Sweet Springs / Potts Creek

This is a monster of a ride, with six large climbs, the first two on dirt roads. The first over John's Creek Mtn. is the steepest and most difficult, while the second over Potts Mtn. to Waiteville, WV is much easier. Once there, you can turn right and ride along Potts Creek directly to Paint Bank (you go by a farm with buffalo and strange, shaggy cows...), or continue straight over Peters Mtn., on to Gap Mills. If it's a windy day, the 10 mile stretch along WV Rt. 3 heading to Sweet Springs is incredibly fast and flat. Following a long crossing of Potts Mtn., ride through Maggie Valley and back over Johns Creek Mtn. Each of the climbs rewards you with great views from the top (especially Potts) and fast, curvy descents.

The ride is shown starting and stopping at Newport (The Rec. Center on 42 is a good place to park); riding from Blacksburg on 460 adds about 20 more miles to the totals given.

Sweet Springs Loop Distance: 84.2 mi
Potts Creek Loop Distance: 69.6 mi

Climbing Elevations: 11895 ft, 8986 ft

Route Map (281KB)

Elevation Profiles

Cue Sheet
Distances referenced from Newport Rec. Center
---		Turn Left off 42 onto Clover Hollow Rd. (601)
5.1 mi		Pavement Ends, climb Johns Creek Mtn.
9.0 mi		Turn Right on 632
13.9 mi		Reach Maggie. Turn Left on 658
14.3 mi		Turn Left on 636
14.7 mi		Pavement Ends, climb Potts Mtn.
19.4 mi		Turn right on CR 15/3
~20.0 mi		Turn Left where a sign indicates Potts Creek Rd.
20.3 mi		Turn Right on CR 17 to head to Paint Bank Go Straight on Gap Mills Rd. (CR 15) to cross Peters Mtn.
25.4 mi		Turn Right on Gap Mills Rd. (CR 15)
28.9 mi		Turn Right on SR 3
39.1 mi		Reach Sweet Springs. Turn Right on 311, climb Peters Mtn.
45.6 mi		Paint Bank, climb Potts Mtn.
56.4 mi		Turn Right on Craig Springs Rd. (658)
61.0 mi		Turn Left on 632
71.3 mi		Turn Left on 658
75.3 mi		Turn Right on 42