Western NC - Ride and Camp 2020

I’m not worried about you, @eidsondesign or my buddy Jeff keeping up.

@stronghammer no worries man. I think I’ve got some routes that’ll make you happy, we can shuttle some and pedal some, to be honest even the shuttle routes are still going to be a challenge but you’ll have fun.

Edit: I’d like to try to keep the group together as much as possible

 

What’s your skill level like, downhill? Comfortable with some pretty decent chunk, drops, etc?

 

So you saw my video of the drop right? That was about a 4ft built drop, totaled about 6-7ft drop at landing point. I’d do it again but it took mental prep and still scared me.

my highest comfort level is downhill, technical, drops that just happen from the speed, and not jumping lol. That’s what I have around here. Got up to 20mph on a downhill here yesterday, idk how that compares but it felt fast lol

 

Not gonna lie, was pretty pumped to see Jeff and Dave where in again. Maybe @eidsondesign won’t be cleansing this time around and can hoist a post ride brew with us

 

Most of the trails we will be riding are more rooty/rocky than built jumps like that. But more like 2-3’ drops.

 

That sounds like my local trails. I’m fine with 2-3’ and rocky/chunky/rooty. That built drop was at a park a few hours away, my local stuff is all technical rock, which is also what makes my “climbing training” pretty difficult. I don’t have much climbing I can progress on, it’s level 1 of easy or level 10 hard, with not much in between.

 

This is the trail I got to 20mph on yesterday. Top elevation is about 1030ft, and I put the marker where the main downhill sort of ends. Colors on Trailforks are obviously going up so just reverse the numbers for climb and descent. ~200ft over .5 mile. Not sure how that compares?

 

Don’t worry, he will tip a few back.

 

You're the second to have that opinion about Specialized. Any specific reason or just past experience? Wife and I have several friends who we consider really good riders who have Specialized.

On the subject of fitness and route planning - I'd like to get one legit Pisgah ride in during the weekend. It might turn into more of a hike-a-bike for me than the others but I'm good with a map and will find my way back eventually. I also reacquainted myself with Dupont and am still happy to lead a group on those trails.

 

I will hike-a-bike with you, promise, 100% guaranteed.

 

I don't like the way I have seen them push small shops around. If you want to be a Spec dealer, they require something like 60% of your floor space to be Spec bikes and gear etc. I may be wrong in my numbers but the point is they are large enough to throw their weight around and it can make LBSs have a hard time carrying other brands. I just chose to spend my money with other companies.


We will for sure use our legs, we may shuttle up to ride Buckwheat/Bennett for instance, but there is still going to be a serious climb to be made up Club Gap. And we will ride Middle and Lower Black, and there is not really a good way to get there except a grind up Clawhammer. We did Big Rock and Ridgeline in DuPont last year, will probably do those as well this year.

 

so we'll ride this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cet8643NFWE

 

Yep, Bennett is one of my favs, we are riding it for sure.

 

here's another video I watched of the trails you named:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7cBqehDv5g&t

obviously video never does justice, but other than just a handful of things that these guys also stopped at....I don't see much I wouldn't/couldn't do. just the climbing gets me..lol

 

I have yet to hit that drop, the run up is sketchy and there is a huge tree right at the landing. But the Devil's Staircase is a blast, butt pucker is right.

 

I'm stoked. I feel like I am going to learn so much on this trip.

 

couple questions.

full face helmet necessary?

knee pads/elbow pads necessary?

anything sort of non-standard recommended?

 

I don't wear a full face, but (probably) wont make fun of anyone wearing one. I do wear Knee Pads but not elbow pads, not a bad idea though. I do recommend everyone bring a derailer hanger. Also might consider a spare tube, tools, master links, whistle, space blanket, first aid kit, whistle, rain jacket, emergency light etc. Also recommend everyone download the trail maps to their phones in Trailforks or similar.

 

OH and bring your X-Tigers

 

As if that was not item #1 on my list..