Scott Wohl of New York

I went to Moab last year, and, as expected, it was a great trip. I'm looking for a similar mountain biking vacation where I can pitch a tent, ride every day for a week, and still be close enough to be able to drive into town. Any suggestions? I live in New York so I am looking for a little different terrain (Slickrock in Moab was great). Thanks!

Steve Jones's Answer.

	Steve Jones The author of four mountain-biking books, Steve Jones has logged thousands of miles of trails and backroads. Meet Steve Answer Archive Biking Forums

Since you live in the Big City, I assume when you say you want a variation of terrain, you want something different from what you can find outside your back door. But then again, you may want something wide open like you found out west in Moab. Obviously, you don't mind a road trip if you're willing to travel nearly across the continent to grab some quality trail time.

So . . . I'm going to strike a balance and suggest a place that has some of the best mountain biking east of the Mississippi — plus forests, tall mountains, plenty of overlooks, great camping, and a short trip into a fairly large city — and involves a fairly long road trip so you can get a sense of leaving your region.

I first fell in love with the Pisgah National Forest when I was looking for rides to put in one of my guidebooks. I was on a pretty tight production schedule, but I could hardly tear myself away from all the terrific trails I found in this rough country near Asheville, North Carolina. Ride every day for a week? You can ride every day for a month there and not hit the same trail twice. It's been estimated that there are over 200 miles of single-track open for mountain biking in the Pisgah District (as opposed to the Grandfather District, near Boone, North Carolina) of the Pisgah NF.

With over 85,000 acres in this, the first national forest ever established (in 1914), don't expect to hit all the trails from just one camping spot unless you want to spend some extended time in the saddle on double-track and pavement. But if you pick the right camping spot, you can do it. But with so many great and different camping areas to choose from, why limit your choices?

There are developed camping areas, some with all the conveniences you expect at a modern campground. But there are also plenty of primitive spots. The more primitive camping areas have the distinct advantages of being quieter, closer to most of the riding, and lots cheaper (free).

The choices to ride are nearly limitless, so it's a good idea to obtain a map of the entire area and plan your trip based on where you want to stay and ride first. Get the map and more info by writing/calling Pisgah National Forest District Ranger at 1001 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah, NC 28768 (828-877-3265).

Just to give you an idea of how much more there is to explore in the area, when you get tired of riding in the national forest, you can head to the adjoining Bent Creek Experimental Forest (828-667-5261) where a week or more of solid single-track experience can be had.

And if that isn't enough, you can check out the recently acquired DuPont Forest where mountain biking is the best way to explore this fantastically beautiful site. You can bike a section of exposed granite for an unbroken half-mile or more — the only place I've ever been east of the Mississippi where that's possible.

You may even want to abandon the single-track for some relatively quiet highway biking on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is easily accessible from several points within the Pisgah NF where you can combine it with a section of single-track and double-track.

And when you get tired of the remoteness or find yourself in need of a quality bike shop, the cities of Brevard and Asheville are just a short drive away.

The only problem I could possibly find with taking a biking vacation at Pisgah is that once you discover it, you will be spoiled and reluctant to ride anywhere else. But you're a mountain biker, and mountain bikers are adventurers, meaning you'll continue searching for other places to ride as good as Pisgah. You may find them, but you won't find any better.

Thanks for the question!