[max-a-mill]

hey everyone...

i am a northerner (PA) who is very excited to attend my first offroad assult on mount mitchell this year.

since i have never been to the area, i have a couple questions...

someone recommended a good camping spot near the race but i am wondering if there are any good places to eat near the start as well. since i'll be camping, i was just wondering how far it would be to the nearest food store, beer store, greasy spoon etc...

basically i am wondering: should i pick up supplies before i go or is it just a hop skip and jump to the nearest stores? would you plan to cook your own meals while camping or are there restaurants close enough that i won't have to bother?

also if anyone can recommend a good hiking spot, fishing hole, or an easy loop i could wonder around on in the days leading up to the race that would be great as well.

hopefully i'll be staying at one of the campsites on curtis creek road (thu/sun). so if you see some bearded guy living out of an old white volvo 240 wagon down there feel free to stop by and say hi! i'd also love to hook up with someone for a mellow ride!

thanks!

max

 

[Mike Brown]

You've got the camping spot, so I'm not going to worry about that...
McDowell County is dry- no beer or alchohol sales in the town of Old Fort. You'll have to either drive up the mountain to Black Mountain or down the road to Marion for beer.
I'm sure there is a greasy spoon, but the nearest place to the start that is likely to be open on a Sunday church-goin' morning is McDonald's. A lot of other places won't open on Sunday until later if at all.
There's a small grocery store.
Old Fort is a very small southern town with all the amenities that come with it. This race is probably one of the three biggest things that happens there all year.
Black Mountain, just up the road, is a cool town with some good bars in small downtown. Highly recommended for Friday night. My Father's Pizza is especially good.
I would highly recommend going to Take-A-Hike in Black Mountain and Epic Cycles for other activity suggestions.
Hope that's helpful.
Mike

 

[wooglin]

A dry county? Dayum.

I'll bring an extra case max. Hope you like Bud.

 

[M-U-M]

if anyone can recommend a good hiking spot, fishing hole, or an easy loop

You might consider Bent Creek (south of Asheville) for all three of those options, but you'll have to get a temp fishing license. The nearby K-Mart can handle that.

Wog: When did you start buying the premium beer?

:skep:

 

[max-a-mill]

thanks guys!

dosen't sound like "town" is too far away and i can always make do with some McD's (at least i know it will be open pre-race) if i give myself some time before riding to digest it!

i'll try the riding and fishing at bent creek, and go give those two shops a try if i feel like biting off more adventure.

for the most part though i hope to just relax and find some nice spots to pass the days and read some books i have been meaning to dig into for a while! hopefully i can keep myself from drinking too much beer along the way and be fresh as a daisy come sunday.

but if anyone has any more suggestions or wants to hook up for a ride please chime in!

 

[Mike Brown]

If you're a trout fisherman, Curtis Creek where you are camping is supposed to be great. It's also very beautiful and peaceful and there's tons of random hikes off it, especially into an area called Mackey Mountain. No need to go to far...
Mike

 

[max-a-mill]

If you're a trout fisherman, Curtis Creek where you are camping is supposed to be great. It's also very beautiful and peaceful and there's tons of random hikes off it, especially into an area called Mackey Mountain. No need to go to far...
Mike

AWESOME!!!! sounds like i have all i'll need without ever even leaving camp.

 

[teamdicky]

Don't think I have ever seen one in North Carolina.
Oh, you said ameneties.

 

[wooglin]

Wog: When did you start buying the premium beer?

:skep:

That's for max. I want him hung over on Sunday. I'll save the Busch for me.

 

[Drevil]

hey everyone...

i am a northerner (PA) who is very excited to attend my first offroad assult on mount mitchell this year.

since i have never been to the area, i have a couple questions...

someone recommended a good camping spot near the race but i am wondering if there are any good places to eat near the start as well. since i'll be camping, i was just wondering how far it would be to the nearest food store, beer store, greasy spoon etc...

basically i am wondering: should i pick up supplies before i go or is it just a hop skip and jump to the nearest stores? would you plan to cook your own meals while camping or are there restaurants close enough that i won't have to bother?

also if anyone can recommend a good hiking spot, fishing hole, or an easy loop i could wonder around on in the days leading up to the race that would be great as well.

hopefully i'll be staying at one of the campsites on curtis creek road (thu/sun). so if you see some bearded guy living out of an old white volvo 240 wagon down there feel free to stop by and say hi! i'd also love to hook up with someone for a mellow ride!

thanks!

max

How do you get to these campsites from say, Old Fort or US 40? I did a screen capture of my MS Streets and Maps software and I see Curtis Creek Rd. Do I just drive North on it until I see people camping on the side of the road?

I should be getting there Saturday morning/noon.

Thanks,

rickyd



(Click pic for bigger version.)

 

[wooglin]

Do I just drive North on it until I see people camping on the side of the road?

Yup, take 70 out of Old Fort and go left on CC road, away from the interstate. Most of the sites are on the right as you go up I think, and you'll probably be able to see Max's car from the road. I think the road is still closed about 2 miles in, so you'll know if you've gone too far pretty quick.

 

[driftwood]

The last time I rode up Curtis Creek Rd. there were signs saying no alcohol is allowed at any of the campsites. Anyone know what the law is and how strict enforcement is?

 

[AppMTB]

The most pro mountain biking eatery in Black Mountain is Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant located at 502 W. State Street (West Hwy 70). The food is good and you can get a cold draft un grande Dos Equis (32 oz.) for $3.

The LBS, Epic Cycles, has a year round Wednesday evening group ride. Las Cazuelas is the re-fueling station after the ride. We come in dirty and smelly and not only are we never turned away, but they stay open on Wednesday nights for the group, no matter how late the hour. Sometimes the combination of a long ride, mechanicals, and slugs like me, push the finish time of a ride past the restaurants normal business hours. Keeping the place open until we have re-fueled, now that is great support!

There are other good places to eat in the area, but when you are riding the local trails (Kitsuma, Heartbreak, Montreat) try Las Cazuelas and help support a MTB supporter.