Idiotic Highland Ride Report

[LeeDavis]

Not so idiotic after all...it's amazing we get to do this any time we want to! We're very lucky riders.

Perfect weather yesterday and all the gravel roads up to the highlands and back were in fine shape. The paved roads up top between Linville and Blowing Rock are crap though. The BRP is closed in 2 places so you can't get through. 221 and pretty much every other public paved road is slathered in salt and grit.

For my 1st time ever the gates were open so I got to ride the 4.5 mile shortcut road near the top of Maple Sally. I can't imagine why the Forest Service always has it closed. It's a nice little 2-track.

Crossing at Joe's Creek. I went back and forth twice cause it's fun!

[Brick]

So this forest Service road goes from NC-90 to what road???
So I could do this on my Tenete'?

[LeeDavis]

So this forest Service road goes from NC-90 to what road???
So I could do this on my Tenete'?

If you look on your Garmin map in Basecamp you'll see it - "Forest Service Rd" running between 90 and Edgemont. Good road, no problem on a Tenete! I don't have the required skilz or balz to do stoopid isht when I'm up there alone.

[Bob]

Whats a Tenete?

Nice report Lee. Interesting that the DS roads were dry. Maybe the absence of leaves on the trees provides more sun. Is that creek crossing on the "shortcut" you took or somewhere else?

[LeeDavis]

The creek crossing is immediately off Sampson on to Penley - an easy thrill since it's right there in front of you. Continue on that road and it gets a little more gnarly until you end at the north side of Richland trail. There are some houses, though, all the way until it becomes single track rocks and gullies. What PITA it would be to live there.