West Virginia offers amazing scenery while bicycling the backroads up onto the ridgetops.
CR 79 climbs up North Fork Moutain from the East side near Smoke Hole Caverns and puts you right in the middle of the ridge near the northern section of trail, considered the best by bicyclists.
The road is a challenging and scenic climb on a bicycle.
There is a nice wide pull off at the intersection of CR79 and the North Fork Mountain Trail #501. This spot is very often used by hunters to camp during the hunting season.
North Fork Mountain Trail #501 heading north from CR 79 to the northern most end.
Heading north with such excitement knowing what solitude and trail magic lay ahead!
Amazing moss and smooth trail tread in sections.
Great views way into Virginia and the George Washington National Forest to the east.
Today is Pat Miler's bachelor party ride. A true testament to the uniqueness of this bicycle ride that he would choose it for this special occasion to share with friends.
Green moss and ferns.
The closer you look the more amazing it is!
Thomas Jenkins co-owner of Shenandoah Bicycle Company in Harrisonburg, VA tries to do this special ride at least once a year.
#507 Redman Run Trail isn't a bad way to get up on the ridge. But taking it down is missing out on the best part of the trail on the northern end.
The North Fork Trail provides a unique bicycle riding experience that is not to be duplicated or replaced by other trails on the East Coast.
Pat Miller gets a chance to contemplate his work with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as he rides in it's watershed above the headwaters of the Potomac River.
Views up into the Seneca Creek trail system with West Virginia's highest point Spruce Knob to the west.
Letting one's mind roam while taking in a view like this is a irreplaceable feeling of freedom that comes from bicycling into an area that provides such solitude.
We just followed the trail along that ridgeline before coming around the backside of this outcropping.
Open fields provide great views of game scurrying off into the distance.
Professor Adam Childers ducking back into a tight section of trail.
As it twists along towards another amazing view.
Tim Richardson co-owner of Shenandoah Bicycle Co. in Harrisonburg, VA considers this his favorite bicycle trail.
Tim enjoys riding his bicycle along the challenging rocks.
Thomas, also founder of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition enjoys the unique ecosystem on North Fork Mountain.
Bicycling the North Fork Mountain Trial gives Adam a chance to put his academic work far at bay.
Special moments at overlooks on North Fork Mountain Trail are not forgotten.
Thomas enjoys a special moment of solitude on the North Fork Mountain Trail.
Adam enjoys carving a turn back up towards the ridgetop.
Flowing along towards the final section of trail.
There are many ways to paint your own masterpiece while riding a bicycle on North Fork Mountain Trail.
Everyone his their own moves over, along, or around obstacles that makes it such a unique sense of freedom to bicycle on the North Fork Mountain Trail.
Two wheel tap.
Front wheel spring hop.
And the masterpiece continues to be created on the far north section of North Fork Mountain Trail, considered the best section of Trail on the North Fork Mountain Trail and not replaceable to bicyclists. (period!)
A little rock launch for the drop it.
A smooth carve above the rock for the drop in.
Creating your own line where most would have not considered one is a skill to be mastered. Here Tim smoothly floats over the rock in the center line which provides the best flow for the following section below.
His skillful move created great flow into this turn.
Great lodging opportunities for bicyclists close to the northern trail head.
Some fancy.
Some scenic along the river.
