I am a novice rider looking to ride a long moderate trail that provides camping with beautiful scenery and sunsets. I would like to go around the first couple of weeks in May. Can you suggest a place?

Steve Jones's Answer.

	Steve Jones The author of four mountain-biking books, Steve Jones has logged thousands of miles of trails and backroads. Meet Steve Answer Archive Biking Forums

After the brutal January we had here in North Georgia, I've got my handlebars pointed toward May, too. I can almost smell the mountain laurel blooming now.

I'll assume you're living east of the Mississippi and don't mind coming south a bit. In which case, the best bet for mid-spring has got to be Tsali Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest. If you've never heard of this North Carolina single-track system, it is considered by many to be the classic weekend mountain bike destination.

One of the qualities that give Tsali (pronounced"Sahl'-ee") such popular appeal is its moderate difficulty, both aerobically and technically. The Nantahala National Forest offers a bunch of primitive camping spots if you want to rough it and camp out of your vehicle while doing without a shower for a night or two. But after a long day of riding, who wants to do that if you don't have to? Tsali has a nice, developed campground, but you'll have to pay a fee. It's also crowded on the weekends, especially at that time of year, but if you like the brotherhood of bikers, you'll love it.

The trail system also requires a fee, and it's worth it. On alternating days, you'll get to ride Right Loop (11 miles of single-track and double-track), and Left Loop (12 miles of the same great stuff found on the Right); then switch to the shorter Mouse Branch (a 7-mile single-track loop) and Thompson Loop (7.5 miles of single-track) on the other days.

The scenery at Tsali can't be beat. All of the trails wind along the backwaters of Fontana Lake, with the lake's north shore forming the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's southern boundary. The sunsets won't remind you of Key West, but the jagged peaks of the Smokies always give great silhouettes, even when the sky isn't streaked and glowing pink.

Another great reason to head to this part of the country at any time of the year (yes, even the winter!), is that you'll find much more great riding on nearby double-track and gated fire roads. You can easily spend a full week camping at Tsali and exploring all the great biking trails.

But if you are located out west, the best advice I can give you is to investigate the GORP Regional Biking Guides. If you can't find a specific trail, I'm sure you'll find a guide for the area you're interested in.

Wherever you decide, let me know how it goes.