Truly a great loss for us, and it runs right by my town/house.
The NCT (North Country Trail), mentioned by the OP, would be a premier point to point for XC riding, but the committee continues to shut down sections to mountain biking. Truly a great loss for us, and it runs right by my town/house. It is technical and remote here in the UP, and passes through some truly spectacular landscapes. It makes me so, so, sad. I'm considering taking up trail running.