Tsali Mountain Biking - Ride the Original Dirt Roller Coaster

I’ve noticed a trend in the more popular mountain biking destinations recently. That’s right- I’m talking about rocky trails. Somehow, these places are put on a pedestal because they have a bunch of rocks in the way, and you have to try to go over, or around, or thru them to ride. Has the explosion in 5-inch trailbikes led to this shift in perception? Has the mountain biking population as a whole, elevated their skills to such a level that requires more rocks? Who's to say?

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Tsali trails are so fast that you might forget to look around and admire your surroundings. Don't.

Typical singletrack for this neck of the woods.

This is as rocky as it gets on the Left/Right loops.

But rocks are the blood clots in a trail systems’ arteries, and frankly, they give me a heart attack. I’m just not a huge fan of lengthy rock gardens. In fact, I wish they would plant tomatoes, or sunflowers. Instead they planted rocks. What the hell is wrong with people these days?

So there’s a place in North Carolina that I love to ride. I love it because it’s fast. I love it because it has incredible flow.

I love it because there’s not a lot of rocks.

The Tsali Recreation Area got its long-overdue props in 2005, being declared an Epic Ride by the IMBA. I’ve been on a few of their so-called “Epic” rides now, and all I have to say is “Damn! What the @#$% took so long?”

Part of Nantahala National Forest, Tsali is located on a peninsula sticking out into Lake Fontana. Peninsulas are cool, because water on three sides means there's only one way in, and one way out. Kinda makes staying unlost an easy process. To make it even easier, the trails are well marked at most intersections, and there are no random side trails just dipping away from the main trails. You know what I’m talking about- when you’re riding a new spot, and you have a map, and you come to an intersection that ain’t on it? You take a wrong turn and end up in some suburban cul-de-sac? Well that won’t happen here. If you wander too far off trail, you’ll end up in that big, beautiful lake. Problem solved.

The bike-friendliness doesn’t stop there. There are also free maps at the trailhead, and for once they’re actually useable. There’s also a bike-washing station, and a lunch truck/bikeshop on the weekends. I know, it’s making you nauseous how spoiled these WNC riders are.

Finally, Horses and bikes share the same trails, but not on the same days. They trade off every other day for access to specific trails, which is pretty cool.

Every time I ride here, I can’t help but to daydream about living nearby. The trails are mostly fast singletrack with a decent amount of climbing. Water crossings aren’t uncommon, and the trail hugs the lake’s edge for a few miles on both loops.

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