Cycling Meccas - the French Alps, the Italian Dolomites, the Rockies ..... Asheville, NC? A resounding YES as a bunch of us lucky Downeast Racing guys found out last week. After driving 1030 miles from the ice, snow and potholes of Maine, we found ourselves luxuiating in 60+ degree sunshine and lusting for the silky smooth, sinuating pavement that lead to the hills enveloping the cozy city of Asheville. Really, it was shocking to us how smooth the pavement was ON EVERY RIDE as the roads in Maine take a brutal pounding and are destroyed 3 years after repaving (which, unfortunately, happens maybe every 5 years!). It didn't take long for us to jump on our Giant TCR Advanced 1's to check out the surroundings. Our plan was to hit every quadrant around Asheville and log a ton of miles and elevation.
It can be argued that the climbing and descending in this region rival that of anywhere. We did one climb up the Blue Ridge Parkway that went up & over Mt. Pisgah that was 26 miles long with maybe four slight downhill breaks of about a minute. It was 1.75 hrs of climbing mostly in the 11/23. Challenging climbs of 4 to 5 miles are common and the following descents would give a descender like Cadel Evans goosebumps. Pure joy for sure. Memorable climbs include:
- in the northwest quadrant, Betsy's Gap Road (rte 209) which leads to the rte 63 climb (probably the best descent anywhere, ever)
- in the southwest quadrant, Mt. Pisgah Highway (Hwy 151 to Blue Ridge Parkway), and then ride the BRP south and come down Lake Logan Road (rte 215) - 6 miles of constant twists and turns
- just north of Asheville is Reems Creek Road (rte 1003 - steep!!) which leads to Ox Creek Road and that will take you up to the BRP.
- coming right out of town is Town Mountain Road, a 5 mile ascent to the BRP (4 of it uphill)
Asheville itself is an upbeat town with a vibrant city center full of off-beat shops and a huge variety of first rate restuarants. Plenty of good local beer, too, should you be a little dehydrated after 100 miles or so of riding. Lots of people, lots of fun.
In conclusion, either as a training camp site or just being a cycling tourist, Asheville, NC is definitely worth a visit sometime during one's cycling adventures.
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