BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
On the Blue Ridge Parkway there is roughly 27 miles of steady climbing on one of the most famous roads in America make this one of the best Asheville road rides for cyclists looking to experience the beauty and challenge that road biking and cycling offers in Western North Carolina . You ’ ll pass several impressive overlooks , pedal through a handful of tunnels , and cap off the ride with a view of Looking Glass Rock , a towering dome of granite deep in Pisgah National Forest . Turn around and enjoy the mostly downhill ride back to town , but don ’ t forget to pack lights as this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway features multiple tunnels that are no fun and are very dangerous without lights . Also , be sure and stop off at the Pisgah Inn and fill up on water , resupply on snacks if needed or stay overnight and enjoy a warm meal with a fantastic view .
Elk Mountain Scenic Parkway
The quintessential road ride for Asheville cyclists is the Elk Mountain Scenic Highway and it definitely packs a punch . This challenging ride begins with a steep , leg-crushing climb up Elk Mountain Scenic Highway before mellowing out as the road passes through a beautiful pastoral area with great views of the valley below . Take a break at Buzzard Rock before heading south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Town Mountain Rd . for a fast descent and complete the loop by catching Charlotte St . north to Kimberly . Take steps to be sure that you can be seen by drivers and other users , wear bright colors , front and rear lights as fog and visibility can be a problem .
25