Mountain Biking the Appalachians

With over two hundred miles of mountain-bike trails, Pisgah National Forest is a Mecca for cycling enthusiasts. In fact, USA Today and leading cycling magazines have lauded the Pisgah District as one of the top five mountain-biking areas in the United States. The trails in the Pisgah District meander through hardwood coves, snake along mountain streams, and climb to scenic overlooks nearly 5,000 feet high. The 30 rides in this guide range from steep climbs and thrilling descents that will challenge expert cyclists to easy trails for novices and children. Each ride includes information about trail access, elevation changes, and seasonal usage, along with a map, a difficulty rating, and a detailed, mile-by-mile account of the trails themselves. The text is illustrated with over 50 black-and-white photographs that show mountain biking in North Carolina at its absolute best.Before her untimely death, freelance writer Lori Finley published articles in a number of magazines, including Bicycling, Paddler, and Bike Report.