Cycling and Mountain Biking

Take a ride through the High Country

Cycling options to explore

BY CHANDA RICHARDSON

The 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

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 access 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

SEE CYCLING ON PAGE 93 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

Nestled 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

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the river and a mostly paved 150-foot gain and a 10 mile ride on Railroad Grade Road in Todd with no elevation gain.

Lansing offers the Creeper Trail Park with nearly a one mile loop if you’re looking for an easy and smooth ride. Blowing Rock features the Lower China Creek Loop, a 3.9 mile moderate loop with a single 250-foot gain dirt trail.

For the cyclists who wish to explore strenuous trails, they can ride the Yancey Ridge Loop located in the Pisgah National Forest with 8.2 miles of dirt road and a 1,100-foot gain. They can also go on the Table Rock Loop in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, spanning 26.2 miles of dirt and paved roads with a 2,450-foot gain.

For more information on cycling in the High Country and trail recommendations, call Boone Bike at (828) 262-5750.

LOCAL BIKE SHOPS

Magic Cycles

Located at 140 Depot St #2, Boone, Magic Cycles offers bike rentals, repairs, local rides and events. In following their rule of getting your bike back to you within the same day, their services range from $60 for a basic tune-up, $100 for a full tune-up and $175 for a total overhaul. The vast majority of their rentals are in Beech Mountain, but they do have a limited selection in their main Boone location. For more information, call (828) 265-221 or visit magiccycles.com.

Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters

Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters, located at 257 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock, NC, provides a variety of bicycles, ranging from 3T, Orbea, Cannondale and more. Clothing, accessories and other necessities for cyclists are also provided. They offer a full service repair shop including derailleur adjustments, suspension rebuilds and complete overhauls to wheel building. Repairs are $60 an hour and the turn around time is a couple of days. Rates are $45 for a Quick Fit and $100 for a Pro Fit. For more information about Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters visit www.rhoddiebicycleoutfitters.com or call (828) 414-9800.

Headquarters Bike and Outdoor

Headquarters Bike and Outdoor is located at 2945 Tynecastle Highway in Banner Elk, NC. Bikes sold include Transition, Kona, Pivot Cycles and Jamis. Rentals are also available, ranging from $75 to $100. They offer three repair services including a basic tune-up of $49, a standard tune-up for $69 and a premium tune-up worth $193. The shop also offers locally brewed beers on tap. Visit hqbikeandoutdoor.com or call (828) 898-8885 for more information.

BIKING

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After being built by Watauga County in collaboration with the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and nonprofit Boone Area Cyclists, the park has become a hotspot for both locals and tourists who are seeking the sensation of riding down a mountain. The park does not encourage beginners to take to the trails as the easiest one is considered moderate.

A large picnic pavilion and playground is also available through Watauga County Parks & Recreation. Many of the facilities such as the playground equipment have been made from natural wood and rope. The park is open from dawn to dusk.

Heading further South is Emerald Outback, established in 2011 and located at 328 N Pinnacle Ridge Rd, Beech Mountain, NC. The park offers nearly seven miles of breathtaking trails; Oz Forest Run which is a mile long; 0.28-mile Wizard’s Way; the advanced 1.3-mile trail named Southern Ridge; Northview spanning half-a-mile; 1.3mile long Jackalope’s Trail and Grassy Loop totaling 0.85 miles.

The trails at Emerald Outback range from easy to moderate, giving both beginners and experts free range at 5,400 feet high. Most of the trails are either single or double-track.

When riding along through the park, you can stop at scenic overlooks including 50-mile vistas.

The Town of Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation department built and maintained the outback, making it free to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

“Outdoor enthusiasts find a nice blend of single track, double track and gravel road trails traversing the mountaintop, all accessible from a trail head in the town of Beech Mountain,” said Emerald Outback in a statement on their website.

All of the trails at Emerald Outback can also be hiked.

For more information on Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, visit rockyknob. wordpress.com or call (828) 266-1345. For more information on Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain, visit emeraldoutback.com or call (800) 468-5506.

PHOTO BY EMERALD OUTBACK In the summer months, Emerald Outback opens up its ski lift for bikers and hikers.

FOR BEGINNERS

Mountain Biking can be a dangerous sport, even to those who are advanced. Take a look at some beginner tips if you’re just starting out.

Maintain momentum

Though it may be tedious, maintaining a speed or speeding up will make the trail easier as your bike pulls you forward.

Let the bike take control, but not all of it

Staying loose in your ride is ideal as you let the bike lead you throughout the trail. Don’t fight the bike and don’t resist, but don’t let go too much as an accident could be likely.

Keep your eyes trained on your destination

Where your eyes go, your bike goes, so remember to stay focused in your mind and body.