Dragon's Tale "Dragon's Back" Event Page - Bicycle Event on North Mountain Jefferson National Forest

4/2/2016

7th Annual Dragon's Tale

New Castle, VA

Event Date: POSTPONED AGAIN!

Check out some of VIDEOS of the super fun trail near the end of the route coming into the finish line near New Castle, VA

The Tale of the Dragon is a long one versed with history. It began with Kyle Inman's "Dragon's Back" in the late 1990's. The unique backcountry singletrack event brought some amazing racing to trails not often used in mountain bike events. Tight, narrow, mossy, off-camber Appalachian sidehill singletrack that run's a tight and rocky spine like ridgeline. It's a wonder that the bicycles of the 90's were able to complete the course. Not only did they complete the course, but "they" included world famous riders like Flyod Landis, Jeremiah Bishop, Gunnar Shogren, Sue Haywood, Carol Waters and Chris Eatough. This new generation of the event uses the same great core loop of Kyle's forever popular "Dragon's Back" event less The Turkey Trail downhill with the bonus tail added on that climbs and descends Broad Run Mountain and then gives a memorable run in on Ferrier trail to finish along Craigs Creek next to New Castle, VA. Craigs Creek is a tale for another day.

This event is made possible with the generous support of East Coasters Bike Shop in Roanoke and Blacksburg, Just the Right Gear in Roanoke, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Pathfinders for Greenways, and the honorable Jeff Cheng, Ben Brown and Kirby Walke. Permitted by the Jefferson National Forest.

Both courses will have stream crossing in the first few miles of dirt road. If it looks to be a very cold day you can drop dry socks or extra shoes with the "Rest Stop" supplies. Long course drop would be at the base of Grouse Trail. The short course drop would be at the top of Stone Coal Gap. Participants are only allowed one drop bag (1 gallon zip lock bag provided at registration). Rest Stop will have water, HEED, snack food, and Hammer Gel packets that you must use "at" the Rest Stop.

Primitive Camping details:

Directions:
Rt. 81 towards Roanoke, VA. If coming from the North take Exit 141 towards New Castle Rt. 311 via Rt. 419 (Left on Rt. 419 and then right on Rt. 311 to New Castle). If coming from the South take Exit 140 and take a left on Rt. 311 and then another left on Rt. 311 towards New Castle. Once in New Castle take a right on Main Street. Take another right on Court St. (Rt. 616). Cross bridge and staging area is on the left. If case of extreme wet weather we will direct you to the city parking lot. New Castle is 20 miles North on Rt. 311 from Interstate 81.

Fastest Men and Women awards
$250 for the fastest riding fools
2nd place Shenandoah Mountain 100 Entry - George Washington National Forest - Stokesville, VA
3rd place Iron Mtn. 100K Entry - Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area - Damascus, VA
No other classes - Veterans, juniors and singlespeeders, come out and enjoy a great day of backcountry riding and compare your time to the Pro's
Fee includes on course support and post event food

The 37Mile Epic Route is some of the most challenging and fun riding you will have done in a long time. Highlights include 2 times of the narrow but rideable Grouse Trail. Screaming fun descents down Deer Trail, a beautiful diverse downhill off of Broad Run Mt, and the exciting roll down Ferrier Trail. The ridge on North Mountain is a long section of soul testing terrain with a few lengthy "hikeabikes" and some amazing rocky spine like ledge sections.

Head .5 miles from start/finish on Craigs Creek to Rt. 311
4 miles -- Proceed South on Rt. 311 for 3.5 miles at a controlled pace
Turn Left on Rt. 618 Broad Run Rd.
(If all participants enter Rt. 618 together, without interruption, the timed section will begin from a rolling start, otherwise participants will stop and restart once everyone is together)
7 miles -- Continue 3.0 miles on Broad Run Rd.
Take a Right on Wildlife Rd. #224
12.5 miles -- Proceed 5.5 miles to Grouse Trail #188 on the left
14.5 miles -- Climb 2 miles up the steep narrow singletrack to North Mountain Trail #263
Take a right at the top of the ridge on #263
15 miles -- Proceed 1.5 miles to Deer Trail #186
16.6 miles -- Take a right descending 1.6 miles on #186 to the Wildlife Rd.
--- the "Ring of Fire" is no longer in the event and neither is about 1.5 miles of mystery trail
Take a right on the Wildlife Rd.
19miles -- Proceed 1.9 miles to Grouse Trail - rest stop #1
Take a right on Grouse Trail after grabbing a snack or topping off your water before a long section of ridge riding
21 Miles -- Climb Grouse 2 miles again to the ridge
Take a left on #263 heading north on the ridge
31 miles -- Proceed 10 miles on the narrow and challenging North Mountain Trail to Stone Coal Gap
Cross FR. 183 at Stone Coal Gap - rest stop #2
Climb 1 mile on North Mountain Trail to Broad Run Mountain
Take a left at the top of the Mountain on Broad Run Mountain
32 miles -- Stay on the top of the ridge heading south for .5 mile to Lick Branch Trail #262
Pick up Lick Branch Trail falling off the ridge to the right
32.5 miles -- Follow Lick Branch 1.5 miles down the mountain to the creek and Ferrier Trail #189
Veer right climbing on #189 Ferrier Trail (orange blaze)
34 miles -- Ferrier Trail climbs .5 mile and descends for 2 miles to FR 5026
35 miles -- Take a right on FR 5026 for .2 of a mile to FR 182
36 miles -- Take a left on FR 182 and follow for 1 mile to a stop sign
37 miles -- Take a left on Rt. 616 after stopping and proceed 1 mile to the finish on Craigs Creek

- Scenic Route Details
20 Miles - offers 5 miles of fun and challenging trail at a relaxing pace
20 Mile Scenic Tour $20 donation to benefit the local club
Ride guide with a cue sheet and on course support
Post event Burgers and Chili is additional cost

.5 miles -- Head .5 miles from start/finish on Craigs Creek to Rt. 311
4 miles -- Proceed South on Rt. 311 for 3.5 miles at a controlled pace
Turn Left on Rt. 618 Broad Run Rd.
(If all participants enter Rt. 618 together, without interruption, the timed section will begin from a rolling start, otherwise participants will stop and restart once everyone is together)
7 miles -- Continue 3.0 miles on Broad Run Rd. - EPIC LOOP TAKES A RIGHT
-------- Fun loop continues 5 miles crossing Broad Run (wet feet) straight up Rt. 618
12 miles -- Left on North Mountain Trail
13 miles -- Climb 1 mile on North Mountain Trail to Broad Run Mountain
Take a left at the top of the Mountain on Broad Run Mountain
13.5 miles -- Stay on the top of the ridge heading south for .5 mile to Lick Branch Trail #262
Pick up Lick Branch Trail falling off the ridge to the right
15 miles -- Follow Lick Branch 1.5 miles down the mountain to the creek and Ferrier Trail #189
Veer right climbing on #189 Ferrier Trail (orange blaze)
17.5 miles -- Ferrier Trail climbs .5 mile and descends for 2 miles to FR 5026
17.7 miles -- Take a right on FR 5026 for .2 of a mile to FR 182
18.7 miles -- Take a left on FR 182 and follow for 1 mile to a stop sign
19.7 miles -- Take a left on Rt. 616 after stopping and proceed 1 mile to the finish on Craigs Creek