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A guided bicycling tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway!https://blazeadventuretours.com/ride-the-ridge/
Details:
Rider Level
Intermediate -Advanced
Distance, Parcours, and Accommodation
33-65 miles daily, 6 days, mountainous terrain, paved surface.
Premium hotels and lodges
Daily long or short ride options
What's Included:
Hotel Accommodation
Daily baggage transfer
Fully guided tour with two (2) guides
Pre-tour consultation to make sure you are ready to go
All breakfasts and lunches unless otherwise specified
SAG support and water stops with snacks
Blaze Adventure Tours tri-blend T-shirt and water bottle
Free photos and trip video
*Optional Add-Ons*
Bicycle Rental
Hotel the night after the trip
Shuttle Service before or after trip
What's not Included:
Bicycle - Recommended touring or road bike with 23mm-32mm tires. (Need help bringing your own bike? We will handle the logistics and can facilitate bike rentals)
Alcohol and souvenirs
Dinners (excellent options will always be close at hand)
The Lowdown
The Blue Ridge Parkway is America's longest linear park, spanning 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. It connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469). Littered with gorgeous overlooks, breathtaking views, and winding scenic roads, the parkway is a highly sought-after destination for East Coast cyclists.
Our Journey will take us from Asheville, NC to Charlottesville, VA to see all the highlights of the Blue Ridge Parkway!
What You'll Love
The magic of the Blue Ridge Parkway is hard to put into words. Every morning there is a more beautiful sunrise and every evening there is a more stunning sunset. Evenings are best spent recounting the day around the campfire with your fellow riders. If the clouds behave at night, you might even get to see the Milky Way. Embrace the ride, embrace the experience, embrace your companions and leave the parkway with memories that you'll never forget. Join us for a guided Blue Ridge Parkway bicycle tour!
The Night Before
Riders will settle in at the Springhill Suites by Marriott just a mile off of the parkway. Enjoy a day in Asheville and hit some of the highlights before setting off into the Mountains. Meet us at Highland Brewing Company for a get-to-know-us drink! These will be the people you’ll spend the next 6 days touring the Blue Ridge Parkway with, so the bonding starts now. We will have a beer (or whatever you prefer) and get excited about the epic trip awaiting us. Don't stay up too late, because we will have an early start in the morning!
The Tour
Day 1 - 45 miles; 6,133 feet of climbing OR 60 miles; 8,028 feet of climbing:
Day 1 starts with a bang! The group will assemble outside of our hotel to pack up and head out. The first half of the day is uphill toward the highest peak east of the Mississippi. No blue ridge bike trip would be complete without Mount Mitchell which sits at an elevation of 6,684 feet. The air is a bit thin and the climb is steep, but the view is more than worth it. Our route takes us directly to the mountain. Riders will have the option to tackle the 4.8-mile climb up to the summit or shuttle up where we will have lunch with the best view in North Carolina. The rest of the day is mostly downhill to our hotel in Little Switzerland. Riders have the option to shuttle or ride to the mountain hamlet.
Day 2 - 36 miles; 3,631 feet of climbing OR 50 miles; 4,869 feet of climbing: The second day of our trip will be a bit shorter with less climbing to let our legs recover from our assault on Mount Mitchell. We will shuttle across the Linville River, home of the beautiful Linville Falls. The falls are 45 feet tall! A short hike will lead us to a gorgeous view before we start our day's ride. Highlights of the day include a magnificent view of Grandfather Mountain ecological preserve and a ride over the Linn Cove Viaduct! We end in Glendale where we will tour the Church of the Frescos before shuttling to our hotel nearby.
Day 3 - 34 miles - 2,993 feet of climbing: With one of the gentler elevation profiles, Day 3 should be a more laid-back day. Our series of ups and downs takes us to Floyd, VA. This unique town of about 700 people will give us a taste of civilization. Before that we'll enjoy lunch at the historic Mabry Mill*. The mill was operated in the early 1900's and has since been converted to a historic demonstration site. The restaurant serves pancakes until noon, so pedal fast! After lunch we stop at the Villa Appalachia winery and enjoy the incredible view from their Villa. A shuttle ride from the vineyard to Floyd leaves plenty of time to peruse the cute shops before dinner and our stay at the Hotel Floyd
*This lunch is not included
Day 4 - 34 miles; 3,011 feet of climbing OR 48 miles 3,857 feet of climbing
The fourth day of the tour takes us all the way to Roanoke, VA! It’s a faster day, so riders will have the opportunity for a great afternoon excursion. Options include Tuco's Tacos, Big Lick Brewing Company, the pinball museum, the Green Goat Restaurant, and much much more! After enjoying all Roanoake has to offer we'll rest our heads at the Springhill Suites
Day 5 - 35 miles - 4,001 feet of climbing: Say goodbye to Roanoke! But don't worry, this is one of the most beautiful days of the trip. All of the climbing will be well worth it when we roll into Peaks of Otter Lodge. The three peaks have been a vacation destination since the time of Thomas Jefferson; we doubt he arrived by bicycle. Relax by the lake, grab dinner and a cocktail at the bar/restaurant, or take a hike in the hills. The breakfast* and coffee in the morning is to die for. For those feeling fresh there are fantastic hikes up to Sharp Top or Flat Top Peak.
*Breakfast this day is not included
Day 6 - 36 miles; 3,795 feet of climbing OR 47 miles; 5,014 feet of climbing:
The final day of the tour won't leave you disappointed. From Peaks of Otter, we climb to the highest point in Virginia on the Blue Ridge Parkway: the top of Apple Orchard Mountain. Enjoy the views at 3,900 feet, because we immediately descend to the lowest point of the parkway when we cross the James River, at only 650 feet above sea level. Rest your legs on that long descent because the next section takes us back up to ridge height for our lunch at House Mountain Overlook. Soak in the views as we say goodbye to the parkway. We will shuttle to King Family Vineyards for some goodbye drinks and food before making our way into Charlottesville.
Congratulations, you just cycled the Blue Ridge Parkway!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805, United States
Tickets
