Below are 5 reasons why you should include RRT as a regular stop on your mountain biking trips: 

5. You like to have fun on your MTN Bike - RRT is one of the MOST FUN trails in Charlotte. Is it challenging? HELL YEAH it is, but if you want easy, stick to the greenways and fire roads. This trail has it all - great single track, awesome descents, and tough climbs over all different types of terrain and challenges. I NEVER leave this trail without a HUGE smile on my face.

4. You want to get better on your bike - RRT is a great place to build your abilities and confidence. If you start to make RRT a regular place you ride, you will definitely see improvement! 

3. You wanna feel like you accomplish something when hit the trails - RRT is one of the few trails that I actually feel like lifting my arms in VICTORY when I complete some of the features... Especially the Gorge and No Name climbs!

These final 2 reasons are about our community:

2. You like to get back on the trails after a rain - RRT is ALWAYS one of the first trails to reopen after we get rain. Lets make sure it stays that way by supporting what Steve provides for us and going out there on dry days (and truth-be-told the trail is SO MUCH more fun when its dry).

1. You wanna give back to a person who has done so much for our community - When I pulled up on Sunday at 6pm to ride RRT, Steve was out there sweating his ass off clearing brush in the parking area. He had spent part of the day clearing fallen trees. This guy has given us a GEM of a trail to ride and is always working to make it better. The LEAST we can do is continue to support what he has given us and ride the trail on the regular. 


Next I wanna cover the top 3 misconceptions about RRT (some of which you may have read on this forum): 

3. The trail is only for experts - This is just not true. If you can ride Sherman beginning to end, there's nothing on RRT you can't do. BUT, if you are newer just be prepared to walk your bike over some challenging obstacles until you get the hang of it. Also, Steve has set up a GREEN loop that cuts out all of the really challenging stuff, so stick to that until you get more comfortable on your bike and on this trail. 

2 The climbs on this trail are too hard - If you want to flat terrain, then stick to the greenways and fire roads. Mountain biking in Charlotte is all about climbs and getting better at them. Are the climbs on RRT tough? For sure! But you'll only get better by challenging yourself. And, unlike some other trails, almost ALL of the climbs at RRT provide an awesome payoff with some great downhill riding right afterwards.

1. The trail isn't marked well - I'm not sure how or why this started, but Steve has done a great job of marking this trail. Can you get turned around if you don't pay attention? Sure, but if you pay attention and follow the flow of the trail you'll do just fine. If you get turned around, just double back and you'll find the right direction (and then you'll get a little extra riding for free!!!  ). Meanwhile, if you are worried, just go out there and ride with someone who has done the trail a few times. Once you ride it all the way through 2 or 3 times, you'll get the hang of it.  



Finally, I want to mention who should NOT be riding RRT: 

1. Real beginners... If you are brand new to the sport, get comfortable on your bike on some of the easier trails in the area. Then, as soon as you want a challenge, loop RRT into your regular stops. 

2. Riders who think trails like Anne Springs are "too rooty" - NO JOKE, I actually heard someone complain about Anne Springs recently saying that it had gotten too rooty - if you agree, then steer clear of this trail. 

3. Riders who don't want to challenge themselves - If you are just looking for a quick 10 miles and don't want to "work for it", this isn't the trail for you. 

Remember - Mountain biking is a dangerous sport. So ride within your ability. 

PS - This post was neither solicited by nor pre-approved by Steve or anyone at THTB. 

Thanks for reading and hope to see you out on RRT!!!

Good list.  1st trip to RRT is on the to-do list for this weekend.

No good excuse for not going yet...but I will say misconception #1 (trail markings) was my only hold back.  I guess I didnt want to go the wrong way and be that guy that turns around runs head on into other riders that know what they're doing.

Cherokee wrote on 07/23/19 at 2:16pm:



great info for someone like me with hardly any sense of direction thank you

Cherokee wrote on 07/23/19 at 2:16pm:



wanted to thankyou for this great advise went out there today, and had no trouble at all navigating the trail, this is one gem of a trail, has to be the longest descents in this area