The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Blue Wall of the Carolinas 2017

October 8th to October 20th

Ride Director: Julie Leever
Ride Co-Director: Tom Leever
Report by: Elizabeth Heinz

With this ditty we thank Julie and Tom

For a Blue Ridge adventure, second to none

We’ve glided down mountains, then climbed right back up

Lovely goodies, good wines, and delicious dinners to sup

(Ted Wall)

Day 1: Asheville - Pretty loop ride through countryside and farms with occasional expansive views. Past hand cultivated tomato farms and streets named Dog Patch Trail and Lady Bug Lane.

Day 2: Asheville to Brevard - At 8 miles begin an ascent on the Blue Ridge Parkway past an upscale neighborhood then lush forest. At the top of the 13 mile ascent Mt Pitsgah has a restaurant and store. It afforded great views of neighboring mountains and fall foliage. It’s a good lunch stop before the long descent on the Parkway and through the National forest. Sites of interest are the Discovery Forest, the Ranger station and a lovely waterfall.

Day 3: Brevard - Short option was relatively flat through pretty countryside with numerous farms. The longer option had 3 big climbs and otherwise was rolling hills through the DuPont Forest where part of The Hunger Games was filmed. The last section was through pretty farmland and downtown Brevard. A great lunch stopover.

Day 4: Brevard to Greenville - Started on winding roads in the Forest, then climbed to Caesars Head with a beautiful summit lookout. Afterwards a fantastic descent, then rolling hills to Travelers Rest. Lunch and ice cream in Travelers Rest before venturing on the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Greenville.

Day 5: Greenville - A fun attractive city to explore. Don’t miss the extensive Falls Park near the junction of Main Street and the river. The Fall for Greenville festival was occurring.

Day 6: Greenville to Saluda - Rode the pretty Swamp Rabbit Trail to Travelers Rest. Then on beautiful back roads, with a gradual pleasant climb through the Greenville watershed for 9 miles into Saluda. Great lunch stopover before the 3 miles to the Saluda Mountain Lodge with it’s majestic setting.

Day 7: Saluda - Loop ride out of Saluda which starts downhill and continues with lovely rolling hills past beautiful horse farms. Tryon makes a good morning brunch stop. It’s easily one of the most beautiful rides of the trip. There is a long climb back to the Inn with some steep grades.

Day 8: Saluda to Hendersonville - After a long descent leaving Saluda, the road climbs gradually before leaving the forest.. One rides through pretty horse country to Flat Rock, with a popular bakery. Then it’s a short cycle into Hendersonville with a lively small city center. The Charleston Inn is a highlight.

Day 9: Hendersonville loop - A lovely ride up Davis mountain or to Jump Off Rock, past local neighborhoods. One continues past horse ranches and farms before the optional climb up Jeter mountain. It then heads back to Flat Rock and farmland with apple orchards.

Day 10: Hendersonville to Black Mountain - This day is hands down the highlight of the trip. Cycling past neighborhoods, farms, and apple orchards before several climbs and descents to Chimney Rock, and Bat Cave. Climbing out of Bat Cave on back roads to Old Fort one takes old highway 70 until it becomes a paved trail climbing gently through the forest. It has a nice lookout about 2/3 the way up. It’s a refreshing downhill from there to Black Mountain. The Red Rocker Inn is a lovely large B&B appointed with antiques and delicious food.

Day 11: Black Mountain to Asheville - The Folk Arts Center is a highlight on the journey back to Asheville. An option was to climb up Mt Mitchel before heading back to Asheville.