Mountain bikes are currently permitted on most National Forest roads and trails on the Monongahela National Forest except those in designated Wildernesses (Dolly Sods, Otter Creek, Laurel Fork North and South, and Cranberry Wildernesses) and in a few special areas such as the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. However, few trails have been constructed or maintained specifically to accommodate bicycles. Although many National Forest roads are gated to exclude public motorized use, bicycles are permitted behind the gates. Bikers are asked to minimize damage to trail treads in wet areas to protect the trail for other users. Bikers should also yield the right-of-way to hikers where trails are not wide enough to accommodate both.

Several areas on the Monongahela which offer better opportunities for mountain biking are described below. More detailed information can be obtained from the Ranger Districts identified.

1. The Cranberry Backcountry (area west of the Cranberry Wilderness): This area is gated to exclude public motorized travel, but has an extensive road system and several trails are suitable for bikes. Contact: Gauley Ranger District, 932 North Fork Cherry Road, Richwood, WV 26261, (304) 846-2695.

2. Canaan/Backbone Mountain Area near Davis and Thomas, West Virginia: Forest Roads 13 (Canaan Loop Road) and 18 (Canyon Rim Road) and several trails on Canaan Mountain and in the Blackwater Canyon (including the former railroad grade from Thomas to Hendricks) offer a variety of routes. Contact: Cheat Ranger District, PO Box 368, Parsons, WV 26287, (304) 478-2000.

3. Gauley Mountain Area near Slatyfork, West Virginia. State Route 219/1. Forest Road 24, and many miles of other roads and trails (some maintained for biking by a permit) provide good biking opportunities. Contact: Marlinton Ranger District, PO Box 210, Marlinton, WV 24954, (304) 799-4334.

4. Glady-Durbin-Middle Mountain Area north of Durbin, West Virginia: The West Fork Trail #312 (former railroad grade from Durbin to Glady), Forest Road 44 (Glady Durbin Road), and numerous Forest Service and gas well access roads on Middle Mountain permit many miles of biking. Most gas well access and timber sale roads are gated, but Road 44 and the main Forest Service roads are open to other traffic. Biking is not permitted within the Laurel Fork Wildernesses in the headwaters of Laurel Fork. Contact: Greenbrier Ranger District, PO Box 67, Bartow, WV, 24920, (304) 456-3335.

5. Upper Shavers Fork Area north and south of US 250 west of Durbin, West Virginia: An extensive system of logging and mining roads on 40,000 acres recently purchased in the upper Shavers Fork drainage south of US 250 provides miles of bikable routes, many behind gates. Some roads may be open to vehicles during hunting seasons. Forest Service Roads 92 (on Cheat Mountain) and 27 (on Shavers Mountain) and several other National Forest roads north of US 250 offer biking opportunities. Most of these roads are open to vehicles either year-long or seasonally. NOTE: the railroad along Shavers Fork is privately owned and not open to public use. Contact: Greenbrier Ranger District, PO Box 67, Bartow, WV 24920, (304) 456-3335.

The State of West Virginia also manages the former C&O Railroad grade between Caldwell, West Virginia (near Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs) and near Cass, West Virginia as the Greenbrier River is accessible at a number of points including Seebert (near Hillsboro), Marlinton, Cloverlick, and Stony Bottom. The last two miles to Cass are not improved as of 1992. Contact: Watoga State Park, Star Route 1, Box 252, Marlinton, WV 24954, (304) 799-4087. Additional mountain biking information is available online through the state of West Virginia.

We hope you have a satisfying and rewarding biking experience on the Monongahela National Forest. Your comments on these areas or others you try will be very welcome. If you are interested in volunteering to improve or maintain mountain biking opportunities on the Monongahela, you are invited to contact the Forest Supervisor's Office, 200 Sycamore St., Elkins, WV 26241, (304) 636-1800 or any of the Ranger Districts at Parsons, Petersburg, Bartow, Marlinton, Richwood, or White Sulphur Springs.