News & Events

Get Ready for the Bootlegger 100 – WNC Mountain Biking

WNC mountain bikingGet ready for the Bootlogger 100! Pisgah Productions presents the most scenic and challenging bike ride you’ll do this year surrounding the gated communities near Asheville NC.  Register now for the “Bootlegger 100”, starting and ending in downtown Lenoir on Saturday, April 20, beginning at eight A.M.

You can choose one of two options:  107 miles with 9760 feet of climbing or 58 miles with 4583 of climbing.  Experienced riders call the longer route, which takes you up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most challenging in the country.  Both will wind down through beautiful Wilson Creek Gorge. 

The “Bootlegger 100” is an eagerly anticipated event for active residents in Western North Carolina.  It’s very well-organized, with all of the turns clearly marked so you know you’re still on course.  You’ll be required to wear a helmet and have both a front white light and a rear red light illuminated the entire time you’re riding.

You can sign up online until Noon on April 19.  Register in advance for just $70, a savings of ten dollars off the day-of-race cost.

Pisgah Productions was formed in 2003 by Eric and Erinna Wever with a simple idea:  to push people to go further than they knew they could go and to have a great party afterwards.   All of their race and ride events operate under special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service.  And a portion of the proceeds from the “Bootlegger 100” will be donated to two non-profit organizations:  the Asheville Humane Society and The Pisgah Conservancy.

Mountain biking’s a popular pastime in the foothills of Western North Carolina, because it’s an easy and pleasant way to get exercise and enjoy the clear, fresh air.  And you can do it alone or with a group.  There are 27 bike trails in and around Lenoir, including the single-loop Zack’s Fork right in the middle of town.  They all offer spectacular views, and there are riding challenges suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Rachel Carson wrote: “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”.  Studies have shown that the more you can remove yourself from the stresses of daily life and find solace in nature, the happier and more energetic you will be.

Those of us fortunate enough to live in gated communities near Asheville NC are never at a loss for opportunities to get out and enjoy the abundant beauty around us.  And your neighbors at The Coves Mountain River Club will tell you that once you experience mountain trail riding for the first time, it will become a passion.  There’s so much to see at higher elevations, with pleasant surprises at every turn.  You’ll hear the rustling of the leaves and the chirping of birds, and you’ll experience a profound sense of inner peace and pride of accomplishment.

Of course, the “Bootlegger 100” is just one of many group bike riding events held during the year, along with a full calendar of other activities.  Anyone who lives here in the foothills and says there’s “nothing to do” just isn’t paying attention.  At The Coves Mountain River Club, being located on the Johns River at Wilson Creek affords us a wealth of fishing and boating opportunities, and there are plenty of nearby trails that can easily be explored on foot.  We’re blessed with year-round mild weather, and being on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest gives us a front-row seat for the annual fall foliage change.

If you’re like most folks who are looking at gated communities near Asheville NC for retirement or just to get away from the pressures of city living, be sure to set aside time to visit picturesque Lenoir and explore The Coves Mountain River Club. Our mountain community has stunning views and rolling topography. Amenities include a mountaintop clubhouse, infinity-view swimming pool, river amenities, community gardens and so much more plus there are all kinds of mountain biking trails around The Coves!

Call 828.754.0700 to schedule a tour.

 

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