Bike Touring The New River Trail State Park

[@nickdonaldson4130]

3% grade from Hiawassee to Draper headed to Dora junction I rode it today it’s a climb for sure great video awesome footage

[@TheBane1979]

@@nickdonaldson4130 thanks for the heads up! I’m still trying to figure out the grades and what I can actually manage peddling up

[@joyfultrails]

Merch idea: have some t-shirts made with an Adventure Time with Bane logo on the front and "I do like a nice caboose" on the back. 😂🤣😂

[@TheBane1979]

@@joyfultrails lol, that’s another good one. “Quality content” is what I was thinking…but the caboose one would work well lol

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

😂🤣

[@michaelbroyer3918]

I enjoyed this video very much. Your bike setup looks really good. Maybe a little more content when you are at camp??

[@TheBane1979]

@@michaelbroyer3918 the amount of camp content really varies depending on how beat I am once I get there lol I know I have more on some of my other stuff. I’ll be doing the C&O and GAP at the end of the month and I’ll have more time to toss in my camp set up. If you have any thing specific you wanna see let me know.

[@petestephen4922]

Nice video. Great drone footage of the bridges

[@TheBane1979]

@@petestephen4922 thanks for the feedback! The dang drone brings with it a lot of weight, but it’s hard to get the perspective without it

[@cheezy-rider]

Good to see you back to making that quality content!

[@TheBane1979]

@@cheezy-rider thanks dude!

[@Tinkerman.45.]

I been on this trail lots of times over years.But never rode like you have so my thumb up 👍 to you . That was quite a ride to Go that far.

[@TheBane1979]

@@Tinkerman.45. I really need to start riding more. I don’t ride at home at all and then I come up with these lofty ideas. Thanks for watching, I hope you Subscribe and follow along

[@joyfultrails]

Epic adventure! This trail is definitely on my list to conquer, hopefully sometime soon. Dude, you captured some seriously amazing drone shots in this video. I may break down and get a drone next year, who knows. Enjoyed the video!

[@TheBane1979]

@@joyfultrails thanks! Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth dragging it around, but there’s definitely no way to get the perspective without it

[@RideAlongAdventures]

Nice video!! Glad you’re back at it. Those recuperation times make us appreciate cycling all the more. lol on the “SNG”…😂 I enjoy your adventures, dude. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheBane1979]

@@RideAlongAdventures senpai noticed me lol Thanks dude, hope you got a laugh out of it lol

[@RideAlongAdventures]

@@TheBane1979 lol. Senpai. 😂 how about “brothers of the ride”?

[@TheBane1979]

@@RideAlongAdventures that works too lol

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

Absolutely Right 💯.. You Never know when your last Bicycle Ride IS 🚴‍♂️🙂

[@pppjourneyonabike5992]

Good info. Good riding. Good days on a bike tour adventure.

[@TheBane1979]

@@pppjourneyonabike5992 thanks! I really appreciate the comments!

[@WVJeeper1968]

Just found you on Facebook and decided to like and subscribe here. Love your adventures, doing what I wish I could do but I am TERRIFIED to go alone. Be safe!

[@TheBane1979]

@@WVJeeper1968 thanks for following along! Ya might try easing your way in, doing shorter routes or camping next to your car and biking from there! Feel free to ask questions if any comes up!

[@woodycarr]

Quality content there, Bane. Glad you were reunited with your crocs.

[@TheBane1979]

@@woodycarr I gotta work on a new way of carrying my crocs lol If I ever get a teeshirt made, it’ll probably say “quality content” lol

[@chrislang7146]

@@TheBane1979 can’t forget to add “like and subscribe”. Or “we need more Rhondas”

[@garryjoseph8186]

I just found your channel, thanks for the video, this ride is on my list same as the creeper trail.

[@TheBane1979]

@@garryjoseph8186 make sure you subscribe if you haven’t. I plan on hitting the creeper trail, but I’m not sure jf I’ll Get to it this year or not. The GAP & C&O Canal is my next Big trip, plan on getting it at the end of August

[@kmccarr]

I’ve been by that shot tower many times on I-77 heading back to WPa but have never stopped there. That looked like a nice trail and didn’t realize it went to Galax. It’s on my list now. Don’t forget seeing those Florida gators, and you’d be surprised we have lots of bears too!

[@TheBane1979]

@@kmccarr I’m definitely gonna be coming down to Florida soonish

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

Great Video 🚴‍♂️😎.. Draper Mercantile is a must stop if you go back.. There’s lots of Beauty.. only draw back on the NRT.. not a lot of amenities.. need to carry extra water & snacks.. Amazing Drone shots.. 🚴‍♂️😎

[@TheBane1979]

@@billysbikesbrews7183 thanks! I’ll make it back eventually. Next time I’ll wait till I hit Draper for breakfast

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

@@TheBane1979 You can’t go wrong with a great breakfast.. Fuel for the Day.. Camping at Foster Falls is the best way to do the Trail.. Camp by the River.. about 50 Miles round trip including doing Dora Trail.. then about 65-70 miles to Fries & Galax.. with a Lunch stop at Creek Bottom Brewery for some Smoked Wings.. it’s about a 100 yards from the CVS..

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

@@TheBane1979 Used to be a part time bike shop in the train station in Pulaski, VA.. it closed a few years back 🫤

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

@@TheBane1979 If you do the Creeper Trail.. from Damascus to White Top Mountain 15 mile climb gradual at first.. but it gets steeper the last few miles.. very doable.. but you will get tired.. short steep hill to the campground at White Top.. Oh you need to watch for the people bombing down the Trail.. 95 percent of people go downhill.. only a few go up.. Look forward to seeing your adventures 😁

[@TheBane1979]

@@billysbikesbrews7183 thanks for the heads up!

[@deniseemory4359]

Great video Bane 🚴‍♀️ Now I can’t wait to get to this trail !!

[@TheBane1979]

@@deniseemory4359 that’s the best compliment!

[@deniseemory4359]

@@TheBane1979 so the camp sites you spent the night at had no water at all or just no potable water? I’d consider a night there, but skip going into Galax until the next day maybe. I can carry 6 bottles if I have to and that might be enough. I also have a filter and SteriPen. I like where you chose to park and would probably ride it the way you did, but hold off on Galax and Fries until day 2. Thoughts?

[@TheBane1979]

@@deniseemory4359 Other than the river, there was no water at the double shoals campsite. You could swing doing Galax & Fries the second day. From the junction to Galax and back (to the junction) is about 25 miles. To Fries and back to the junction is 10.

[@princepage632]

dude, sounds like you need a cold beer after dat long ride. Dey got some nice brewries in galax!!

[@TheBane1979]

Ya know, I keep here this lol, but I don’t actually drink lol

[@princepage632]

hey dude, i have biked the trail several times. Its one of my favorite trails. It's beauty is un comparible . I did not realize you started in palaski. palaski is a cool town, but there are some things about that area you should know about. I am almost sure you did not have any issues, but south west virginia has a big drug problem up there. Even the man who gave me a shuttle on the trail mentioned it. Galax , and palaski are really nice towns but dey got druggies roaming da streets. I just want you to be aware of this the next time you go there. I love the area, and it offers some really good qaulity time in the outdoors. Glad you got a chance to enjoy what makes south west virginia so nice. It's one of my favorite places, and the folks there are really nice. I hate that, the area has been hit hard by the drug epidemic. it's very sad!! Good luck, and thanks for sharing.

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 I actually had a few encounters while I was camped in the park there. Luckily I didn’t sleep well and none of the people actually wanted to stick around once they realized I was aware of their presence. I had some clips I took out of the video about it lol

[@princepage632]

@@TheBane1979 hey dude, i would like to see those clips. maybe you could share them. But like i said, there are some shady folks out there in dat area. And look, i am not picking on sw virginia. I love that place,and i go there several times a year. In fact, in a few weeks i will be heading up that way. I have friends in christianburg va. My favorite campground is at foster falls, but dey got no showers. but i did get me a portable shower for what it's worth. I have not used it yet. if it is any good i will let you know. so glad you are out and about again. stay safe out there and keep on biking!!

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 the clips was just me talking about it. I didn’t get any footage of the actual occurrence. Basically I was in my hammock in the middle of the night. It’s got a screen over it so you can’t actually see what’s laying in it, and some people probably wouldn’t realize it’s even a hammock. Dude stopped as he was walking by and was checking out the bike. I said hello once I realized he wasn’t gonna keep moving along and he left when he realized I was there.

[@TheBane1979]

I usually have my camp hidden better. My electronics stay inside my hammock with me, and the hike stays locked to my hammock with a cable that’s small enough at night they wouldn’t see it (the cable)

[@dennisdugger7975]

Love the vid. Thanks.

[@TheBane1979]

@@dennisdugger7975 thanks! I really appreciate the feedback!

[@princepage632]

just so you know, those balled eagles you saw. they have a pair of nesting bald eagles at foster falls

[@TheBane1979]

Ah, I didn’t know that! These was up on the south side of the damn. Shortly before the junction. Around mile 38. I’ve been seeing more bald eagles lately, but that’s the first time I’ve seen two fighting. It was pretty cool

[@theblueblazebeyond4766]

Yes - The Draper Mercantile has a great food!

[@TheBane1979]

@@theblueblazebeyond4766 If I make that trail again I’m gonna have to try to time it so I can check it out

[@theblueblazebeyond4766]

@@TheBane1979 - Did you love this trail? You push so hard - I don't know if you enjoy it or the push to accomplish the feat of finishing pushing a deadline?

[@TheBane1979]

@@theblueblazebeyond4766 it’s a bit of both lol I don’t bike at home at all, and I need too. I need to get in “cycling shape” if I’m gonna keep doing these rides. I do enjoy the trails, and the accomplishment of doing it

[@blainesplace]

Great video. Would love to hear how you got around the first closure you came to. We were there last weekend trying to do the whole trail and didn't see a clear way around it. The other bridge closure was marked so it was fairly simple.

[@TheBane1979]

@@blainesplace yea, apparently they didn’t mark the detour cause it takes you on the main road. But it’s very short. Where the trail is closed there’s a right turn that takes ya off the trail and down to a parking area. Ya just follow the trail along the parking area, roll up over a small hill under the bridge that’s closed. Turn right onto the road and back towards the trail. It’s pretty easy to follow, and less than a 1/2 mile

[@blainesplace]

@@TheBane1979 Thank you. Guess I didn't look hard enough. Again, thats a great video. I love it. We have been taking day trips up the past two weekends to explore the entire trail. We will be back this Sunday to finish the side of the closure going into Pulaski. We'll start at Foster Falls and head towards Pulaski. About 50 miles round trip it looks like. My plan was to do twice my age in miles on my birthday on this trail in October. The mileage of 128 miles is doable as I did 120 on my 60th. But its looking like this trail is not going to be the one. Doing the speed I would need to do is a bit dangerous especially around the fallen rock. My wife was going to SAG for me. I may still attempt it knowing I can pretty much call it a day anytime and have her pick me up a crossroad or parking lot. I'm a big fan of yours now. Keep the videos coming. Not that it is anything like the New River Trail, but you may want to check out Neuse River Trail someday if they can ever get it all opened at the same time again. About 70 miles round trip and only one road crossing. We live near Raleigh so its our go to trail. Look it up on my facebook group. Also have some videos posted on my channel.

[@TheBane1979]

@@blainesplace awesome, I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for the heads up!

[@hilltopper600]

thanks for sharing your trip-are you riding a brooks saddle?

[@TheBane1979]

@@hilltopper600 yep, I’m fairly new to all this and it’s what a lot of people seem to prefer

[@4lightnin414]

Quality content, blabbing included.

[@TheBane1979]

@@4lightnin414 thanks! I really appreciate the feedback. It’s hard to tell how much blabbing I should leave in lol

[@princepage632]

hey dude, just wondering about your camp set up? i always use a tent. I notice you use a hammock. some folks like hammocks. i really don't like them. I really need a tent that is small enough that i can put it in my panniers with the tent poles. as of now i use a 1 man tent that i stuff into the panniers, but i have to store the ploes strapped to the top of the rack with my sleeping pad. sometimes i use a dry bag on top of the rack that i store the pad and the tent in, but i like having it in my panniers. I like a simple well organized set up. when bike touring, i use a 4 bag system similar to what you use, but the bags are different. anyhow, why not use a tent , you could put it up anywhere and will keep the bugs out and rain out.!! just curious!!!

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 I actually have a tent set up as well. I use an x-mid 1p by done durston. If you check out the Ohio bike your videos I did you’ll see the tent set up. I really prefer the hammock and if I knew I’d have a place to hang it I’d always take it. The only issue is sometimes it’s hard to find a place to hang. I struggle with it so much that I’ve been tempted to take both, a tent and a hammock. The hammock I use has a bug net so bugs haven’t been an issue, and I’ve never had an issue with getting wet because of the tarp. In fact, if it was raining when you set up camp, you just set up the tarp first and then you’re out of the rain. With a tent, it’s super hard to set up camp and not get things wet.

[@princepage632]

@@TheBane1979 yeah, i herd that!! i just always use a tent. Bike touring is an art!! I really like your channel, i adventure much like you do. I don't use the most expensive gear out there. The 1 person tent i use is a wal mart special, but it works really well. And sometimes the cheap things work the best. Take for instance, I have 2 really nice steel frame 2000 dollar touring bikes and anther adventure bike that are supper nice, but here lately i have been riding a built up wal mart g-1 gravel bike/ bike packing / touring bike. i am not done with the upgrades yet, but almost there. This bike has been the rave all across the internet. wal mart can't keep them in stock. for 250 dollars you get a touring bike with a 6061 aluminum frame that is built for touring. it comes with double wal rims 36 spokes for touring. comes with a long wheel base. comes with braze ons all over the bike. 3 on the steel front fork. the frame is solid with a steel front fork. This bike is way awesome. I mean, the bike could not be built any better. you get index shifting/ and internal cable routing with kenda tires. are you kidding me. Anyhow, it has basic 2x drive train that works and the brakes are not all that good but they work. here is what i have done so far. new gel saddle/ new adjustable stem/ a new seat post suspenion/ a trek bontrager rear rack/ an axiom front low rider rack/ new bar tape/ a bar end mirror/ new pedals, and some really nice water bottle cages. next there will be a new bottom bracket and crank set. when all completed, i'll put it up against any touring bike out there. I might upgrade the brakes, not sure. but i really like steel, but i also like aluminum too. when the bike is all done, i think i will have 1000 dollars in it. To build a bike like that you would have nearly 2000 dollars in it. anyhow go check out wal mart g-1 gravel bike and look at it and you will be impressed. Anyhow, the irony of the story goes , some things are better being simple and cheap.!!

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 to be honest, I’m super new to cycling and I don’t know that much about bikes lol I intended on getting an old trek 520 and upgrading it, and then realized if I did it would end up costing more. I don’t really spend money on much stuff. I grew up pretty poor and even now I still have to justify it to myself any time I buy myself something. My kids are adults now and I’m just in the last few years investing in my own hobbies.

[@princepage632]

I like your set up!!, but i don't really care for your bags. there not bad, but i would prefer pvc or water proof material. I noticed that you don't trust any bags for 100% water proof. Well, there out there., and Juts a suggestion, Some ortilebs green bags would look awesome on dat red trek 520!! I know i know, they are very expensive. I got red and orange bags off of amazon that are really nice. of course they to are not ortilebs, and i did not pay ortileb price for them either.

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 these are water proof, I just prefer the extra protection. I’ve not had an issue with any thing getting wet yet. Just a hold over from backpacking

[@RJAdventures-rm3re]

What kind of drone do you use? Cool video!!

[@TheBane1979]

@@RJAdventures-rm3re I use a DJI mavic air 2.

[@RJAdventures-rm3re]

@@TheBane1979 thank you. It does a nice job.

[@TheBane1979]

@@RJAdventures-rm3re I’m always trying to improve my stuff. I just bought a dji action 4, and just found out the next one (the action 5) is supposed to be released soon. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to use it, but I’ll likely return it to get the new one.

[@RJAdventures-rm3re]

@@TheBane1979 I want to try it for our videos but I will probably start with one of the cheaper DJii’s to start off with

[@TheBane1979]

@@RJAdventures-rm3re I think it really adds a lot to the content. Like the cliff face in this video, you get a great perspective that a normal camera on the bike just doesn’t pick up

[@princepage632]

hey bane just so ya know it;s pronounced GA-LAX with the A being long!! GAAAAA lax!!

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 you’ll find, I miss pronounce a lot of them lol

[@princepage632]

hey bane, how much weight you trying to lose? The biking should slim you down. And you said on your video to ask so i am asking, what kind of work do you do? just curious because adventures take time. fortuantly for me i am retired now!! but money is always low .This inflation is hurting everyone including me!! thanks for sharing!!

[@TheBane1979]

@@princepage632 I’m around 205-210 currently. I should be around 190. I actually don’t bike much, only during my trips. I really need to force myself to bike around home just to be in better cycling shape. I work for the VA, veterans affairs. I work 4 days a week, ten hour days. And every federal holiday ends up being a 4 day weekend for me. So I use those weekends to use leave and get trips in. I didn’t do much in my adult life other than raise my boys, and now they’re adults so I’m trying to make up for the time. I REALLY enjoy bike touring. I get to see stuff I’ve never been able to see before, and other than gas to get there (if I drive) it’s super cheap If I was retired or not working I think I’d probably leave on the bike and just tour around the country a while, I don’t really know.

[@d-rey1727]

You got it right the first time - Fries, pronounced Freeze. And Galax is Gay-lax. Keep pedaling....

[@TheBane1979]

@@d-rey1727 I catch grief for pronouncing stuff wrong regularly lol

[@d-rey1727]

@@TheBane1979 I recently found your channel and am hoping to bikepack next year. I live near the New River Trail so it'll be my first adventure. I love your no-nonsense, quality content, videos! Thanks!

[@TheBane1979]

@@d-rey1727 best advice, test every thing before you use it out on the trail. Get a new tent, sleeping bag or quilt, ground pad, etc. Test it in the yard (or near your car if you can’t camp in the yard) Once you think you’re ready, load every thing on your bike and just do a short bike ride to see if every thing is packed on the bike well. Then you should be good to go

[@d-rey1727]

@@TheBane1979 Good stuff right there.

[@vtcc75]

Please, when you do a video, research how to pronounce the names of the towns. Galax is pronounced "Gay-lax" and Fries is pronounced "Freeze."

[@TheBane1979]

@@vtcc75 I’m horribly bad at remembering things, and half the time I’m not even sure where I am. I’m still fairly new to all this, but I’ll work on getting the pronunciation right…at least more often. I appreciate the feedback!

[@SeedSower-mx4lo]

We did enjoy the video. My wife and I hiked it in a series of day hikes. It is a wonderful place. Thanks!

[@TheBane1979]

@@SeedSower-mx4lo thanks for watching and commenting!