Make Mountain Biking a New Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving 2020 will look different for many this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the usual Thanksgiving plans of gathering with extended family and traveling long distances is mostly out of the question. The good news is that leaves some time off work to explore the mountain bike trails in and around Wilkesboro.

Wilkesboro natives know that November is a great time for outdoor adventures. The humidity of the summer months is gone and the frigid temperatures of winter haven’t set in yet. With average highs in November of 62 degrees, the weather is perfect for grabbing your mountain bike and hitting the trails.

Hit the Trails

Wilkesboro boasts more than 45 miles of mountain biking trails, ranging from easy loops with banked berms to intermediate and difficult tracks with rock gardens, bridges and jumps.
 

Cub Creek Trails

Right inside the city limits of Wilkesboro you’ll find Cub Creek Park, 117 acres filled with baseball fields, basketball courts, and even a dog park. There are also beautiful hiking and biking trails winding around the banks of the Yadkin River. Three mountain bike trails provide a little over seven miles of adventure for mountain bike enthusiasts -- Call Farm, Jail Break and Perkins Place. The longest is Call Farm Loop, a little over three and a half miles of subtle terrain that takes cyclists right by the Yadkin River. This trail is great for beginners, but is also plenty of fun for more experienced bikers who want to get up some speed.
 

Kerr Scott Trails

More than 56 miles of shoreline surrounds the 1,475 acre lake created by the Army Corps of Engineers to help tame the might Yadkin River. Since the 1960s, the lake has provided a great place for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and camping, and now thanks to the work of the Brushy Mountain Cyclists, there are more than 35 miles of mountain bike trails ranging from easy to difficult. Two popular trails include:

Warrior Creek - 11 miles - Intermediate. Enjoy great lake views on this trail full that features rock gardens, bridges and plenty of sloped-in berms.

Headwaters Loop - 1.6 miles - Difficult. Challenge yourself on this trail with boulders, stacked slabs, drops and jumps.

Plan Your Visit

Make sure to check the weather forecast and trail conditions before heading out for a day of mountain biking. Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club provides current trail conditions on its Facebook page.

Bring your own bike or rent one at Cook’s Outfitters. Located in what used to be a Texaco service station, the location now provides a service for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to renting mountain bikes and handling small bike repair the shop also rents kayaks and provides a shuttle service to float down the Yadkin.

Places to Stay

Day trips to Wilkesboro are great, but we’ve also got nice, safe places to stay to make the most of your visit. Make reservations at the Hampton Inn, the Holiday Inn Express, or one of the area’s other great establishments and enjoy plenty of time to explore all the trails.