[Lithified]

Hey guys, not going to do the race this year, but thinking about it for 2012, so I want to do some rides in the area. I have ridden Kitsuma dozens of times (and Old 70), but have only tried (unsuccessfully) to find Heartbreak ridge once, so I have a couple questions:

1. Anyone have a picture of the Heartbreak ridge trailhead?
2. Anyway to ride HB Ridge as part of a loop without doing 20+ miles of fire roads? I am up for suffering up CC road, but from my map, I see CC road (9 miles) > BRP (5 miles) > HB Ridge (4 miles) > Star Gap road (~9 miles?) so thats 23 miles of roads for 4 miles of singletrack?
3. Any awesome ~30 mile loops you guys would recommend? I hope to be doing this with a buddy who isn't familiar at all with the area, so it will be me, the Nat Geo map and my limited knowledge of the area.
4. I will be in the area for 2 days, so looking for 2 ~30 mile loops, with as much singletrack as possible

Thanks, I tried searching but to no avail, if you are a better MTBR search master then me, post up what ya find

 

[dobovedo]

You must have read my mind. As I was out riding earlier today I started thinking I need to get out and start riding the various bits of the ORAMM route. I did sign up and I've never seen any of it. Nor have I ever done a single MTB race. I must be insane.

 

[driftwood]

You can take the Old Toll Rd. up from Montreat right to the top of Heartbreak (the real top). The Old Toll Rd. is an old road but is much more pleasant than Curtis Creek and brings the distance of the loop down to 20 miles or so. However, which end of Heartbreak can you not find? In order to ride the Old Toll successfully you will have to be able to navigate your way through many unmarked intersections. It isn't hard but you need map, compass and topography skills, or a guide.

 

[bd279]

Heartbreak options

1. Anyone have a picture of the Heartbreak ridge trailhead?
2. Anyway to ride HB Ridge as part of a loop without doing 20+ miles of fire roads? I am up for suffering up CC road, but from my map, I see CC road (9 miles) > BRP (5 miles) > HB Ridge (4 miles) > Star Gap road (~9 miles?) so thats 23 miles of roads for 4 miles of singletrack?
3. Any awesome ~30 mile loops you guys would recommend? I hope to be doing this with a buddy who isn't familiar at all with the area, so it will be me, the Nat Geo map and my limited knowledge of the area.
4. I will be in the area for 2 days, so looking for 2 ~30 mile loops, with as much singletrack as possible

1. I'm not sure how much the pic will help, but hey, you asked.

The heartbreak ridge trail head (off the BRP) is located here:
35°42'2.22"N, 82°15'31.66"W
It's about 1 mile up from where the Black Mountain road intersects with the BRP.
Thanks to google street view, you can actually see the trailhead here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...oid=7qWBEuMDhHHfzDmfrUzIAQ&cbp=12,184,,0,5.51
This is the info I used to find it my first time:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=180717
2. As mentioned, the best way to hit heartbreak is via the OTR. Ride this with someone that knows the way or have fun exploring.
3. My 30 mile suggestions:
Loop 1: Park at the Geyser and ride Heartbreak via Jarrett/Curtis Creek (the ORAMM route)
Loop 2: Park at the Geyser and ride Heartbreak via OTR. when you return to your car, drive down to Old Fort Picnic area at the base of Kitsuma and ride Kitsuma via Old 70. You can choose not to drive and pick up some extra road miles if the suffering wasn't enough.

4. Loop 2 will give you the most single track. Have fun.

 

[bd279]

More ORAMM Training data

See more information here:
http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1294864386
and here:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=628095&highlight=ORAMM

 

[29ftw]

Geez, that pic brings back some cold, wet, and windy memories. That and leaf surfing all the way down HB

 

[bd279]

Great, now how much do I owe your bike for making a cameo appearance? Yes, that was a painful trip up ole CCR. The hike-a-bike is just cruel sometimes, especially in ORAMM after Black Mtn.

 

[Duckman]

Some one say hike-a-bike at ORAMM?

Yes I took pics during the race.

Highest part of HBR going up from the BRP.

Earlier in the race on that new fall line cut straight up the mtn. Looking up..

..and down. Good times!

Oh, sorry.. Carry on.

 

[29ftw]

Earlier in the race on that new fall line cut straight up the mtn. Looking up..

..and down. Good times!

Was that the year it went up some crazy goat trail up the back of kitsuma (in your pic)?

 

[Duckman]

I think so(07-08ish?). It was at the very beginning after the first pavement and then gravel. That was the yr that mtbs weren't allowed on that old abandoned paved road at the start. Also, at the top of Curtis Creek, we went left on the BRP all the way over to the HBR climb. No riding north of the BRP that race. Also had to ride past the geyser twice IIIRC, to add mileage.

 

[Duckman]

Never ending road over to Curtis.

Curtis Creek.

RR x-ing.

Start.

BRP.

Top of Curtis.

 

[tennessee17]

Greetings All!

I am down for riding part or all of the ORAMM course this coming Saturday, as well as the next few months. I am entering the ORAMM for the first time this year and would be grateful to pre-ride and train the course with someone that knows the route.

I rode the Montreat,Toll Road, HBR,Geyser, to Kitsuma Parking lot two weeks back with a couple of friends. The ride totaled almost 20 miles. The Toll Road is a fire road climb, but features enough rocks and trail features to be an interesting ride.

Thanks for the pics Duckman!

 

[dobovedo]

I'd be interested in a partial course ride Saturday as well.

 

[Ride-beer-rinse-repeat]

Hah! Me too - I really need to start upping the mileage - heading to Pisgah on Sunday to break in the legs...

You must have read my mind. As I was out riding earlier today I started thinking I need to get out and start riding the various bits of the ORAMM route. I did sign up and I've never seen any of it. Nor have I ever done a single MTB race. I must be insane.

 

[Asheville YetiRider]

I'd be interested in a partial course ride Saturday as well.

I am open to being a guide this Saturday. Just let me know the max miles you want to do and I will come up with a partial or all ORAMM route. I have done all and parts of that route more then I can count. :madman:

 

[bd279]

Go Yeti!

I am open to being a guide this Saturday. Just let me know the max miles you want to do and I will come up with a partial or all ORAMM route. I have done all and parts of that route more then I can count. :madman:

Let's do 63 miles. just kidding. Is it too early to start training for this? I'd really like to ride this weekend, but I'm on kid watch. I'll be up that way soon to hit the CCR 30 miler. I've yet to take the Niner down HBR.

 

[jamatt]

I am open to being a guide this Saturday. Just let me know the max miles you want to do and I will come up with a partial or all ORAMM route. I have done all and parts of that route more then I can count. :madman:

Weather is calling for scattered thunderstorms. But I'd love a long ride on Saturday.

Maybe a Mill Creek--Kitsuma--Old 70--Ridgecrest--OTR--HBR? I think that's 27 miles.

 

[dobovedo]

Let's do 63 miles. just kidding. Is it too early to start training for this?

I'm not so much concerned about "training", but I would like to see some of the trails I'm gonna be riding on sooner than later. Need to know what I'm getting into.

Weather is calling for scattered thunderstorms. But I'd love a long ride on Saturday.

Maybe a Mill Creek--Kitsuma--Old 70--Ridgecrest--OTR--HBR? I think that's 27 miles.

25-30 is probably a good distance for this early in the season. Need a time and starting location. I'd vote for later rather than earlier but will go whenever is convenient for others.

Is there water (other than from rainstorms) somewhere along this route? I don't have camelback.

 

[tennessee17]

I am up for a 30+ rode up there this weekend as long as we don't get too much rain Friday and Saturday is not a downpour.

Can we incorporate Curtis Creek into the ride? I have yet to ride that part of the ORAMM course.

What time is everyone thinking? Yeti?

 

[Asheville YetiRider]

I am up for a 30+ rode up there this weekend as long as we don't get too much rain Friday and Saturday is not a downpour.

Can we incorporate Curtis Creek into the ride? I have yet to ride that part of the ORAMM course.

What time is everyone thinking? Yeti?

Whatever the earliest is that you can get there. Taking Curtis Creek involves a little(lol) climbing. Depending on the pace we may want to give our elves enough time.
The Geyser at 10:00 works for me. But if you want to pick a later time that could work too. :nono: