Ready for a backcountry adventure? Or have one to share?
Here you go...just be sure you’re prepared.
These are favorite rides from MORE members that will take you into the backcountry and away from the crowds, and they're only a few hours drive off the beltway. Have a ride you want to post? Contact the moderator and we’ll get it on the board.
LIST OF RIDES (and a great pre-ride checklist):
Be Prepared
Keep in mind that these routes are remote. If you have a technical or get hurt, you will probably be a long way from assistance, so plan and ride accordingly. Most of these trails are maintained primarily for hikers, with volunteer crews clearing them of major blow downs a couple of times a year, so a good rule is
don’t ride beyond what you can see. Take plenty of water and food, tools and parts for repairs, a first aid kit and a light. See a sample list of gear in one of the posts -- provided by one of our members. Cell phone service cannot be counted on. Pay attention to the local weather forecast, and make sure someone knows where you are going. One idea is to Xerox the map you’ll be using, highlight the route and leave it with someone who cares. Mark the trail head where you’ll be parking and note the make, model and license # of the vehicle. If the ride is in the National Forest, note the ranger station phone number on the sheet.
Be very honest about your fitness level, as many of these rides will have thousands of feet of climbing and no good bailout points. If you are new to back country riding start with Elizabeth’s and Catherine Furnace rides. MORE members lead group rides to these areas several times a year. If the climbs, descents, rocks, hike-a-bikes and stream crossings leave you jonesing for more, then here you go.
A note on mileage. In some cases these are taken from mapping software, in some cyclo computers. Take them as approximate. If you ride a route with a GPS contact the moderator with the results. Long live long rides!
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