53 year old mountain biking poser looking for regional advice. From the hilly end of Illinois, but I do ride TSALI once or twice each year, so maybe that will give you an idea of my mad biking skills

In a few weeks I am going to be staying a few days in Brevard, NC and would appreciate advice on which trails to ride while there. The Tsali stuff is never a problem, but I am by no means a technical rider and jumping is out of the question because of my clydeness. I am not opposed to climbing as long as there is a payoff. I ride a XTC-1 29 if that means anything.

Links appreciated. Thanks All.

That's a bit north of me so I can't give any advice about trails, but I can tell you that being so close to Asheville, you're in for some good times

No stranger to Asheville. I have blacked out there more than once

Its a bit of a drive, but Black Mountain is on the other side of Asheville. Cryptid01 posted a video of some amazing trails over there, I think it's in the floating general MTB thread.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? **crickets**

If you like Tsali, hit up Dupont State forest. Lots of nice, flowy fun trails there. The fish hatchery area trails in Pisgah National Forest are also very popular, but generally you can expect less buffed trails, long, grinder climbs and techier descents. Some of the better stuff is seasonal and will be opening to bikes on Oct. 15. For further guidance, resources, and maps I'd recommend the NC/SC forum on mtbr and Sycamore Cycles in Pisgah Forest (just north of Brevard across from the gate to Pisgah at the intersection of 276 and 64). Great shop with friendly staff who are always happy to help you out.

Just wondering, where do you bike in southern il? I currently live in STL, but am from a little north of Mt Vernon and there aren't any decent trails near where I am from (or at least non that I am aware of). Any tips on good/ok trails near Mt Vernon would be great.

cryptid01 you are the sh-!t. Thank you for the info. I will follow up. I have been to Dupont, but only on foot. Got married 3 years ago on Chimney rock at Lake Lure so have bounced around the area, but have been kinda one dimensional with the Tsali thing and want to widen my field a little.

You won't regret it. I used to ride Tsali but around 2004 mtnbiker66 (former contributor and clown prince of this forum) showed me around Dupont/Pisgah and I haven't been back to Tsali since.

In Dupont, some "must rides" are Big Rock/Cedar Rock, Corn Mill Shoals, Burnt Mountain, Airstrip, and Reasonover. Enjoy!

Are you wanting reference from where you live now or the Mt. Vernon area? I live down south of Carbondale and ride the Cedar Lake Trails and the Lake Kinkade trails near Murphysboro. But, I am fortunate enough that I have these fire road trails about 8 minutes from my house in Anna. There are two trails (Trail of Tears State Park) that are 6 & 4 miles respectively. They both require a significant climb, but each has a wonderful payoff of fast flow that follows a ridge line loop and the 6 miles has a 2.5 mile descent that requires much more brake than pedal.

I was mainly asking about trails by Mt Vernon. I've found quite a few trail west of St Louis that are great, but my best friend who I ride with the most still lives in Centralia (were I am actually from) and I would like to find some trails really close to there. I might have to give that Trail of Tears a try.

This is a great route.....https://www.pisgahareasorba.org/?p=1198. Black Mountain trail can be done on a HT 29(or is it FS?), but is definitely more fun on something with a bit more travel. Either way BMT is a must ride if you're headed to Pisgah.

^^I kept hoping the rider would huck off that ledge towards the end of that vid, but the huck never came

btw...Rider was me I will refer back to my original post. I am a clyde and a poser. Hucking is not in my bag of tricks. Actually I have no tricks, unless you consider that guardrail ride of death a trick

Whatever you do, avoid the 'death march' up Black Mountain. I've done it...given your age/clydes'ness, that could be lethal.

https://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240283-Pisgah-Mountain-Bike-Stage-Race-2011/video/508088-Brad-Schmalzer-BIRDMAN-1st-Open-Men-PISGAH-Stage-4