Saturday Morning Forest Ride

Not all the Gathering’s attendees were experienced off-road adventure riders – in fact some were far from it! Skill levels ranged from rank novice (myself) to highly advanced riders. For this mixed group, veteran Russ Corn conducted his “Dirt 101” clinic along a three-and-a-half mile loop through the forests surrounding Deerfields. Russ is a patient, natural educator, and his instruction was a thoughtful review of the practices common to every rider.

Specific riding techniques for different situations were first explained and then demonstrated by Russ. Afterwards, each member of the group executed the maneuver.

Over the course of the beautiful wooded loop he covered techniques such as log crossings, ascents up rutted inclines (with the zigzag crossing technique), downhill braking control, uphill throttle control, positioning and weight distribution on the bike. Without exception, every single rider later agreed that the exercise improved his skills.

Saturday Afternoon On-Road/Off-Road Training Ride

By midday the barbeque sandwiches were disappearing with the speed of a downhill race. At this stage in the day’s proceedings, the instruction was customized to the specific needs of the riders – including this complete novice. What I was looking for in the clinic was a way to overcome my apprehension when my reassuring asphalt two-lane suddenly turned into uncertain sand and dirt.

Russ Corn – always generous with his expertise and time – led a small group of newbies on a combination ride that was a perfect mix of blacktop and gravel road through the North Mills River Campground to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The idea of the ride was to inspire confidence in the off-road conditions that make cross-country riding such an adventure.

The handful of dual sport riders followed Yellow Gap Road and Hwy 276 to the Parkway, and then continued north past Pisgah Mountain and the gorgeous Pisgah Inn to Bent Creek Gap where they descended Wash Creek Road back to the campground. By the time the Wash Creek Road descent was underway, confidence was soaring among even the most timid riders, and they found themselves riding at surprising speeds along the same roads that earlier had been intimidating.

Back in camp, while engines cooled and thirsts were quenched, the whole group chatted and laughed and compared notes. Riders who had started the day as strangers were now reveling in their successes and their shared experience. What a fantastic feeling to learn off-road techniques from experts, and to know that Western North Carolina’s whole world of backcountry roads is suddenly open to you! I felt that I had discovered an adventure sport that, with a little nurturing, would translate into a lifestyle for me.