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New Light Trails

Current Trail Status

	Status	When Updated	Who Updated	More Info		Help keep this info accurate by clicking the red bicycle
	closed	01/08 5:39 pm	Reward

Average ratings submitted by users                     Write a review   User submitted reviews

Category	Average Rating
Overall :	4.2 / 5.0   based on 27 votes
Technical :	4.2 / 5.0   based on 27 votes
Climbing :	3.9 / 5.0   based on 27 votes
Freeride :	2.8 / 5.0   based on 27 votes
Scenery/Wildlife :	4.0 / 5.0   based on 27 votes
Flow :	3.0 / 5.0   based on 21 votes

This trail is a beautiful mix of tech and flow. The hilly terraine is littered with roots, rocks, logs, and dips. There are several rock gardens to hone your skills on. It follows the shore of Falls Lake and the other side of the loop flanks a couple of double tracks. They are bidirectional and ride nice either direction.

A big thank you to NRMBA for working with the State Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to allow mountain bikers on this land. It's a shame these trails aren't open every day of the year, because they are miles and miles of the sweetest singletrack around--especially for intermediate and advanced riders. This trail was voted number one by TriangleMTB.com users in the fall of 2002. It's a real gem!

Even when there's lots of folks there, you can ride all day in these woods and hardly see another rider. But don't worry about getting lost, because NRMBA volunteers have done a great job of putting "parking lot this way" signs up at the end of every trail. Steep and rocky hill climbs, decent downhills, small and large gullies, tight turns, big log rolls and beautiful views of the forest and lake await you.

IMPORTANT RULES: According to the agreement with WRC, they will only be open on Sundays beginning September 1 each year through May 14. From May 15 through August 31, they are open everyday. Please respect these rules--the area will be closed to riders if anyone is seen riding on closed trails.

The WRC has one mission, which is to protect hunters and hunting rights. And they are immune from political pressure so if they decide to close down New Light, there is no recourse. Thanks for your cooperation.

Please leave your dog at home!! Dogs are not allowed.

Also, NRMBA does not condone night riding here.

Directions
Start at Crabtree Valley Mall. Get on NC 50 (Creedmoor Rd) and go North.
When you get to NC 98 turn right to go East on NC 98.
You will go about 1.6 miles to the first traffic light. Turn left at the light -- this is New Light Rd.
You will cross Falls Lake -- keep going and at about 3.35 mi (from the traffic light) you will see Old Weaver Trail on your left.
Turn left on Old Weaver Trail. Go 0.5 mile, and you will see a dirt road on your left with evidence of parking on the side of the road.
You can drive down this road for a few hundred feet and park or you can park on the side of road.

Rules of the Trail

• This is Wildlife Commission Land -- it can be closed to biking if we do not follow the rules.
• Ride ONLY ON SUNDAY during hunting season (1 Sept - May 14).
• Do not ride at night.
• Do not make unauthorized trails -- NRMBA is coordinating trails which are approved by Wildlife Commission.
• Do not bring your dog. Dogs are not allowed.
• Horses are not allowed on this land, if they are seen they should be reported.

Night rides are not allowed at this trail. You jeopardize the relationship with land managers and cyclists by riding at night here.

UPDATE: June 27, 2006
Left Loop and Right Loop closed
The Eastern Territory consisting of both Left Loop and Right Loop are permanently closed by order of the land management. Please respect the closure so as not to jeopardize access to New Light.

UPDATE: April 20, 2004
Burned Out trail closed

We have met with the Wildlife Resources Commission and whereas they are still allowing us to ride at New Light, they are concerned with the number of trails we have in the area and that we might be disrupting the wildlife. Therefore, they have asked us to shut down the Burned Out trail to provide an area for wildlife where we are not riding. So in about three weeks, we will be shutting down Burned Out…so enjoy it while you can. Also, please do not build any more trails at New Light. Wildlife is currently fine with the number of trails we will have but they do not want any more.

Finally, we will be organizing a trails day for New Light in the very near future. In general, the trails are in good shape but we do need a bit of maintenance work. Since TriangleMTB.com is the official web site for the North Raleigh Mountain Biking Association, please check here for details of the next trails day for New Light.

Thanks for your continued support

Sig Hutchinson
President
North Raleigh Mountain Biking Association

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New Light trail has been reviewed 27 times by our trianglemtb.com guests.

Reviewed by: Izrock Reviewed on: 01/08/2012 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I hadn't ridden this trail in several years mainly because its a bit of a drive to get to for me. Rode it today and really enjoyed it! I especially like the rock gardens/piles. I don't remember them from the last time I rode. I am a cross country junkie on a FS. The FS makes this a really fun trail. Saw a few guys on hardtails. As long as you are in reasonably good shape and have average bike handling skills you hardtail riders will enjoy this trail as well. Great lake views and its only about 5-10 mins from Beaver Dam so if you want to get some miles in and not just repeat the same trail its real easy to do.
Reviewed by: B Man Reviewed on: 05/19/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Good, as always, today. Not that I was upset or offended, but I came across a large pile of fresh horse poop early on, then later two guys, looked like noobs, with two dogs, off leash. Didn't bother me, but I wondered who, if anyone, enforces anything @ N/L? A large tree down blocks the Lake something (sp/name) loop; funky bypass in place. It would be easier to access by boat than on foot or bike.
Reviewed by: jscusmcvet Reviewed on: 11/14/2010 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	This is the second time I have ridden at New Light. The first time, this past winter, I crashed hard and limped off the trail. Not the case this time. Had a fun ride with some great folks. The trail is very challenging, as mentioned below, it is as clost to Pisgah as I have found in the area. It is a very technical ride with a lot of short ups and downs and a few other longer climbs. A coiuple nice downhill stretches with some fun jumps and plenty of obstacles. Be ready for a tough ride.
Reviewed by: spd2002nc Reviewed on: 06/13/2010 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Ive been riding the triangle for years but for some reason I have not made it out here before. This trail is by far the best in the triangle!
Reviewed by: jwest Reviewed on: 05/09/2010 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I don't know how others feel but I loved this location back before it started getting chopped up/cut off but that's how it goes. I liked before how it was longer but I just ride today and doodling along it's at least a little over an hour still, after backtracking once and stopping to check my map twice. Now that I know the route, it will probably be a little more fun having to "think" less. I also worry a lot about the car getting vandalized as it's happened apparently several times out there. At least now there are some houses in sight of the parking section that may deter the idiots. I plan to go ride several locations in one day soon, Beaver Dam, Harris, Chapel Hill, etc as a way to prep for longer events ;)
Reviewed by: oldschoolride Reviewed on: 04/04/2010 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	No detailed review given.
Reviewed by: slirty Reviewed on: 03/08/2010 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	No detailed review given.
Reviewed by: jcw5002 Reviewed on: 03/07/2010 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I just finished my first ride at New Light and I am quite impressed! I did the big loop CCW. We got lost a bit after coming out of the First Loop. We took Sig's loop the opposite way and missed The Gauntlet initially, but figured it out after a while. There are lots and lots of rocks & rock gardens which were really fun. The downhills are gnarly and there are a bunch of fun drops. I didn't think the trail was overly exhausting, but then again we did stop a lot. It's definitely the most technical trail i've ridden in the Raleigh area. Good stuff.
Reviewed by: David H Reviewed on: 10/20/2009 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I like these trails a lot. Overall, I like them because they are hard and technical and as close as we can get to some Pisgah areas. I come to NL because I am able to train for endurance, strength and skill. I think there are plenty of technical features to aspire towards. I.E. The Gauntlet, the section connecting The Gauntlet and WIWO. Lots of rock to challenge yourself in that section. Log skinny. Free riding...not as much built up features...you can jump the log bridge, lots of rock to jump and some table top jumps. (I don't have much exp. in this area). The scenery is great, lake views, wooded forest, creek crossing, great to ride in the fall, seen a lot of wildlife...turkey and deer so far. Flow? Judging from my own skills, I flow through these trails at about an intermediate level. I almost flowroll over the rock at the top of the switchbacks, I have yet to make the gauntlet. First Loop has some great downhill runs. I love the steep hill climbs and I flow up those as fast as I am able. The flow is good for me and my all mountain bike and will get better as I ride out there more.
Reviewed by: TANK Reviewed on: 10/11/2009 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	This trail is a gut buster, you better bring the A game cause it will hurt you or your bike if you are not paying attention. This is not a flowy ride along and hum to yourself trail. This thing works you out and spits you up. Begginers should stay home. Some of the rocks are sick, I am to old to try them but I can appreciate the skill of others that do. I feel really good when I finish this one in one piece. I ride it maybe twice a year and always forget how hard it can be until the next time. Someone has been putting work in out there. Looks good. Thanks

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