I know what you mean about pace. I want to enjoy myself too. It is not all about pushing a hundred miles a day, with no time to at the end of the bike ride. I have 10 days to play with, and I'm trying to put in a bit of rail trail and forest road to break up the rocky single track. If I need a couple of slow days, I have the freedom to take a break, or just ride some forest roads or just go swimming or whatever.

I'm accustomed to rocks, but 20 miles of rocks are brutal and will make you cry for hard packed dirt or gravel. I also ride rigid single speed 29'er, so that makes the rocks that much more brutal! but that being said I'm used to rocks, but not WV rocks. I've ridden at Kanawah state forest and Mountwood a few times, but not in the Monongahela.

Your map of dolly sods north is helpful I'll have to use your route through the ski resort and up FR80. Are there places to camp on the North Fork mtn trail? Or would it be better to ride it all in one day starting from camping near red creek. I might end up having to camp near seneca rocks and pack in enough water for camping.

I know what you mean about the western trip reports. Different type of rocks? and trails? maybe? haha. I mean 100 miles a day is feasible, but your right it would take all day and be brutal. Especially if the trails are anything like Kanawah.

Thanks Man!

I better get some miles in me before this trip, so I can hit all these trails.

Here is my plan so far. Canaan forest road 13, to plantation trail, to tr 701. Then head through Laneville area to Dolly Sods North. I'm still cannot find a map of Dolly Sods North. Do you know where exactly to pick up the trails? and Where they Dump you out? Are they the hiking trails immediately north of the wilderness area? I have the hiking guide, so I've been using that some.

Then I'll do like you suggested and head to franklin via north fork mountain trail. Then get to Bemis via fire and county roads. Ride to Cass. Somehow ride to slaty fork. Ride there and maybe camp a night or two in Cranberry Backcountry. And really leave this open part open for a ton of riding. Then ride to Mill point and then Marlington. And ride south along Greenbriar rail trail. Then maybe ride around near White Sulphur Springs (if there is anything there). Then head back to Davis via greenbriar rail trail to bemis, then allegheny trail from bemis to davis. I wonder how many miles this will be, and if it is doable in 7 days.

Should be pretty excellent. I'll have to post a trip report somewhere.

I'm from ohio, but live in canada now. So I am comfortable with rocks and roots. There are tons up here in with the canadian shield and all. I am also prepared to hike-a-bike if need be.

Here is my tentative plan:

It will be a loop-like ride. I think I will start in Davis, and bike in canaan/blackwater area some.

Then head to Dolly Sods North (Do you know of any maps available for this trail network).

Then I'll get to bemis/glady, and bike to durbin, bike in and around Cass (What are the good trails in cass?).

Then I need to find a way to get to slaty fork. Bike slaty fork.

Head to Greenbriar rail trail, bike that.

Get to spruce knob somehow, bike there, and then head back to Davis.

Should be an adventure to say the least!!


Are you allowed to bike on the Allegheny trial? What are the rules on biking on trails? Are most national forest trails open to bikes? Or just a select few?

Where is the North Fork Mtn trail??

Hi,

Has anyone had any luck piecing together a 7-10 day-ish trip together in the Monongahela National Forest? I'm planning on heading out there at the end of august. I know there are tons of trails there, but I'm not familiar with them and I am unsure of how to piece together this trip. I'd like to ride as much single track as possible. I'm ok with riding closed forest service roads and old railroad grade trails to get to the single track, but I would like to spend most of my time on single track. Any help would be much appreciated! thanks!

-Jonathan