My Blue Ridge/Shenandoah Valley Obsession.

[XXtwindad]

If all goes according to plan, I'll do doing a "Bucket Lister" ride coming up soon. I've been enthralled with this area for a loooong time. Here are some of the books/guides I have for the area.

Some of my top rides I want to do in the area (in no particular order, except for the first one)

1) Asheville to Mount Mitchell
2) Asheville and Ox Creek/Jenkins Valley Loop
3) Asheville to Richland Balsam Overlook
4) Cherohala Skyway
5) Lexington/Goshen Pass Loop
6) Lexington/Blue Ridge Loop
7) Monterey/Blue Grass Loop
8) Monterey/Warm Springs Loop

Anything I'm missing? Anyone fortunate enough to have ridden the area and have some gems they'd like to share?

[weisan]

I started a thread to do a brainstorming session with the group here when I visited some friends in that area.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=75111

[FlashUNC]

You can do Mitchell to cross it off the list, but it's not a particularly noteworthy climb other than the elevation. All the better stuff -- more scenic, more interesting routes -- are either north or south of Mitchell and Asheville. Even west when you get closer to the Great Smokies on the state line.

I'd go to Asheville to spend a week mountain biking in Pisgah, rather than focusing on the roads. Blue Ridge Parkway is nice, but I never much cared for all the motorcycle and car traffic in the summer.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by weisan

I started a thread to do a brainstorming session with the group here when I visited some friends in that area.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=75111

Wow. Those photos. Exactly why I want to go to that region. I plan on taking my Alliance with 35c lightweight gravel wheels so I can take some roads “off the beaten path.”

[Blue Jays]

Sweet bucket list plan! Enjoy!

[AngryScientist]

when are we going? i have a pile of FTO and a microcamper

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

You can do Mitchell to cross it off the list, but it's not a particularly noteworthy climb other than the elevation. All the better stuff -- more scenic, more interesting routes -- are either north or south of Mitchell and Asheville. Even west when you get closer to the Great Smokies on the state line.

I'd go to Asheville to spend a week mountain biking in Pisgah, rather than focusing on the roads. Blue Ridge Parkway is nice, but I never much cared for all the motorcycle and car traffic in the summer.

Spent a week MTBing between Bryson City and Asheville about a decade ago. Tsali, Pisgah, etc. Lots of fun stories. Very few of them related to actual mountain biking. But my riding style has changed with age. Singletrack just doesn’t get me going anymore.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

when are we going? i have a pile of FTO and a microcamper

I’ll drop you a line. The more the merrier

[weisan]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

I’ll drop you a line. The more the merrier

What about me???

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by weisan

What about me???

See above Interested to know your highlights of the area. I can’t wait.

[Likes2ridefar]

I’m in the area for another week and have been riding daily. Though I’m more a gravel monger. Too much gravel to pass up here. I’m on the other side of the smokies though, not NC.

The foothills parkway (paved) is a few minutes from me so I ride that frequently. Really great ride and leads to many other opps like butterfly gap, montvale, heinous loop, and many more...

Wednesday’s you can ride rich mtn into Cade’s cove when cars are banned all day. Beautiful there!

[Spaghetti Legs]

I don’t know the Valley that well other than the Goshen Loop, which is gorgeous. If the Lexington - Blue Ridge loop goes up to the Parkway via Hwy 60, be advised that’s the main East West truck route for that area so it might make for an unpleasant climb.

Get yer riding in early at the lower elevations as it will be brutal hot and muggy! At 2000+ feet it’s not so bad. If I can’t get an early start I usually drive up to the Parkway/Skyline to beat the heat. If you plan on going east of the Blue Ridge between Lynchburg and Charlottesville, drop me a line.

[Tickdoc]

How about Cherohola Skyway?

[bambam]

See if you can find a Randoneur or the RBA in that region.
Search public rides on RidewithGPS or Strava.

Last year we did a 4 day ride to the Ashville area. The RBA in the Ashville area was helpful. Helped us avoid spots and include other one even motorcycle guides may no know about.

Day 4 We came in from Kingsport,Tn to Swannanoa that day thru Sams gap. Loved the route he came up with for us.

Have fun,
BamBam

[OtayBW]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

If all goes according to plan, I'll do doing a "Bucket Lister" ride coming up soon. I've been enthralled with this area for a loooong time. Here are some of the books/guides I have for the area.

Some of my top rides I want to do in the area (in no particular order, except for the first one)

1) Asheville to Mount Mitchell
2) Asheville and Ox Creek/Jenkins Valley Loop
3) Asheville to Richland Balsam Overlook
4) Cherohala Skyway
5) Lexington/Goshen Pass Loop
6) Lexington/Blue Ridge Loop
7) Monterey/Blue Grass Loop
8) Monterey/Warm Springs Loop

Anything I'm missing? Anyone fortunate enough to have ridden the area and have some gems they'd like to share?

Ride 1: Park at the FolkArt Center on the Parkway, just N where it crosses SR-70. Make sure you bring a headlamp for the tunnels.