Anyone interested in MTB in Pisgah?

I'm thinking of taking a day or 2 at Pisgah to do some Mountain biking during the convention. Anyone interested?:bandit

I thought about bringing my mountain bike last year, but after I got everything loaded up I couldn't fit it in the pick up bed.

This is a definate for me. Cheap thrillz and good for fitness. I'll try to convince Elvis to bring his classic Stumpjumper, or was it a rockhopper???

This is a definate for me. Cheap thrillz and good for fitness. I'll try to convince Elvis to bring his classic Stumpjumper, or was it a rockhopper???Specialized Rockhopper their big boy! That might be an idea, but the whole pedaling thing has me somewhat hesitant!:lol

Specialized Rockhopper their big boy! That might be an idea, but the whole pedaling thing has me somewhat hesitant!:lol Then why have it? :dunno

Mountainbike Posing. :lol

Then why have it? :dunnoThat was a joke wildman :D I can pedal and crash with the best of them! :rock

Mountainbike Posing. :lol :iamwithst That was a joke wildman :D I can pedal and crash with the best of them! :rock Likely story... :sing:

:iamwithst Likely story... :sing:Like the pole tossing?:sing: Dont make me get BP in on this!:hammer: :lol

Like the pole tossing?:sing: Dont make me get BP in on this!:hammer: :lol There's no challenge in that. :sing:

Where's this one going... fjorn, will that schwinn hold up?

Schwinn is an old roadie. Never been off pavement or asphault, and she's staying that way. :fact

Schwinn is an old roadie. Never been off pavement or asphault, and she's staying that way. :fact Never had an off road excursion... That's a frequent occurance here in FL.:chair: Cagers...:boom

Never had an off road excursion... That's a frequent occurance here in FL.:chair: Cagers...:boom Not saying that I haven't bit it on the side of the road, or even found myself skidding across the pavement with on coming cars. Just saying that by choice, I don't go off the asphault with my LeTour. :yesnod

I'm thinking of taking a day or 2 at Pisgah to do some Mountain biking during the convention. Anyone interested?:bandit Awwwww hell, Somebody tryin to make me put some air in the tires on the Gary Fisher.

Awwwww hell, Somebody tryin to make me put some air in the tires on the Gary Fisher. I heard that Al...I may be in for this! I have a Gary Fisher mtn bike as well. I am also planning on brining my new Road Bicycle up as well to do some riding. Anyone up for that too???

Actually I think that Fontana has a mountain bike course... http://www.fontanavillage.com/hiking/hiking.htm

I heard that Al...I may be in for this! I have a Gary Fisher mtn bike as well. I am also planning on brining my new Road Bicycle up as well to do some riding. Anyone up for that too??? Already stated I'm bringing the old LeTour Chad. :secret: BTW, this month's Bicycling magazine has a great write-up about the Cherahola(SP?) skyway as being one of the top places to ride. :rock

If I can squeeze my el cheapo Mongoose 21 speed Mountain Bike in the back of the truck I'm game for anything. Nothing to aggressive to encourage injuries to keep me off the R6.

Great, some activity here... I don't have a roadie Chad, I sold 'em when I had kids. If I can get one of my proflex's set up I can bring an extra MTB along for anyone who wants to ride. Al, Air that ride up and meet me at Snowhill or even Sprice Creek in NSB for a few rides before tackling Tsali. Riding keeps your legs fresh for track days.'My legs didn't get sore at all.

Great, some activity here... I don't have a roadie Chad, I sold 'em when I had kids. If I can get one of my proflex's set up I can bring an extra MTB along for anyone who wants to ride. Is there a weight restriction on it? :dundun:

Already stated I'm bringing the old LeTour Chad. :secret: BTW, this month's Bicycling magazine has a great write-up about the Cherahola(SP?) skyway as being one of the top places to ride. :rock Yeah I was talking to BKR1 yesterday about riding the Cherohala...I think that would be an awesome ride!!!!

Is there a weight restriction on it? :dundun: OK how much weight does it need to be set up for? Still looking for a rear shock for it.

OK how much weight does it need to be set up for? Still looking for a rear shock for it. I'm currently 265. :flex:

I'm currently 265. :flex: Hmmmm....:scared I can set it up as a hard tail.

Pedal?? :confused: Hello....thats why they invented the motorcycle dipsticks!! :finger :lol :lol

Pedal?? :confused: Hello....thats why they invented the motorcycle dipsticks!! :finger :lol :lol My YZ250F has a dipstick to check the oil. :fact

So are we doing the bike thing ? I just heard some good stuff about the trail right at Fontana Village and also Tsali is supposed to be buff. I'd also consider bringing a roadie but I don't want to hurt Chad' feelings forcing him to realize how far back "far back" can be.

So are we doing the bike thing ? I just heard some good stuff about the trail right at Fontana Village and also Tsali is supposed to be buff. I'd also consider bringing a roadie but I don't want to hurt Chad' feelings forcing him to realize how far back "far back" can be. sounds like a challenge to me Al LOL...bring it on!!! hahahahaha I am bringing my roadie for sure!

So are we doing the bike thing ? I just heard some good stuff about the trail right at Fontana Village and also Tsali is supposed to be buff. I'd also consider bringing a roadie but I don't want to hurt Chad' feelings forcing him to realize how far back "far back" can be. :lol:lol:lol

sounds like a challenge to me Al LOL...bring it on!!! hahahahaha I am bringing my roadie for sure! Just a tip...................Don't eat anything that looks like chocolate.:sneaky Not too many bathrooms that I could see on the way up the Cherehola.

:lol:lol:lol What you laughin at Larry? I know with all those "BIKES" you gotta have a mountain bike in the garage somewhere. Put it on the trailer !!!!

What you laughin at Larry? I know with all those "BIKES" you gotta have a mountain bike in the garage somewhere. Put it on the trailer !!!! yeah, right! hahaha. Al, Larry can't last 15 minutes on a bike with a motor in the dirt..how in the world you think he can pedal? hahahahahhaha Larry, you better get to training! hahaha

Just a tip...................Don't eat anything that looks like chocolate.:sneaky Not too many bathrooms that I could see on the way up the Cherehola. DOH!!!:lol Al if we are lucky BKR1 may show up...he just picked up a nice carbon fiber roadie and we were talking about doing the cherohala during the convention if he comes! That will be fun!

I got a roadie too. You guys are in trouble now!!! Don't think us flatlanders can't haul azz!

What you laughin at Larry? I know with all those "BIKES" you gotta have a mountain bike in the garage somewhere. Put it on the trailer !!!! Ooooh. :owwn3d If I can fit my mountain bike on the truck I might bring it; however, I don't know if I can keep up with all you guys from the way your talking. :lol

Talk is always much bigger than truth on the internet...you know that randy, ahahahhaha. Ok, I have to start training harder now. hahah. gives me something to shoot for though!

From what I hear Tsali is'nt at all technical on the mountain bike and there's several trails. The one at Fontana Village though is supposedly pretty technical but not too gnarly. I'm bidding on a trailer on ebay as we speak so that I can fit the roadbike and the mtb in the truckbed. Hopefully I'll win the trailer. If I do it's on like Donkey Kong. ,

Talk is always much bigger than truth on the internet...you know that randy, ahahahhaha. Ok, I have to start training harder now. hahah. gives me something to shoot for though! :lol I have'nt ridden hard since last year just before the convention and this is my first Road Bike. Last year I did about 25miles 3 times a week. I'm just switching to a Roadie now because it's the most convenient thing for my location. That and I get tired of seeing them enjoying the hell out of their bikes while my bike sits in the garage.

Talk is always much bigger than truth on the internet...you know that randy, ahahahhaha. Ok, I have to start training harder now. hahah. gives me something to shoot for though! Don't worry Chad, I'll scrub your tires in for you.:finger

From what I hear Tsali is'nt at all technical on the mountain bike and there's several trails. The one at Fontana Village though is supposedly pretty technical but not too gnarly. I'm bidding on a trailer on ebay as we speak so that I can fit the roadbike and the mtb in the truckbed. Hopefully I'll win the trailer. If I do it's on like Donkey Kong. , cool, I don't ride any real Mountain bike stuff. I want something easy, lol. :lol I have'nt ridden hard since last year just before the convention and this is my first Road Bike. Last year I did about 25miles 3 times a week. I'm just switching to a Roadie now because it's the most convenient thing for my location. That and I get tired of seeing them enjoying the hell out of their bikes while my bike sits in the garage. I just picked up my road bike about 2 months ago. It was my first one as well. I like it a lot though. Hard finding time to ride but I generally do either 16, 22, or a 31 mile loop 2-3 times a week. Hardest thing is finding time to ride. I definately want to ride more than I actually do. Good thing is I can ride right out of my house to great roads. Don't worry Chad, I'll scrub your tires in for you.:finger Hey, that is the least you can do for me..you owe me! hahahaha

I just picked up my road bike about 2 months ago. It was my first one as well. I like it a lot though. Hard finding time to ride but I generally do either 16, 22, or a 31 mile loop 2-3 times a week. Hardest thing is finding time to ride. I definately want to ride more than I actually do. Good thing is I can ride right out of my house to great roads. Awwwwwwwww sheot!!! Blood in the water. I'll go on ahead and crown myself champion now. Chad if we ride the Cherohola that's gonna be some serious burn in the legs.

Awwwwwwwww sheot!!! Blood in the water. I'll go on ahead and crown myself champion now. Chad if we ride the Cherohola that's gonna be some serious burn in the legs. I know...won't it be fun!!!!:D better find some wind down there and start pedaling into it! hahahaha Once we get to the top...coming down will be pretty easy though, LOL. Nice steady pace up and I think we can do it.

Yeah I was talking to BKR1 yesterday about riding the Cherohala...I think that would be an awesome ride!!!!Im reading the Bicycling magazine right now . The Blue Ridge Parkway sounds nice also . My bike is ALL Carbon , weighing in at 16 lbs !! The onlt thing that is scaring me about big climbs in the mtns is that I dont have a third ring upfront ! LOL I need a granny gear for those !!

So are we doing the bike thing ? I just heard some good stuff about the trail right at Fontana Village and also Tsali is supposed to be buff. I'd also consider bringing a roadie but I don't want to hurt Chad' feelings forcing him to realize how far back "far back" can be. Dont underestimate Chad . But Im hoping to embarass him to ! :flex:

Well , I guess I better get to training up then.

Im reading the Bicycling magazine right now . The Blue Ridge Parkway sounds nice also . My bike is ALL Carbon , weighing in at 16 lbs !! The onlt thing that is scaring me about big climbs in the mtns is that I dont have a third ring upfront ! LOL I need a granny gear for those !! You know what you can do is buy a different rear cassette for mountain riding. I already checked into it. They said you can get one that works really well in the mountains and you won't need the third ring upfront. Dont underestimate Chad . But Im hoping to embarass him to ! :flex: Oh you have to come now!!! This is going to be fun! I may get embarassed...but I am going to try hard not to:D We may have to do a Blue ridge parkway ride at some point too. Not sure I could do both in one week though, lol. I think the cherohala and the BRP will be great bicycling roads though. Not much traffic, pretty open, and it does have a gradualy climb instead of crazy steep climbs. Plus the cherohala actually does have some down hills on the way up to the highest point, and some nice flat stretches too.

Well , I guess I better get to training up then. sounds like we all better!:lol

Ive been averaging 60 miles a week since Jan. but most of that was cardio mtn bike riding . I just got the road bike 100 miles ago .

Im reading the Bicycling magazine right now . The Blue Ridge Parkway sounds nice also . My bike is ALL Carbon , weighing in at 16 lbs !! The onlt thing that is scaring me about big climbs in the mtns is that I dont have a third ring upfront ! LOL I need a granny gear for those !! Shoulda bought a touring bike. I don't plan on getting off of two wheels much at all, and I refuse to on climbs. I can crank it down to super torque and still climb. :flex: Just gotta get the ol' ticker back up to speed before I attempt anything like that. :dundun:

My longest ride on the road bike was 28 miles , Sat before last .These hills are pretty short around here though . Not like climbing one side of a mtn !! The Cherahala kinda follows a ridge so it might not be to bad . The BRP 's grades do not exceed 8 % , that sounds doable !

What you laughin at Larry? I know with all those "BIKES" you gotta have a mountain bike in the garage somewhere. Put it on the trailer !!!! AL, if it doesnt have a motor, i dont ride it.......:fact:lol I do think the boys have a tricycle somewhere, that should be all i need to keep up with Chad.......:lol:yesnod

Hello guys, I have only been on the forum a short time, got my R1 the last day of Dec. But I live here in Asheville and about 2 mins from the BRP and have the luxury of having both a mtn and road bike. But I tell you some of the 8% grades on a rode bike are tough. The stretch going from the NC Arboritum to Mt. Pisgah is tough as -ell, a constant up hill climb. Tsali at Fontana has 4 trails North Trail, South Trail, East and West Trails. They are switched everyday between mtn biking and horseback riding. None of them are technical but avg about 15 miles each. All are loads of fun. If you have some down time I recommend Bent Creek here in Asheville for mtn biking or even DuPont State down in Hendersonville. As for the BRP it is rideable with only two chainrings up front, but you better have your legs ready for some burn. If you don't want to appear to be a wuss, get yourself what is called a compact crankset for the front. It is a two chainring set up but the smaller of the two is a little smaller in diameter than a normal two crank chainring. It usually has 2 to 5 less teeth with as you can probably figure out changes the gear ratio dramatically. Anyway this is my $.02. Just thought I could help some of you.

Hello guys, I have only been on the forum a short time, got my R1 the last day of Dec. But I live here in Asheville and about 2 mins from the BRP and have the luxury of having both a mtn and road bike. But I tell you some of the 8% grades on a rode bike are tough. The stretch going from the NC Arboritum to Mt. Pisgah is tough as -ell, a constant up hill climb. Tsali at Fontana has 4 trails North Trail, South Trail, East and West Trails. They are switched everyday between mtn biking and horseback riding. None of them are technical but avg about 15 miles each. All are loads of fun. If you have some down time I recommend Bent Creek here in Asheville for mtn biking or even DuPont State down in Hendersonville. As for the BRP it is rideable with only two chainrings up front, but you better have your legs ready for some burn. If you don't want to appear to be a wuss, get yourself what is called a compact crankset for the front. It is a two chainring set up but the smaller of the two is a little smaller in diameter than a normal two crank chainring. It usually has 2 to 5 less teeth with as you can probably figure out changes the gear ratio dramatically. Anyway this is my $.02. Just thought I could help some of you.That is all very good info, Thank you ! I bet mtn biking anywhere up that way is incredible !!

yes i have loads of fun. check out www.mtbikewnc.com it has loads of info on mountain biking in western NC.

Tahnks for the link !

Tsali's Left and Right Loops Many small climbs, but several longer ones of about 300' at a time. Length: 18 miles. Trails/Roads Used: Left Loop; Overlook Loop; Right Loop; optional side trail to another overlook. Configuration/type: Loop and it's entirely singletrack. Start: Tsali Recreation Area parking lot. How to get there: See the WNC Area Map for the location of Bryson City and Tsali. From Bryson City, NC, follow US 19/74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) to intersection with NC 28 north. Follow NC 28 north about 3 miles to sign for the Tsali Recreation Area; turn right. Follow this to the campground and trailhead parking lot; park in the lot signed "Riders Park and Pay Here." Special Restrictions: there is a two dollar/day trail use fee at Tsali. This loop can only be ridden on certain days (see the Tsali Trail Use Schedule). Ride Description: Tsali's Left and Right Loop trails can be combined to make a great ride. Loop can be ridden either direction, but I have ridden both ways and prefer to go clockwise to hit the best downhills. This description assumes travel clockwise. First pay the (small) trail use fee. Ride past the bike washing station and make an immediate left onto the Left Loop trail. This is a very short climb that soon levels out. At the intersection with the gravel road (which is County Line Road), ride straight across and pick up the Left Loop trail again on the other side. The trail is immediately tight singletrack and it quickly descends on a great downhill (a taste of things to come!). After a few more short climbs and descents, you will ride into a cove, pass an old chimney, and then begin following the lakeshore. The next several miles are all rolling singletrack along the lakeshore, with a few creek crossings, many banked curves, and a few relatively technical spots (though not extremely so), as you dip into cove after cove. The trail will eventually round a ridge that extends out into the lake, which forms a long peninsula or two small, neat islands, depending on the lake's water level. It will then begin a long, gradual uphill climb. The mostly sidehill climb is not steep and and the trail remains fast, with banked turns. The trail gets a little steeper just before it passes over a small ridgetop, which is a well used resting spot. A particularly steep, fast downhill section follows. It bottoms out and immediately begins up another another short, relatively steep climb (keep your speed up and avoid some huffing!). Another steep downhill follows, with several jumps. This levels out some, travels through some beautiful, steep mountainside forest scenes, and then heads downhill again (not quite as steep as the last drop). At the bottom of this downhill is a very muddy creekside climb. The trail will cross the creek and get considerably steeper. Rounding a switchback left, it moderates some but still climbs. It then becomes a rolling cruise taking you to the only intersection, where a trail comes in from the right and behind you. As area all intersections at Tsali, this one is signed. Continue straight. Left Loop ends and you are now on Overlook Loop. This is a steady climb to the top of the ridge and the overlook. A switchback to the right means you're almost there! The climb is all worth it, though, as you ride out onto the overlook and see the incredible view of the Great Smoky Mountains with Fontana Lake hundreds of feet below in the foreground. Continue on past the overlook onto a downhill which has a couple of technical, rocky switchbacks, and eventually back up some more. The next intersection is a 4-way with the Right Loop trail, County Line Road, and Left Loop. Continuing straight would take you to the parking lot via County Line Road. Both the Left and Right loops share County Line Road to complete each loop, but forget the gravel road and make a left here onto Right Loop for more of the same great terrain. A fast, winding descent will be followed with a ride along a creek. Watch as the forest changes from cool, moist hemlock-rhododendron coves, to open meadows and clearcuts, to lush hardwood forests, to hot, dry ridgelines. Rolling sections follow, where there are some very narrow sections. At an intersection with a connector trail, make a left and stay on right loop. You will eventually climb a steep-ish hill and come to intersection with the out-and-back trail to the Windy Gap "overlook". If you're up for some more mileage, this trail is worthwhile. Though the overlook is not that great, the trail is a bit more technical than most of Tsali and it's fun. After visiting the overlook (or not), continue along Right loop for some more up and down riding. Stay on Right Loop at any intersections. The trail will eventually commit a significant climb, then become a long, gradual, screaming fast downhill and emerge near the lakeshore. This downhill is one of the highlights of the ride. At over a mile long, it will surely get your adrenaline pumping, with its banked curves, sidehill sections, rocky sections, dips and straight-aways. The downhill ends at a creek crossing, and then there is one more long but gradual climb (on which you can keep in the middle/big rings) as you watch the milepost signs count down to your destination. You will emerge tired (and happy!) back at the familiar parking lot.

Man, Fontana really does have it all!!! We are going to run out of time to do everything this year! I am going to have to really get into good shape just so I can do everything, lol.

07-R1 Newbie...you coming to the convention??

will not be able to attend this year because of work. But I am trying to line it up so that I can in 08. It sounds like you guys have loads of fun. Besides I need to get my skills up to the mad level that you guys are at. I have only been riding since last Aug.

can you at least come up for the weekend? Don't worry about your riding skills, no one will be there to critic you. We have every single level of rider that will attend, so you will be fine. either way, look forward to meeting you this year or next.

will not be able to attend this year because of work. But I am trying to line it up so that I can in 08. It sounds like you guys have loads of fun. Besides I need to get my skills up to the mad level that you guys are at. I have only been riding since last Aug. As the Chief of the lesser skilled forum riders I invite you to come down even if you only get to peep your head in while we hoot and holler at Fontana Village. We're there for a solid week so work can't stop you from coming down to hang out on Saturday. Since I've been going there has only been one person we truly worried about with the riding part of the convention, and he broke his leg in the parking lot so we did'nt have to worry anymore.

HERE COMES THE PAIN TRAIN BABY!!!!! WOOOOOOT WOOOOOOOOOT!!! I talked to one of our Mountain bike instructors today and he told me that's what the Cherohola was.

HERE COMES THE PAIN TRAIN BABY!!!!! WOOOOOOT WOOOOOOOOOT!!! I talked to one of our Mountain bike instructors today and he told me that's what the Cherohola was. heck yeah...bring on teh PAIN TRAIN!! hahahahaa

HERE COMES THE PAIN TRAIN BABY!!!!! WOOOOOOT WOOOOOOOOOT!!! I talked to one of our Mountain bike instructors today and he told me that's what the Cherohola was. heck yeah...bring on teh PAIN TRAIN!! hahahahaa :lol :lol Anyone got a portable defribulator they can carry for in case I go down? :lol :lol

:lol :lol Anyone got a portable defribulator they can carry for in case I go down? :lol :lol hahaha, we have one here at work....maybe I should "borrow" it, lol.

hahaha, we have one here at work....maybe I should "borrow" it, lol. :fact

Pain train... Bring it on!!! Last year I jumped on a road bike after a seven year hiatus and rode 150 miles for charity. 80 of those miles were directly into a 22 knot headwind pulling 4 riders. I'll be ready. All I need is a trailer. I'm bringing the Warrior, the R1 for Barber, and 2 bicycles, one roadie and one MTB.

Pain train... Bring it on!!! Last year I jumped on a road bike after a seven year hiatus and rode 150 miles for charity. 80 of those miles were directly into a 22 knot headwind pulling 4 riders. I'll be ready. All I need is a trailer. I'm bringing the Warrior, the R1 for Barber, and 2 bicycles, one roadie and one MTB. oh crap!!! I hope you feel like towing 3 more riders then! hahahaha. I got some work to do before i feel like I will be ready for the Pain train! lol but I will be up for it either way!

oh crap!!! I hope you feel like towing 3 more riders then! hahahaha. I got some work to do before i feel like I will be ready for the Pain train! lol but I will be up for it either way! Hey, they were riding for charity. Unless you feel like donating to my favorite charity yer on yer own brotha!!!:sneaky No FREELOADERS on this ride.:machinegu All kidding aside, I love riding my MTB as much as I dig track riding. I can't wait to hit Tsali and the loops at Fontana.

oh crap!!! I hope you feel like towing 3 more riders then! hahahaha. I got some work to do before i feel like I will be ready for the Pain train! lol but I will be up for it either way! :iamwithst I'm a big ol' caboose. If anyone tries pulling me, they're up for some serious exercise. :fact

Hey, they were riding for charity. Unless you feel like donating to my favorite charity yer on yer own brotha!!!:sneaky No FREELOADERS on this ride.:machinegu All kidding aside, I love riding my MTB as much as I dig track riding. I can't wait to hit Tsali and the loops at Fontana. I guess I will throw in the mountain bike but honestly I have never even done much actually trail riding on the mountain bike...I leave that for the YZ250, LOL. I would like to give it a shot though. and you better pretend we are doing a charity ride because from the sounds of it the rest of us will be charity cases compared to you on the cherohala, hahaha. :iamwithst I'm a big ol' caboose. If anyone tries pulling me, they're up for some serious exercise. :fact Shawn, we may have one locomotive and 4 cabooses! lmao!!!

Oh Shit!!! What did I set myself up for???:scared You know what, we'll suck up on the dude with the carbon frame.:secret: I got a lowly 8 year old Cannondale double ( I toss the granny ring for weight savings). :flex:

Oh Shit!!! What did I set myself up for???:scared You know what, we'll suck up on the dude with the carbon frame.:secret: I got a lowly 8 year old Cannondale double ( I toss the granny ring for weight savings). :flex: yeah BKR1 has full Carbon...lightest bike of any of us...we can let him pull us along! hahahaa

Shawn, we may have one locomotive and 4 cabooses! lmao!!! :thumbup Ya'll will be better conditioned than me I'm afraid. I'm also the heaviest out of all by about 50 pounds. :fact Oh Shit!!! What did I set myself up for???:scared You know what, we'll suck up on the dude with the carbon frame.:secret: I got a lowly 8 year old Cannondale double ( I toss the granny ring for weight savings). :flex: Pfft.. Unless you're a racer, the 8 or 10 grams the granny ring weighs won't save you much if anything. Touring bikes don't need to worry much about weight. ;) yeah BKR1 has full Carbon...lightest bike of any of us...we can let him pull us along! hahahaa I've got ChroMo technology. I'm going to get my bike rigged with a harness and use the rest of you as my pack of dogs. :lol :lol

:thumbup Pfft.. Unless you're a racer, the 8 or 10 grams the granny ring weighs won't save you much if anything. Touring bikes don't need to worry much about weight. ;) Heck, I even take the valve stem caps and cable nipples off to save weight.:butt :sing: WOOF!

Weight is everything . One of my friends that is faster than me on equal mtn bikes is even with me with a 4.5 lb heavier road bike :) It made buying it all worth it !! LOL I hope I can make it with you guys . I would prolly have to ride on friday if I can .

Weight is everything . One of my friends that is faster than me on equal mtn bikes is even with me with a 4.5 lb heavier road bike :) It made buying it all worth it !! LOL I hope I can make it with you guys . I would prolly have to ride on friday if I can . When you're as old, heavy and slow as I am weight isn't as big of a concern... :dundun:

Weight is everything . One of my friends that is faster than me on equal mtn bikes is even with me with a 4.5 lb heavier road bike :) It made buying it all worth it !! LOL I hope I can make it with you guys . I would prolly have to ride on friday if I can . Friday sounds like a good day to do it Brian! I hope you can make it!

Every little bit helps ! LOL I got 16 miles in today on the mtn bike . I was off pace though , havent ridden since last Sunday . Chad I will be making last minute plans but at best thurs MX - fri road bike ride . At worst Fri bike ride . Really worst no show . I am about to sign up for a Tour de Cure ride (150 miles in 2 days :scared ) in Cary NC that will be the weekend before the convention and then the next weekend I have a jetski race in Mooresville , NC on LKN ! So a Cherohala bike ride in the middle will be tough ! LOL

Every little bit helps ! LOL I got 16 miles in today on the mtn bike . I was off pace though , havent ridden since last Sunday . Chad I will be making last minute plans but at best thurs MX - fri road bike ride . At worst Fri bike ride . Really worst no show . I am about to sign up for a Tour de Cure ride (150 miles in 2 days :scared ) in Cary NC that will be the weekend before the convention and then the next weekend I have a jetski race in Mooresville , NC on LKN ! So a Cherohala bike ride in the middle will be tough ! LOL Sounds like a good plan Brian! Don't worry about the cherohala ride to much...it will be a nice leisurely ride, seriously. I want to enjoy it more than trying to push hard and make it a race or see how fast we can go. I just want to say I rode it on a bicycle...plus on a bike you can actually look around! lol. Heck, I only got to ride once this week too:mad: and it was also a 16 mile ride. Pisses me off but this week I just couldn't fit the riding in. I am riding MX tomorrow so that is good. Maybe I can get a 30 mile ride in on sunday, then pick back up to 3 days a week next week.

Hey at least you guys are able to ride. We still have snow on the ground in some spots, roads covered in sand and salt... I'm hoping to make it to the MX track this weekend for the first time. Need to get the LeTour out as well.

Hey at least you guys are able to ride. We still have snow on the ground in some spots, roads covered in sand and salt... I'm hoping to make it to the MX track this weekend for the first time. Need to get the LeTour out as well. yeah, that is true...I would go nuts if I couldn't ride until now!!!:scared

Riding season is typically mid April until late October around here. You can push sooner or later depending upon weather. I've ridden as early as March 27th, and as late as Thanksgiving weekend. But, don't like to because of temps and road debris. When I was younger, I used to ride a POS bicycle year round. Of course, that's when I was riding centuries almost every day. Now... :dundun:

heck with that!!! we ride everything almost year round down here. we get some cold spells where we may not ride...but i has to be pretty cold not to ride MX. we never get snow. I love it here!!

Need to move south... May go to SoCal for a couple years once the boy graduates from high school. But, I'd also like to get down to the SE (except for FL). Wife and I are planning a trip to Northern GA this fall. :thumbup

May try to get down to the convention to at least ride bicycles with you guys, seeing how I may not ever get my other bike back. May just have to load both bicycles in the truck and drive on down.

May try to get down to the convention to at least ride bicycles with you guys, seeing how I may not ever get my other bike back. May just have to load both bicycles in the truck and drive on down. yeah come on, we will have a good time!

May try to get down to the convention to at least ride bicycles with you guys, seeing how I may not ever get my other bike back. May just have to load both bicycles in the truck and drive on down. I hope Yamaha irons out those issues on the 07's. Sorry you can't ride your R1 but we'll have fun on the MTB's, and more so if you show up.:thumbup ,

You guys tear it up for me. I gotta get in shape to kick your arses for next year. I'l be lucy to be on a stationary bike by then.

You guys tear it up for me. I gotta get in shape to kick your arses for next year. I'l be lucy to be on a stationary bike by then. In honor of my friend Shawn I will only bring my Mountain bike.:bow ( The real reason is that my road bike is thoroughly kickin my arse trying to train up for the knee puck prep man. Rather than wear a severe arse whoopin I'd rather leave it home. )

In honor of my friend Shawn I will only bring my Mountain bike.:bow ( The real reason is that my road bike is thoroughly kickin my arse trying to train up for the knee puck prep man. Rather than wear a severe arse whoopin I'd rather leave it home. ) I knew you would be skeerrred Al! hahahaha So it looks like just me and BK now...if BK can't swing it then I won't be bringing mine either.

I knew you would be skeerrred Al! hahahaha So it looks like just me and BK now...if BK can't swing it then I won't be bringing mine either. I can't hear you.:snorkel

I can't hear you.:snorkel LOL

Lol

I knew you would be skeerrred Al! hahahaha So it looks like just me and BK now...if BK can't swing it then I won't be bringing mine either. You and BK only doing what? :dunno

You and BK only doing what? :dunno riding bicycles....or are you still in?? I figured with shawn and al out that it was only me and BK left.

riding bicycles....or are you still in?? I figured with shawn and al out that it was only me and BK left. Nope, I'm still in unless something changes and keeps me away from the convention. Granted I'll be slow, and taxed given my current condition, but I wouldn't leave my roadie at home. :thumbup

very cool. This ride won't be a speed fest anyway, just a nice fun cruise on the cherohala.

Yeah, but my "normal pace" at this time is probably a snail's pace to you. :lol :lol Just be sure you pack that defribulator. :fact They still have no clue as to what's going on with me. :rant

If I bring my mountain bike I think I'll just stick to riding it around Fontana Village. LOL.....

Yeah, but my "normal pace" at this time is probably a snail's pace to you. :lol :lol Just be sure you pack that defribulator. :fact They still have no clue as to what's going on with me. :rant Dang!!!!:mad: In the interest of safety I'll bring the roadie!!! But I just want to make it clear......................I'm riding with Fjorn ; if Chad happens to be in the area it's purely coincidental.:finger

If I bring my mountain bike I think I'll just stick to riding it around Fontana Village. LOL..... I'm envisioning a kidnapping the morning we go ride. You should look up the video's they have of people riding Tsali. Not too technical and some pretty buff singletrack.

Dang!!!!:mad: In the interest of safety I'll bring the roadie!!! But I just want to make it clear......................I'm riding with Fjorn ; if Chad happens to be in the area it's purely coincidental.:finger Awesome. Thanks Al. :thumbup Although, I'm sure the MB will suffice as I'm not very fast anymore. Sadly, I think my sustained speed is probably around 13-14 mph right now. :( Far cry from the 19-20 I used to be able to do for twice the distance. :cryin

Dang!!!!:mad: In the interest of safety I'll bring the roadie!!! But I just want to make it clear......................I'm riding with Fjorn ; if Chad happens to be in the area it's purely coincidental.:finger that's awesome Al! don't worry, I just putt around on the bicycle. and riding the cherohala will be a challenge at any pace but also should be really cool!