New place to Ride Dirt - Durhamtown Tellico

 

Located just across the Tennessee / North Carolina state line,near Murphy N.C. Durhamtown Tellico is a new, 3000 acre, privately owned, pay to ride area which incorporates some of the old trail system that was popular years ago. If you aren't familiar with Durhamtown Plantation in Georgia, it is one of the most popular, and well run riding areas in the southeast. I think it is very promising that the same model is being used in the Tellico area. Years ago the Tellico area was wide open for riding and off roading, but over time overuse of trails by larger vehicles contributed to the closing of nearly all trails in the National forest on the Tennessee side.

Durhamtown Tellico is just getting started, and it appears that its main appeal is to Jeeps, Side by Sides, ATVs and of course dirt bikes. 

The park is open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and at this point only primitive camping is available. For dirt bikes the price is $21 for the first day, and $16 for the second day. A map is provided when you check in. According to the website they have over 40 miles of trails. 40 miles may not sound like much, but if its as rocky and steep as I remember, you aren't going to be running a very fast pace. The original Durhamtown Plantation has really nice amenities, and my guess is they have some big plans for Durhamtown Tellico.Check out their website for updates. www.durhamtowntellico.com

Places to Camp and Ride in East Tennessee - Trails End Campground, Huntsville Tn

Trails End Campground is located in Huntsville, Tennessee, right at the trail entry into the Brimstone Off-Road Recreation Area and the TWRA managed North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Basically you have access to aver 140,000 acres of trails. You can ride directly out of your campsite, no need to trailer to the trailhead. The Brimstone Riding area, and the TWRA area are both pay to ride areas, and under separate management, so you will need a permit for each, or whichever one you decide to ride.

Trails End has 26 RV sites with full hookups, as well as lots of primitive (no hookup) sites. The campground is set on a 140 Acre farm, so unless it is  one of the 2 weekends a year when there is a large event going on (check their schedule), there is plenty of space for privacy.

For more information check out their website. www.camptrailsend.com 

Places to camp and ride in East Tennessee - Brimstone Recreation Area

The Brimstone Recreation Area is located in Huntsville Tn, and over the past 10 years has evolved into one of the more popular riding areas in the East. The Brimstone riding area is privately leased land, with over 300 miles of trails. The trails on the Brimestone area also connect to adjacent lands, some of which are public gravel roads, and some that are part of the TWRA Wildlife management area (which requires a seperate permit).
Brimstone recently opened up not just a campground, with full hookups, but also rental cabins and campers. All of which are located at the start of the trail system.
Reservations are recommended.Their website is www.brimstonerecreation.com

Vol Riders Getting Ready for Fathers Day Weekend Ride

This past weekend some of the Volunteer Riders went out to scout the route for the upcoming ride on the Saturday before Fathers Day. (16th). Shown here are Brian, Bart, Isaac, and Steve. The five of us endured a horribly Sunny day of temperatures in the mid to upper 70's riding 50 plus miles of great trails. Hey, if your club is going to host an event, you've got to do the work! Actually, there is a reason to pre-ride the trails, because things change. One trail had been "compromised" by a logging operation, and one trail had been blocked by a huge tree that had fallen within the past few days.

 

By the end of the day we had figured out a great route, some bypasses that can be used if needed, and some great views. The ride on the 16th should be a good one. Hope you can make it!

Volunteer Riders Trail Ride - Public Welcome!

On June 16th the Volunteer Riders of Knoxville will be hosting a free group ride at the North Sundquist / Royal Blue OHV area, just North of Knoxville on I-75. The ride will divide into at least 2 groups,( experienced and not-so-experienced) and the more advanced riders can plan on a ride of 30+ miles of trails. Less Experienced riders will take an easier and shorter route. This is a family friendly ride, not a race, and everyone is welcome. However, it is not the place to learn to ride. Kids are welcome, please bring them along, but plan on riding with your kids. We suggest kids be on bikes of at least 80cc.
Dual Sport bikes of 650 cc and smaller are welcome, but must have knobbies. This is a trail ride, not a dual sport ride. Expect rocks, mud, and creek crossings. There is no charge, but you will need a N. Cumberland / Royal Blue WMA daily permit (Type 036 - $12.50) You can get this at any Walmart that sells Hunting and Fishing licenses
For the full flier with directions and more info go to www.volunteerriders.com and look under "events"

Volunteer Riders 2012 Club Banquet

The Volunteer Riders dirt bike club had their annual Club Banquet this past Saturday night and it was very well attended. Held at the Bearden Banquet Hall on Kingston Pike, over 50 club members and spouses were in attendance for a great time, good food, and a lot of door prizes provided by the club and donated by some of the very generous local shops and suppliers who continue to support the club year after year.

Current club President Greg Thomas won the 2011 Club Points Championship, and the healthy gift certificate that comes with it. Greg also presided over the evenings events with the help of new Vice President- David Scraggs , Secretary-Patrick Klepper , and Club Treasurer Jason Edwards. When Greg named off all of the rides and events the club has hosted or been involved with over the past year it was really impressive. The truth is there aren't many clubs of any kind that are more active than the Volunteer Riders. The most important thing, it's just a good group of people. I've been in the club for nearly 20 years, and can't tell you all of the friends I've made and good times I've had.

If you are a dirt bike rider and you would like to make some new friends and meet new people to ride with, you owe it to yourself to check out the Volunteer Riders club in Knoxville. The club always has a ride or event planned,  and is the reason that many of the motorcycle only trails in this area exist. The club meets the Third Thursday of each month, but someone is riding every weekend. Check out the website, www.volunteerriders.com, and check them out on facebook.

Great Smoky Mountain Dual Sport Rental

Talking about services that are hard to find, try to find a place that will rent you a good reliable motorcycle that you can explore back roads with!  We have that rare place here in Townsend Tennessee, right on the edge of the National Park. 

Great Smoky Mountain Motorcycle Rental  (GSMmotoRent) is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Dan and Debbie Dickie.  The business just started in April of 2009, and they are already exceeding expectations. What they offer is a way for street riders to sample Dual Sport riding, and give those who ride their street only bikes to the area, an option to explore some different back roads.

Their fleet consist of Kawasaki KLR 650s, Suzuki DR 650's and DR200's. All of the bikes are fully serviced and ready to ride. Dan said that the KLR's are the most requested,but that the DR200's are popular with ladies and people new to off road. 2 of their KLR 650's have been lowered to accommodate people who just prefer a lower seat height.

To rent a bike all you have to have is a valid motorcycle license. There is limited gear available, so they suggest you bring your own. Dan said that many of their customers ride in on street bikes, and store them in the GSM Garage while they go out exploring. 

If you need help figuring out where you want to go they have mapped routes available that direct you to some of the areas more scenic roads. You're free to travel wherever you wish, and to any state. It just depends on how long you want to rent the bike for. From their location its a short ride through the National Park to Cades Cove, where you can take the Parsons Branch gravel road to Hwy 129 (aka the Dragon)

If you want to stay close to your bikes, they have a rental cabin and a rental camper available. Both are located directly behind their shop, and are right on the river. If your interested, you'll need to reserve these ahead of time.  

If you've ever thought you would like to try out a Dual Sport bike this is the perfect opportunity. Give Dan and Debbie a call. You can also connect with them through our links page.

Appalachian Dual Sport - Post Ride Report

My first Appalachian Dual Sport (AKA Renfro Valley Dual Sport) ride turned out to be a very memorable one for several reasons. #1 the event is extremely well organized, #2 the trails were fun, #3 I rode more in the rain than I ever have before, #4 We had a really good time (mostly because of reasons 1 and 2)

The incoming weather system was the big talk, and during the riders meeting they told us that if it rained the advanced sections may be better left alone. Of course that just makes you want to see them out of curiosity! We left the KOA Campground under ominous skies, and raindrops started falling just as we got to the main road. 

The mix of trails was very good. Everything from perfect trail to slimy monsters that made you pray to see the next section of gravel road. In dry weather there would have been a few trails that were challenging, in the wet most of them were. The rain sort of came and went in the morning, but got pretty heavy later in the day.

One thing about riding in the rain, once you get totally soaked, it really doesn't matter anymore. I also realized that when you come out on a paved section, and its raining really hard, the faster you go the more mud it washes off!  Sort of a throttle adjustable pressure washer. The biggest trouble we had was fogging goggles and blurred vision,  that is until we go caught on one of the advanced sections and it started raining harder. We can't say we weren't warned.

Honestly, too much happened in one day to write about here, but I'll give you the condensed version: Around 250 riders,Great Trails, Muddy Trails, Slick Trails, Rocky trails, all connected by pavement and gravel roads. Great lunch, too many creek crossings to count, seeking out water puddles with the hope it will get some of the mud off your tires, getting so tired I sat down in the rain just to cool off, getting so lost that locals couldn't even tell us how to get back.

Our getting lost was our own fault. We tried to shortcut back and got off course. In fact I have never ridden in an event where the course (100+ miles on Saturday) was marked so well.  The level of effort to put this on must be incredible (this was it's14th year). We didn't ride on Sunday, but we'll ride it again next year. (hopefully the weather will be a little better). Congratulations and thanks to the 4Fun Trail Riders club for putting on a great event. They do a really fine job.

Places To Ride - East Tennessee / North Georgia

Coal Creek OHV Area
Oliver Springs, Tennessee
www.coalcreekohv.com

Probably the most popular off road riding area in the south. Over 72,000 acres of land that is owned by a mining company that also manages nearly 200 miles of the trail. A very good map is available, and all the trails are marked. Everything is at least ATV wide; some are wide enough for jeeps. In 2008 a great Campground was built with direct access to the riding area.

Windrock
Oliver Springs, Tennessee
www.windrockpark.com

This area does get a lot of riding, and the trails are not one-direction. Always watch for someone coming the other way. Check the schedule and make sure you don’t show up on the date of their big fall event, the place gets totally packed.

Permits are $88 Annual, $17 Daily Get them at the Snack Shack at the Windrock Parking area, or the Exxon in Oliver Springs

North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (AKA Royal Blue)
La Follette, Tennessee

This is a very unique area in that it is actually under the management of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA). The whole area is crisscrossed with trails, but despite what TWRA says, they (TWRA) aren’t that crazy about Off Highway Recreation. They only let people ride on this area because it was stipulated years ago when the land was turned over to them. It’s the only Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the State of Tennessee where riding is allowed. Despite this there is still some excellent riding, it’s just that there aren’t many excellent maps.

In the name of “Wildlife management” TWRA has turned many of trails into gravel roads over the years, and left some to deteriorate to the point that they can justify closing them. Sometimes trails are marked, and sometimes they ain't. I suggest you take a GPS with you. I’ve ridden this area for years, and there are still some good trails, you just have to keep riding until you find them. Beware of mud holes. The rule of thumb is if you can go around it, do it.

The North Cumberland WMA is actually divided into 3 sections, Royal Blue, Sundquist, and Brimstone/New River. The area to the right of I-75 was the original riding area known by everyone as Royal Blue. The Brimstone /New River section was part of the Brimstone riding area (See Below) before TWRA took it over in 2008, so there are still some really good trails in this area. If you can lay your hands on one of the old Brimstone maps you’ve got gold, because TWRA hasn’t mapped these trails yet (if ever)

The main parking area is located near the I-75/Hwy 63/ Huntsville /Oneida exit. Going north, exit, turn to your right, and follow the road that parallels the interstate. You’ll drive past Adult World (please don’t stop), go about a mile, and take the gravel road that bears to your left. Follow this until you find the parking area.

You’ll have to buy your permits in Wal-Mart, or wherever you buy hunting and fishing licenses. There is no place to buy the permits at the riding area, but there are rangers who will give you a ticket for not having them. Also, during deer season you are required to wear blaze orange, just like hunters. This includes your helmet.

Permits for TWRA managed land - North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.(WMA) (Royal Blue/Sundquist/Brimstone sections). $61 Annual Resident OHV Permit, OR you can get a type 01 hunting/fishing license ($28) and a $17 Type 093 WMA small game permit (for a total of $45). You can get it at any Wal-Mart.

Non-Tennessee Resident can buy an annual permit for $191, or a daily permit for $30.50

Here is a rough map of the area.

Here is an article from the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Brimstone Recreation Area
Huntsville Tennessee
www.brimstonerecreation.com

One of the newest “managed” riding areas in Tennessee, and run by the nicest people you will ever meet. Covering 19,000 acres, Brimstone actually butts up against the North Cumberland WMA/New River section. If you have both a Brimstone and a TWRA permit, you can really cover some ground. Great maps are available, and all the trail are marked. A campground sits at the bottom of the Mountain at the main trail entrance.

Much of the area was timbered in 2009, but the management has worked hard to keep the trails open. They claim to have nearly 300 miles of trails. Before it was cut for timber, the local Volunteer Riders Dirt Bike Club in Knoxville had built over 30 miles of absolutely great single-track trail, but timber operations have wiped out most of it. New sections may be built when the timber cutters are finished.

Permits $65 Annual, $18 Daily. Brimstone office, Huntsville Monday thru Saturday

Highland Park
Rome, Georgia
www.highlandparkresort.com

Highland park is a privately owned motorcycle riding area located just south of Rome Georgia. It’s about a 2 ½ hour drive from Knoxville, but well worth the trip. 70 miles of one-way trails for all skill levels. They also have trails and mx tracks that are for kids only, which is really nice if you have beginning riders.

There is a large parking area where you can also camp, and cabins are available to rent. The real kicker is that they have a full service KTM Dealership on site. (KTM World) The only place I know of where you can buy a new bike, all the gear, and literally ride it off the showroom floor onto the trail.

The main loop is a wide, one-way dirt trail, and smaller trails branch off and reconnect. They change the directions of the trails periodically, and when you sign in they give you a current map. In fact, Highland Park was voted to have the best single track trail in Georgia. The nice thing about the set up is that all skill levels can have a good time, and you can’t get lost. We had a great time when we went. We would make a loop, come back to camp for a break, make another loop, and repeat.