Group of 8 heading to Little Switzerland NC next week for a bike camp. Some of the guys have been to the area before, and are familiar with some of the typical climbs. However, we wouldn’t want to miss out on any gems. This is a pretty strong group of 8 guys and we are looking for 6 unique loops starting from the Little Switzerland. We intend to ride 3-6 hrs/day so any links to mapped rides of this length would be awesome! We would not be completely opposed to a driving a bit on 1 or 2 of the days if that gets us to a loop that would otherwise be out of range, but would prefer rides that start/finish at the home base.
thanks
no reason you shouldn’t be riding Beech Mountain while you’re there.
If I were staying in Little Switz, I would do this ride one day:
Take 226 into Marion
then, climb up route 80 back to the blue ridge—great road.
go east to Mt. mitchell, climb to top–
head back west on the blue ridge to little switzerland.
about 70 miles, 7000+ feet of climbing.
of course, this is probably one of the typical ones your pals know about…
Should check out the Blood, Sweat and Gears course leaving out of Valle Crucis, and the Blue Ridge Brutal course out of West Jefferson. Both maps are on the rides websites and mapmy ride.
i don’t know the area really at all. if anyone has links to mapped courses that would be a bonus!
You can google Blood, Sweat and Gears, and Blue Ridge Brutal and find all kinds of routes and cue sheets. Also, you can use mapmyride and look for routes near your target location. These routes and many others will be there also.
Ride to Asheville and back on the Blue Ridge Parkway with a climb up Mt Mitchell. That should get you all the climbing you want. BTW, I’m jealous. I stayed at LS while riding the BRP and loved it there. Very cool old hotel.