How to Ride WET ROOTS — A Pisgah Stage Race Preview

While shooting stage 2 of Pisgah Stage Race 2024 in Brevard, North Carolina, I noticed that some folks struggled with the wet roots on the Squirrel Gap trail. This is a trail that a Dutch racer once described as "halftrack" instead of singletrack. Slipping off the side has consequences.

I decided to connect with Pro racer and local Pisgah MTB guide Cypress Gorry to pick his brain about riding wet, slippery roots.

In addition to sessioning and talking about wet roots, we also took some time to look at the super-slick new steps on the Turkey Pen Connector (which took out quite a few racers), and the suspension bridge.

Don't worry, the people who actually build and maintain these trails are A-OK with folks riding them in wet conditions.

Chapters:

0:00 - intro
1:53 - Suspension bridge
3:24 - riding UP wet roots
5:24 - Off-camber root NIGHTMARE section
8:16 - Tire pressure for wet roots
9:30 - Riding DOWNHILL wet roots
9:57 - Bike setup/suspension/tires
10:50 - Descending Squirrel Gap
11:57 - Descending roots debrief
12:55 - Chasing Scotty Jo
13:13 - Tricky off-camber uphill root section
14:49 - Slippery stairs/water bars on Turkey Pen Connector/South Mills
16:41 - Cypress summarizes wet root riding skills



More info about Pisgah Stage Race:
https://www.blueridgeadventures.net/

Need a Pisgah tour, maybe even with Cypress Gorry?
https://www.thebikefarm.com/