Stats
99 miles, 13,874 ft elevation gain, 140 ft/mi. Clockwise direction suggested.
Difficulty
Challenging due to distance, elevation gain, and remote trails.
Terrain, Bike Choice
Gravel and singletrack. Preferred bike rank: Rigid MTB, Hardtail.
Camping
Primitive, backcountry camping (no reservations needed). Also options of established campgrounds or Mulberry Gap cabins.
Number of Nights
1 night ideal. If packing ample food, 2 nights could afford a slower pace.
Food & Water
Mulberry Gap offers the only resupply on route. Definitely bring your water filter.
Bikepacking The Rivival
The Revival is a big route with almost 14,000 feet of climbing in just under 100 miles. The bulk of the miles are rough gravel with singletrack mixed in at the beginning, middle, and end to keep things exciting. Camping options include secluded primitive sites right off the Pinhoti Trail or the unrivaled hospitality of Mulberry Gap.
Highlights
- Stunning vistas
- Riverside gravel riding
- Pinhoti singletrack
- Home-cooked meals and lodging at Mulberry Gap
Trip Beta
Start rolling next to the Ocoee River where you’ll soon enter singletrack on the Tanasi Trail System. After about 6 miles you’ll hit gravel where you’ll start your steady climb up towards Jacks River Fields Campground. Soon after you pass the campground there is a piped spring to refill your water (recommended to still filter). After all the gravel climbing you’re rewarded with an amazing descent on Pinhoti singletrack which links you to a section of Bear Creek with fast and flowy rollers. There are some great backcountry campsites right off the Pinhoti Trail in this area but if you’re after a little better hospitality Mulberry Gap is a few miles away marking the halfway point of the ride. (See the details below to book meals/cabin/tent site ahead of time).
After leaving Mulberry gap you’ll start your biggest climb of the trip; 2,100 feet up Potato Patch. If you slept at Mulberry Gap, it’s recommended to start this climb early to catch the sunrise at a vista about two-thirds up. After a fast descent down you’ll end up at the Game Check Station where you can grab water from a spigot on the side of the building. Continue on some flatter terrain where you’ll pass a piped spring before tackling the last few climbs of the trip. The Big Frog Mountain sign is a welcomed sight as the last bit of singletrack is coming up and takes you back to Thunder Rock Campground. More East Coast S240 routes can be found on our Routes Page.
Additional Information
- While most of the miles are gravel, it’s recommended to ride a hardtail or rigid mountain bike. The gravel is often loose, large, and rocky while the singletrack is fast and chunky at times.
- To book your stay at Mulberry Gap please see their reservation page. Cabins and tent sites require a two night stay during the weekend and holidays, but during the week you might get a single night reservation if you call ahead, 706-698-2865. If looking to reserve just meals, breakfast is at 8:30 am, lunch is available for a 9 am pickup, and dinner is at 6 pm. Please be sure to call ahead for any food or lodging.
- If you’re looking for lodging the night before you start you can reserve a campsite at Thunder Rock Campground (tent sites are $15/night) or the Ducktown Copper Inn is right up the road and is offering riders 15% off with the code: REVIVAL. Overnight parking while riding the route is also available at the Inn.
Terms: Routes on Rockgeist.com are partial planning resources only, primarily for providing potential locations and initial mapping, and may not cover trail surface and challenge details. Please complete your own research before starting your trip. These routes are often remote and require proper knowledge of safety; including bike repair, bail out options, navigation, and resupply locations. Additionally, because of the remote nature of these locations, you may not have access to wireless or cellphone when onsite. You should also be aware of and prepared for weather and conditions. Users are required to obey all road, land, and trail rules, while practicing Leave No Trace principles. While all routes are diligently prepared and presented, Rockgeist does not guarantee accuracy of routes, trail conditions, or any points of interest detailed herein. It is your intention to fully assume all risks when following these routes. Rockgeist LLC, its collaborators, partners, or volunteers are in no way liable for actions, personal injury, damage to property, or any events that arise directly or indirectly from the routes presented on Rockgeist.com.
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