Pilot Rock route has to be at the top of my list as of right now. Laurel Mountain is a scenic climb up to the worst hike-a-bike I have ever been on. When you crest the top of Laurel, you descend on several miles of switchback infested rock garden that overlooks the tree filled NC mountains. There is something about cooking it on a 6″ bike at about 30 mph through a bolder garden that really gets the heart pounding. We take a break halfway down the downhill to enjoy the overlook of the beautiful North Carolina mountains. After the break…it’s back to ripping up rock filled, tight singletrack straight to the cars. By then, you are toast.
2nd Place…Windrock…you guys up in Whistler are used to marked drops and jumps…in TN we take them blind!
So don’t waste anytime! Share your favorite ride/spot below!
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Tags: 26 west, epic mountain biking rides, epic rides, laurel mountain, pilot rock, pisgah national forest, windrock
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My favorite route is Day 2 of the Sani2C (www.sani2c.co.za) which features a sensational 5km winding drop into the Umkomaas River valley. It is a awe inspiring view down into the valley from the top and then a hell of a climb later to get out of it.
Route description = http://tinyurl.com/65cvvc
Route map = http://tinyurl.com/5hhzx8
Richard
The Bull Mountain area. I love it. It’s less then an hour from my door and has a huge veritably in riding. It’s easy to put together a 50 mile day with minimal redundancy. Got rolling single track, long climbs, long descents, technical terrain, smooth terrain, double track and forest service roads to spin your legs out on.
You for sure will not mistake these for in town trails though, this is serious north Georgia mountain biking.
A decent map is here:
http://www.mindspring.com/~keithmc/rides/maps/festival2a.pdf
I like to park at the Bull Mountain parking noted in the map above. Then climb up the Bull Mountain trail and on up to Bear Hare. You then get a serious decent down. Part of it’s technical single track then it dumps you out on some smooth and fast double track. Then take FS77a over to hit Turner Creek. Great trail. You can then drop down and take Jones Creek Ridge back.
Here is the GPS tracks for a *similar* route:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6651225
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D6651225&ie=UTF8&z=13
Google Maps Terrain: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D6651225&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13
jmillirons last blog post..Vassago
Oh and a great way to check out the Bull Mountain area is to do the Fool’s Gold 50/100 mile race. It’s a little expensive but is well supported and marked.
http://55nineperformance.com/100.html
jmillirons last blog post..Vassago
We are fortunate here in North Georgia to have so many great rides within a relatively short drive. Stanley Gap/Rich Mtn is one that stands out.
+1 on Windrock. It’s awesome to have that close by.
I love riding out west, Crested Butte, CO is probably my favorite. Takes a while to acclimate(town is at 9000 ft, trails up to 12K) But talk about gorgeous. I’m ready to return soon. Amazing alpine singletrack.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7512997@N08/sets/72157602062339088
I really love Big Creek in Roswell, GA just for the simple fact that it is within the “five mile radius” of my house. I like it for it’s convenience. It is a real simple, yet fun trail. I can get a quick ride in after work. I also really like Flat Creek…a trail I recently visited, the uphills are grueling and there is one downhill section that is quite fun.
A good place for an epic ride is Issaqueena Experimental Forest in Clemson, SC. It’s owned by Clemson University, and last time I checked, had over 45 miles of trails at that location alone.
I grew up a half mile from the forest. Almost didn’t make it out of high school from riding down there every day.
The last time I did a long ride up there, I rode for four hours and never hit the same trail twice. Since then, they’ve added a new freeride course on the back side of the forest, so now, it’s got something for everybody!
I think I’ll plan a trip soon.
Man I need to get out and bike more. Bout the only trail that I’ve ever ridden that I’ve liked is Chicopee Woods. I’m not an avid rider, but who knows what the future holds.
Tanasi at the Ocoee White Water Center near the GA/TN border. The singletrack is probably the best I’ve ridden anywhere. There are technical climbs, plenty of rocks and roots, and miles of fast trails. You can string together loops in a variety of ways and end up on Thunder Rock Express which is an amazing bomb. All in all it’s tough to beat for a riding experience in the Southeast.
To top it off, the parking lot is right by the main section from the 1996 Olympic kayaking competition. Over the summer there’s constantly rafting going on. It’s fun to watch and soak in the scene. If you go on a morning ride you can grill right by the river or go shoot it yourself.
While it’s not really an epic ride, Surveyors Ridge by Mount Hood in Oregon has some seriously epic views and it’s still a great ride.
GPS: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6355399
In the above, I also rode along the HWY a bit and took the Dog River trail up to Surveyors Ridge to make a loop out of it.
The climb up Dog River:
http://milliron.org/hosted/IMG_0146.jpg
One of the many views of Mount Hood along Surveyors Ridge:
http://milliron.org/hosted/IMG_0177.jpg
Retry on the Crested Butte pics, pickedd wrong link i bbelieve…
http://www.flickr.com/gp/7512997@N08/086H7V
Of course, Pisgah is at the top of the list for those of us from the south-east. Big descents and even bigger climbs. There is enough technical challenge to make it even tougher. Not to mention miles and miles of trails.
The Heartbreak ride we did in Feb has to be one of the best. From what I recall it worked out to 14 miles of climbing and 7 miles of DH with some of the classic Pisgah mtn views.
My new home trails in Huntsville AL provides all of the technical challenge of Pisgah with shorter climbs and descents. The climb up from the land trust on the “rocky road” is a shorter version of that climb up heartbreak.
There is an open space in Golden, CO called White Ranch. It’s a combo of good climbing, techie little stuff, and good downhill. I think this trail sums up (for the most part) what & how Colorado mtb is all about. This is one of the favorite of the ‘local’ riders, so there you go.
Copper Harbor, MI. At the northernmost tip of Michigan, nearly 2000 miles away from Miami, sits Copper Harbor. A tiny town with fantastic trails. The trail crew there have continue to expand on probably 50+ miles of pretty technical, flowing trail. Check out Keweenaw Adventure Company for more information and maps. While you’re heading there, stop in Houghton/Hancock to ride the “Tech Trails” at MTU and Churning Rapids. Both have some great XC.
I’d have to throw in my top 2.
San Juan Creek trail, Elsinore/Ortega to Capistrano, Ca
Santa Rosa Plateau, Murrieta, Ca
The San Juan is known for it’s famous downhill and has upper and lower loop sections. You get everything from pumpkin patched boulder climbing on switchbacks to winding downhill single tracks through canopied hallways of sage and oak brush. I particularly like the tight wooded sections you can zip through dodging the occasional low hanging branch or a thick lumberjack section of tree roots. A nice ride to do with the buddies, never would do this one alone though!
The Santa Rosa Plateau is basically my backyard playground and is some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Set behind Murrieta/Temecula, Ca’s equestrian estates is rolling hills with Serengeti type tree patches and vernal pools. The trail system accommodates any rider and is a wealthy patchwork of single tracks, from large open fields to the covered domes of tall oak trees. Literally a 5 minute drive from home, my father and I ride here a couple times a week.
pingrams last blog post..First Things First
I live in Golden, Colorado and am very lucky to have such easy access to the many, many trail systems in Jefferson County…all being great rides. But, since the title says EPIC rides, only one ride comes to mind for me, and that is the Monarch Crest Trail locatated in Poncha Springs/Salida, Colorado.
The Monarch Crest ride is a segment of the Continental Divide Trail. It offers more than 30 miles of mostly single track and incredible mountain scenery. Not the most technical ride, but at over 12,000 feet, you are certain to be challenged. Done as shuttle, you’ll encounter a few thousand feet of climbing and more than 6,000 feet of fun, non-technical descending. This is a must ride for anyone coming to Colorado.
It’s so great to see the participation here! Great to see people giving GPS coordinates and pictures too! This could be a whole website on it’s own – using GPS and Google Maps + photos.
Amazing Wildernesss last blog post..Downhill Skiing: Hydrate Regularly and Save Money
I agree with Bryan, the Monarch Crest Trail is an EPIC ride. There is some great stuff in Loma, Colorado as well, the numerous rides near Mary’s Loop have some beautiful views and many options.
Walker Ranch is a great little loop near Boulder, CO just up Baseline Rd.
@Andres: I have heard nothing but great things about CO’s riding. I am going to have to make a trip out there sometime soon.
The epicest ride I’ve been on is in Moab, UT. The ride begins in Castle Valley, meanders through the La Sals, and drops you off into Fisher Valley. We clocked in seven hours and 33 miles on this ride. We crossed Onion Creek (so named for its pungent smell) 28 times on the way to the shuttled car. Thank God for full moons. Funny thing, in those last five miles, I didn’t want the ride to end even as the Lactic Acid Gods threatened my finishing the ride at all.
Traceys last blog post..Men Are Like Mountain Bike Rides, If You Think About It
I know it’s a bit out of the ordinary, but there is an incredible trail in the Andes of Peru that descends 10,500 feet from the town of Olleros all the way to the ocean. It’s a trail we ride on our Inca Trail XC trip, and you can check out the video here:
http://www.sacredrides.com/media/videos
it’s easily the best trail I’ve ridden in my life.
Mike, president,
Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Holidays
My favorite route 3 day at mountain creek
Thank you for sharing.
sears partss last blog post..Online Shopping with Sears parts Discount Coupons
My fav ride is one that is close to home. A ride through the Rancho del Rey neighborhood in Chula Vista, CA. Nice single track, jump over to power line access road, more single track and then on home via city streets. Mtn biking is where ever you find it!
The Womble in Mt. Ida Arkansas. It was a blast. Looking forward to going back in October. (This time on a full suspension ride.)
The Phoenix / Scottsdale Arizona area is loaded with trails. There is a trail that winds from Phoenix thru Scottsdale and ends up at ASU in Tempe, AZ. It is a great ride with no traffic and great views.