Appalachian Blue Ridge 2017

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  Meet Tuesday, September 26, 2017. First cycling day, Wednesday, Sept 27; last cycling day, Thursday, Oct 5. Departure day is Friday, Oct 6. Ride starts and ends in Asheville, NC. Nine cycling days including two lay-over days.  Included in the tour cost of $1,500 are 5 dinners; 7 breakfasts, maps, cue sheets, luggage van and driver.  We encourage single riders to sign up who are willing to share a room. We will assist with finding a roommate. Single supplement, if available, is $750. Our start/end hotel is the Four Points by Sheraton Asheville where it is a short walk to downtown restaurants, museums and shops.

RIDE RATING:  This trip averages 47 Mi/Day and 3,785 Ft/Day of climbing.  It is rated a 4B. The most difficult day is the last day with 50 miles and 4,870 ft of climbing. The grades are moderate at less than 6%, with a couple of spots topping out at 10%. There are frequent short tunnels along the Blue Ridge Parkway section on the last day of the tour. Cyclists are required by law (and common sense) to have head lights and tail lights. Day three includes a 10 mile stretch of busy roads.

WEATHER: The weather is usually cool to warm. Average temps are from the mid 60s to the mid 70s. However, temperatures can vary into the 40s, particularly with rain. Be prepared with cold weather rain gear.

DESCRIPTION: This tour is mostly about the rides and views. The tour loops west and north of Asheville into the Appalachian Mountains and finishes with four days riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway back to Asheville. On our first day, we head west from Asheville on a 44-mile climb to Hot Springs, a small town on the Appalachian Trail. We are staying in two quaint B&B’s and dining at a downtown restaurant. Day two is a ride to Erwin, Tennessee. Day three we cycle to Banner Elk, NC, passing Roan Mountain on the way (or climbing up it if you wish). Note that there are 10 miles of busy roads on this day.  Day four and five are in W. Jefferson, NC where rolling pastures and barns are sprinkled among the many Christmas tree farms.  On day six we cycle along a winding river road before entering the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Photo ops are frequent with scenic views of the expansive hills and valleys.  On the Parkway, vehicle speeds are reduced and commercial traffic is prohibited.  Day six brings us to Blowing Rock, NC for two nights. Horseback riding is available on the layover day, or you can visit Boone, NC or hike up Grandfather Mountain. Blowing Rock is named for the 1,500 ft jutting rock formation over the Johns River gorge.  Wind currents from the gorge can defy gravity and blow light objects vertically up the gorge.  Day eight we again ride the Parkway all the way to Little Switzerland, NC and the Swiss Inn. The town was founded because it commands panoramic views reminiscent of the foothills of the Swiss Alps.  There’s hiking or the possibility to relax and enjoy the panoramic view from your room. From there we proceed on the Parkway back to Asheville. 

LOGISTICS: Fly in and out of Asheville/Hendersonville Airport. A cab ride to the hotel will cost approximately $40. Bike boxes will be stored in a rented cube parked at the hotel. The front desk will have the key for the cube.  Second year tour is offered by leaders Tom and Julie Leever.  BAC members may contact the ride leaders by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description. A deposit of $ 500 assures your place on the tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  Note that most hotels on the tour require a final count for the reservation 30 days in advance.) If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support, including changing their own flat tires.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($50) and tour deposit ($500) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.