ST Family,
I am traveling up to Brevard NC to take my kids to camp. Fortunately for me i am staying the week in the mountains looking to do some scenic and challenging training rides during the week. Here are the questions -
Does anyone know of any GPS aps that can give me and guide me on some routes in Brevard NC area so I dont get lost (would be cool to have a voice navigation in my ear, just like in the car)?
Or does anyone have any suggested paths, points of interest or other areas that are must sees/ride?
Parkway is nearby, and I’m sure some of the connecting roads. Strava is a good way to search for routes others have taken: do a segment explore, and then click on the individual rides within the segment to see where those rides went. You may find there are limited loops, since a lot of the “up the mountain” roads dead-end, and the major roads in the valley are narrow with lots of cars.
If by “paths” you mean mountain biking, then Pisgah (epic) and Dupont (good mix) are your best bets. Dupont has an online trail map which looks like a nightmare at first, but is fairly easy to navigate once you are on the trails (and don’t mind stopping every 5 min. at intersections).
Young Life camp? My son is going to be there 5 weeks for work crew. I’m dropping him off Saturday. Unfortunately I have to get back home right after that or I’d try to ride with you.
From downtown Brevard, you can follow marks on the road from the Assault on the Carolinas ride. It is very well marked and I believe there are 30, 40, and 62 mile options that you will see. Brevard is an awesome place and the locals are used to having cyclist around. Look for the white squirrels too.
+1 for the AoTC ride. The descent down 178 into SC is great fun, not too dangerous, and lightly traveled, especially in the morning. Cesars Head is a great climb that isn’t exceptionally difficult. I did most of the loop a few weekends ago, coming at it from Furman: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/506138186
A couple of years ago we did an epic loop starting in Maggie Valley, up to BRP, down Rt 215/Lake Logan Rd (towards Waynesville) and back to MV. Awesome ride. But the descent on Rt 215 was a bit sketchy because the road was really rough. On the plus side, traffic (and lack thereof) was great. Is the descent off the BRP on 215 better/smoother in the other direction (towards Brevard)? Even w/ the rough road on the descent, still the best area to ride that I’ve come across (BRP/Asheville area).
Question on a different location: Are you familiar with the climb on Rt151 (Pisgah Hwy) coming out of Asheville up to the BRP? How’s traffic? How’s the road surface? We’re camping in the area next week (SW of Asheville) and the climb up Rt151 and back towards Asheville in the Parkway looks like a nice 35 mile loop on day 1 to prime the legs for longer days in the saddle the following two days.
Question on a different location: Are you familiar with the climb on Rt151 (Pisgah Hwy) coming out of Asheville up to the BRP? How’s traffic? How’s the road surface? We’re camping in the area next week (SW of Asheville) and the climb up Rt151 and back towards Asheville in the Parkway looks like a nice 35 mile loop on day 1 to prime the legs for longer days in the saddle the following two days.
Rt151 climb up to BRP is nice, sustained, and steep in spots. As of a few years ago, road quality was so-so (not an issue when climbing, however a little sketchy when descending). Rt151 traffic not a problem, watch for cars on switchbacks. Traffic between 151 & Asheville can suck.
My planned route from Rt191 is to ride on Sardis Rd (Rt112), L onto Sand Hill Rd, L onto Enka Lake Rd which looks like turns into Bennett Rd which then turns into Upper Glady Fork Rd working my way over to Rt151. My hope is these roads are enough “backroads-ish” to avoid more of the traffic on the main routes and take the traffic suckiness out of the equation. Another option is to turn L off of Upper Glady Fork onto Black Oak Cove Rd and catch Rt151 farther up the mountain. After Black Oak Cove Rd it looks like pitch goes up on Rt151. Mapmyride has it as a 4 mile climb w/ approx. 1,500’ of climbing…so about 7% average gradient…that’s the average so no doubt there’s going to be some steep pitches on that 4 mile stretch.
Not much traffic at all on Pisgah Highway, and very wide shoulders until the grade starts to kick up (at which point, there is almost no traffic.) Your proposed route is great, but I wouldn’t hesitate to get on Pisgah sooner. My parents live in the Biltmore Lake neighborhood, so I ride 151 whenever I can. Just remember if you descend back down the parkway that there are some very long / dark tunnels. First time I rode it I had no headlight…very bad idea.
There is a bike shop, Backcountry Outdoors that is pretty helpful with info and I think have rides from there. It is right by the entrance to Pisgah Forest by Davidson River campground.
Thanks for the links - sweet ride up to Mt. Mitchell!! Nothing like a 1,500’ climb just to get started on the Parkway!!
We rode from Cherokee to Asheville last year on the Parkway (Day 1 of a trip to the NC/VA border…4 days and not a cloud in the sky all 4 days…total privilege to have that weather), and I remember those tunnels well after Pisgah, descending to Asheville. It was after 7pm and I was racing one of our cars to the hotel. Prior research clearly stated to be prepared w/ headlights so I was riding with an EOS on my head. I knew there were a few tunnels, but apparently forgot there were THAT many (fortunately, they are all pretty short which kept my on bike vertigo to a minimum).
You have an epic playground down there. I call the area my cycling utopia.
No doubt, Western NC is a relatively hidden cycling gem. I don’t get up there enough. Unfortunately, upstate SC isn’t nearly as nice: pretty crappy roads, kinda boring terrain, and not very scenic. So I definitely appreciate it when I can get to NC.
A couple of years ago we did an epic loop starting in Maggie Valley, up to BRP, down Rt 215/Lake Logan Rd (towards Waynesville) and back to MV. Awesome ride. But the descent on Rt 215 was a bit sketchy because the road was really rough. On the plus side, traffic (and lack thereof) was great. Is the descent off the BRP on 215 better/smoother in the other direction (towards Brevard)? Even w/ the rough road on the descent, still the best area to ride that I’ve come across (BRP/Asheville area).
Yes, its very good. its technical, but very smooth. They may have patched up 215 on the other side. not sure.
Question on a different location: Are you familiar with the climb on Rt151 (Pisgah Hwy) coming out of Asheville up to the BRP? How’s traffic? How’s the road surface? We’re camping in the area next week (SW of Asheville) and the climb up Rt151 and back towards Asheville in the Parkway looks like a nice 35 mile loop on day 1 to prime the legs for longer days in the saddle the following two days.
Sorry i am not.
I have done that loop around lake logan… i wasnt sure to suggest that, but that is a fantastic ride!
Trip was awesome. Highlights and recommendations -
Ride up through Pisgah National Forrest to the Blue Ride Parkway - Most breath taking scenery around.
Ride down 215 - WOW fast and furious. It was AWESOME!
Start all your adventures at Sycamore Cycles. They were incredible. Friendly and extremely helpful.
If you don’t Mountain Bike, RENT for a day, it was incredible.
Overall fantastic trip. Road over 120 Miles and climbing over 9000 feet. Not to mention the 20 miles of trial running climbing 4000 feet. Excellent IM training for this Florida Flatlander!
Did you go by Lake Logan when on 215? My favorite tri is Lake Logan (SetUp Events) the first weekend in August. You should plan your next trip up here to do the Oly or Half.