Reviewed by: DC8Mech ,  Racer

Summary:
Great Route,Got a Cyclocross bike and the season is over?? Don't put it away. ride this route!! Great for a climbing workout great views, watch traffic on weekends. Everybody is trying to get the SUV back to one of the many (HIKING) trailheads down into the gorge.

Recommended Route:
START at the upper Linville Falls parking area off of NC105 or at Info Station .5 miles up the road.Ride NC 105 to the end turn right onto NC126 (paved) paralell Lake James.Stop for picture at the Duke Power lake access ramp on the right.A short uphill later brings you to Fish Hatchery Rd. Yes there is a hatchery down there. Don't go to the hatchery. Pass turn off to Hatchery.Turn left onto Rose Creek Rd. Pass creepy RV park. Yee!!! Deliverance. Come out on 181,turn left and left again at Simpson Creek Rd.Turn Right at Table Rock sign. Begin a 14 mile climb up FR 210 to Gingercake, thru Gingercake back to 181.Climb 181 for about a mile turn left on Dogwood Hollow Rd into Jonas Ridge, left again onto 183. Spin the five miles back to your car.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mountain Bike Mania route off of Brown Mountain Beach Rd. Yancey Ridge
Schoolhouse Ridge.

Reviewed by: Ranzak ,  Cross Country Rider , from Spartanburg, SC

Summary:
I was looking for a longer,less technical ride and I found it here. Hard packed gravel with deep ruts and very steep grades. Beautiful views of the Linville Gorge Wilderness area along the ridge. 40mph descents and 3mph ascents combined to wear me out. From the 30 mi marker to 40 miles was steep hills with limited views, but Gingercake was beautiful. COmpared to Pisgah this is not "technical" terrain but the length and altitude changes combine to make an advanced ride.

Recommended Route:
COunter-clockwise from Linville Falls to Lake James to Table Rock-to Linvillw Falls