Remote Bikepacking suggestions

[tallpaul]

I posted this question on MTBR and Mike Brown responded by suggesting this site.  I haven't finished my search of the site, but this definately looks like the place I need.

I'm looking for suggestions for a 5-6 day bikepacking trip I plan on taking later this year (timing is flexible). I live in Asheville NC and would like to go someplace new, it doesn't necessarily have to be far, but it does take out Pisgah, Dupont, Bent Creek and everything in between.  Due to the logistics of it, I'd rather not fly and I'd like to limit my driving to 12 hours or less.  I'm ok with riding to a new campsite each day or setting up a basecamp and going on day rides, but I'd like it to be fairly remote (not staying in a campground). Obviously good riding would be preferred.
Any recommendations?

thanks,
Paul

[dave54]

Sorry, I am a left coaster, so can't help you. 

But I have been mulling over a multi-modal trip paddling down the Green River in Utah, with a bike disassembled in the canoe.  Set up  base camp along the river for some bike day trips into some of the more remote red rock country.

SIGH , a dream.

[Mike Brown]

tallpaul- Mike again. 
Seriously, look at the Virgina Apps.  Harrisonburg area as a starting point.  Research from there.  I'd try contacting the bike shop in H-burg and going from there.  There's a fellow that posts here sometimes (tomi) who might be able to help as well. 
I've only ridden the SM100 route up there, but it's a lot of great riding and I know there's supposed to be way way more than I've seen in the race.

[tallpaul]

thanks Mike.  I've been looking at Va, but didn't really know where to start.  The SM100 looks like a great place to start.

[John G]

There might be some interesting options in stringing together Parks in PA, MD, and VA.  Some friends have done a Caldonia(PA) -> Michaux(PA) -> Frederick Watershed(MD) - > Gambrill(MD) as a one day epic, with only about 15 miles of back road riding to hook them together, and I've thought it would make a good two or three day ride with a little more playtime in each park.  With a little effort and some more road riding you might add Elizabeth Furnace VA and points south (Massanuten [the Ring]? GW Forest?) to the mix, or turn east at Fredneck, MD and hit the Patapsco Valley. There may be other options for a further north start in PA as well, but I'm not familiar with them as much.   Might not be as remote as you are looking for, but who knows.

[chuckc1971]

At least two of us are bikepacking and mapping the Sheltowee (eastern KY) including routing around bike-illegal sections the first week of September.

Here is some info from a thread i started on here:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,90.0.html

Here's another site and my thread about this trail:

http://www.sheltoweetrace.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307

[krshome]

Hey Tallpaul, Are you still looking in this area? I live 20 minutes outa Harrisonburg at Massanutten Mountain. I might be able to help if you come back out this way again. Funny I recognized to screen name from HF.

[DeanHill]

Sorry, I am a left coaster, so can't help you. 

But I have been mulling over a multi-modal trip paddling down the Green River in Utah, with a bike disassembled in the canoe.  Set up  base camp

Sorry, I am a left coaster, so can't help you. 

But I have been mulling over a multi-modal trip paddling down the Green River in Utah, with a bike disassembled in the canoe.  Set up  base camp along the river for some bike day trips into some of the more remote red rock country.

SIGH , a dream.

SIGH , a dream.

Go for it .  It's a sweet trip.  I would suggest you bring a fat bike if you want to do some legal from the river riding.

[bakerjw]

I'm just up the road in Johnson City Tn. rctime1 is up in SW Va. I'm looking for some good day rides to build up for a Tour out of Banff next June.
john