cranky old road 

My buddy thinks it would be fun for us to park at the McDowell County Chamber of Commerce and ride up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy/ Mt. Mitchell. On Google Maps 221 Bypass and NC 80 both look horrible to be riding on, busy roads with no shoulders . Anyone have experience or knowledge with this route?

celry 

Agree 80 and 221 look a little crazy at least by map. Haven't done a ride up to Mt Mitchell but hope to some day soon. The map clip attached shows darker thin red lines for "global heatmap" from rwgps, and a bright thicker red route from the Marion Chamber to MM. Looks like state road 1227 - if a state-maintained unpaved road is ok - could be an alternate path up to BRP. Very interested in others' feedback on this too.

rm -rf

NC 80 is steep, with sharp switchbacks toward the top. I think it shows as dark red--"popular" due to being on the Assault of Mt Mitchell route.)


In 2019, I took my gravel bike to the area, and tried riding up one of the gravel roads that connected to the Parkway. I got to the 10% grade portion, which is a moderate grade for me on paved roads, especially with the extra low gearing on the gravel bike. But the large, loose gravel chunks really slowed me down, it's a very hard effort to roll over those pieces of gravel. I bailed out and rode back downhill.

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Starting on the Parkway, at a visitor center (for water and restrooms) or a picnic area (for lots of parking) or just starting at an overlook: The drivers are almost all courteous, motorcyclists will usually wave, and the speed limit is 45 mph. A way better riding experience.

An epic ride, all on the Parkway:
NC Minerals museum to Mt Mitchell, to Craggy Gardens and then the direct return.
77 miles, approx 10200 feet.

Shortening this by starting at Crabtree Falls picnic area would be 58 miles, approx 7600 feet.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/59589

Shortening to Singecat Ridge to Mt Mitchell to Craggy Gardens is 50 miles, 6500 feet.

It's been a few years since I rode these roads, so verify that visitor centers and/or the Mt Mitchell summit stores are open and have water and/or restrooms available.
You must have a front light for the tunnels! On my first BRP ride, I could see the exit far ahead, but couldn't see the walls or the pavement. Spooky and not recommended.

I did a really short version of this:
Singecat Ridge overlook to Mt Mitchell and back.
31 miles, 4400 feet. It starts with a 1500 foot climb right out of the overlook.

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The best route on the Parkway, I think:
Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel to the Pisgah Inn for lunch, and back.
Fantastic views on alternating sides of the Parkway as it runs along the ridge lines. Zoom way in on the map to see the valleys.
Up and over Richland Balsam, at 6050 feet, the highest point on the Parkway.
The biggest climb is 1100 feet. I like the mix of climbing and descending.
You must have a front light for the multiple tunnels.

Carryout lunch at the Pisgah Inn, or get snacks at the hiker supply store. Sit on the back deck with views way across the deep valley.
There can be traffic from about US 276 intersection to the Inn, but cars are generally careful.
62 miles, approx 7000 feet.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7843386

I've only done a shorter version, starting at the Licklog Gap overlook -- that's 55 miles, 6200 feet.

celry 

Thanks for the feedback and ideas re just focusing on the BRP. Great to hear about the Pisgah Inn / Pinnacle Ridge tunnel segment. A friend and I are doing that one-way, going the other way, from Pisgah to Balsam, as a segment on a short light trip from Asheville to Cherokee, in about a month. Now I’m looking forward to it even more! And also now thinking differently about a Mt Mitchell route.

Bald Paul

There is supposed to be some major construction along the road to Mt Mitchell in the future. In fact, the Freewheelers of Spartanburg have decided to cancel next years Assaults because they cannot get a definitive date on when it will be finished.