1. NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER BIKE SHOP
The 6 p.m. Tuesday ride meets at Tsali. There's 40 miles of fast singletrack that can be broken up into various loops. After hammering with a group of 8 to 20, cool off by jumping into Lake Fontana. Town: Bryson City. Contact: (828) 488-2176.
2. LIBERTY BICYCLES
These year-round rides gather at Bent Creek 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Friday. The trail is mostly intermediate to technical singletrack. Six to 20 riders usually hammer at a harder pace. Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 274-2453.
3. PRO BIKES
From November to April the shop ride schedule switches from road to off-road. It meets at the Pinnacle parking area of Bent Creek. The two hour ride typically has a dozen riders and a mellow pace. Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 253-2800.
4. WEEKEND EPICS
Four-hours plus, Sunday rides that organize around noon time. Call Pro Bikes for the start times and the eatery or trailhead meet within one hour of town. "This is definitely an expert level ride." Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 253-2800.
5. SKI COUNTRY SPORTS
Mechanic Ben Blitch tells us, "Around here we're just weaving in and out of trees. "It's just like the Speeder chase scene through the woods in Star Wars." Six p.m. Saturday or Sunday at Bent Creek. Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 254-2771.
6. RICHMOND HILL FREERIDE
"The city gave us 150 acres to build more advanced trails on," says Ski Country. "Because the terrain is so naturally technical, we don't need to build up North Shore stuff. Although do expect dirt jumps." Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 254-2771.
7. BIO WHEELS
Six-thirty p.m. rides over at Bent Creek. "This is usually a more casual ride with some conversation between the group. However, there will always be the few that want to be out front dicing." Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 232-0300.
8. CAROLINA FATZ
Six p.m. Monday and Wednesday shop meets. Ride Mill's River, Pisgah Forest, Bent Creek or Dupont State Park. "Don't be afraid to ride with us; we all go in the woods together and come out together." Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 665-7744.
9. INDOOR NORTH SHORE ARENA
Stay tuned for when Carolina Fatz announces the grand opening of the new indoor North Shore riding area. "Until then, there are plenty of drops and downhilling to be found at all the local ride spots." Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 665-7744.
10. URBAN FRIDAYS
"There's not a stair gap or a drop that we're not flying or diving off of," says Carolina Fatz. It leaves from the shop 6 p.m. Friday. Then we head downtown. When John Roberts rides, the traffic stops to watch. Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 665-7744.
11. HEARN'S CYCLES
How about a recovery road ride? Knobby bikes are more than welcome to join. Meet 6 p.m. at the shop. Either do a flat land ride on the River Rd. or for head to the Town Mnt. Rd. area for a little climbing. Town: Asheville. Contact: (828) 253-4800.
12. CYCLE-LOGICAL
A mainly recreational ride with 10 to 15 riders. Meet at the shop 12 p.m. Sunday. Ride Pisgah National Forest. It's very mountainous with up to 3000 foot climbs. Brown Mountain is a labyrinth off trails. Town: Morgantown. Contact: (828) 433-7855.
13. CLARK'S BIKE CENTER
Meet at Hgwy. 181 and FS 982 9 a.m. Sunday. From there shuttle to Jonus Ridge. There's a total of seven miles of straight descending that's broken up by one two mile climb. Twenty riders and a "pretty hard" pace. Town: Hickory. Contact: (828) 322-2303.
14. LAKE NORMAN STATE PARK
First Flight is planning to finish the MTB trail the state has okayed to be built. It will open with a five mile loop and with a planned extension of up to 25 miles. More ride info at www.firstflightbikes.com. Town: Troutman. Contact: (704) 878-9683.
15. FIRST FLIGHT BICYCLES
Meet 6 p.m. at the shop or 6:15 p.m. at the beginning of the Signal Hill Trail. It's twisty, windy singletrack over rolling terrain. Group size is up to ten and the pace is intermediate. Town: Statesville. Contact: (704) 878-9683.
16. RIDE A BIKE
The Virginia Creeper Trail starts at the top of White Mountain in Damascus, VA. This is a 45 mile trip with a one night stop over in Abingdon. A shuttle will pick you up for the drive back to Ride A Bike. Town: Lincolnton. (704) 735-1746.
17. PEE WEE'S MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
Ride A Bike is located just a rock's throw from the 30 acre park with seven miles of trail. The park has a restroom facility and picnic shelter. Or ride the new Rail Trail extension into Long Sholes. Town: Lincolton. (704) 735-1746.
18. COOL BREEZE CYCLERY
Now that Lake Norman has opened, Cool Breeze has just started this new shop ride. Meet at the park 6:30 p.m. Thursday. It's more of a recreation ride with a group of staunch XC fanatics. This is a Town: Mooresville. Contact: (704) 663-8812.
19. RENAISSANCE PARK
A 20 to 30 rider strong group meets 6 p.m. Tuesday. Then they hammer out as many loops as they can on the six mile singletrack circuit. Sport and higher skill levels will have the most fun on this ride. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 525-8410.
20. BIKESOURCE
An 8 p.m. Thursday ride that meets at The Bikesource. Ride Renaissance Park, Catawva River Front Park, or head downtown for concrete obstacles. Ten to 15 riders and an intermediate and up pace. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 525-8410.
21. SOUTHPARK CYCLES
Log on to www.southparkcycles.com for the latest ride schedule. The 6 p.m. Thursday rides meet at the shop or the trailhead. There are eight different area trails. A recreational ride with 20 others. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 522-0240.
22. DOWNTOWN CIRCUIT
During the winter there is a 6 p.m. Tuesday meet a Midtown Sundries Restaurant. Then do a 16 mile urban loop of downtown. Lights are required and expect 20 riders and a moderate and up pace. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 522-0240.
23. TUESDAY RIDE
Contact Southpark Cycles for the exact meeting place; it will vary between a restaurant or trailhead spot. This becomes an urban ride in adverse weather. After the ride enjoy beers and grub at a pub. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 522-0240.
24. DIRT DIVAS
Tuesday rides alternate between Renaissance and Catawba Riverfront parks. Meet in the parking lot at 6 p.m. Check out www.dirtdivas.net for info on the skill and maintenance clinics and more ride info. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 522-0240.
25. BICYCLE SPORT
An intermediate-to-advanced ride led by 29er fanatic Andrew Raab. Show at the shop 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The ride will either be at Catawba or Anne Springs; the former being the more technical spot. Town: Charlotte. Contact: (704) 335 0323.
26. ULTIMATE BICYCLE
Meet at the shop for these weekday evening and morning rides. The rides will be split up between Catawba, Renaissance or Anne Springs Greenway. Fifteen riders and mostly a recreational pace. Town: Pineville. Contact: (704) 541-7420; (704) 889-7420.
27. CHAMPION HEARTS TEAM
Run by national medalist Christine Putnam, this 6 p.m. Wednesday ride is designed to make it easy for women to get started in MTBing. They ride mostly at Tanglewood. Group size is up to 20 people. Town: Reynolda Village. Contact: (336) 724-9688.
28. KEN'S BIKE SHOP
Shop owner Ken Putnam authored Great Bike Rides In & Around Winston Salem ($12.95). The shop always has someone else ready to ride at Tanglewood, Hobby, and Horizons parks or on the Salem Lake Trail. Town: Reynolda Village. Contact: (336) 724-9688.
29. PAUL'S CYCLING & FITNESS
Show at the shop for the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday rides. Ride the Greenway System out to Salem Lake. The complete loop is 25 miles. The pace can be recreational or hard with up to 8 riders. Town: Winston Salem. Contact: (336) 777-1002.
30. PACELINE BICYCLES
The shop's 50-rider strong racing team holds a one to two rides per week schedule. All skill levels are welcome, with tutorial service for beginners. Ride either Tanglewood or Hobby Park. Town: Winston Salem. Contact: (336) 768-6408.
31. JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT
Paceline Bicycles runs a huge junior development team. Each ride will be lead by an experienced coach. The 8 mile Tanglewood trail is more moderate while the 7.5 mile Hobby Park loop is very challenging. Town: Winston Salem. Contact: (336) 768-6408.
32. THE BICYCLE SHOP
Any day at 6 p.m. is when you'll find swarms of riders begin to congregate at the shop. From there they carpool over to Tanglewood or Hobby parks. Ride size can be up to ten people. All skill levels welcome. Town: Clemmons. Contact: (336) 766-5564.
33. FRIENDLY BIKES
There are numerous trails to ride within city limits, but the gang of 15 at this shop mostly ride the seven mile stretch of singletrack at Country Park. Expect a recreational pace. The start time is 6:45 p.m. Town: Greensboro. Contact: (336) 852-3972.
34. URBAN PICK-UP RIDES
The normal urban meet is 7 p.m. Friday. "But rides can be going out of here any night," says Franklin St. Rides are posted on the www.trianglemtb.com message board. Video-level riding on the UNC campus. Town: Chapel Hill. Contact: (919) 929-0213.
35. FRANKLIN STREET CYCLES
During daylight savings a Sunday morning ride will meet at New Light. "It's rolling terrain, but it's very technical -- real rocky, rooty stuff with short, steep up and downs. Your pedalling all the time." Town: Chapel Hill. Contact: (919) 929-0213.
36. CLEAN MACHINE
"Weather permitting, there's always something going on in the Research Triangle area. Most of the riding at this shop is done at Crab Tree Park. Call for the weekday evening and weekend trailhead meets. Town: Chapel Hill. Contact: (919) 967-5104.
37. FIT TO BE TRIED
Six p.m. Tuesday and Thursday shop rides at Governor's Creek. There are numerous singletrack trails and logging roads blanketing the rolling terrain. The ride starts up in the fall and runs through winter. Town: Sanford. Contact: (919) 776-2453.
38. CYCLE CENTER
Riders from this shop will either meet up with the group from Clean Machine or the Clean gang will travel over to ride their trails out at Umstead or New Light parks. It's a talented pack of five to 15 riders. Town: Durham. Contact: (919) 286-2453.
39. CYCLING SPOKEN HERE
"We go out twice a week; usually Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning rides. The meet is out at Crab Tee Lake. It's moderate, wooded singletrack over rolling terrain. Expect up to ten riders and an easier pace. Town: Cary. Contact: (919) 461-0066.
40. SUNDAY OBSTACLE HUNT
Call The Bike Line for local ride info. The area's standard meet is 8:30 a.m. either at New Light Rd., Atlantic Ave. or Morrisville Trails. "Morrisville is all built up. We're always jumping off stuff." Town: Garner. Contact: (919) 773-0233.
41. SATURDAY URBAN
Show up 7:30 p.m. at Jason's house. The group of up to 10 will hit either NCU, Downtown Raleigh or Chapel Hill. "The latter has the bigger drops, gaps and roof tops. More will join as the ride goes on." Town: Garner. Contact: (919) 773-0233.
42. RAINBOW CYCLES
These Tuesday and Thursday rides meet 5:45 p.m. at the shop. Then head on a round-robin journey on legal paths and singletrack. The shop team uses this ride for training, so expect hard and easy groups. Town: Southern Pines. Contact: (910) 692-4494.
43. THE BICYCLE SHOP
The evening rides are at Smith Lake in Ft. Bragg. It's mostly packed sand with built up jumps and log obstacles. On weekends the ride travels to numerous ride spots within three hours of the shop. Town: Fayettville. Contact: (910) 485-7792.
44. FREERIDE AND URBAN ASSAULTS
Ride the legal elevated stunts or head out to the concrete obstacles. Special weekend trips are planned to Hickory. The terrain is a lot hillier there and there's endless North Shore stuff to ride. Town: Fayettville. Contact: (910) 485-7792.
45. COUNTRYSIDE BICYCLES
Call to find out when the next ride is going off. The shop's Ace Track is a 4.5 mile loop through an old growth of woods. Expect 12 to 20 riders doing multi laps at a recreational pace. Town: Roanoke Rapids. Contact: (252) 537-5794.
46. CYCLE GALLERY
The weekend rides meet at the shop. Then drive to Williamsburg, VA to ride the rolling, wooded singletrack. These are recreational rides with 10 to 15 riders. Call about the special Tsali camp weekend in June. Elizabeth City. Town: (252) 338-1559.
47. BICYCLE POST
Ride the shop's personal nine mile trail. It's wooded singletrack with seesaws, bridges and other obstacles. Free one day passes are available, but the shop charges a $50 annual upkeep fee for regular users. Town: Greenville. Contact: (252) 757-3616.
48. ECU TRAINING RIDES
On non-race weekends the Eastern Carolina University team will be out hammering the Bicycle Post ATB Trail. They also hold at least one race pre year here. Check out their website at www.ecucycling.com. Town: Greenville. Contact: (252) 756-3301.
49. BICYCLE SHOP
At lunchtime the Down East Cyclist meet at the beginning of the Camp Lejeune Brigg Trail. It's a 4.5 stretch of singletrack that's ridden back and forth. Ride size is around five and it's a hard group. Town: Jacksonville. (901) 455-1011.
50. BIKE DEPOT
The shop team is filled with fast sports and experts that would be more than happy to show you the local trails. The two favorites are the Piranha Pit in Cherry Point or Beaver's Back in New Bern. Town: Havelock. Contact: (252) 447-0834.
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