Our Tours

When a destination isn't enough let Black Bear Adventures Bicycle Tours take care of providing a vacation experience that will challenge as well as inspire you. While you focus on enjoying the trip your guides will take care of ensuring your needs are met. Your experience will include staying in the areas finest accommodations, indulging yourself in only the best local cuisine, and of course cycling some of the worlds most scenic and challenging roads.

Click on the titles for complete descriptions!

2012 Scheduled Tours

Blue Ridge Parkway
10 Days / 9 Nights

Our signature tour...enjoy spectacular views, challenging climbs and thrilling descents along this 469 mile journey from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Parkway Epic Tour
7 Days / 6 Nights

This is our most challenging annually scheduled cycling "vacation" and will test even the fittest cyclists. We will average over 95 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing a day. This tour is for those cyclists that want to test themselves on what could possibly be the toughest tour in America.

Blue Ridge Parkway Epic+ Tour
8 Days / 7 Nights

This is the grand daddy of all week long cycling vacations. The genesis of this tour happened after completion of the first Epic and under the influence of a few adult beverages. The group was discussing what's our next great challenge and after deliberations we came up with the idea of adding the Skyline Drive to the Epic which made it an astonishing 600 miles with more than 55,000 feet of climbing!

Natchez Trace
9 Days / 8 Nights

The Natchez Trace is a an unforgettable road that stretches 444-miles from the Mississippi River in Natchez through the Shoals area in Alabama across Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau and on  to Nashville.  This National Scenic Byway is perfectly suited for cycling and one of the finniest two wheel experiences your will ever encounter.

REI Scheduled Tours

Shenandoah Valley
4 Days / 3 Nights

Nestled between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains the Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most scenic and historic stretches of road in the U.S. The Valley is a cyclist's dream consisting of quiet country roads and consists of mostly gently rolling hills.

Asheville/BRP
4 Days / 3 Nights

The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are considered by many to be the outdoor adventure capital of the Eastern seaboard, the mountainous region of Western North Carolina is home to some of the best cycling in the country. Join us for ride among the highest peaks in the East, with expansive views and rolling terrain that is sure to be one of your most memorable cycling experiences.

 

Private Tour Templates

The Carolina Foothills - Lake Lure
5 Days / 4 Nights

Experience Southern hospitality at its finest at the historic Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock, NC. We will spend a couple of days cycling and exploring the quaint foothill communities of Flat Rock, Brevard and Saluda. After which we will transfer to the one of the most spectacular inns in the south, the wonderful Lodge on Lake Lure. From the sheer walls of granite surrounding "one of the worlds most beautiful lakes", to the spectacular Chimney Rock Park with its 75 mile views, the unsurpassed natural beauty of this tour will inspire all who join us.

North Georgia Mtns Tour
5 Days / 4 Nights

Challenge yourself on Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA, cycle through the Bavarian community of Helen, follow the roads of the storied Tour de Georgia and the infamous Six Gap Century by day but after all this exertion pamper yourself at The Smith House and the Brasstown Valley Resort. This tour is a wonderful mix of challenging cycling, exquisite lodging and scrumptious cuisine.  

Kentucky Bluegrass Tour
7 Days/ 6 Nights

The Bluegrass tour will highlight the very best that Kentucky has to offer. The blend of KY's quintessential cultural experiences include; the grand horse farms of Lexington, the arts & crafts capital of Kentucky, the largest restored Shaker community in America, and of course a trip along Kentucky's acclaimed Bourbon trail. But let's not forget the primary reason we are here, the cycling. Kentucky possesses miles of well paved, quiet  back roads that rival any that I have found in the country.

South Carolina/Georgia Coastal Tour
7 Days / 6 Nights

A wonderful tour of some of the most historic communities in the U.S. We spend two nights in each of the popular historic coastal towns of Savannah, Beaufort, and Charleston. A well balanced mix of activities including sea kayaking, touring some of America's most significant historical sites, and of course cycling. This tour will leave you in a state of sheer bliss.

Colorado Epic
9 Days / 8 Nights

The Colorado Epic will include such highlights as Rocky Mountain National Park, Vail, Aspen, and will include no fewer that 8 of Colorado's infamous passes! 

Southern Utah
8 Days / 7 Nights

This tour of southern Utah will include such highlights as Bryce & Zion National Parks, Grand Staircase Escalante, Capital Reef and much more!

Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive
12 Days / 11 Nights

The beautiful Skyline Drive is added to the front end of our "classic" 10 day version of the Blue ridge Parkway tour. Learn the history and witness the beauty of the Appalachian mountains as you cycle for 575 miles along two of the most pristine and scenic roads in America.

Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive II
16 Days / 15 Nights

Our original Skyline Drive - Blue Ridge Parkway tour ! Learn the history and witness the beauty of the Appalachian mountains as you cycle for 575 miles along two of the most pristine and scenic roads in America.

Blue Ridge Parkway II
13 Days/ 12 Nights

This is a more relaxed version of our signature Blue Ridge Parkway tour. You will still cover all 470 miles of this incredible national scenic byway but will do so without the 70+ mile days that are part of our more challenging version.

Southern Trace
6 Days / 5 Nights

We travel the southern section of the storied Natchez Trace, visiting historic Civil War battlefields, grand antebellum homes and the quiet back roads of Mississippi. We will stop overnight in the beautiful towns as Jackson, Vicksburg and of course the incomparable Antebellum city of Natchez. This tour will leave you with a true appreciation of Southern hospitality.

Northern Trace
6 Days / 5 Nights

This tour travels along the northern section of the storied Natchez Trace and some of the fabulous back roads of middle Tennessee and northwestern Alabama. The combination of inns, extra curricular activities and cycling make this one the very best tours we have to offer. 

Southern Blue Ridge
5 Days / 4 Nights

Ah, cycling the fabulous Blue Ridge Parkway ! This section of the Blue Ridge is the most spectacular of all, from the dramatic views of Looking Glass Rock to spectacular Linville Falls. This tour will be a true feast for the senses. We start this tour in the quaint mountain town of Blowing Rock and finish in the spectacular mountain city of Asheville. Along the way we will be staying in two of the most scenic lodges on the parkway, the Little Switzerland and Pisgah Inns.

Jewel of the Blue Ridge
4 Days / 3 Nights

This tour will be hosted in the beautiful city of Asheville, NC. On this tour we will cycle along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and the areas many scenic back roads. Enjoy stunning rock formations, endless mountain views, and beautiful waterfalls during the day and live music, delicious food and great shopping in downtown Asheville  at night.

Blue Ridge Sampler
3 Days / 2 Nights

The perfect tour for those new to bicycle vacationing or with limited free time. A wonderful sample of the spectacular scenery in one of the best regions in the country for cycling. Hosted at the marvelous Bent Creek lodge we take full advantage of the cycling out our front door while venturing into Asheville for an introduction into this wonderful city.

US Pro Cycling Challenge
10 Days / 9 Nights

The world’s best cyclists from teams such as RadioShack, HTC, Garmin-Cervelo, and Liquigas will be put to the test like never before. The US Pro Challenge will be a high-altitude endurance test on terrain unmatched anywhere else in the world, with altitudes double what riders typically face. Lance Armstrong – the most famous cyclist and the most influential athlete in America – is the visionary behind the US Pro Cycling Challenge.

US Pro Cycling Challenge II
6 Days / 5 Nights

For those who want to be a part of the inaugural US Pro Cycling Challenge but can't commit to the full 10 day tour we offer this condensed experience!

 


"I have longed to cycle the Blue Ridge Parkway from end to end and Black Bear Adventures made this dream possible. I have taken numerous cycling tours and others don't measure up in value for the dollar.

The support you and your staff provided was outstanding! The scenery and terrain were awesome, the accommodations were first rate, the food was fabulous and the van was there when ever I needed anything. What else could I ask for?

Thank you for the most memorable tour I could possibly imagine on the most difficult terrain I have ever cycled. I look forward to future tours with Black Bear Adventures. "
Janae - Chicago, IL

 
tour descriptions| tour dates | private tours | day tours | reservations | contact ushome

 © Copyright 2005, Black Bear Adventures