New to North Carolina

low drag

Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
227
Location
Durham, NC
I'm looking for anyone that rides in North Carolina or southern Virginia. I've just relocated from the Denver, CO area and did a good deal of riding in Colorado, getting off the pavement as much as I could including doing the COBDR. I'm in Durham, NC now.

The mountains in western NC look like there's got to be some fantastic riding, even paved roads look like they'll be fun in that area.

One ride I'll do once I get settled in is heading down to Swansborro to hit an oyster bar I haunted many years ago while in the Marines, but that'll be all pavement.

Any pointers to some fun rides would be appreciated. Thanks
 

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,816
Location
North Carolina
Welcome to NC.

I've ridden some in western NC, but no gravel or dirt, so I couldn't be much help there. I did find this website that might be helpful:

https://gravelmap.com/

There's a ton of awesome pavement riding out that way. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway, the Moonshiner 28, Fontana Dam, Pisgah National Forest. And of course everyone knows about the Dragon (though I've never been).

If you head south down from Durham, you'll find quite a few gravel and dirt roads in the Uwharrie National Forest area. I've ridden up there quite a bit.

There's also a dual sport riders group up in your area, that you can find on Meetups.com: https://www.meetup.com/NC-Piedmont-Triad-Dual-Sport-Adventure-Riders/?_cookie-check=TiaCzbenJHMCIVd3 . They'll probably have good info on dirt and gravel in your area.
 

low drag

Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
227
Location
Durham, NC
RCinNC said:
Welcome to NC.

I've ridden some in western NC, but no gravel or dirt, so I couldn't be much help there. I did find this website that might be helpful:

https://gravelmap.com/

There's a ton of awesome pavement riding out that way. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway, the Moonshiner 28, Fontana Dam, Pisgah National Forest. And of course everyone knows about the Dragon (though I've never been).

If you head south down from Durham, you'll find quite a few gravel and dirt roads in the Uwharrie National Forest area. I've ridden up there quite a bit.

There's also a dual sport riders group up in your area, that you can find on Meetups.com: https://www.meetup.com/NC-Piedmont-Triad-Dual-Sport-Adventure-Riders/?_cookie-check=TiaCzbenJHMCIVd3 . They'll probably have good info on dirt and gravel in your area.
I appreciate the info!
I hope to get some detailed trail maps of the western mountain areas similar to what I had for Colorado. I got most of them at REI and other sporting goods stores. I will for sure get out to the Dragon, if not this year then surely the next.
 

Brick

Member
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
945
Location
Western North Carolina, USA
Welcome to riding heaven! You didn’t actually say where in Western North Carolina you live. I’m in Morganton, NC and we have a good group of riders. If you are anywhere close come on over. Let’s ride!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

low drag

Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
227
Location
Durham, NC
Brick said:
Welcome to riding heaven! You didn’t actually say where in Western North Carolina you live. I’m in Morganton, NC and we have a good group of riders. If you are anywhere close come on over. Let’s ride!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm in the Durham area. Still getting the lay of the land and settling into the new house. I was finally able to get out for a short ride Saturday. I've just about had it with boxes and setting up the house. My garage is a disaster......
 

Brick

Member
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
945
Location
Western North Carolina, USA
Yea moving sucks.
Let me know if you want to come this way to some great roads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

low drag

Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
227
Location
Durham, NC
RCinNC said:
Welcome to NC.

I've ridden some in western NC, but no gravel or dirt, so I couldn't be much help there. I did find this website that might be helpful:

https://gravelmap.com/

There's a ton of awesome pavement riding out that way. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway, the Moonshiner 28, Fontana Dam, Pisgah National Forest. And of course everyone knows about the Dragon (though I've never been).

If you head south down from Durham, you'll find quite a few gravel and dirt roads in the Uwharrie National Forest area. I've ridden up there quite a bit.

There's also a dual sport riders group up in your area, that you can find on Meetups.com: https://www.meetup.com/NC-Piedmont-Triad-Dual-Sport-Adventure-Riders/?_cookie-check=TiaCzbenJHMCIVd3 . They'll probably have good info on dirt and gravel in your area.
I'm getting caught up with the house and yard, I am thinking of taking a ride out to Uwharrie NF sometime in August. I can't believe summer is slipping away so fast! I have few things coming up the next few weekends so I'll have to push to August.

Do you know of any trail maps for Uwharrie NF?

I'll hit a place like that by myself if the trails are basically rough gravel roads but for real technical/rough stuff I don't go alone. However I'd like to go check it out. I'm used to riding and hour and 1/2 from Denver to get to trails so riding there from Durham is no big deal to me.
 

BaldKnob

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
776
Location
SENC
Uwharrie can be fun on a big bike just know that it's very rocky and nearly impossible when wet. There are some gravel roads in the area as well but not very extensive or scenic. $5/daily fee, pick up the pass from Eldorado Outpost on 109. Good place for breakfast too. If you go, avoid Daniels and Dutch John trails as they are the most difficult. I wouldn't recommend Dicky Bell either but it is best accessed from the RM Loop. In reality, these are Jeep and quad trails so expect one, the other or both coming at you in every blind corner. Have fun. And weekdays are the best time as you basically have it to yourself.
 

Attachments

Yamahaguy

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
79
Location
Gastonia NC
Welcome to riding heaven! You didn’t actually say where in Western North Carolina you live. I’m in Morganton, NC and we have a good group of riders. If you are anywhere close come on over. Let’s ride!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m new here. Just bought a Tenere. I’m in Gastonia and would love to me up for a dirt ride if that’s what you like to do
 

Brick

Member
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
945
Location
Western North Carolina, USA
I’m new here. Just bought a Tenere. I’m in Gastonia and would love to me up for a dirt ride if that’s what you like to do
I’m not much for dirt. I think the Tenere is a bit big and heavy for that. One of my riding buddies here would probably go with you.

Go to www.cofsta.com. Get on there you will find us. We ride a lot. Mostly street but some do some dirt.
Brick


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Yamahaguy

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
79
Location
Gastonia NC
I’m not much for dirt. I think the Tenere is a bit big and heavy for that. One of my riding buddies here would probably go with you.

Go to www.cofsta.com. Get on there you will find us. We ride a lot. Mostly street but some do some dirt.
Brick


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes I agree the Tenere is big and heavy as a dirt bike. But from my research Yamaha put a lot of thought in the design of this bike to go off road. Plus the group of guys I normally ride with all have VStrom’s and they all ride them in places that you wouldn’t think they would go.I had a KLR650 I was riding with them. Even on this forum I have had a couple guys tell me they love the Tenere better off road then they did their KLR’s. But I will check it out. I love riding up in your area.
 

Yamahaguy

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
79
Location
Gastonia NC
I'm looking for anyone that rides in North Carolina or southern Virginia. I've just relocated from the Denver, CO area and did a good deal of riding in Colorado, getting off the pavement as much as I could including doing the COBDR. I'm in Durham, NC now.

The mountains in western NC look like there's got to be some fantastic riding, even paved roads look like they'll be fun in that area.

One ride I'll do once I get settled in is heading down to Swansborro to hit an oyster bar I haunted many years ago while in the Marines, but that'll be all pavement.

Any pointers to some fun rides would be appreciated. Thanks
Welcome to NC. There is a lot of awesome riding in this area.
 

Brick

Member
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
945
Location
Western North Carolina, USA
Tomorrow, Monday 12/17/18 we are riding. Meet st the Gate has Station 823 N Green St at 10:00AM. It will be a street ride. And probably spirited.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Yamahaguy

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Messages
79
Location
Gastonia NC
Tomorrow, Monday 12/17/18 we are riding. Meet st the Gate has Station 823 N Green St at 10:00AM. It will be a street ride. And probably spirited.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I might be able to do that. I have Monday’s off
 
Top