4 Days
West Virginia
Camping
Advanced
$985.00
Start/End: Slatyfork, WV
Meeting Time and Place
This tour will begin at 8:00am EST at the Elk River Touring Center and Inn, Rt. 219, Slatyfork, West Virginia, 304-572-3771. We will ride right from the shop. You will need to spend the night before in Slatyfork.
Day One
We will meet at the Elk River Touring Center in Slatyfork where our friends Gil and Mary run a combined country inn and bike shop. This small town is at the center of the mountain biking scene in West Virginia, and is located in a tiny valley surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. We'll ride right from the touring center on the Sharps Knob Trail, a great introduction to West Virginia's technical riding. Rewarded with spectacular mountain vistas, we'll descend through the dense spruce and pine forests crossing streams, roots, rocks and wooden bridges. After lunch we'll shuttle over to the Marlinton Loop at Snowshoe. Snowshoe is famous for being the location of the original 24 hour race (well, Ok, it was really Canaan but Snowshoe is now its home). We'll shuttle to our base camp for the trip with wide open views of the mountains. TOTAL MILEAGE - 16 miles
Day Two
After a hearty breakfast we'll shuttle again to Snowshoe to get our fill of the cross country trails. The riding here is technical! Roots, rocks and mud are plentiful and make for challenging riding. Today offers some of the finest technical singletrack we know of - a full day of slow speed riding through dense forest. The forest is a mix of Red Spruce, oak and maple, and due to the relatively high elevation of this area, it contains plants that are more often found in southern Canada. After a pack lunch we ride a 10 mile stretch of singletrack that includes a climb up and over ridges, followed by a fast and winding descent down off-camber singletrack that leads to the base of the mountains. This is back country adventure riding that includes a fun mix of technical log crossing, rocky obstacles, and switchbacks as we head downhill. When our need for singletrack is fulfilled, we will load up for a shuttle to our same camp. Once there we'll relax with a cold beverage while looking across the valley at Snowshoe Mountain. TOTAL MILEAGE - 23 miles
Day Three
Today offers some awesome eastern singletrack riding that starts with a three mile downhill run from camp to the trailhead. We ramp up the technical riding today on a stretch of slow singletrack that is challenging but fully ridable. Our trail is an old railroad bed from the 1890's which still has the original cedar log ties. It's a great place to practice your slow speed technical skills. From here we will climb up a wide singletrack to the top of Gauley Mountain, and then start the descent down the backside on a fast trail that winds its way down the side of a ridge. This trail is a hoot - middle ring riding with the occasional water bar and muddy section to keep things interesting. We will stop at a beaver pond overlook and then meet the van for lunch at a scenic turnout that has expansive views of the valley below. After lunch, we do a short climb to the top of Tea Creek Mountain, and take in the view from a white sandstone boulder field. The backside of the mountain is a super fun six mile trail that descends 1,600 foot and offers laugh-out-loud riding. After a morning full of downhill, we'll do a five mile climb up to the top of the ridge on a gradual singletrack trail that follows a burbling stream through laurel thickets. Once at the top, we'll have huge views of the surrounding ridges and river valleys that go on to the horizon. We'll end the day on a six mile stretch of forest road that follows the edge of the ridge so the views will continue all the way back to camp. We camp in the same site as the previous days. TOTAL MILEAGE - 22 miles
Day Four
Today we'll start with a warm-up ride along the top of the ridge on dirt roads. At one point we'll catch a great view of our eventual destination - the town of Slatyfork 2,000 feet below in the valley. Today's highlight is the Prop's Run Trail. It's a 10 mile descent along an old rail grade that has swooping descents, stream crossings and short power ascents followed by steep downhills. It's a fun trail that will take us all the way down to the banks of the Elk River. When we ride into the Elk River Touring Center, your singletrack cravings will be fully satisfied. TOTAL MILEAGE - 17 miles
Ending Time
We will return to Elk River Touring in Slatyfork between 2:00-3:00 pm on the last day.
TERRAIN
Riding Surface: Mostly singletrack riding, with some double track and forest road. Several trails are technically challenging, and include rock gardens and roots. Mud is to be expected.
Technical Difficulty: Difficult. Good technical singletrack skills are required.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
Altitude: 2,200 - 4,200 feet.
Please Note: This tour contains some very difficult riding on narrow, steep mountain trails. A high level of skill and fitness is required to enjoyable navigate much of the route. We will be without vehicle support during all of the singletrack sections of the ride. If you do not consider yourself to be an expert rider and doubt your ability to complete this tour, please call us and we can help you determine whether this trip is appropriate for you. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
GETTING TO SLATYFORK, WEST VIRGINIA
-Driving
Slatyfork is located in the eastern part of West Virginia. There is parking available at Elk River Touring. From Elkins, WV take 219 S for 47 miles to Elk River on the right. From White Sulphur Springs, WV take 90 N 40 miles to 39. Go W on 39 for 15 miles to Marlinton. Take 219 N 15 miles to Elk River on the left.
-Flying into Roanoke, VA
Airport Code: ROA
Roanoke is the closest airport and there are two options from there.
1. Elk River Tours offers a shuttle service from Roanoke to the Touring Center. Cost is $245 for one person, $10 for each additional person round trip. It's a scenic three hour drive.
2. You can rent a car in Roanoke and park it at the Touring Center.
-Flying into Pittsburgh, PA
Airport Code: PIT
or Washington DC.
Airport Code: WAS
These are both international airports and are about four and five hours respectively from Slatyfork. Rent a car and park it at the Touring Center.
LODGING
It is a good idea to book your rooms ahead and these are our recommendations.
Elk River Touring Center and Inn
$65-110
304-572-3771
This is where the trip meets and ends, and is in a lovely setting. There is a nice in house dining room for meals before and after your trip.
Morning Glory Inn
$70-95
304-572-5000, 866-572-5700
Located two miles from Elk River, includes full breakfast.
Misty Mountain Rental Company
304-572-2210
They can arrange multi-person condo rentals in Slatyfork and nearby Snowshoe Resort.
Above rates are approximate.
PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! Please pack all of your gear in a medium to large duffel bag. It will ride in the trailer. If you have any questions about anything on the list, please call us.
SHIPPING YOUR BIKE
You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwards. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.
To ship your bike UPS, send it to Elk River Touring Center, HC 69, Box 7, Rte 219, Slatyfork, WV 26291; 304-572-3771. It is critical that you include your name, "Western Spirit Cycling" and tour date on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.
If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.