Group of friends looking to drive to North Carolina for a week of cycling in March. Looking for best spots to call home base with lots of good riding close by and rental houses or condos as well as a few decent restaurants. Any suggestions? Weather warm enough to ride comfortably at that time of year?
I am in Winston-Salem, and think this area fits the bill! Asheville is a great area of course but in March the weather could still be dicey in the Mountains. From here you can bike to the mountains if it is nice, or stay in the Piedmont area if the weather is rough in the mountains. We have a good tri-community, many good bike shops, etc. We have famous triathletes like Herbert here too! Please let me know if I can help you…been biking the area roads for 30 + years!
Asheville is really great. I went last year and learned to ride in the cold. The week before I was there it was in the 70’s and the week after it was in the 70’s. But the week I was there it was drizzly and in the high 40’s. But I was there, so I learned that it was not so bad to ride in the cold. And the riding was really really awesome on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus great places to eat.
This is all a great help, thanks! As we key in on our plans I will definitely take you up on your offer for more help and maybe we can bribe you with lunch to show us your fav ride. Any ideas for lodging: house or condo rentals preferred … maybe a local web site for rentals?
My race team goes down to the Roan Mountain area in late spring and occasionally in the fall (alternate between Helen, GA that I highly recommend as well). Roan is the biggest MTN in the area and the roads are otherwise very clear and perfect. The locals are quite polite and used to cyclists all over. I like Asheville, but more for MTN biking and there is a lot more traffic.
PM if you want and I can get you the name of an awesome cabin (huge 3 story house) that can sleep a dozen right on the back side of Roan MTN near Glen Ayre. We have been staying there for years and he loves cyclists. Got him to put in a wifi for us since there is NOTHING else down there (no cell phone coverage, dry county so pack in your adult beverages, etc.).
That sounds great too although I am concerned about “Dry County” which I assume does not mean that the county has not had a lot of rain for the last few years. My friends are mostly guys who are serious about cycling (mostly roadies) but striving for that perfect life balance … between wine, good food and cycling 
Not sure a dry county is going to pass the referendum.
Asheville is really great. I went last year and learned to ride in the cold. The week before I was there it was in the 70’s and the week after it was in the 70’s. But the week I was there it was drizzly and in the high 40’s. But I was there, so I learned that it was not so bad to ride in the cold. And the riding was really really awesome on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus great places to eat.
Full disclosure - I have not ridden in the area myself, but know lots of other guys that I ride with that have gone down to the area at that time of year to get in a week of riding. That is the one knock on it - the weather is variable. At that time of the year you may get a great week, or you may get a rainy and cold one - or a few days of that in an otherwise good week. Coming from Ontario, I am no stranger to riding in lousy weather so no big deal. Have all the kit and gear and have ridden thousands of miles in awful weather over the years. It’s just at that time of year, for me personally, I would prefer top go some place were the weather is warmer and a bit more consistent.
Yeah, we are bunch of lushes as well and bring down plenty 
It isn’t too far into Spruce Pine and to some decent (actually pretty good) restaurants. Great coffee shop there, but closes at 3! each afternoon that we usually just make it to. As was mentioned, bring ALL your cycling gear since the weather can be absolutely anything from 70 to snow. Will be cold up on Roan MTN (5400 feet or so near the Rhododendron gardens I think).
The other roads are just awesome. Here is a photo of “railroad gauge” road. about 7 feet wide, rock cliffs on the side about 10 feet high, follows a winding river, never saw a car on it in 5 years, just awesome. We have a team photo-op tradition in the narrow section every year. I’m the guy trying to look tough in the center
Here is a view of the back side or Roan Mountain from the house
I’ll agree with what everyone else has said. There are great riding opportunities throughout the Western and Piedmont (central) areas of NC. No one has mentioned the area near Boone (Blowing Rock, Valle Crucis, Beech Mtn.) that LA referred to as some of the best riding in the country. The Blue Ridge Parkway is great for riding and you could do hundreds of (very hilly) miles just staying on the Parkway between VA and GA.
In March, the weather could be full on Spring one week and snow on the ground the next (we’ve had some of our biggest snow accumulations in March, though that would be very unusual). Even if the weather is perfect, you can expect cold (low 30’s/high 20’s) early mornings followed by 70’s in the mid-day - especially in the mountains.
Wow … great location. I think this will be a fun choice! Great views!!!
All good responses, but if you want to plan in advance, you can NOT count on the weather in the mountains aka Asheville, Boone, Spruce Pine. Off the top of my head I do not know of rentals here…never had to do it::-)! So, your internet search is as good as mine.
If it is nice, I can ride from here to the BRP …but, it can be completely different weather up there. There is a book on rides in and around Winston-Salem That si very good and all the local shops have. I’ll certainly be glad to help.
Stay away from the eastern section of NC, there is nothing but mindless flat boring roads in these parts…& plenty of drivers with attitude issues. Wish I lived further west.
Ron W.
What David said. Asheville, Boone and Black Mountain are all great places in terms of nature and general ambiance, but weather is surely a bit more sketchy there.
Plenty of good restaurants here in the West End of Wnston-Salem plus here is also the Central YMCA if you want to get a swim in.
I’ll ask around about some short term rentals here. How big is your group?
Thanks - we will be 6 to 8 guys.
If it matters
Asheville has great restaurants and has been “Beer City” for the past 3 yrs
.
Asheville is really great. I went last year and learned to ride in the cold. The week before I was there it was in the 70’s and the week after it was in the 70’s. But the week I was there it was drizzly and in the high 40’s. But I was there, so I learned that it was not so bad to ride in the cold. And the riding was really really awesome on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus great places to eat.
Full disclosure - I have not ridden in the area myself, but know lots of other guys that I ride with that have gone down to the area at that time of year to get in a week of riding. That is the one knock on it - the weather is variable. At that time of the year you may get a great week, or you may get a rainy and cold one - or a few days of that in an otherwise good week. Coming from Ontario, I am no stranger to riding in lousy weather so no big deal. Have all the kit and gear and have ridden thousands of miles in awful weather over the years. It’s just at that time of year, for me personally, I would prefer top go some place were the weather is warmer and a bit more consistent.
Asheville here and you are 100% correct. It can be in the 70’s or it can be snowing. It is one of the best places in the world to ride when the weather is cooperating. Fleck you should check it out. Let me know if you are ever this way and I’ll be happy to show you around.
Lots has been said about Asheville, but I will add this: March, even if its a warm day, will still have some pretty cold mornings (20s-30s, maybe colder)…basically every morning. Evening will cool down quickly too. Afternoons should be good, though.