All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

@TenBeers is in that area I believe. Maybe he could share some local insight.

 

Go vols lol.

 

I don't get out much, but all the restaurants around the square are good. There's only a few local breweries, Pedaler's Pub is popular with the bike crowd. It's kind of a small town, so take your pick from what shows up on Google Maps. The trails are the main attractions, but there's the Crystal Bridges art museum. There's apparently a restaurant at the city airport, where you'd likely get a view of some older aircraft and maybe some of Steuart Walton's collection, if you are into that.

Obviously Coler is a must-ride and you will be right there. It is mostly ride up and bomb down a jump line, which is entertaining for a bit. There are a couple of XC loops that are fun, but not a lot of mileage.

Slaughter Pen is fun and kind of the original trail system. It seems to be constantly evolving.

The Back 40 has good mileage and is mostly singletrack, with some jump lines thrown in on a couple of trails. Some of the connections can be a bit confusing, though, mainly around the central area by the golf course.

Handcut Hollow runs right behind my house and is nice singletrack, plus a hub where you can hit several short downhill lines. This can be accessed doing a short ride from Slaughter Pen. Not a lot of mileage total, but fun.

All of the above can be connected by bike.

Driving east of Rogers for about 30 minutes gets you to Hobbs State Park. I have only done the Karst Loop and the Wolf Den trails, but it's a beautiful area. Starting at where the trails cross Page Sawmill road, I do the Karst Loop and then ride up East Wolf Den and down West Wolf Den. That ride down is a blast. I hear the other trails are good as well, just don't have that much mileage in me.

There's Devil's Den south of Fayetteville that I hear good things about, but I've never ridden there. It's probably a 30 minute drive.

There's also some backcountry stuff further southeast in the Ozarks that I have yet to explore, but the stuff above should keep you plenty busy.

 

Dude how exciting was that?! Wish I was still a student sometimes...I bet that Saturday night was lit

 

Rip VT for not giving Hendon Hooker the opportunity to display his full potential

 

Ouch. Yeah I'm sure that's not easy to watch. Vols sorta had the same thing with Nathan Peterman - he left and started balling out at Pitt

 

Who's watching Rampage?! Brett Rheeder's first run was just super sick. I missed the first couple guys but I felt like DJ Brandt's first run was better than a 62

 

ssshhheeeessshhh. i was gonna watch later tonight when i get home. busy with work all day and no espn+. replay should be on youtube later? or redbull?

 

That is a good question, I'm not sure where it will be posted. The live stream on Pinkbike is blocked right now but I would assume it will be on something later haha.

It's wild that Brandon Semenuk was just at the ARA championship where he won...the dude is a beast

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

I have done several of the Explore Park trails here in Roanoke. Was looking at getting up to Carvin's Cove but haven't branched out much since Explore is only 10 minutes from the parents.

Kanuga probably isn't worth it, I brought my bike, so I wasn't planning on renting. The climbing isn't where it was before living the past 35 years on the coast. Thanks for that feedback.

I like options so stuff close to Charlotte or Greensboro is great. Now just to figure out which way I am going, or I can work the route to hit both. That sounds like a plan!

@Dr. Doom Says I have not made it over to the Tampa area, but it is on the list. I know there are a bunch of trails in Ocala and then Alafia State Park. I stick mostly around St. Augustine, Mala Compra and Moses Creek are my usual trails. Road Graham Swamp and turns out it was way over my head, glad I didn't die! Ok, that might be a bit of an overstatement but the short almost vertical climbs there were impossible for me and some of the drops were surprising. I did a bunch of hike-a-bike.

 

Just ordered my wife a new bike. Norco Optic C3

Now the waiting game. Norco is the worst for giving any accurate information on when anything will arrive though I have high hopes for this one.

But....my shop just got a skid of Norcos a week ago that were ordered in October of 2021...so who knows.

 

.
Nice ride. Lucky man to have a wife that rides…

just ordered a

Canyon Pathlite 7
Pathlite 7
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/hybrid-bikes/pathlite/pathlite-7/2794.html

Thought I’d like to do some touring/bike camping and the day use for the bike rail trails

 

Anyone wanna buy or trade some tires?
I’ve got a few new and like new tires that I’m thinking of moving on from.

Maxxis Assegai - 29x2.5 / 3C MT - EXO ($60 shipped or straight trade)
Vittoria Mazza - 2.6 and 2.4 / Enduro casing (not picture as they are but in hand yet / $120 shipped or straight trade)
*Maxxis Dissector - 29x2.4 / 3C MT - EXO
*Bonti XR4 Team (tanwall) - 29x2.4 / Grip
*Spesh Ground Control (tanwall) - 29x2.35 / T7

The Assegai and Mazzas are for sure sale/trade. Trades considered would be more trail oriented tires (lighter casing faster tires). Would need to be new as well.

The others with the * are tires/casings I like, just unsure if I wanna run them on my next ride (tan or not to tan). As such, trades would be of similar offerings/use, and pricing is somewhat negotiable. More pics available upon request.

 

How did you like the Spesh' Ground Control Grid? I got a Eliminator (F), and Ground Control (R) in my cart i plan on pick up tomorrow. Looks like you got some experience with a variety of tires.

 

I dont have a "cool" car to detail anymore, so I shine'd up the DJ bike.



I like Chemical Guy's stuff.


Spent some time improving the rear brake's performace, and with that done, I ditched the front Tektro brake. And yes..I re-routed the brake line from last time.

 

I only have one ride on that tire, a 30+ mile XC race, so my experience is honestly limited.

It’s a good option if you prioritize fast rolling and light weight, with good corning capabilities. If you are on loose, wet, rocky terrain often there are probably better options out there.

 

Looks like I got that last ride in just in time.

 

I ran this combo for a long time and never really had any complaints. I'd probably run a Butcher/GC for a little more grip.

 

Here’s where I’m at with my build:
SLX drivetrain (I have an XT cassette I’ll swap in), SLX brakes, Fox 36 factory fork, ride wrap. I think I just need the cockpit, dropper, saddle, wheels and tires

 

it's like christmas! in October!