In last few weeks, I found two of my favorite rides in Pisgah, near Brevard NC and mad it to Bent Creek near Ashville. Here is the one.
If you want a pretty technical climb and a boat load of single track on the flip side, I think I've got it for ya!
The Daniel Ridge/Cove Creek combination is pretty killer. You can park at the Fish hatchery on 475 off of 276 north of town of Pisgah Forest, which is next door to Brevard. NC. Ride out of the the Hatchery and turn left on 475 and in a few the Davidson River trail will keep you off the road and get you a taste of easy single track to get you warmed up for the 1500 feet of climbing to come. Take a left back on 475, just before it turns to gravel for a short while before the Daniel Ridge Parking lot. Cross the Bridge and stay left when Daniel ridge splits. You will gain some elevation as this trail slants gradually upwards, with just a few tricky spots. That is, until it turns abruptly right and up, where the bridge use to cross the creek. This is where the fun begins. Very technical and some hike a bike will be required my most folks, enjoy the cascading creek to your left when forced off your bike or taking a break. Continue right where Farlow gap comes in from the left.you get to descend a bit as the trail rolls, instead of going straight up, like before. But it is still plenty technical. Watch for a trail that comes in from the left after a period where the trail levels off before the descent of Danile ridge starts. That left will take you to Cove Creek rd, take a right there. This rolling mostly DH single track becomes a Forest Service rd. Watch for the Cove Creek Trail head to come up on the right. While manly DH, it does roll up and down on it's way back down to 475. Fast and flowy, with banked turns and new bridges (as of this writing) as well as some gravel filled mud holes, that rode nicer that the hike over them the day before suggested. A few techy parts and off camber roots here and there that can get sketchy at speed. Shorty after the fastest section you will see the camp ground on the left. Turn left after you cross the creek, there is a sign but you come up on it quick, just when you have to navigate over a few log steps, up out of the creek. Take a right on the FS road. The creek crossing can be deep, so take the bridge to the left, just as you see the creek. Take a left on 475, and take the Davidson River trail back the way you came in to 475 back to the Hatchery.
1500 feet of climbing and less than 14 miles and 2 hours (for me).
I kind of gave up looking for that perfect 3ish hour ride, in this part of Pisgah. Anytime I tried, ended up being 5 or better hours, with either way to much gravel or some ridiculous hike a bike or death march. I like nibbling on Pisgah, cause when ever I try to take a mouthful, I always end up
Enjoy
https://www.strava.com/activities/383569027
http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/cove-creek.html#r38544
