BREVARD, NC

Physical Exertion:  Intermediate+   /   Technical Ability: Intermediate+ to Advanced

Trip Category: Big Mountain Enduro

 

What to expect in Brevard:  East Coast rowdiness!  Technical descents in Pisgah NF with lots of roots, rocks, and steep sections!

 

Brevard sits in a beautiful valley in western North Carolina, nestled nicely in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Located right between Dupont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest, there’s more riding here than you could cover in weeks, much less a 4-day trip.  The key word when it comes to the riding in Brevard is “rowdy”, as we’re focusing all our energy on getting the best of Pisgah NF on this trip.

In Pisgah National Forest, just a few minutes north of town, you’ll see what east coast technical riding is all about: from the uber-tech trails like Black Mountain and Bennett Gap to the intermediate-level stuff like Daniel Ridge and Sycamore Cove.  The climbs are typically on steady logging roads with a bit of steep singletrack mixed in, and the descents are long, rooty, rocky and damn fun. This is our favorite place to ride east of the Rockies; join us, and you’ll see why.

 

By partnering with the guides at Red Wolf, we’re able to put together amazing itineraries that most folks can only dream of!  But make sure you bring your A-game, we’ll push you to the limit in Brevard!

 

Airport Options:  Asheville (45 minutes)  –  Charlotte (2 hrs)

“Steve is always thinking about how to improve that customer experience and cater it to the things that will put a smile on your face. I couldn’t be happier or more satisfied quite frankly with my Fall trip to Crested Butte, it was truly outstanding. From the hotel, to the guide, to the trail selection and little extras that made it all such an epic experience. I couldn’t recommend this company more, go big go Epic.”

INTERACTIVE BREVARD TRAIL MAP

WHAT TO EXPECT

Day One: On the first day of our trip, plan to meet at our designated lodging around 5-6pm that evening.  We’ll do a quick introduction, followed by bike setups, a welcome dinner and drinks.  The first night is meant to be social and relaxing, as we’re getting ready for four big days on the bike!

 

Day Two:  Today’s ride is going to be BIG, so make sure you put in the miles leading up to your trip.  Just east of town is Mills River, home of some of the best Pisgah trails we’ve ridden.  Today we’ll link together a “triple loop” combining Trace Ridge, Spencer Gap, Fletcher Creek and a couple other bonuses- the perfect mix of trails if you ask us.  Expect some old school tech on Trace Ridge, along with “new school” man made features on Spencer Gap to give you the perfect Pisgah experience.  Lunch at the trucks halfway through the ride will give you a good chance to refuel and take a break!  Expect about 20-22 miles with over 3,000′ of climbing and descending today.

Day Three: EPIC ALERT!  Today’s ride will push you beyond your limits, but we promise you’ll thank us afterwards.  Be sure to fuel up with a BIG breakfast that will give you plenty of energy to keep riding beyond what you thought possible.  You’re going to need it.  We hope you brought your technical skills with you, because the best of Pisgah will push you beyond what you thought possible.  We’re not kidding.

 

Today’s ride will include a quick shuttle up one of the many National Forest service roads to knock off some climbing, but don’t be fooled- we’ll still put in some big vertical.  The climbing in Pisgah is typically done on fire roads, and the descents come in the form of super technical, rooty and rocky trails.  Today we’ll combine the tough trails like Bennett Gap, Avery Creek, and Black Mountain – expect some bumps and bruises, even for the best of us.  Expect about 18-20 miles with a solid 2500-3000 feet of climbing but even more descending.  After a full day of riding in Pisgah, we’ll end our ride at the Hub for post-ride beers!

Day Four:  Today’s ride is going to combine a few of the more off-the-grid trails  with a point-to-point shuttle ride.  We’ll start by driving about 15 minutes northeast of Brevard to drop off near Mills River, where we’ll start the day with a mellow climb up Cantrell before hitting Squirrel Gap: the definition of Brevard chunk.  From there, we’ll get a few shorter DHs and climbs before entering in the Black Mountain area, where we’ll get a couple huge descents before ending our day at the Hub for a post-ride beer!

Day Five:  Last day of the trip, but it doesn’t mean that we’re going to take it easy on you.  That said, we’re heading over to Kanuga Bike Park for a bit of “all you can eat” bike park riding.  Kanuga is a self-powered private bike park that has it all: flow trails, jump trails, singletrack, etc.  We’ll stick around all day if you want, just keep riding until you can’t anymore!