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2012 updates for the Rocky Knob Bike Park

motomike

Turbo Monkey
Jan 19, 2005
4,584
0
North Carolina
Hey everyone, we've got some awesome news from the Rocky Knob Bike Park! Phase III is 3/4 of the way finished already, which includes a 3200 linear foot long jump/pump trail, a "freeride" zone and another skills area utilizing several split locust logs felled on site. The jump trail has tons of berms, tabletops (with optional lips), a small rock drop, massive rollers, and even a few rock garden sections thrown in for good measure. It is designed for riders of all skill levels to be able to enjoy, with several optional features on the way down to spice things up if you want. Expect Phase III to be complete by the end of next week! We aren't playing around, we have 11 trail builders and 6 machines running full time to get this done!

Phase II, which takes the trails up 900' over the parking lot is still under construction, and should be done soon. That will add an additional ~5 miles to the trail system.


On April 28 we will be having a big festival at Rocky Knob to celebrate the park and the opening of Phase III with Demo bikes, skills clinics, and a pig roast. Keep an eye out on www.rockyknob.wordpress.com for further details or on the Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RockyKnobPark
 

AngryMetalsmith

Business is good, thanks for asking
Jun 4, 2006
21,082
9,791
I have no idea where I am
Hell yeah, been wanting to ride there for a while now. How many miles of trail are there now ? Just wondering if it would be too much to hit the Knob after riding OVT. I think they're only 30 min., or so, from each other.
 

haromtnbiker

Turbo Monkey
Oct 3, 2004
1,461
0
Cary, NC
Hey guys,

For my senior capstone project, I am working on designing and planning a solar thermal hot water system for the bathroom that will be built at rocky knob within the coming year. The ultimate plan is to submit a proposal for funding the system to the Watauga County TDA. I have written a short survey as part of the project, in an attempt to help prove to the TDA that the community is behind renewable energy at Rocky Knob. The more responses I get, the better. Even if you aren't very familiar with the park, it would be great if you could take 5 minutes to answer 8 simple multiple choice questions.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M85CMM5

Thanks a bunch.
 

escapeartist

Turbo Monkey
Mar 21, 2004
1,759
0
W-S. NC
Great news Moto. Can't wait to be back in the states to check it out!

Craig, I'd encourage a podium style "hot seat" theme.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Yep. I am gonna be at the ribbon cutting ceremony with a giant pot of coffee and 3 bran muffins.
Stop by the house so the missus can whip us up another batch of that famous bowel shattering wheat/ eggplant/turkey spaghetti. ;)

Craig, good on you for trying this project. Heck, if Bent Creek would just install a solar fan in their toilets, I'd be eternally grateful. :bad:
 

mlin32

Chimp
Apr 12, 2012
76
0
WNC
Lookin' good, hope to be able to make it out there sometime next month. I've ridden what was open prior to this expansion and already thought it was good fun.
 

waterdogs

Monkey
Jul 30, 2010
817
0
Upstate SC
Mike, I need to work on my jumping/getting my mojo back post an injury and I'd really like to work on doing so on my big bike. Is the jump line you pictured doable on a big bike or should just bring my trail bike?
 

Mulestar

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2007
1,061
0
in the dirt
Mike, I need to work on my jumping/getting my mojo back post an injury and I'd really like to work on doing so on my big bike. Is the jump line you pictured doable on a big bike or should just bring my trail bike?
Bring both but the trailbike will be more practical. I think you'll be struggling for speed on the flatter parts of the jump trail but if you're trying to practice go for it! There are also some sick rock sections that would be fun on a big bike.
 

motomike

Turbo Monkey
Jan 19, 2005
4,584
0
North Carolina
What he said. A trailbike is much more practical as the layout of the park is designed so that you ride around to all of the different skills areas via trails. However I see dudes pushing downhill bikes up the hill all the time now to ride down the trails.
 

waterdogs

Monkey
Jul 30, 2010
817
0
Upstate SC
Thanks Andrew/Mike for the info. I only have space for three bikes and I know my wife will want to bring her new DJ bike for the pump track. We'll see.
 

fortenndu

Turbo Monkey
Apr 22, 2008
1,573
0
Boone, NC
How close is this area to Pisgah? I'm trying to plan a 3-4 day trip to Pisgah/Brevard this summer and I'm trying to plan what trails to hit.
Very close, according to some maps(wrong maps) rocky knob is in pisgah. In reality it's 15-30 minutes away from pisgah riding. 2 days in Brevard and 2 days in Boone would be a sick riding trip, post something up when you're down here.

P.S.
There is currently no designated pump track at rocky knob, one of the skills area is essentially a pump track but the one that was down by the parking lot wasn't permanent. Some people are trying very hard to make a new one before the 28th but weather might not cooperate.
 
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waterdogs

Monkey
Jul 30, 2010
817
0
Upstate SC
Very close, according to some maps(wrong maps) rocky knob is in pisgah. In reality it's 15-30 minutes away from pisgah riding. 2 days in Brevard and 2 days in Boone would be a sick riding trip, post something up when you're down here.
Not stepping your toes, but just so your post doesn't confuse people. Rocky Knob/Boone is not 15-30 minutes from Brevard (more like 2.5 hours). But, yes, accordingly to some maps Pisgah is HUGE. Most of the locals in GVL/AVL consider "Pisgah" to be Brevard.
 

waterdogs

Monkey
Jul 30, 2010
817
0
Upstate SC
Also, forgot..... thanks for the info on the pump track. If the old one isn't there anymore or the new one won't be done, my wife might decide otherwise (bringing the DJ bike).
 

motomike

Turbo Monkey
Jan 19, 2005
4,584
0
North Carolina
Not stepping your toes, but just so your post doesn't confuse people. Rocky Knob/Boone is not 15-30 minutes from Brevard (more like 2.5 hours). But, yes, accordingly to some maps Pisgah is HUGE. Most of the locals in GVL/AVL consider "Pisgah" to be Brevard.
You both are right. Most people do think of "the pisgah" as in the Ranger District which is the Brevard area of Pisgah. However in reality Pisgah really does come all the way up to Boone and there are sweet trails the whole way in between.
 

Trilliamiano

Monkey
Oct 7, 2007
205
0
Boone, NC
I'm really bummed that I won't be able to make it out to Rocky Fest :mad: The terrain out there is awesome and I know the Boone riders, along with the trial pro's have found the best way to use all of the natural features. Can someone do some really sketchy bar humps on an old ass bike for me ;)
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Ironically, the most awesome parts of Pisgah are split right down the panty line by this interrupting behemoth of a road know as the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mike can probably correct me if wrong, but I think Pisgah itself is even divided into 4-5 Ranger districts it's so big, with the Grandfather District being the most under served in volunteer hours.
 

mattmatt86

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2005
5,347
10
Bleedmore, Murderland
Ironically, the most awesome parts of Pisgah are split right down the panty line by this interrupting behemoth of a road know as the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mike can probably correct me if wrong, but I think Pisgah itself is even divided into 4-5 Ranger districts it's so big, with the Grandfather District being the most under served in volunteer hours.
I guess when I said Pisgah I was thinking of the areas near Black mtn, Bennet Gap, Pilot Rock etc. Those are the trails I rode in college and are most familiar with. I was also thinking about riding Greenslick and some other trails in the area. I'm trying to maximize the riding while minimizing driving when I actually get to the trail system. I was hoping to setup camp somewhere and not have to move for the entire 2-3 day trip but I'm not sure if that's possible.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Just set up camp at Davidson River Campground if you want a shower and toilet and ride out to any and everything. If you're going with a buddy, have Mueller lay out a 1 way epic by parking one car in Mills River or Bent Creek and riding back from there to the campground before eating, sleeping and riding back to the car the next day.
 

fortenndu

Turbo Monkey
Apr 22, 2008
1,573
0
Boone, NC
Not stepping your toes, but just so your post doesn't confuse people. Rocky Knob/Boone is not 15-30 minutes from Brevard (more like 2.5 hours). But, yes, accordingly to some maps Pisgah is HUGE. Most of the locals in GVL/AVL consider "Pisgah" to be Brevard.
Look at some maps dude.
 

Mulestar

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2007
1,061
0
in the dirt
blahblahblah...you're all correct

Ride Wilson Creek/grandfather district if you're in Boone. Ride Brevard/pisgah ranger's district if you're in Asheville or surrounding areas.

They both rule. I will be in Boone this saturday. Hope to see some of you folks.