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 Trek 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 Jacob Sessoms' celebrated restaurant, Table, know for it's pioneering New Appalachian cuisine.

Overview

This morning, enjoy breakfast at The Refinery before riding through the rural community of Leicester, northwest of Asheville and home to many scenic farms. Those who wish to add some extra miles and elevation at the end of this ride may tackle a local’s favorite—the gentle slopes of Town Mountain. Afterwards, grab lunch at a downtown café before regrouping for a 20-minute shuttle to a nearby section of Pisgah National Forest. Here you’ll enjoy a guided walk with our local naturalist to learn about the plants, wildlife, and history of this biologically diverse area. Alternatively, spend the afternoon exploring Asheville’s shops, galleries, breweries, and lively street scene, all within walking distance of the hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight with an array of downtown options just steps away.

Overview

Amazing riding awaits on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Begin with Town Mountain’s switchbacks, climbing to Craven Gap to join the Parkway for a 13-mile, mostly gentle ascent to Craggy Gardens. Enjoy panoramic mountain views as you reach the Graybeard Mountain Overlook for a delicious roadside lunch. After taking in the vistas, ride back to town on a mostly downhill route or tackle the challenging climb to Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. The final four and a half miles to the summit are the steepest of the day, but the observation tower views make it worthwhile. At 71 miles, the avid option is the most challenging of the trip, with your guides providing easier alternatives to skip some of the climbs. Guests returning after lunch can explore Asheville by historic trolley, visit the Biltmore Estate, or browse downtown’s vintage shops. Tonight, enjoy a short walk to the Blackbird Restaurant for a seasonal menu highlighting local harvests and fresh catches from the Carolina coast.

Overview

Pack your bags this morning for the trip’s only transfer day. Shuttle 30 minutes from downtown Asheville to start your ride in the community of Mills River. A quick, scenic loop through Horse Shoe leads to Mills River Brewing Company, where you can sample beers on tap and enjoy a satisfying lunch from Juju’s Craft Cookery. If you’d like to end your ride here and shuttle to the Trailside Brewery for more tastings, we won't blame you! For those riding on, pedal between the two breweries through beautiful countryside toward Hendersonville, finishing with a pleasant 6-mile spin along the new Ecusta Trail. End the day with a pint before shuttling about an hour to downtown Greenville, your home for the next two nights. Check into the luxurious Grand Bohemian Lodge, perched on the falls of the Reedy River, then head out to explore Greenville’s vibrant dining scene just a short walk across the iconic pedestrian-only Liberty Bridge.

Overview

This morning, after enjoying breakfast at Between the Trees, overlooking Falls Park on the Reedy, you'll head out to ride the rolling roads of the Upstate. Begin on the famous Swamp Rabbit Trail, a multi-use rail trail, formerly the Greenville & Northern Railway, that links Greenville to the nearby town of Travelers Rest. From there, choose between two loop options for more or fewer miles before lunch. You’ll ride past houses and farms with the Blue Ridge Mountains ever-present in the distance. Pause for a fresh, tasty café lunch back in Travelers Rest before cruising the final 10 miles to the hotel along the Swamp Rabbit. Spend the afternoon exploring the trails of Falls Park, relaxing with a book in the inviting library nook, or indulging in the Poseidon Spa (appointments should be scheduled in advance and are not included in the trip price). Tonight, gather for drinks and dinner at a favorite downtown bistro as you toast an unforgettable week in the Carolinas.

Overview

Following another delightful breakfast at the hotel, there's time for one more ride. The Swamp Rabbit Trail again takes you out of town before your route turns east toward Paris Mountain. This popular locals' loop takes you past Paris Mountain State Park and affords some views of downtown Greenville and the surrounding foothills—it's a perfect ride to finish your week. Back at the hotel, there's time to shower and check-out before boarding the Trek Travel shuttle. It's about an hour's drive to the Asheville Regional Airport and your guides will provide a packed lunch for your travels. Expect to arrive to the airport by 12:30 PM and please do not schedule a flight before 2:30 PM on this day. For those wishing to return to downtown Asheville, your guides can drop you off around 1:00 PM at The Foundry Hotel.