Blue Ridge Parkway Epic+

We meet at the Sheraton Four Points in Asheville, NC at 10:00 am to the shuttle to the Northern Terminus of the Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA. After getting settled in we gather at 6:30 pm for a review of the tour logistics and itinerary before heading out to dinner.

Yeah thats right 105 miles on Day 1, with options for more! No wading in here at Black Bear Adventures, this is the Epic. But a word of advice for those new to cycling in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the stretches of long climbs and never ending series of shorter climbs will wear you down if not treated with the utmost respect…easy does it is the approach to take. THIS IS a SIGNIFIGANT ENDURANCE event and is best handled by easing into the effort ahead. The 1^st half of the day will be spent working our way to the high point on the Skyline Drive at just over 4000 feet before stepping down to Rockfish Gap, the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway!

We cycle from Rockfish Gap, the northern terminus of the BRP to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Today’s stage has wonderful long range views of the Shenandoah Valley. After a series of climbs to start the day we roll up and down along this narrow ribbon of road before descending to the lowest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the James River at 650 feet. After this glorious descent comes what I consider to be the toughest single climb of the entire tour, Apple Orchard Mtn. It climbs 3000+ feet in the span of 13 miles.

Stage two continues to prepare us for the longer climbs ahead. By now the nature of the Blue Ridge Parkway with its never ending ups and downs has fully revealed itself and hopefully you have accepted that you can’t overpower this road; you must make friends with it and take it as it comes. Today’s ride takes us down to the Roanoke River Valley and up through the Rocky Knob recreational area. Tonight we each stay in our own private cabin at this scenic little oasis in the Virginia highlands.

The second in a series of 3 consecutive mountain centuries…it is the Epic after all! After breakfast we head out for Blowing Rock entering North Carolina at milepost 217. The cycling today will be a mix of rolling terrain with numerous short climbs and includes incredible scenery as we pass through Doughton Park and approach the “High Country”.  This evening we will not only enjoy the comfort of our lodge but we will have an opportunity to explore one of the highlands most popular destinations.

Today we cycle from Blowing Rock to Asheville, my favorite city along the Blue Ridge. There will be many reasons to get off the bike and stretch your legs today as we cycle past some of the most notable highlights along the Parkway such as  the fabled Linn Cove Viaduct, Grandfather Mtn., Mt. Mitchell, and Craggy Gardens. Our home for the balance of the tour will be the hip and vibrant Asheville.

This is it, the final day, 81 dramatic miles through some of the most beautiful but challenging terrain of the entire tour. We begin with the strenuous climb up Mt. Pisgah, continue climbing along the Ridge, plunge down one of three glorious descents today, climb the last of the big parkway climbs, Waterrock Knob, before eventually finishing with a long descent into the town of Cherokee. To celebrate everyone’s accomplishment of finishing this challenging tour we will explore the city of Asheville where we will enjoy a great meal and as much camaraderie as we can stand.