This is more 'Where to Ride', but we were on our Polaris machines.

We rode the Black Mountain trails in Harlan County which is near the Kentucky/Virginia border. The town of Evarts (where the trail head is) is tiny and the people were very nice. It is very interesting though. The town is ATV friendly so you can leave the trail and drive right over for some lunch or fuel without worry. In the evenings, there are a lot of ATVs on the streets. Supposedly, the rule is helmets must be worn in the park. However, my son and I looked like oddballs since we wear ours anytime we ride.

We rode about 115 miles over 2 1/4 days and didn't even come close to seeing every trail. I rode my 700EFI and my son rode his Trail Blazer. Since he is only 2wd, we didn't ride too many difficult trails, although, we rode a Blue that should have been a Red. We had to winch both bikes up one hill. There was NO way to back track. It was a bit nerve racking, but exciting. They are (or have) expanding their 7000 acres to 37000 across multiple counties.

Both machines did very well. I am actually a little surprised at the pep of the 250 2-stroke. The only minor issue was my right headlight bulb. It got too hot, burned out and melted the headlight reflector. Simple warranty issue. Other than that, both machines handled some fast riding, mud riding, technical trails and a few climbs without issue.

We ride up to about 3200 feet elevation on a couple of different peaks and the views were amazing. At one point, we crossed a peak with complete drop-offs on both sides. We stopped in amazement in the middle!!

The first full day, we rode all day in the rain. It was pretty cool. When up at the higher elevations, the rain was much softer since we were IN the clouds. It was eerie but very fun. The next day was beautiful. Back home near Louisville, the temps were in the mid 90s. We rode in the mid 80s with lower humidity.

There is EVERY type of trail you could ever ask for. Every one is unique. Everything from long swooping washboards to serious hill climbs to tight technical rides through a rainforest like area. Throughout the trails, they have ‘Play Areas’. They are like little pit stops with mud pits, hill climbs, semi jumps, and rest areas.

We didn’t see any of the resident bears, elk, or mountain goats. But, if we were turkey hunters, we could have had 25-30 easily.

The funny thing is, we didn’t even get to the best riding. You need a guide to get there. The Harlan County Ridge Runners ATV club provides free guides. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time.

We will be planning a return trip in October and will definitely hook-up with the Ridge Runners then. I highly recommend this place!! They are featured in a Honda ATV magazine this month. One of the Ridge Runners showed us a copy, but I don’t remember the publication.

Hope this little review helps someone looking for new places to ride…

 

wow, you wernt to far from me, i was riding this weekend near hazard ky which isnt to far from you. I love those mountains. So many great trails but i really wanna get down to harlen. we rode 146 miles this weekend, oh ya.

 

So how was Hazard? Did you see Daisy? OK...I couldn't resist. Being a Kentucky native, we have always been made fun of because of that show[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

By car, you weren't to far...By quad, it's like another country. Some of the trails are pretty tough!! We spent our entire time in the Black Mountain park. We hear Stone Mountain is much better. Maybe we will see you down there sometime. When we plan our next trip, I will post.

 

dangit! take me frigging with you!

i thought id mention pred, Wayne's is expanding in the spring, there bringing SeaDoo, BRP 4wheelers, and KTM bikes. and i got a job up there [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] by the way, when i went up to tell Jermey that it was me who recomended you to waynes he was like, "yeah! as soon as he said that i knew it was you, thanks man" then bobby, the new guy said that that was real nice of me, and so they were sayin that there going to put me on the christmas mailing list [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

im gonna convince jermey to open up a "Waynes Performance Division" and put me in charge [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] see ya round the store mate

 

hey guys....im gonna be making a trip to kentuckyin a couple days...3 days to be exact to visit family, and i was wondering if anyone knows if there are any atv rentals near or around prestonsburg.

 

hey, you say you are going to prestonburg, your really close to my familly. have you ever heard of thacker and grigsby(knott county), appalacian wirless. that is their companies. My cousin sings at the ky apera in prestonburg. I love that down there.

 

Weedman if you go t o Matewan and ride the Hatefield Mcoy trail which is within an hour and a half or less from Prestonsburg
you can rent ATV"s at matewan house bed and breakfadst and theyll put you up for 69.00 bucks a night and it"s super nice...
Ive rode the trail there and it"s super..trail pass is 19.99 for dawn till dusk helmet and glasses required

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Jeremy did mention that they are bringing BRP in. He is doing a good job of setting himself up for the future. I think Bombardier and Polaris/KTM are a great combo. If I go down to one quad for myself, I am considering a trade of the 700 and Pred for the Bomb 800 (if it is as sweet as I think it will be).

I'd be glad to take you with us sometime. But, I think your parents are gonna want to know who I am and a little more about me. You and my son Nathan would probably get along great.

 

heheh, id love to go, but probebly id go with one of my friends there and see someone zippin' around on a predetor and be like, hey thats that one dude from the forums!