Blue Ridge Parkway Bicycle Tour

For 469 miles the Blue Ridge Parkway weaves, rises and falls through the magnificent mountain ranges that make up the Blue Ridge . The Parkway stretches from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains. On this tour we will climb over 45,000 feet as we cycle the entire length of the Parkway and discover the beauty it beholds. A quote from Elizabeth & Charlie Skinner's book Bicycling the Blue Ridge best sums up the experience of cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway - "There is no ribbon of road in the country more ideal for bicycling than the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway"  Itinerary Day 1 - Shuttle from Asheville to Waynesboro We leave Asheville at 10am to shuttle to  Waynesboro, VA. the bordering town of Rockfish Gap, the origination point of the Blue Ridge Parkway. After dinner in town we will return for an early evening and much needed rest before you begin the challenge of cycling the length Blue Ridge Parkway. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Day 2 - The Journey Begins We begin with a short shuttle to the northern terminus of Parkway to begin our bicycle tour of the Blue Ridge. Today we will cycle to the Peaks of Otter Lodge, which is one of three lodges operated by the Park Service that are located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today's route is one of the most challenging both because of its length and the long climb up Apple Orchard Mtn. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage = 86 Miles Elevati0n Gain = 8500 feet Day 3 - Peaks of Otter to Floyd, VA. Today we will cycle another 86 miles on our way to the hip little community of Floyd, VA. We will begin the day by descending out from the Peaks of Otter into the Roanoke River valley, climb out of the river valley and then roll along beautiful farmlands to our host for the evening, the Hotel Floyd. Dinner will include wonderfully fresh local organic cuisine and live regional music. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage: 86 Miles Elevati0n Gain = 7500 feet Day 4 - Floyd, VA to Doughton Park This morning we set out for the Bluffs Lodge in Doughton Park. Along the 82 mile route we will climb through the Rocky Knob area, continue to roll through preserved VA farmland, cross into North Carolina and climb up through Doughton Park before reaching our destination. Our meal this evening will be one of the finest examples of traditional southern cuisine. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage: 82 Miles Elevati0n Gain = 7500 feet Day 5 - Doughton Park to Blowing Rock Today's 51 mile route will start with a beautiful descent past sheer rock faces after which we will tackle a series of short climbs as we work our way into the beautiful mountain town of Blowing Rock for a much deserved day off. That evening we will relax at the luxurious Chetola Resort, which is within walking distance of the many interesting shops and fine restaurants that make up this popular tourist destination. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage: 55 Miles Elevati0n Gain = 5000 feet Day 6 - A Day of Recovery in Beautiful Blowing Rock The day is yours today to do whatever you choose. You may choose to stroll through the area's many shops, relax by the hotel pool or join a few of us as we cycle the infamous climbs of the once fabled Tour DuPont. Meals: Breakfast Mileage: Day Off Day 7 - Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland Following our day off we get "back in the saddle" with short day to reacquaint the legs to the stress of cycling on the BRP. This segment of the Parkway is one of the most scenic stretches and will take us across the famous Linn Cove Viaduct,  past Grandfather Mountain and up to the quaint little community of Little Switzerland.  This evening we will stay at the Switzerland Inn, with its fabulous views and fine cuisine. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage: 45 Miles Elevati0n Gain = 4200 feet Day 8 - The Queen Stage, Little Switzerland to Mt. Pisgah Today's stage will be a serious test for even the strongest among us. We climb from Little Switzerland up and over the Black and Craggy Mountains before a long descent into the Asheville River Valley that leads to a final long climb up Mt. Pisgah...oh yeah and along the way there is an option to conquer Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage: 75 Miles (84 miles w/ optional 9 miles round trip to top of Mt. Mitchell) Elevati0n Gain = 8500 feet (10,000 feet) Day 9 - The Final Glorious Day Along the Blue Ridge Parkway This is it, the final day, 62 dramatic miles through some of the most beautiful scenery of the entire tour. Today we will cycle along the Pisgah Ridge to the Great Balsam mountains, where we will pass over the highest point on the Parkway, and eventually finish with a long descent into the town of Cherokee near the Great Smoky Mountains. To celebrate everyone's accomplishment of finishing this challenging tour we will shuttle into the city of Asheville where we will enjoy a gourmet meal and sample the famed night life of this beautiful city. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Mileage: 62 Miles Elevati0n Gain = 7500 feet Day 10 - Final Farewell After our final group meal you are free to depart at your leisure. The trip home will be a time to reflect on the incredible accomplishment of cycling the entire length of this beautiful road and the new friends you have made along the way. Meals: Breakfast