MTB Trails

“Since I am moving away next week, a friend of mine and I would like to go on a 1-2 day Mountain Bike trip somewhere within 3-4 hours of Raleigh. We would like to do something that is a long, mostly downhill ride, with an intermediate level of difficulty. We considered Yancey's Ridge, but heard that it was now closed to bikes. I tried to talk him into Virginia Creeper, but he doesn't want to do something that easy. (Easy sounds good to me) Any suggestions? I'm putting gas in the car now....”

“Isn't Boone the mecca of Eastern Mountain biking? I don't bike, but that probably isn't too far from you and there would likely be plenty to do.”

“Boone is definately within our desired driving range, but I wouldn't know where to start, and my friend, the Engineer, definately won't get in the car untiil we have a plan.”

“I was in the area 2 weeks ago, but for hiking. Sorry, no info on actual biking trails. Damn engineers.”

“Where ya moving to?”

“ATL”

“I'm about 1:30 to 2 hrs West of ATL. There are a few guys there that don't post much anymore, but hike together. Sherpa, Radagast, and formerly gojo are all Atlanta boys.”

“Really? That's going to be my new stomping grounds (NW GA/W SC/SE TN), I suppose. I'm looking forward to some hiking in there this fall.”

“Damn those engineers!
The nerve!”

“Go to Tsali. Some of the best MTB in NC. There's a campground so you literally ride out of camp and onto the trails. There are 4 trails, 2 of which are open to MTB on a given day (they alternate). Depending on your fitness, you can get at least one lap in the AM and one in the PM. Next day you have two different trails to ride. Tsali trails are fast and fun with easy to moderate climbs. Tsali is in SW NC, between Bryson City and Fontana.

http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Nantahala/tsali.html

http://www.cybrtyme.com/personal/mtnbiker/tsali.htm

http://www.mtbikewnc.com/trailheads/tsalitrails.html

BTW, I'll be in Augusta shortly. We'll have to hook up for some rides and hikes. Maybe we'll even let the Al-a-bam-a guy come (that's Dayhiker).”