Blue Ridge Parkway Cycling

Blue Ridge Parkway Cycling Itinerary:

• Day 1 Ready to ride, we meet at the Asheville REI store for a trip orientation and warm-up ride before heading out for dinner.

  Our trip begins at 4:00pm today at the REI store in Asheville. We will spend some time getting to know each other while reviewing our itinerary and fitting our bikes. We will hit the road for a short ride to ensure proper fit and to go over any operational concerns. We'll head back to the store for some last minute tweaks and tune ups, and any last minute shopping before heading just across the street where we will enjoy a dinner together. After dinner we will shuttle to our hotel in downtown Asheville. Dinner Included.

• Day 2 Bike rolling hills north of Asheville, stopping in the hip town of Marshall, then return by way of a challenging hill up Otter Creek or along the French Broad River.

  We will start out the day with a hearty breakfast before heading out for our first full day in the saddle. Today we will be heading into the gorgeous rolling hills just north of Asheville. Along the way we will make a stop in Marshall, NC a hip little town located on the eastern bank of the French Broad River in picturesque Madison County. We will have a couple of options for our return route this afternoon; one of which includes the challenging hill climb up Otter Creek; or alternatively, the more direct route that follows the shore of the French Broad right back into town. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

  Cycling: 43 or 56 miles; Elevation gain approx 2,500ft or 4,500ft

• Day 3 Today we ride the Blue Ridge Parkway's most stunning stretch; south from Mt. Pisgah to its highest point along the southwestern slope of Richland Balsam.

  Today we tackle the Blue Ridge Parkway's most stunning stretch; south from Mt. Pisgah to highest point along the Parkway, the southwestern slope of Richland Balsam. This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is absolutely gorgeous, with incredibly expansive views of the Southern Appalachian forest. The entire route is contained exclusively within the boundaries of protected National Forests and designated Wilderness areas and is surrounded by the unique southern spruce-fir ecosystem. Options for the day include shuttles "up" to the Blue Ridge Parkway, or taking on one of the classic hill climbs that intersect it. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

  Cycling: 45 miles or 63 miles; Elevation gain approx 3,500ft or 5,000ft

• Day 4 Our final day of riding is a loop taking in some famed landmarks of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

  After another full and hearty breakfast to start the day, we set out for a classic loop ride touring true land marks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This gorgeous ride takes us past the world famous Grove Park Inn, a historic turn-of-the-century resort hotel on the western-facing slope of Sunset Mountain. We will climb a local favorite along Town Mountain Road, intersecting with the Blue Ridge Parkway once again. Later we drop down to the Asheville river valley and cycle through beautiful Biltmore Forest before heading home. Breakfast and lunch included.

  Cycling: 28 miles; Elevation gain approx 200ft

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

The bike provided on this tour and included in the trip price is the Blue Competition RD1 Full Carbon Bike. A real stunner of a road bike, the RD1 frame is made of Blue's own Aerus Composites T700 high modulus monocoq carbon fiber and the front end is controlled by the Aerus Conquest C4FK full carbon fork (450 grams). Using a Shimano 105 10 speed drive train, American Classic Victory wheel set, FSA gossamer brakes, Aerus brand cockpit, seat post and saddle, and an FSA Omega compact MEGA EXO 50/34 crank set, this package is a terrific setup for our tour.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available.

Three nights hotel accommodation; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; professional instruction and guiding; support vehicle; bike details; group first aid kit, shuttle services.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), Asheville, NC - 15 minutes

Greenville – Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Greenville, SC – 1 hour, 15 minutes

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, NC - 2 hours

This trip is rated Vigorous [4] as we plan to cycle between 30-60 miles per day most days with some steeper hill climbs, gaining and/or losing 4,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation some days. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

In the summer months, the average daytime high is 75 F, with evening temperatures dropping to the low 60's. Late season fall temperatures cool down with daytime highs in the 60's and evening lows in the 40's. Thunderstorms are always a possibility at any time in the mountains, making adequate raingear a must.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

This gear list has been created to help you choose the best equipment for your trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Having the proper gear is vital to your comfort and overall enjoyment of the trip. The weather and other conditions at the time of your arrival will dictate what clothing and equipment you will be required to use each day and what (if anything) can be left behind. It may be a necessary precaution that you bring certain items on the list, even if it is uncertain whether or not they’ll be needed. If you do not already own all of the necessary gear and are not certain if you will participate in outdoor trips on a regular basis, please consider renting.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection.

Weather

In the summer months, the average daytime high is 75 F, with evening temperatures dropping to the low 60's. Late season fall temperatures cool down with daytime highs in the 60's and evening lows in the 40's. Thunderstorms are always a possibility at any time in the mountains, making adequate raingear a must.

Gear Checklist