The Uwharrie BigFoot Ride
Troy, North Carolina
Story and Photography by Leesa Wright
The Uwharrie Bigfoot is not like most rides. It was also started for a fun reason.
Eight years ago, back in 2010, my friends and I held the first annual Bigfoot Ride. It all started because someone said he seen Bigfoot in the Uwharrie National Forest outside of Troy, NC. As a result, people flocked to the area that weekend hoping to see the creature themselves. Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel and of course local news channels showed up. Someone then posted on social media, "Let's go look for Bigfoot on horses!" Thus, a group of us headed up to Uwharrie on that cold February night. It was a small group, maybe 25 or so. Some of us meeting for the first time. We rode and rode that day looking more for the TV crews than Sasquatch.
That ride turned out to be so much fun. Friendships were formed, many of whom ride together to this day. It was so much fun, we continued doing it year after year, continuing to make new friends every year.
This ride is now a big meet and greet people look forward to annually. Folks ride on their own or with a group. It is not an organized ride, folks are free to ride and go as they please. That's the best part. Riders new to Uwharrie can come out check out the trails at their own speed. They will always run into fellow riders to point them in the right direction.
Our hope is that the event continues just as it has been, a big meet and greet where friends, old and new, can meet at Uwharrie, ride and explore. That's what it's all about.
This year and last year folks really did find BigFoot! And some were brave enough to even have their picture taken with him. Well bad news is hes not real but it is fun to see the big fake BigFoot. Gives folks something to talk about and remember. Big thanks going out to Kathy Collins for making and bring BigFoot.
This year the Back Country Horseman of Uwharrie came out so folks could meet with members and see what they are all about. To hear how they try to take care of the trails and try to make improvements.
We also gave out pink bandanas this year and asked folks to wear pink for a fellow Uwharrie BigFoot rider who was hurt in a motorcycle accident. That gave us ideas for next year. We are going to try and do a raffle and half the money will go to the Back Country Horseman of Uwharrie and to a fellow rider in need.
Its amazing what how one crazy idea turned into! Happy Trails folks! Oh and always be on the look out. He might just be out there!!
16 / Sport and Trail Magazine