E-Ski-Wee-Ski
Granny Gear
Posts:29
Registered Users
PRP
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| 04/17/2008 1:44 AM |
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So I took the rest of the week off from work to do some biking while the weather is good. First MTB ride of the year for me! Drove down to Big South Fork with plans to do the newly opened to bikes: GrandGap and John Muir trails.
Three broken chain links and one flat tire later I had the trail finished. I'm not sure what was happening with my bike, but it was a real pisser. I weaved a tapestry of profanity that is still hanging over Tennessee. ha
The trail itself was really nice. It was like Pisgah without the rocks, hills, logs, or stream crossings. :) All in all, it was the perfect trail to start my season. The trail was in good shape and is well maintained. There was a short fireroad section to get to the GrandGap and also to get out, but they werent bad at all. The views are awesome and the clifftop riding was a rush. Its a very "backcountry" trail and thank God I took all my tools and parts with me or I would still be walking out right now.
This trail is only open to bikes on the weekdays and I ended up doing well over 20 miles and didnt see anyone, not even hikers.
I managed to take some pictures too:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59058021@N00/sets/72157600030606759/detail/
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FireBallKY
Big Ring
Posts:116
Registered Users
Lexington, KY USA
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| 04/17/2008 6:40 AM |
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SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!! That trail looks like alot of fun...minus the cliffs. :) |
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I'm not fat. That's a fuel tank for the love machine!!! |
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turdferguson
Training Wheels
Posts:7
Registered Users
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| 04/17/2008 7:33 AM |
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| singlespeed doable? |
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Rod
Little Ring
Posts:80
Registered Users
Morehead
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| 04/17/2008 11:16 AM |
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| Very good pics. I'm going to have to talk the guys into the shop to take a trip with me to ride this trail. How many miles did you ride and did you hit all the trails? Sorry for beating around the bush, but I'm wondering how many days of riding can be found there. |
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E-Ski-Wee-Ski
Granny Gear
Posts:29
Registered Users
PRP
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| 04/17/2008 3:29 PM |
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I think I have calculated the whole thing at right at 22-23 miles. My GPS crapped out, so I cant get anything exact, but I know its around that. I didnt ride the other 2 bikes trails, but I havent really heard anything spectacular about them. They are located on the way to this trail though, right off the fire road. I cant see it as being more than one day of riding. Remember that there is absolutlely NO technical features on this trail, but again, the views are first rate, so if that interests you and you want to go ride a backcountry trail, it may be worth the drive.
I guess it would be great for singlespeeding since I was in the middle and large ring the entire time.
Just be careful around some of the cliffs, seriously. |
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Steve Bland
Granny Gear
Posts:29
Registered Users
Shepherdsville,KY
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| 04/17/2008 5:48 PM |
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I definatly gotta get down there and ride Grand gap AND John muir. Esp since I have been hiking there for years. Angel falls overlook is a great place to take it all in.
Duncan hollow is a worthy ride if you are in BSF. |
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"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." - Benjamin Mays |
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E-Ski-Wee-Ski
Granny Gear
Posts:29
Registered Users
PRP
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| 04/17/2008 6:42 PM |
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Yeah, thanks to Steve for introducing me to this trail. We backpacked it a couple years ago and I kept thinking it would be a nice MTB ride. Now it is one.
Angel Falls is a great place to just sit and enjoy the view. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I was fighting for daylight since I got started so late. |
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Lindsay
Coaster Brake
Posts:18
Registered Users
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| 04/17/2008 9:41 PM |
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E-Ski,
Is there much hike-a-biking at BSF (comparable to Pisgah)?
Also, where do you park to get to the Grand Gap Loop Trailhead? It is a loop right? Is the John Muir section and out and back?
Thinking of making a trip down there...
thanks! |
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E-Ski-Wee-Ski
Granny Gear
Posts:29
Registered Users
PRP
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| 04/18/2008 12:17 AM |
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Its all flat and smooth, no hike-a-bike whatsoever. Its a must-do trail if you are in the area or just want a long backcountry ride, but if you like technical stuff, it may not be worth the drive. Again the views are killer.
I parked at the Bandy Creek info center and rode Duncan Hollow road a short distance to the Grand Gap. The John Muir has a bail out trail near Station Camp that will take you back to Duncan Hollow Road, so I guess its all one big loop. The old woman at the info center was real nice and she even gave me a map.
BSF has all of their trails and road in KML so you can view them in Google Earth: http://www.nps.gov/biso/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Take tubes and extra chain links. |
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Rod
Little Ring
Posts:80
Registered Users
Morehead
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| 04/19/2008 5:21 PM |
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| Thanks for the info. I'll have to let the locals know if they want a technical trail we'll need to look elsewhere. |
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Steve Bland
Granny Gear
Posts:29
Registered Users
Shepherdsville,KY
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| 05/07/2008 8:09 PM |
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There are alot of LONG backcountry rides in BSF. LIke, pack a lunch and a water filter long. They are multi-use trails though. Maybe someday I can hike some of them to check it out and see if its worth bringing the bikes back.
@Lindsay: sorry so late. I havent been watching the web too close. I think that the John Muir Section is an out and back. You could make it a loop, but I think you would have to include gravel road riding, a 4x4 trail, or a multi-use trail. So prolly, best as an out-annd back. Some of the best views/areeas are along this trail though. Just look at the topo and you'll see what I mean. Right on the edge of the river gorge. Giant sandstone outcropppings everywhere. Cool place to be.
MAKE SURE YOU GET A MAP! Preferably National Geographic topo. Big south fork is over 200,000 acres. You can get WAY lost. |
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"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." - Benjamin Mays |
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