Hey Everyone! I've gotten this question a few times so I'm pinning this comment for future reference. If you're using this video to plan a future ride for yourself, watch starting from 18:08 for comments on the route I took, as climbing Avery Creek Trail is NOT what I'd recommend. That was a mistake on my part, while its doable, I don't think its the most fun route. If you want to do the whole Black Mtn Trail, I'd recommend climbing avery creek ROAD, jumping into Club Gap and from there going onto Black Mtn. Here's a ridelog planner on trailforks you can use: www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/32985 Happy Riding!
First time I rode this I felt like I was going to die haha, nowadays it doesn't seem as crazy, I like coming back to this video to remember what its like to improve every time I tackle something new and challenging.
That hike a bike is so ruff went through 3 liters and a Gatorade before even making it to the highest point We were riding hardtails so we went slow and steady on the way down and the way down is worth the the terrible hike a bike We did avery creek road all the way to club gap to black mountain but we missed a turn and ended up doing like 20 miles that day So we may have had plenty of fluids
It's totally worth it, but it is brutal! Have never ridden this trial on a hardtail, must be fun! I will say though, I've now ridden this trail more times than I can count and I usually skip the first section just because there's not much reward to it. Climbing clawhammer Rd is shorter, you get to skip club gap and you still get to the view points and nice riding
I really enjoy watching your Videos. Lovely trails and I'd say we're about the same level of skills- not doing any crazy jumps etc but rather enjoying natures beauty while riding epic trails! Oh and nice Bike! I got my Jeffsy about three weeks ago. Greetings from Germany :)
Thanks man! Really appreciate the kind words! Ich kann auch ein bisschen deutsch sprechen, hab ein paar monatte in Dortmund gewohnt als ich in schule war. Gluckwunsch an die Jeffsy, welche build has du gekauft? Hoffe ich kann irgendwann ins Deutschland mit meinem fahrrad gehen!
This was a long time ago. I have an updated video of this route. It's not as terrible as I made it seem, I was just a newer rider haha. Also, don't climb avery, bad idea, specially because this was before they smoothed it out.
Love the video! I like your attitude. Ride safe when alone. I’ve started making videos myself. I’m older and usually ride solo. Shredding is great but you gotta live to ride another day!
Rode this trail this past weekend (May 29, 2020). This was my very first mountain trail ever. I went straight up for about 25 minutes then turned to head back down the black. Not really sure where I was going. I went back later and did the Sycamore trail down. Definitely a good start to riding in the mountains from central NC and Florida.
Yeah, don't climb this trail. It's no fun at all. If you still want to ride it, do lower black Mountain only. Climb avery Creek road to fs5099. You can jump in at a point where you bypass most of the hike a bike. You should only have to push the very start from there. If you're not using it, trailforks app is your best friend out there.
Dude, my first ever ride outside of FL was 2 weekends ago on Middle Black, Lower Black and Sycamore. lol It wasn't, humbling per say, but more like eyeopening. 1, to how rowdy that trail actually is compared to seeing it on video. And 2, to how quickly i was able to ride way above my experience level. Mostly by letting the bike do it's thing i think. haha I was told exactly what you said about Upper Black by locals. Go for the climb and the views, not the DH. I actually hiked up the end of Upper Black a few hundred yards to get my first taste of down hill before hitting Middle Black.
hahahaha I love how you put my 20 minutes of video into a few sentences! Fully agree with you, the video makes it seem a lot easier and yes, bikes are amazing, specially ones as awesome as your Yeti. If we as riders don't get in the way of the bike doing its thing they'll do almost anything!
Absolutely! Here's a vid I just put out of BM ruclips.net/video/qBsi8rpVTXo/видео.html. Took me a month and a half to get it out, but there's an H2O reference in the beginning that makes me think of you :) Hit me up if you are in town again; we'll ride! And I've subbed to your channel. Keep it up, brother!
I was already watching it. Awesome ride! Don't know when I'll head back but hope its soon, keep it up, subbed as well! It would have been great to find some h2o for sure, now I know for the next time I climb clawhammer instead of hitting avery.
Well, holler at me next time you're in the area. We'll get together! Also, great quality in your vids. I can't seem to maintain such good quality in mine after YT compresses. Maybe I should be filming in higher res than 1080? Any tricks or tips you've got? Cheers!
Don't really know when I'll be going back, as much as I want to, at this point I think it'll be next season :(. Let you know then. Send me an email, I can give you some info on YT compression.
Hey man it was great riding with you today. I rode this trail when i was there a couple months back. The hike-a-bike is absolutely painful! Almost not worth the descent. Lol
Hey Chris! Great to ride with you, thanks for stopping by to check the channel out! The climb is definitely a little insane, so much so that I would do it differently next time to skip the top top section and cut in further down to bomb it. It is a place that really think you should conquer once though, kinda just to say you did it, the view at the top is awesome! A few locals also gave me odd looks when I told them I had gone up avery instead of the fire road hahaha
Think we all did, the view at the top is a most welcome break though, renewed energy from the awesomeness of the place. My issue was running out of water, made it that much more sketchy.
Awesome video!! Really thinking about going to North Carolina, every trail I've seen there looks amazing. Also I'm planning on purchasing the Jeffsy cf one, but I've seen some negative reviews of the raceface turbine dropper . How's it worked for you?
Thanks Colvin! Dude, try North Carolina, it's awesome. Different than places in the west coast, it has its own thing going, lots of variety packed in a small area. I've had no issues with the turbine dropper. The first day I got it I thought it wasn't working, but it turns out I just wasn't aware of how this dropper works, it uses a mechanical brake instead of opening and closing the pressure port. Every couple of rides, depress the dropper lever for 3 seconds, that resets the mechanical brake it has and done, takes 3 seconds and it just works perfectly always.
Rode this trail for the first time last weekend. We started on middle black. The climbs were rediculous! The amount of hike-a-bike was nonsense!! You are going to need a ton of water for this climb. It will test you for sure. Personally I wouldn’t do again. Yes it’s more downhill than uphill but even some of the downhills weren’t rideable. Lower black was the best.
I agree that you need a LOT of water to get through the hole thing, and yeah, the climbing is tough. But I didn't find the down to be that bad, its techy for sure in the mid section but when I did this it was all doable. Lower black is just awesome fun and flowy. Let's hope the upcoming changes don't ruin anything.
Alert me if you're in the area! my IG is "nickmlo". I don't live in Asheville but I'm 2hrs down the road and is always willing to drive up there for some pisgah
Sweet- man going up Avery Creek? You are a glutton for punishment! Still like the jeffsey? I’m looking at the 29er version as a more all around ride to replace my 27.5 enduro bike.
Hahaha, yeah, that was not a good choice, happy to have done it once, but i'm sticking to avery creek rd from now on. Still absolutely love the Jeffsy. The 29er is awesome, I got to demo it in Moab and really liked it. It's sized a bit smaller than the 27 so take that into account when looking at them.
hahaha with all its glorious 500ml of water, only drawback to the Jeffsy imho. YT actually send me a Thirstmaster set for free due to the delay in the shipment, but I use it at work instead of on the bike since the bottle is so small. It was my fault 100% actually, my camelbak is the 3L version but I only filled up to 1.5L.
Thanks Alexandre! Absolutely love it. This is no doubt the most versatile bike I've ever owned. I have no idea about the Rocky Mtns unfortunately so I can't give you any input on that.
BlindstuffMTB hi mate, another cool video. do you take food with you? what kind of stuff do you pack? I see a few riders in here taking bars of some kind [I'd probably go with bananas, cheese sammies or peanut/raisin scroggin and some lollies]
Thanks Todd! I usually carry a few granola bars and some more protein bars as well as gummy bears (sugar boost). With that I get a good balance between stuff to eat and space in my camelbak. I do sometimes have bananas in my car if I'm road tripping.
Thanks man! It really is an absolute blast! I'd say yes, I'd go up a different route just to conserve some energy. At 18:09 I put some maps with routes that I'd rather do.
Everything can be ridden on a Hardtail, its just more challenging. This trail has been re-routed. Its much easier now if you jump into middle black mtn. The top is still chunky. Just prep well for a long day on the bike.
Good stuff. Curious about a couple of things (If you can remember). How long were you out on the trail for this ride. Secondly, I have noticed on both Trail Forks and MTB project that Avery Creek Trail is marked in the opposite direction than you rode it. Are these trail meant to be directional or just a "suggestion"? I'm headed to the area with a buddy in a few weeks and this loop is high on our list.
For the love of all that is great, do not climb Avery Creek Trail lol. That was a mistake on my part, while its doable, I don't think its the most fun route. In all seriousness though, watch starting from 18:08 for some route suggestions. If you want to do the whole thing, I'd recommend climbing avery creek ROAD, jumping into Club Gap and from there go onto Black Mtn. (www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/32985) Its almost 4000 ft of climbing and 15 miles long. I'd put away 4 hours of your time o do it calmly.
This was definitely a type 2 fun day. One of my best memories on the bike. I've day this trail now countless times with much less suffering and for some reason this day will always hold a special place.
5 minute hike a bike should not hurt! try 3 hours with a fully loaded bikepacking rig thru thorny overgrown trail that really wasn't. and not even knowing if it goes ; )
Hey man! Just started my own channel and have a Jeffsy just like you! Just subbed, if you're ever in the NC area again let me know maybe we can meet up and get a video together
Hey man! Just read your message, I was in NC last week, sorry I missed this one, I had a bunch of pending messages that I hadn't read. I'll check out the channel, next time i'm in NC I'll reach out.
Hey Everyone!
I've gotten this question a few times so I'm pinning this comment for future reference.
If you're using this video to plan a future ride for yourself, watch starting from 18:08 for comments on the route I took, as climbing Avery Creek Trail is NOT what I'd recommend. That was a mistake on my part, while its doable, I don't think its the most fun route.
If you want to do the whole Black Mtn Trail, I'd recommend climbing avery creek ROAD, jumping into Club Gap and from there going onto Black Mtn. Here's a ridelog planner on trailforks you can use: www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/32985
Happy Riding!
Wow man, climbing Avery to ride full Black...that is a tough route. Good on you for pushing through & finishing strong.
Epic ride brother! You had me worried with the water situation. Great footage.
Thanks man. Wasn't too bad in the end, but when you're halfway through, on the top of a peak you start to think about your own mortality lol
BlindstuffMTB yea that's a scary place to be but makes the pay off of finishing that much more glorious.
Brutal trail, but one we all should suffer thru at least once. This trail makes you appreciate all the other less brutal trails. Great vistas up high.
First time I rode this I felt like I was going to die haha, nowadays it doesn't seem as crazy, I like coming back to this video to remember what its like to improve every time I tackle something new and challenging.
That hike a bike is so ruff went through 3 liters and a Gatorade before even making it to the highest point
We were riding hardtails so we went slow and steady on the way down and the way down is worth the the terrible hike a bike
We did avery creek road all the way to club gap to black mountain but we missed a turn and ended up doing like 20 miles that day
So we may have had plenty of fluids
It's totally worth it, but it is brutal! Have never ridden this trial on a hardtail, must be fun!
I will say though, I've now ridden this trail more times than I can count and I usually skip the first section just because there's not much reward to it. Climbing clawhammer Rd is shorter, you get to skip club gap and you still get to the view points and nice riding
I really enjoy watching your Videos. Lovely trails and I'd say we're about the same level of skills- not doing any crazy jumps etc but rather enjoying natures beauty while riding epic trails!
Oh and nice Bike! I got my Jeffsy about three weeks ago.
Greetings from Germany :)
Thanks man! Really appreciate the kind words!
Ich kann auch ein bisschen deutsch sprechen, hab ein paar monatte in Dortmund gewohnt als ich in schule war. Gluckwunsch an die Jeffsy, welche build has du gekauft?
Hoffe ich kann irgendwann ins Deutschland mit meinem fahrrad gehen!
This was great. I only did Middle and Lower and that was exhausting. I am excited to do it the way you did it.
This was a long time ago. I have an updated video of this route. It's not as terrible as I made it seem, I was just a newer rider haha. Also, don't climb avery, bad idea, specially because this was before they smoothed it out.
Love the video! I like your attitude. Ride safe when alone. I’ve started making videos myself. I’m older and usually ride solo. Shredding is great but you gotta live to ride another day!
Thanks man! Completely agree with you. Getting to ride all through a season is always better than getting _that_ drop or jump
That's some great riding! Good job on the trail review.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it, it was an absolute blast to film.
Great video! I don’t think I’m ready just yet but I’d like to visit eventually.
Happy you enjoyed! Unfortunately this trail is way different nowadays, it's been heavily rerouted and it's much easier.
Nice vids. I was considering the yt 27.5 looks super fun but it was on backorder so i got the yeti sb5. Keep it up brother
Thanks man! The SB5 is a fantastic bike as well, hard to go wrong with either of the choices you had, congrats on the new bike.
Rode this trail this past weekend (May 29, 2020). This was my very first mountain trail ever. I went straight up for about 25 minutes then turned to head back down the black. Not really sure where I was going. I went back later and did the Sycamore trail down. Definitely a good start to riding in the mountains from central NC and Florida.
Yeah, don't climb this trail. It's no fun at all. If you still want to ride it, do lower black Mountain only. Climb avery Creek road to fs5099. You can jump in at a point where you bypass most of the hike a bike. You should only have to push the very start from there.
If you're not using it, trailforks app is your best friend out there.
@@BlindstuffMTB thanks for the tip. Will be back there soon.
hands down my favorite trail. bucket list ride really
I've ridden this trail so many times since this video. It's such an epic experience each time!
Dude, my first ever ride outside of FL was 2 weekends ago on Middle Black, Lower Black and Sycamore. lol It wasn't, humbling per say, but more like eyeopening. 1, to how rowdy that trail actually is compared to seeing it on video. And 2, to how quickly i was able to ride way above my experience level. Mostly by letting the bike do it's thing i think. haha I was told exactly what you said about Upper Black by locals. Go for the climb and the views, not the DH. I actually hiked up the end of Upper Black a few hundred yards to get my first taste of down hill before hitting Middle Black.
hahahaha I love how you put my 20 minutes of video into a few sentences!
Fully agree with you, the video makes it seem a lot easier and yes, bikes are amazing, specially ones as awesome as your Yeti. If we as riders don't get in the way of the bike doing its thing they'll do almost anything!
Well here i am watching this again.
This video makes me so sad to rewatch. This trail is such a watered down version of what it used to be.
Kudos for doing the whole trail, especially after climbing Avery! Haha. Good stuff, brother.
Thanks man! Was an absolute blast, even if I was half dead by the end. Avery was brutal, I think next time I'm climbing the fire road lol.
Absolutely! Here's a vid I just put out of BM ruclips.net/video/qBsi8rpVTXo/видео.html. Took me a month and a half to get it out, but there's an H2O reference in the beginning that makes me think of you :) Hit me up if you are in town again; we'll ride! And I've subbed to your channel. Keep it up, brother!
I was already watching it. Awesome ride! Don't know when I'll head back but hope its soon, keep it up, subbed as well!
It would have been great to find some h2o for sure, now I know for the next time I climb clawhammer instead of hitting avery.
Well, holler at me next time you're in the area. We'll get together! Also, great quality in your vids. I can't seem to maintain such good quality in mine after YT compresses. Maybe I should be filming in higher res than 1080? Any tricks or tips you've got? Cheers!
Don't really know when I'll be going back, as much as I want to, at this point I think it'll be next season :(. Let you know then.
Send me an email, I can give you some info on YT compression.
Hey man it was great riding with you today. I rode this trail when i was there a couple months back. The hike-a-bike is absolutely painful! Almost not worth the descent. Lol
Hey Chris! Great to ride with you, thanks for stopping by to check the channel out!
The climb is definitely a little insane, so much so that I would do it differently next time to skip the top top section and cut in further down to bomb it. It is a place that really think you should conquer once though, kinda just to say you did it, the view at the top is awesome!
A few locals also gave me odd looks when I told them I had gone up avery instead of the fire road hahaha
chris errico I would of had to take a nap..or bring a tent..
Marvin Grant yeahi almost gave up at the top lol
Think we all did, the view at the top is a most welcome break though, renewed energy from the awesomeness of the place. My issue was running out of water, made it that much more sketchy.
BlindstuffMTB that's what happened to me. Ran out much sooner than expected
One of my faves!
Just hit this trail again a few days ago, as awesome as always!
I just ordered a yt jeffsy. Glad to see locally what it can handle!!!
Its a great bike. I've had two and loved them.
@@BlindstuffMTB mine ships November. I can't wait!!!
Great ride Bro. I like 🤙🤘🤙
Thanks Phil!
Gotta love pisgah!
So much awesome variety in the area, Pisgah days are always good days.
Awesome video!! Really thinking about going to North Carolina, every trail I've seen there looks amazing. Also I'm planning on purchasing the Jeffsy cf one, but I've seen some negative reviews of the raceface turbine dropper . How's it worked for you?
Thanks Colvin! Dude, try North Carolina, it's awesome. Different than places in the west coast, it has its own thing going, lots of variety packed in a small area. I've had no issues with the turbine dropper. The first day I got it I thought it wasn't working, but it turns out I just wasn't aware of how this dropper works, it uses a mechanical brake instead of opening and closing the pressure port. Every couple of rides, depress the dropper lever for 3 seconds, that resets the mechanical brake it has and done, takes 3 seconds and it just works perfectly always.
Rode this trail for the first time last weekend. We started on middle black. The climbs were rediculous! The amount of hike-a-bike was nonsense!! You are going to need a ton of water for this climb. It will test you for sure. Personally I wouldn’t do again. Yes it’s more downhill than uphill but even some of the downhills weren’t rideable. Lower black was the best.
I agree that you need a LOT of water to get through the hole thing, and yeah, the climbing is tough. But I didn't find the down to be that bad, its techy for sure in the mid section but when I did this it was all doable. Lower black is just awesome fun and flowy.
Let's hope the upcoming changes don't ruin anything.
Alert me if you're in the area! my IG is "nickmlo". I don't live in Asheville but I'm 2hrs down the road and is always willing to drive up there for some pisgah
Sweet- man going up Avery Creek? You are a glutton for punishment! Still like the jeffsey? I’m looking at the 29er version as a more all around ride to replace my 27.5 enduro bike.
Hahaha, yeah, that was not a good choice, happy to have done it once, but i'm sticking to avery creek rd from now on.
Still absolutely love the Jeffsy.
The 29er is awesome, I got to demo it in Moab and really liked it. It's sized a bit smaller than the 27 so take that into account when looking at them.
Needed the ThirstMaster5000 ;-P
hahaha with all its glorious 500ml of water, only drawback to the Jeffsy imho. YT actually send me a Thirstmaster set for free due to the delay in the shipment, but I use it at work instead of on the bike since the bottle is so small.
It was my fault 100% actually, my camelbak is the 3L version but I only filled up to 1.5L.
Just did all of Blk Mt for the first time. That climb kicked my ass.
Its definitely a big challenge! But no feeling quite like getting it done.
Nice bike! Do you still like it? I m considering the Jefssy 2018 and the Rocky Altitude. What do you think?
Thanks Alexandre! Absolutely love it. This is no doubt the most versatile bike I've ever owned. I have no idea about the Rocky Mtns unfortunately so I can't give you any input on that.
BlindstuffMTB hi mate, another cool video. do you take food with you? what kind of stuff do you pack? I see a few riders in here taking bars of some kind [I'd probably go with bananas, cheese sammies or peanut/raisin scroggin and some lollies]
Thanks Todd! I usually carry a few granola bars and some more protein bars as well as gummy bears (sugar boost). With that I get a good balance between stuff to eat and space in my camelbak. I do sometimes have bananas in my car if I'm road tripping.
But the view was incredible. And when we told the people at the hub that we rode the entire thing they looked at us like we had six heads
chris errico .. Ok I found this video
Nice ride man! Such a fun trail...after riding Avery up, you think you'd rather take the road next time? So much hike a bike!
Thanks man! It really is an absolute blast!
I'd say yes, I'd go up a different route just to conserve some energy. At 18:09 I put some maps with routes that I'd rather do.
If it makes you feel any better, the fire road climb is pretty brutal anyway
Awesome video, just subscribed! I was looking at the 27.5 jeffsy. I’m 6’ 1”. You think I should go L or XL?
Do you think a trail like this would be doable with a Marlin 7 Hardtail?
Everything can be ridden on a Hardtail, its just more challenging. This trail has been re-routed. Its much easier now if you jump into middle black mtn. The top is still chunky.
Just prep well for a long day on the bike.
Good stuff. Curious about a couple of things (If you can remember). How long were you out on the trail for this ride. Secondly, I have noticed on both Trail Forks and MTB project that Avery Creek Trail is marked in the opposite direction than you rode it. Are these trail meant to be directional or just a "suggestion"? I'm headed to the area with a buddy in a few weeks and this loop is high on our list.
For the love of all that is great, do not climb Avery Creek Trail lol. That was a mistake on my part, while its doable, I don't think its the most fun route.
In all seriousness though, watch starting from 18:08 for some route suggestions.
If you want to do the whole thing, I'd recommend climbing avery creek ROAD, jumping into Club Gap and from there go onto Black Mtn. (www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/32985) Its almost 4000 ft of climbing and 15 miles long. I'd put away 4 hours of your time o do it calmly.
BRO NICE VIDEO WE MEKE SAME RIDE EVERY YEAR
Nelson Ramirez I'm overdue to head over again!
Which frame size is that? How Tall r u? Thx
5'11" or 182 cm, frame is Large.
What tires did you run here
Minion DHF / Minion SS. I now run an Aggressor rear instead.
kool video, that said do you still think you made the right choice with the YT Jeffsy?
Thanks Joseph! I do believe I made the right choice, the Jeffsy has been great to me in every situation I've tried it.
Great trails bro
which version do you have the 27 or the 29
Pascal Eichberger 27. They're both awesome though. I have another video on the channel comparing them a bit.
Great videos, just found you today
What MOUNTAIN biking was meant to be! ;)
This was definitely a type 2 fun day. One of my best memories on the bike. I've day this trail now countless times with much less suffering and for some reason this day will always hold a special place.
@@BlindstuffMTB I wanna go biking w u someday, I live near marion NC.
This bike trail is in brevard or black mountain NC.
5 minute hike a bike should not hurt! try 3 hours with a fully loaded bikepacking rig thru thorny overgrown trail that really wasn't. and not even knowing if it goes ; )
This is like a 5 hour hike a bike. Hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Hey man! Just started my own channel and have a Jeffsy just like you! Just subbed, if you're ever in the NC area again let me know maybe we can meet up and get a video together
Hey man! Just read your message, I was in NC last week, sorry I missed this one, I had a bunch of pending messages that I hadn't read. I'll check out the channel, next time i'm in NC I'll reach out.
Awesome! Looking forward to hopefully meeting up sometime in the future!
Nice channel. Sub
Thanks Yogi Bear, glad to have you on board!
have you tried drinking coconut water?
I have not, what's good about it? Had never heard of it for MTB.
Planification? Paris Mountain is more of a ride. Much more "Technicality" and other made up words.
K
You’re Gunna need new brakes after that
Miss this trail so much, it's so different after the rebuild