Short Film of Climbing-up Pisgah’s Black Mtn. Trail

Perhaps the most difficult climb in Pisgah National Forest is the Black Mtn. Trail outside of Brevard, NC. We hope to show that long travel bikes can really climb when captained by an experienced rider. This video was shot by Kris K (on foot) following Matt J. on his Maverick ML8. Notice the snow-capped mountains on the closing scene! Please enjoy the brazen music from Louis XIV.

A short film from Pisgah’s Laurel Mtn Trail

Perhaps the most famous trail in Pisgah N.F., Laurel Mtn Trail offers a 7-mile climb away from the heat of the summer into the highlands of NC. The chilled out music from Built to Spill echoes the tranquility of backcountry mtn biking felt by BioWheels riders. Ahhh…

Enjoy this 60-second Video from Dupont State Forest, NC

At almost 40 years old, the guys from BioWheels are just getting into their prime!

So many trails, so few trail markers.

We are blessed to have so much forest in North Carolina. So when we ride in exposed conditions, it is rare. Callum & I put together a ride on a combination of public & private land near one of our big mountains. We were blown away by the views, and nearly by a late afternoon storm. Although these trails are legal, we don’t recommend them for; there are no signs or maps; you need permission to cross some easements; the climbing is brutal & there is no parking. Follow the picture above to a Flickr slideshow of this unique ride.

In this video, Callum is riding his Scott Ransom, which, like the Maverick ML8, is one of the only bikes that “does it all”. The music is Ween’s “Transdermal Celebration” from “Quebec”.

Ohio Mountain Biking Guide

The Ohio Mountain Bike Association has created an all-new trail guide that contains information on just about every mountain bike trail in Ohio. Information included in the trail guide includes trail conditions, location, description, and more! And best of all, it uses Wiki technology so anyone can help make it better. Just sign in with the same username and password you use on the OMBA forum to get started. If you don’t have an account, you can create one.

We need your help to make this trail guide as comprehensive as possible. We know it’s not complete right now, so that’s where YOU come in! Check out the new trail guide and help us make it better by going to:

http://joinomba.org/trails

While you’re at it - join your local chapter!
Enjoy!

Road Group Ride Safety

Group Road Cycling:

Support your group! Riding in a group is different than riding alone. Your riding behavior affects those riding around you. You are now part of a group relying on each other. YOU will, at one time or another, become the “eyes and ears” of the GROUP. As you want to be safe, please keep your group safe. Be compassionate to fellow riders and users of the road. Don’t get self-absorbed. You are more than a rider. You are an ambassador, defender and leader in your own right.

Our Main Points:

1. RIDE SAFELY
2. OBEY THE LAW
3. RIDE RESPONSIBLY
4. INTERACT WITH TRAFFIC POSITIVELY

Safety Essentials:

• HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL GROUP RIDES. You will be asked to not participate in the group if you are not wearing a helmet.
• Bring a bike that is ready to ride. Schedule a tune up at the shop if you’re not certain of your bike’s road-worthiness.
• Bring appropriate clothing, food and liquids. It is also recommended you bring some money for a store stop and a cell phone for emergencies.

The Law:

• Observe all vehicular traffic laws. A bicycle is a vehicle with the same privileges and restrictions as a car.
• As a courtesy to motorists, ride to the right of the road. Do not cross the yellow line.
• Stop at all stop signals and stop signs.
• Use appropriate hand signals to indicate turning and stopping.
• If you have any questions, please ask the ride leader.

Responsible Cycling:

• ‘Call out’ all road hazards & point to them as they come.
• Ride single file when a vehicle approaches from the rear.
• Call out “car back” to signal to the group to assume single file formation. This is especially important on extended climbs.
• Wait your turn in traffic as a group. Do NOT create your own curb lane by passing on the right of stopped traffic. If a light turns yellow on approach, call out “light!” & “braking”, bringing the group to a safe stop. Otherwise, a rider further behind in the group will feel urged to run a now red light. This is a dangerous and illegal maneuver.
• Unless you are all the way in the back of the pack, do not abruptly grab your brakes. Call out “Braking!”, then brake slowly.
• When overtaking riders, call “passing on your left” and then pass.
• Be safe. Don’t ride over your ability.
• Do not litter.

Interacting with Traffic:

• Be aware. A moment of inattention can result in an accident. Make others aware of what you see.
• Be predictable. Show your intentions by signaling and saying what you intend to do then slowly and deliberately make your move.
• Be nice! You determine how drivers and other cyclists will interact in the future. Yes, confused drivers may make bad decisions. Please take their confusion into consideration before you respond.
• Cyclists, as well, will also make what seem to be bad decisions. Show wisdom.

Please read our Group Riding Philosophy for more inspiration!

Thank You for reading & Enjoy Your Ride!

-Chad Schoenauer: Asheville Ride Leader

Alexander Park is just outside Asheville, NC

I know blogs are more interesting with photos. I know this, MAAANNNN. But I’ve never been good with taking them. The best period for me with taking photographs of the outdoors was when I was a backcountry hike fan and took pictures with a Canon 35-105 camera with a broken viewing lens. The best photographs I ever took were with this camera, mostly due to the fact that I was forced to only look at color and space (remember, slightly left of center! Thanks to my 11th grade art teacher for that one) and couldn’t think too far beyond that. Sure, a few items were out of focus, but if I look at the pictures I have framed around the house, they are mostly thanks to that camera.

So I have no pictures of the riding today at Alexander Park, located conveniently off of River Road (State Highway 251) just north of Alexander bridge (1/2 mile, maybe?) 15 minutes outside of Asheville. Todd Branham (Todd if you see this I’d love a website to link) and Long Cane Trail Building Group Incorporated (a guess at the name - I know the first two words are correct…), WNC bike dealers association, and SORBA spent the last year or so refurbishing and rerouting the existing trails and some singletrack Woody Keen and Trail Dynamics helped build in the area prior to that. I don’t want to point fingers, but much of the Trail Dynamics area (which I helped build) was followed by Buncombe County Waste Management to get to a clay deposit for the city landfill, which put a huge delay on these trails being finished for the general public. But that is past, and I say let bygones be bygones in order to move forward and help create some solid access for the North Asheville crowd. Continue reading Alexander Park is just outside Asheville, NC…

Oh, the weather outside is…

Oh, the snow is back again.  I haven’t seen you in years, it would seem.  I thought snow was a thing of books and Christmas songs.  Winter, IT’S been a long time coming.

 So why not combine the love of freshly fallen snow with the love of grinding knobby tires through adverse conditions?

 The last time I rode my bike with snow on the ground was 2004.  Seriously.  2004.

 Before that it was probably delivering newspapers when I was at the tender age of 11 years old.  Those were the days.  Slogging my Murray through the snow banks of Southern Michigan to deliver my 26 newspapers on my appointed rounds at 7 o’clock in the morning every weekend.  God, I hated that.  Continue reading Oh, the weather outside is……

Great rates w/ a friend to Ireland!

Our friend Dominic is offering some great rates on guided one-week bike tours in Ireland! BioWheels customers can get $100-400 off per person depending on the number of people in your party. All you have to do is mention BioWheels when booking.

For a schedule and rates check - King Of The Road Bike Tours.com

King of the Road

Our good friend Dominic King is starting a bike tour company in Ireland. Dom is a great guy who loves to ride, and more importantly loves people! I can’t imagine a better UK vacation than pedaling around Ireland and sharing pints with Dom and a host of other like minded pedalers.

Be sure to check out King of the Road Bike Tours.