Shedding just a few hundred grams on new wheels can make an appreciable difference
Fast transitions and high berms help with the turns. Trail is now covered in snow and you can only ride the packed areas from where sledders and shredders have packed out a trail.
Lost Lake starts at its namesake trailhead.
This ridge is more rugged than the other two ridges. Freeze-thaw cycle isn't awful, but does make this trail rather slick. A trail & parking area reconstruction project completed in July '17. It is typically maintained at a high level due to its popularity and use. More branches down and seems they are often in bad spots, i.e. landings. A steep, punchy switchback filled climb follows a set of spines from Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC to the parking lot of Old Fort Picnic area.
The lower half features two rock drops including reef drop which is the largest rock drop and Highland and. The area is mostly wooded but there are several places that offer spectacular views. This is a shuttle access downhill trail that is suitable for all ages and multiple different bike styles- although best suited for all mountain, dirtjumper or full on DH bikes. Unfortunately, the lake-side trail has a hike-a-bike section in the middle. The trails are well drained and suitable for riding when wet. You can find everyone out here having fun from people in body armor and downhill bikes to families testing their kids limits to xc racer types riding intervals. The trails all run parallel to the Fountain Place paved road so they can be shuttled by car. Very windy so drying fast. The trail ends with some nice berms at the bottom. Logs embedded in the trail have been installed to signal technical terrain. All hits are roll-able and built for progressing your jumping skills. Or with only moderate climbing involved these trails can keep almost anyone interested for hours.
Good tyres offer lower weight, faster rolling resistance and better grip
Two wheel drifting is likely if you have speed but are not riding the top few inches of the berms. Brief passing showers are keeping it wet but the sun and wind are trying.
Shedding just a few hundred grams on new wheels can make an appreciable difference
Fast transitions and high berms help with the turns. Trail is now covered in snow and you can only ride the packed areas from where sledders and shredders have packed out a trail.
Electronic shifting is worth it with the sublime shifting performance and ease of maintenance
Be careful of the rock stairs relatively close to the top of this portion; too much speed could doom your descent on these. Plenty of kick ups, jumps, drops, and huge berms.
Tidy up your tired stee with new wrap of bar tape
Ride to the top and then down and link it directly into Ridegeline