Take a ride through the
High Country
Cycling options to explore
BY CHANDA RICHARDSON
T
he High Country has become the perfect place for cyclists to roam through all the scenery and trails it has to offer. Many locals find themselves riding around in their own neighborhoods, through downtown and even competing in races. In the High Country, the most used county for cycling would have to be Watauga, and more specifically, the town of Boone. Boone offers both the mountainous and flat road trails that cyclists seek and it also provides different programs and shops to help get you on the seat. Boone Bike & Touring is a bike shop located at 774 East King Street and it offers road, mountain, cyclocross, commuter and urban, children’s, BMX and electric artist bikes. They also provide full service repair, wheels, parts, accessories, shoes and clothing. Brands include Trek 92
FILE PHOTO With Grandfather Mountain in the background, cyclists. cruise down Valley Boulevard in Blowing Rock.
PHOTO BY BOONE BIKE & TOURING Repairs at Boone Bike have a turn around time of 24 hours.
and Specialized and repairs take a day or less. With the easy ac-
cess to the Blue Ridge Parkway, cyclists in the High Country can enjoy
anything from woodsy trails to trails on top of a mountain. Boone Bike partners with local cycling groups to provide information on rides and events, such as the Boone Area Cyclists Club and Appalachian State Cycling Group Rides. Many of these events begin when time changes and end when time falls back. Boone Area Cyclists Club was founded in 2009 and it offers rides for cyclists of all ages, abilities, and styles of riding — commuters, mountain bikers, road cyclists, leisure riders, and anyone else who just likes to ride bikes. The Watauga Leisure Biking club is also available to those who plan to ride “for the fun of it,” however, like many others, they have placed a hold on their rides until they deem it safe in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trails in the Boone and High Country area include Greenway Trail, which offers mostly flat dirt and paved rides, ranging from around one to three miles each, The Watauga River Road Ride in Valle Crucis with a length of 8 miles along
PHOTO BY ROCKY KNOB MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK Rocky Knob offers over nine miles of biking trails.
Mountain Biking
Take a trip through the majestic mountains of NC BY CHANDA RICHARDSON
N
estled within the Blue Ridge Mountains is the vast High Country, full of dirt, rocky mountains and hidden trails holding the perfect stomping grounds for mountain bikers. The thrill of the unknown has been dug into these grounds, creating an audacious abundance of exploration opportunities in the sport of mountain biking. Many in the mountains of North Carolina have skinned through trail upon trail and can’t seem to get enough. As exhilarating speeds burn rubber on their tires, bikers have continued to enjoy the sport. Located just on the edge of Boone at 285 Mountain Bike Way is Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, first breaking ground in June of 2010. The park offers a great deal of land expanse, 185 acres, and five trails; 1.6-mile Rocky Branch Trail loop; the 1-mile Middle Earth Trail; nearly 4-mile Boat Rock Loop; the downhill PBJ Trail; Ol’ Hoss-and four separate skill areas. SEE BIKING ON PAGE 93
SEE CYCLING ON PAGE 93
SUMMER TIMES 2021
