UWHARRIE: Cape Fear SORBA Field Trip
Cape Fear SORBA and Tombo Tours is proud to announce the first in a series of field trips to explore the many great mountain bike trails in our region. First up, is a day-trip that takes us back in time…way back!
Primeval is the word that best describes the Uwharrie National Forest; 50,600 acres of ancient pine and oak atop what is believed to be the oldest mountain range in the US.
Located just 170 miles northwest of Wilmington, homo sapiens have made the trek to the Uwharries for well over 10,000 years. Heavily eroded by time, the mountains were once a major source of tool-grade stone. In 8400BC, when Fred Flintstone needed a new 29” wheel, this is where he went to get it.
Today, two single-track trails have been re-developed off NC 24/27 between Albermarle and Troy, NC. Appropriately, the trails of Uwharrie are natural, not machine made. On the whole, the trails are not too difficult. Anyone with modest skills and nearly-round wheels can have a great time riding where prehistoric man walked.
Supertree Trail, named for a stand of experimental Loblolly Pines along the route, is a 5-mile loop off the east side of Wood Run Road. Ride clockwise for more downhill thrill.
Keyauwee Trail, named for the last band of Native Americans to live in the Uwharrie Lakes Region is a 6 mile loop off the west side of Wood Run Road. This is the more technical trail of the two. Most ride it counter clockwise.
We’ll meet at the Walmart parking lot, 1112 New Pointe Blvd., Leland (off Hwy. 17), at 6:30am on Saturday, October 27th. We’ll load-up and depart by 7:00am. We should be back sometime between 6 and 7pm depending on how long everyone wants to ride.
Coffee, water and snacks will be available on-board. Lunch will be served at the trailhead between Noon and 1pm. We’ll have a large cooler filled with ice if you care to bring personal beverages.
All you need to bring is your bike, helmet, spares, and maybe a folding chair and a pie plate. In 1799 Uhwarrie’s streams yielded the the first substantial gold strike in US history. And there’s still some shinny stuff to be found there today.
Transportation, food and the wry company of your fellow Cape Fear SORBAites, can be had for the incredibly low price of $50. Don’t wait, reserve your seat today, then you too can Ride Hard – and just maybe, strike it rich!
Ask questions or RSVP on this event’s MeetUp page.
http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/uwharrie-nf-wood-run-supertree-and-keyauwee.html
