In July of 2021, my partner and I embarked on a month-long mountain biking expedition in Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, with various friends from Salt Lake joining us for different legs of the trip. Wouldn’t it be unreal to do this for a whole year?!
Fast forward two years, and here we are, four months into a year-long mountain bike adventure across the country. Reflecting on our journey and meticulous trip planning, I’ve distilled three invaluable insights from both experiences.
Properly Prep Your Gear
Gear preparation for a multi-destination trip will depend on how long you are gone, bike shop accessibility for parts, and budget.
Before departing, always make sure your bike is mechanically sound. This could mean taking it to your local shop, (depending on how far out their service department is, and your time frame). At a minimum, you will want to check the tires, sealant, brake pads, and shifting.
The next step in gear prep would be to assess your spare parts. We all know mechanicals creep up on you when you are ill-prepared and least expect them. The most useful spare parts (in my opinion) are tubes, tire(s), brake pads, tire sealant, and Allen keys. Your average biker should be able to use these tools to fix common mechanical errors, so if you can’t, it could be a great time to make a new trail friend who can!
For our year-long adventure, we went a step further and brought an extra cassette, derailleur, and shifter, along with a brake bleed kit and plenty of zip ties. We filled a 27-gallon plastic Hhome Ddepot bin to the brim with spare parts, and enough trail snacks to last a month.
A trip to the bike shop AND spare parts?! Yes, this can get expensive. And did I mention you’ll need a bike rack? Depending on where and what you are riding, it is worth considering if a bike rental would be a better choice. You may not be riding the bike you’re accustomed to, but you can return home with no more wear and tear than you left, plus the opportunity to test out something new.
Know Where You’re Sleeping
Making arrangements ahead of time for housing and/or camping is crucial when organizing a mountain bike trip for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that you have a safe and comfortable place to stay during your journey.
Mountain biking often involves long and physically demanding days, so having a reliable accommodation to rest and rejuvenate is essential. With a little planning, you can secure suitable lodging options such as AirBnB, cabins, couches, or campsites, that align with your preferences and needs, guaranteeing a restful and enjoyable experience.
It also allows you to make the most of your time and resources. Popular mountain biking destinations can attract a large number of visitors, especially during peak seasons. Ever been to Moab on a holiday weekend? Yup, you know what I mean.
Without prior arrangements, you may find yourself scrambling for available accommodations or camping spots, which can be both time-consuming and stressful. Researching and booking accommodations well in advance, will ensure you have a site or lodging reserved and minimize any last-minute hassle.
Lastly, a little planning enables you to explore a wider range of destinations and make the most of your trip. Some mountain biking areas may have limited lodging options or be located in remote locations where camping is the primary choice. By researching and planning, you can identify these unique destinations and ensure you have the necessary equipment and permits for camping.
We aren’t avid campers and realized that finding a van turned out to be more daunting than anticipated, so we have been utilizing Trusted House Sitters to optimize our budget. This site is perfect for those who are traveling for an extended period, and have the ability to be more flexible when it comes to timing and location.
If you are living the van life or decide that you do want to camp, online campsite directories are a great place to start. Websites like ReserveAmerica, Recreation.gov, and Hipcamp allow you to search for campsites based on location, amenities, and activities.
Local tourism websites of the regions or areas you plan to visit may also be helpful. These websites often provide information on campsites, outdoor activities, and MTB-friendly accommodations. They may have specific sections dedicated to camping or mountain biking, offering details on recommended spots.
When in doubt, you can also ask for recommendations. Friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who share similar interests might have recommendations based on their own experiences.
Listen to the Locals: Flexibility is Key
For our adventure, we divided the trip into three sections. The first section has taken us from Utah to Vermont, with stops in Colorado, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, DC, and New England. We initially set out brimming with excitement and armed with a multitude of bike parks and trail networks on our must-visit list. However, we soon discovered that each state added even more destinations to our ever-expanding catalog of places we wished to explore, whether it was to experience them for the first time or revisit them.
When in Knoxville, Tennessee, a friend mentioned that we should check out Baker Creek Preserve. After a quick mishap of forgetting my helmet at our AirBnB, we circled back and hit the trails. On a Friday evening, it was bustling with local riders of all ages and abilities.
We soon discovered that Southern hospitality goes hand in hand with Southern trail etiquette. Along the trails, numerous individuals would pause to engage in friendly conversations at any break in the road.
Initially, we had our sights set on visiting Windrock the next day. However, with rain predicted overnight and the trails being famously described as “gnarly,” I was hesitant. Whenever we mentioned our plans to visit Windrock to someone in Tennessee, their reaction resembled as if we had announced our intention to visit Antarctica wearing nothing but bathing suits.
“You need to go to Vee Hollow”, exclaimed a man who had stopped to chat.
“Oh, it’s so beautiful”, said his riding partner. “Right in the Smoky Mountains and the trails are amazing. There’s a burger place at the bottom that smells SO good. But no matter how good it smells, don’t go there.”
So with only one day left in Tennessee, we pivoted our plans and went to Vee Hollow. The dirt was tacky, the trails steep and flowy as promised, and we got a taste of the Smoky Mountains that we otherwise would’ve missed.
I almost wished we had tried the burger place, just so we could see for ourselves. Yet again, we’ll have to go back.
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