Nrge Friday Mountain Biking – All Levels – Arrowhead Trails or New River Gorge Trails (with Optional Tour De Gorge)

OVERVIEW

Join me for some easy mountain biking on day 1 of the NRGE. With its wonderful network of flowy, not-too-technical, trails Arrowhead is a perfect place for beginners but fun for all levels! However, since there is an NRGE trip to Arrowhead on Saturday (see Ian McClelland’s trip) I’m tempted to show you some easy trails down in the gorge that follow the river – those trails follow much of the stretch of the New River that the kayakers will be paddling on Saturday.

An optional pre or post ride mini-adventure is to check out the NRG Visitor’s Center (not far from camp) that offers a short-hike boardwalk to some fantastic views of the gorge and New River Bridge. If there’s time we can also drive under the bridge down into the gorge to check out the view from the river and see the lovely Fayette Station rapid – the final class IV rapid of the classic gorge section of the New River.

I’m setting a tentative meeting time at Echols for 11am, but this might change. My schedule is a bit up in the air as I work on other plans but we’ll certainly leave no later than 1pm to get to WV for plenty of daylight. If all goes to plan we’ll eat lunch on the road then roll into Ray’s Campground and set up camp. After we get organized we’ll take the short drive to the trailhead and tear into it for 2-3 hours, and if we still feel like riding after shredding Arrowhead we’ll follow the plan above or could do a short out-and-back on the neighboring Kaymoor Mines Trail, then head back to camp to get the party rollin’!

For more info, including a little history, about the trails:
http://www.grafwv.com/page/content.detail/id/506340/Mountain-biking-in-WV–The-story-of-Arrowhead-Trails.html?nav=5004

Trail Map (includes trails of other regional rides):

CAMPING:
We’ll be staying at Ray’s Campground: http://www.rayscampground.com/

There is plenty of space, bathrooms/showers, firewood to purchase, and good people. For directions you can follow the link above or the “adventure destination” link posted with this adventure.

THE CLUB PROVIDES: Camping gear (limited availability – **sign out what you need from the gear room well in advance of this trip**) including tents, sleeping bags and pads, bikes and helmets (limited numbers and sizes), ga$, pizza on Saturday eve, camp fee.

YOU SHOULD BRING: Your camping gear, your bike and helmet if you have them, clothes (prep for cool nights and mornings) including athletic wear for the ride (no baggy pants!), flashlight, towel, toiletries, sunscreen, money (for restaurant dining, snacks/drink, etc.)

I will need at least 1 driver to make this work, therefor the first driver or 2 gets priority.

MAKE SURE YOU SIGN UP FOR THE NRGE CARPOOL ADVENTURE IF YOU MAKE IT ONTO THE TRIP LIST.

Thanks!