Overview

Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at The Foundry Hotel at 10:30 AM. After a 30-minute private shuttle, you’ll arrive in the small community of Marshall and will enjoy lunch on the patio of Zadie's Kitchen. Afterward, your guides will lead a short round of introductions and fit you to your bike. Then you'll head out on today's ride, which follows the French Broad River before crossing into the communities west of the river and eventually ending at your downtown Asheville home for the next three nights. Take some time to settle in before gathering for a drink in the Workshop Lounge and getting to know your fellow travelers. You'll hear about all the fun and adventure in store for you in the days ahead from your guides, then you'll walk just a few blocks to Chef John Fleer's restaurant, Rhubarb.

Overview

This morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast of Appalachian-inspired soul food at Benne on Eagle before heading out on a ride through the rural community of Leicester, located to the northwest of Asheville. Those who want to add some additional miles and elevation at the end of this ride may tackle a local’s favorite climb up Elk Mountain. After the morning ride, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you like. Grab lunch at one of the downtown cafes and explore the many unique shops, galleries, and the vibrant street scene that Asheville is known for. You may also want to explore some of the South Slope breweries, located within easy walking distance of the hotel. Whatever your afternoon holds, you are on your own for dinner this evening with the impressive array of downtown options just a short walk away.

Overview

Amazing riding awaits you today on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. The route begins on the many switchbacks of Town Mountain as you climb out of town and drop onto the Parkway at Craven Gap. From here it's a 13-mile climb on mostly gentle grades, punctuated by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as you make your way to the Craggy Gardens area. At the top of this long climb, your guides will provide a delicious roadside lunch and you can take in views of the surrounding peaks as you enjoy. After lunch, you can choose to ride back to town (as you guessed, it's mostly downhill!) or continue to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. The final four and a half miles to the summit are some of the steepest of the day, but the views from the observation tower at the top are quite a reward! At 71 miles, the avid option today is the most challenging ride of the trip. Of course, your guides will provide options for those who wish to skip some of the climbing today. Those who return to the hotel after lunch can take some time to explore the various sections of Asheville on a historic trolley tour; arrange a visit to the Biltmore Estate; or browse the offerings of the many small vintage shops downtown. This evening the group will convene for a short walk to dinner at The Blackbird Restaurant, which features a seasonal menu that focuses on harvests from local farmers and fresh catches from the Carolina coast.

Overview

Pack your bags this morning for the only transfer day of the trip. You will shuttle about 30 minutes out of downtown Asheville to begin riding in the community of Mills River. A quick, scenic loop through Horse Shoe brings you to Mills River Brewing Company. Here you can enjoy some samples of the numerous beers on tap along with a lunch of tasty dishes from Juju's Craft Cookery that is sure to hit the spot after your morning on the bike. If you want to end your riding day here and shuttle to more samples at the Oskar Blues Brewery, we won't blame you! However, for those who wish to pedal between the two breweries, this afternoon offers some beautiful cycling as you head towards the small towns of Brevard and Pisgah Forest. Oskar Blues features a simple tasting room and outdoor patio where you can enjoy a pint before shuttling or riding the last few miles to Pilot Cove cabins, your home for the next two nights. Here you can relax on the private deck of your own spacious cabin and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest, as the gorgeous Pilot Cove property shares a border with the 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest. This evening you are on your own to explore the culinary offerings of downtown Brevard, a short shuttle ride away.

Overview

This morning, after enjoying breakfast on the deck of your cabin, it's time to decide how you'd like to spend your day. Pedal past houses and farms before riding through lush DuPont State Forest, and, if you're up for more miles, add some beautiful ones along the East Fork of the French Broad River. Take a break at the end of your ride to enjoy a fresh, tasty lunch and hand-dipped ice cream as you try to spot one of the famous white squirrels that populate the area. Mid-afternoon you will meet your naturalist guide for a walk in the nearby Pisgah National Forest, where you will learn about the local plants, wildlife and history of this biologically diverse area. Tonight you will gather for a final social hour and dinner in the Pilot Cove amphitheater. Enjoy live bluegrass music and local BBQ (vegetarian and vegan diets can easily be accommodated) as you toast an unforgettable week in the Southern Appalachian mountains.

Overview

Following breakfast, there's time for one more spin, and this morning's gorgeous ride will take you beneath the enveloping canopy of Pisgah National Forest. Cruise alongside the Davidson River, popular for fly fishing, and check out the cascading waters of 60-foot Looking Glass Falls along the way. This morning's ride is an out-and-back so feel free to choose the best time to turn around before making your way back to Pilot Cove for a shower and check-out. Then you will shuttle to the Asheville airport, about a half-hour away. Expect to arrive to the airport by 11:30 AM and please do not schedule a flight before 1:00 PM on this day. For those needing a return to downtown Asheville, your guides can drop you off around 12:00 PM at The Foundry Hotel.