Reddish Knob – ADV and INT/ADV MTB

OVERVIEW

Somehow Max and I, with all the riding we’ve done this semester, are yet to have hit two of our favorite descents in the GWNF. Both descents come off of Reddish Knob, a road-accessible 4400’ summit on the WV border that offers some of the best mountain biking on the East Coast. Because of the size of this ride and the steepness of the first descent, we are offering two options: join for the full ride (42mi 6550’), or join in later during the second descent (23.5-29mi, 3460-4530’).

The full-ride group will get out bright and early to be riding by 7:30 am. We’ll begin with the first of two massive road climbs to Briery Branch Gap, then split off to continue climbing on doubletrack. We’ll reach the start of Sugar Run trail, locally known as Deathstar. MTB project calls Deathstar “a raw, un-groomed, GWNF downhill experience.” It really is quite the descent, with 2300’ of hand cut, often questionably steep goodness. Then we’re in for another huge road climb to the summit of reddish knob. At this point, we’ll begin descending timber ridge and likely run into the rest of the crew soon.

Deathstar: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7025318

The shorter ride crew will have a bit longer to sleep off their hangover, needing to be riding by 9:30am. You’ll start by riding Tilghman road and take a right to begin climbing timber ridge. You’ll climb up the timber ridge trail until you run into the other crew (or reach the top of reddish if you’re speedy). Then, you’ll turn around and we’ll descend timber ridge and the turn onto Wolf ridge. Wolf ridge is maybe the best descent in Virginia – it’s chunky with quick turns and lots of engaging features. It’s difficult, but not super steep or particularly high consequence and can be taken on by a more intermediate level rider. It’s comparable in difficulty to Chestnut Ridge (led a questionably INT trip there a few weeks ago). After that descent, we’ll all have the opportunity to ride a 2 descent loop of Narrowback (much smaller descents, chill INT friendly riding).

Timber ridge: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000788
Wolf ridge: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4297113
Narrowback: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4010962 https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7060991

The plan:
6:00 am or 8:00 am: depart Cville
7:30 am or 9:30 am: be riding
12:30ish: both groups link up on Timber ridge
4:30 pm: back at car
6:00 pm: back in Cville

You bring:
-water 2.5-3.5L
-trail snacks
-a way to carry your water and snacks – let me know in the trip questions if you’d like to borrow a club pack
-weather appropriate clothing – it looks chilly
-closed-toe shoes

We bring:
-bikes
-helmets
-tools

Driver needed! We have space for two others but would love to have more if we can get another driver – drivers get priority off the waitlist and gas reimbursement + 50% tip! Please let me know about your bike carrying abilities if you have a car.