[MTB_Rob_NC]

I have been wanting to do this point to point ride for quite some time. It rivals right up there with down Laurel up Wash Creek Road, to Spencer, then down Trace.

After not riding regularly for some time even shuttling the first climb didnt eleviate all of the pain. The push to the top of Black hurt a bit. Then again when we decided to head up Sycamore.

Some ride stats
Summary Data
Total Time (h:m) 4:03:03 15:39 pace
Moving Time (h:m) 2:36:14 10:03 pace
Distance (mi ) 15.53
Moving Speed (mph) 6.0 avg. 29.0 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +2,839 / -3,966

The Map

The Elevation Profile

Fun with Motionbased
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7843156

Good group, good times for sure.

 

[drkenan]

Great times today!

 

[demolition dave]

J-e-l-l-o

 

[vinnycactus]

i like riding bikes. riding bikes is fun

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

J-e-l-l-o

My ride today at my local trail did not hurt as much as I had feared. You see Kenan said to "Conserve" early on in the ride, that's why I was pretty much last to the top each time.

 

[JeffKill]

My ride today at my local trail did not hurt as much as I had feared. You see Kenan said to "Conserve" early on in the ride, that's why I was pretty much last to the top each time.

You ride Sherman Branch? I was out there around noon today....

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

You ride Sherman Branch? I was out there around noon today....

Yep yep... Got there around 11, left around 12:15 or so. I didnt see your truck. I am surprised you didnt lap me, you XC machine

 

[JeffKill]

Yep yep... Got there around 11, left around 12:15 or so. I didnt see your truck. I am surprised you didnt lap me, you XC machine

Probably didnt recognize my truck cause it was actually clean and didnt have the tailgate pad on it for once

 

[demolition dave]

My ride today at my local trail did not hurt as much as I had feared. You see Kenan said to "Conserve" early on in the ride, that's why I was pretty much last to the top each time.

My legs were pretty rubberized last night. Thought I was gonna wake up in a world of hurt today....but surprisingly felt fine. Was good to be back on the bike........looking forward to the next ride.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Probably didnt recognize me cause I was decked out in a team kit wearing spandex, a heart rate monitor and clipless pedals on my 23.6745lb hard tail.

Oh that pretty much explains it.

 

[JeffKill]

Oh that pretty much explains it.

I was trying to keep my love for spandex a secret. Thanks.....

 

[Mulestar]

up 477, down Bennett, up clawhammer, down black, sycamore cove via grass rd?

Nice ride...next time you do a point to point try this: Park at the parkway...WALK to the legal start of Pilot Rock, down pilot, right on 1206, left on 476, S mills river trail, buckhorn gap to 5 way intersection at clawhammer, black mountain to overlook, then left on turkeypen gap to a car at turkeypen.

 

[Jeremy R]

up 477, down Bennett, up clawhammer, down black, sycamore cove via grass rd?

Nice ride...next time you do a point to point try this: Park at the parkway...WALK to the legal start of Pilot Rock, down pilot, right on 1206, left on 476, S mills river trail, buckhorn gap to 5 way intersection at clawhammer, black mountain to overlook, then left on turkeypen gap to a car at turkeypen.

Yep, that's the route.
I am now on a point to point kick.
I got out the trail maps last night.
Your route sounds sick.
I have never ridden Turkeypen.

Have you ever done the Club Gap trail from 477 down to the intersection with Avery? If so, what's it like. I want to try that instead of going up 477, then hang a right at the Avery intersection and pop out at the top of Bennett.

 

[drkenan]

We should definitely hit up Bennett again before it closes. Thanks for the new route suggestion.

 

[Mulestar]

Yep, that's the route.
I am now on a point to point kick.
I got out the trail maps last night.
Your route sounds sick.
I have never ridden Turkeypen.

Have you ever done the Club Gap trail from 477 down to the intersection with Avery? If so, what's it like. I want to try that instead of going up 477, then hang a right at the Avery intersection and pop out at the top of Bennett.

It wouldn't be terrible in that direction. I think it would likely be granny ring climbing for some of the way, but it might be quicker than pedalling up the backside of 477. Club gap from the 4-way down to the cradle is sweet though, just really short.

The top of buckwheat is SICK coming from that direction though (I think Mike took you on a ride that did that section).

Turkeypen is sick, but is brutally difficult in either direction because its a ~7 mile ridgeline.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

I am now on a point to point kick.

Ah, so that's how we are going to get Sh___tling and Pisgah in the same thread un noticed.


Down Laurel up Wash Creek to Spencer, down Spencer (Fletcher option), back to the Upper Trace Trail Head, back to Wash Creek to Spencer, then down Trace to the N Mills River Campground.

My legs hurt just thinking about it.

 

[vinnycactus]

:


Down Laurel up Wash Creek to Spencer, down Spencer (Fletcher option), back to the Upper Trace Trail Head, back to Wash Creek to Spencer, then down Trace to the N Mills River Campground.

My legs hurt just thinking about it.

lets do it in April.

 

[JeffKill]

I need an AM bike so I can start going on these rides.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

I need an AM bike so I can start going on these rides.

Yes, yes you do!

I bet you could find a White VP Free that isnt being used to sell. I mean really its not like anyone is using it irate2:

 

[demolition dave]

I need an AM bike so I can start going on these rides.

Ride your XC bike. Griffin rocks these trails on a hardtail.

 

[JeffKill]

Ride your XC bike. Griffin rocks these trails on a hardtail.

True. A beefier wheelset, with some 2.3's and a shorter stem would probably get the job done. Trying to buy a house at the moment though, so money is kinda tight.

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

Have you ever done the Club Gap trail from 477 down to the intersection with Avery? If so, what's it like. I want to try that instead of going up 477, then hang a right at the Avery intersection and pop out at the top of Bennett.

I was just talking to JonnyNails about this route. I'm trying to talk him into doing it next week if it doesn't rain too much over the weekend.

Club Gap is short (0.8 miles ), but steep and rocky. It's no worse than anything else we've hiked up, but ridable. Avery Creek comes out below Bennett. Buckwheat Knob is the one that dumps out at the top of Bennett. It's a fun ride for sure.

Shoot me a PM if you wanna go.

 

[demolition dave]

True. A beefier wheelset, with some 2.3's and a shorter stem would probably get the job done. Trying to buy a house at the moment though, so money is kinda tight.

Def save the $$ for the house! Just bring that XC bike anyways.....

 

[JeffKill]

Def save the $$ for the house! Just bring that XC bike anyways.....

I actually came up with about $1500-$1800 to spend on a trail bike. So if you know anyone looking to sell something used in good condition, let me know......

 

[vinnycactus]

Jeff, keep an eye on chainlove. while back they had commencal's very cheap.

 

[JeffKill]

Right now its kind of a toss up between a Morewood Shova ST, and an 08 Giant Reign 1. Any opinions?? Im kinda leaning toward the Morewood at the moment. But at the same time Im torn between going with Maestro suspension, or the single pivot on the Morewood.

 

[salmansp]

Up Clawhammer-Left Up Black-Down into Club Gap. - Up/Down Buckwheat- to Bennett.

Best pedal up for the most DH.

Check out the Transition TransAM. Set it up with a 36 or Lyric and 1-9-or 18 speeds and you can shred anything in Pisgah. Absolute perfect geo.& the steel feels like an inch or so of travel. I never touch the Bottlerocket anymore.

 

[salmansp]

For UP and DOWN.

Transition Covert. Hands down.

Large Frame 5 1/2" rear with or DHX 5.0 Air
36 in the front with dual ring DH kit from Transition weighed in at 33lbs.

Med Frame with RP23 and Single ring AM kit will run <30lbs.

Basically a single pivot with swing link, but beefy and feels like 6+" or travel. HTA around 68degrees, perfect for the DH.

Selling the BottleRocket for one. So if anyone wants a top-build bottlerocket let me know

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Right now its kind of a toss up between a Morewood Shova ST, and an 08 Giant Reign 1. Any opinions?? Im kinda leaning toward the Morewood at the moment. But at the same time Im torn between going with Maestro suspension, or the single pivot on the Morewood.

With those choices why not a Heckler?

 

[salmansp]

Santa Cruz Charges out the butt for a bike.

 

[JeffKill]

With those choices why not a Heckler?

If you find a Heckler in my price range spec'd with a good build, let me know and I'll take a look at it.

 

[vinnycactus]

seriously, why not a preston. i saw a 2007 with a pretty good spec for 1700. i pedal mine everywhere.

 

[JeffKill]

seriously, why not a preston. i saw a 2007 with a pretty good spec for 1700. i pedal mine everywhere.

Got a link? Send me a pm if so.

 

[mtnbiker75]

So sad I missed that. What a killer ride.