Going to Asheville for a few days - Favorite routes?

[Brandon White]

I'm going to be around Asheville,NC Saturday and leaving Thursday. Who wants to ride? I'll be somewhere between Weaverville and Barnardsville.

Anyone have a favorite route or should I just explore and get lost?

PS - The postman hasn't showed up with my 11/28 cassette yet. I haven't been on the bike for a week - I'm starting to worry.

[Lovetoclimb]

Unfortunately I am heading out of town for the coming week, otherwise I would offer my services as a road bike tour guide. Starting a business in that market, could use some early clients to learn and refine everything. Anyway, send me an email and I will shoot you some ride w/ GPS files and point out some of the finer things to experience on the bike while here. Excellent place to pedal!

sam.klontz@gmail.com

[Brandon White]

Unfortunately I am heading out of town for the coming week, otherwise I would offer my services as a road bike tour guide. Starting a business in that market, could use some early clients to learn and refine everything. Anyway, send me an email and I will shoot you some ride w/ GPS files and point out some of the finer things to experience on the bike while here. Excellent place to pedal!

sam.klontz@gmail.com

email sent.

[Todd Mosley]

I was up there last fall for my wedding & honeymoon. Wish I could have done more riding but snow put a damper on that and I only got two rides in on the Blue Ridge Parkway. My 36-26 gearing was fine. I really wanted to reach Mt. Mitchell but had to turn around because it got too icey towards the top (though there was no traffic because the road was closed). I'm sure there are less touristy rides to do but the BLP was good enough for this flatlander. It is also hard to get lost on.

[NealH]

A couple of us are riding the Pigeon Loop on Sunday if you want to drive down the Parkway and join us. We usually meet at the 215/Parkway overlook around 9 or 9:30. There aren't many better loops in the entire SE. We ride the Assault on the Carolinas event on Saturday out of Brevard. I believe this event is sold out now.

If you want to stay around the Weaverville or Mars Hill area then then metric route shown on the Hot Doggett event website is outstanding. It doesn't include Doggett Gap (the century route does) but you will still log about 7K' for the metric. Anyway PM me if you're interested in riding on Sunday and I will let you know the time once we settle on it.

[fa63]

I would have ridden with you if it was one week later; my father in law has a cabin just outside of Ashville that he lets us use whenever, so I am planning on going there the weekend of the 20th. Anyways, I like the Burnsville century route, but that may be a bit too far north for you. There are lots of others ride out there of course, you can find a bunch on Strava as well.

[liv2bike]

A few suggestions...

Eat here:
https://tupelohoneycafe.com/

Drink here:
Greenman Brewery - Age verification

and here:
Pisgah Brewing

Catch live music here:
The Grey Eagle | Asheville, NC

Ride your bike too. Have fun.

[maunahaole]

Ping Musgrave with questions.

[fa63]

Eat here:
https://tupelohoneycafe.com/

Yes, the biscuits there are to die for. The food that comes after ain't too bad, either.

[ned]

I think the riding north of AVL to be the best so Weaverville-Barnardsville is on the right side of town. Good routes are too numerous to list. There's an (typically) aggressive 3hr group ride that departs Fudruckers on Charlotte St at 10:00 on Saturdays. It covers some beautiful countryside with a bit of going up, a bit of going down, some county line sprints, and fast pace line alone the river back to town. If you're down with Baller Life, Stoney Fork is a must do climb up to the Parkway--45 minutes of gravel climbing, too slick to stand, too steep to sit. Other good climbs close by are Paint Fork, Ox Creek, Elk Mountain, Parkway to Craggy and beyond, Grapevine, Walnut, Sam's Gap, Highways 151, 215, 276, and 9.
Check it: Southern Applachian Road Climbs

[Brandon White]

All great information. I'll keep everyone posted on how the trip is.

I read about Stoney Fork road. I'm sure my 23s are just the right kind of tire for that (sarcasm) - sounds like I wouldn't make it to the top really.

[ned]

I read about Stoney Fork road. I'm sure my 23s are just the right kind of tire for that (sarcasm) - sounds like I wouldn't make it to the top really.

I've only done Stoney Fork with 23s and 39-26. I am not special. It's doable.

[Brandon White]

I've only done Stoney Fork with 23s and 39-26. I am not special. It's doable.

yes! then i'll give it a try. doesn't look too far from where I'm staying.

[ned]

Paint Fork Rd is also right there off hwy 197. It's paved but, man, does it hurt. A great loop with lots of vert would be Paint Fork to Ox Creek to BRP to Town Mountain into AVL then Elk Mtn down Ox Creek and back over Paint Fork home. Ouch. Then a well deserved meal at Stoney Knob Cafe in Weaverville.

[Jason Musgrave]

I've been out backpacking with some kids from the school, will reply to your email asap.

[Brandon White]

This place has some vert! Paint fork road is a mile down a 1/2 gravel 1/2 paved 17% road from me. I'm hitting a loop tomorrow that should involve the BRP. Did Stoney fork today and loved it. Most was closed to cars and I spotted a fairly good sized carcus. Fun descending it and less fun sprinting uphill away from the dogs at the base.

Great eats here! Great riding! A little chilly going 40 MPH at 7:30 AM though.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

[Matthew Strongin]

I have a feeling you'll be putting the hurt on me in a week or so with those climbs in your legs. Better post some photos or the only logical conclusion is that you're not really there.

[justinf]

If you can't hook up with more detailed routes, just hop on the Parkway and go out and back. You won't be disappointed.

[hmbatrail]

FR1206-> Laurel Mountain-> Laurel Connector-> Pilot Rock-> FR1206

If you are riding on 23s try and stay light through the rock garden on Pilot.

[Brandon White]

I've done a bit of out and backs because I can't get a good loop from where I'm at. The BRP was closes yesterday heading north. It was really foggy up there. I'll post some pics tomorrow. This place rules.

I've had a healthy dose of vitamin G as well. I need bigger tires for descending when it's really loose though cause that shit rattles my teeth out.