Western NC Mountains/BR Parkway/Ashe County cycling info appreciated

[Blueberry]

I have ridden the Creeper Trail - as I know has Emily. It is hard pack small gravel for the most part. You can expect ruts and mud in places. Coming down, you will hold the brakes a lot as there are lots of obstacles and other trail users. It can be crowded - particularly in peak summer and fall. From White Top to Damascus is definitely not paved. I would ride it on a cross bike but not a road bike. There is some riding in Shady Valley that is flat-ish (it is all relative up there). I don't remember exactly where - it has been a few years. I think there are some new green ways in Boone, but I don't know the details as I haven't been up there much in the last 5 years or so.

Eta: I have also ridden railroad grade road (as a recovery ride when we did Blood Sweat and Gears one year). It is fairly flat and pretty. I was a bit cautious about stopping to make sure there were good sight lines - but traffic wasn't bad and I didn't feel unsafe. I do recall having a terribly experience at a general store/lunch spot there - so I wouldn't recommend that.