[AngryMetalsmith]

We rode from Turkey Pen, up to Laurel, across Laurel, down Pilot and were supposed to continue back to Turkey Pen, but we rode the highway back into Brevard due to the stupid sun setting. Coming down the road at speed was wild.

Talked to one of the locals I rode with last trip and he told me about a route that includes Laurel, Pilot, Squirrel from Horse Cove, and Bradley Creek rd. (not the trail with a gazillion river crossings) back to Laurel parking lot that takes five hours or so. I think it would take me a wee bit longer than five.

Heal up, com'on down and we can get a group together for some Pisgah stupidity. I recommend Farlow because who doesn't like being violently flung down a near vertical boulder field after a demoralizing two hour gravel climb, then twenty minutes of doubletrack, that makes you question why the fuck do you ride a god damn bike in the first place.

 

[jstuhlman]

How do you start the inner loop, from Pilot Rock trail or down 1206 a ways ?

inthink you finish pilot, and it's on your left (there may be two options within the inner loop).
i highly recommend the avenza maps app, then buy the pisgah ranger district map (pisgah proper) and the grandfather east district (wilsons)- both are marked with trails and show you where you are in real time.

 

[canadmos]

inthink you finish pilot, and it's on your left (there may be two options within the inner loop).
i highly recommend the avenza maps app, then buy the pisgah ranger district map (pisgah proper) and the grandfather east district (wilsons)- both are marked with trails and show you where you are in real time.

Doubly suggest those maps. They came in handy in conjunction with the paper ones.

 

[Toshi]

My parents were both professional bassoon players, so you can imagine the playlist.

Mozart bassoon concerto over and over?!

 

[eric strt6]

It got really stupid fucking hot at the horse show today. Word had spread about yesterdays heat stroke so everyone kept on top of staying properly hydrated. I only had one mild case of over heating to deal with.

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

inthink (?) you finish pilot, and it's on your left (there may be two options within the inner loop).
i highly recommend the avenza maps app, then buy the pisgah ranger district map (pisgah proper) and the grandfather east district (wilsons)- both are marked with trails and show you where you are in real time.

One of the guys that I rode Farlow with reminded me of the map. I tried to set up an account and download the map but the confirmation email they sent me didn't get to me until I was back from my trip. But I have the Pisgah Map Co. Ranger District map nao.

There's an odd sense of comfort being able to walk around with a map of Pisgah in my shorts.

 

[Dirtrider]

Talked to one of the locals I rode with last trip and he told me about a route that includes Laurel, Pilot, Squirrel from Horse Cove, and Bradley Creek rd. (not the trail with a gazillion river crossings) back to Laurel parking lot that takes five hours or so. I think it would take me a wee bit longer than five.

Heal up, com'on down and we can get a group together for some Pisgah stupidity. I recommend Farlow because who doesn't like being violently flung down a near vertical boulder field after a demoralizing two hour gravel climb, then twenty minutes of doubletrack, that makes you question why the fuck do you ride a god damn bike in the first place.

True description of Farlow. And yeah, NC monkies and whomever we should plan a "demoralizing ride" up Farlow

 

[jstuhlman]

True description of Farlow. And yeah, NC monkies and whomever we should plan a "demoralizing ride" up Farlow

dem fireroads...

 

[rideit]

Mozart bassoon concerto over and over?!

That and some Vivaldi!

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

True description of Farlow. And yeah, NC monkies and whomever we should plan a "demoralizing ride" up Farlow

My next time on Farlow I'm going to treat the upper section like DH practice. A little course walking and studying lines couldn't hurt. Back when I was racing and 229 was not gated off, we did countless runs down that trail. But it has changed so drastically since then, that in a lot of spots it's completely new to me. And for as much as you have to work just to get to the trailhead now, why not hike back up and have at the first/upper section a few times ? Hell even the root cluster at the bottom could be sessioned. I barely had enough speed to pop off the 3-4 ft root drop and still nosed in. Never even saw the burly roll down to the right until I stopped and looked back up. Not going to lie, that one scared me a bit.

Never saw this guy's line, and the drop (rider's left) is now steep and lands on some greasy red clay.

 

[Westy]

Made some adjustments to my bike setup during the week. Hit my regular trails and pretty much PRd every descent I hit. Safe to say I think the changes were in the right direction.

 

[rideit]

Sunuvabitch, I got out of work tonight to find that my truck was hit by one of our municipal buses. At least they left a note.

 

[Serial Midget]

Turns out it's not busted. Grade 3/4 separated shoulder.

Beer time. Thanks for the healing vibes everyone.

Cool. You'll be good to go for Montana Monkey Fest.

 

[canadmos]

Chris, what route did you and Norm do that day?

https://www.strava.com/activities/811334293