The Bicycle Inn

[Blueberry]

So....I have a hearing on Monday AM in the middle of the mountains of NC. 1.5 hours from Asheville and Boone, in a little town called Bakersville. My secretary and I looked high and low for somewhere for me to stay (I *do not* want to drive 4+ hours on Monday AM), and low and behold, the closest place to stay is the Bicycle Inn (I had wanted to visit for some time, but didn't quite make the connection on the location). It's less expensive the alternative hotels and it's 2.4 miles from the Courthouse. How cool is that!! I get to go somewhere I always wanted to go, on an expense account (and it doesn't cost extra if I go early on Sunday and ride ).

Anyone been? Anyone have a favorite ride near there??

[Zen]

I've seen the website for the Bicycle Inn http://www.bicycleinn.com/
You are sooo lucky. Take photos! Take me!

[bouncybouncy]

Please post a "review" with pics!!! I have seen that place too and wondered what it is like. Hubby & I are looking into touring and that might be a fun first trip destination if it is all it is cracked up to be on their website...

Thanks and have fun!!!

[GLC1968]

Oooh, post a review when you get back, will you?

We are going down there in July, but we've not been there yet. I've heard good things, though!

[SouthernBelle]

Did ya go? Did ya Stay? Did ya like it?

[Blueberry]

I did go, I did enjoy it, and I would return.

Remember though - this was a business trip, not one geared to cycling. Be warned: don't arrive late and think you'll pick up dinner nearby - you won't! I (thankfully) realized this in time to get food. Mitchell County is BEAUTIFUL, but rural.

The owners are great! I arrived later than I intended thanks to work, and they still welcomed me, offered tea, wine, etc and made me feel right at home. There is a large kitchen/family room/dining room that guests are welcome in anytime. The rooms are very comfortable - they're not "fancy," but that's not what they're aiming to be. They are clean and comfortable, with colorful themes and decor. No TV, but that didn't bother me one bit (not sure if there was one elsewhere - just noted there wasn't one in the room). There is Wi Fi available. All rooms have private baths. One thing to note - I do not think there is AC. It was cool when I was there, but I'm not sure I'd plan to come on a 90 degree July day (not that there are many in the mountains).

Breakfast was delightful and well prepared. Michael is vegetarian, and we had eggs and Fakin' Bacon for breakfast. Yum! I was the only guest, and you would have thought there were 10 of us given the amount and variety of food (they had picked up lots of fresh fruit just for me). These folks aim to please!

After Court (which was 2 miles away), I returned to the Inn to change clothes and ride (keep in mind this was well after the "normal" check out time). Michael directed me on a lovely (but too short due to my time constraints) ride. He also let me borrow his helmet, as I had left home without mine.... The roads are lovely! After a shower (which again, wasn't a problem at 4 in the afternoon), I was on my way home. Sorry, no pictures. But the website does a very accurate job of portraying the inn.

BB - you should call and talk to Michael. He quite frequently rides to Asheville (he had ridden from Asheville to the Inn and back for an overnight stay the day I arrived, and he has a friend who frequently rides from Asheville for the night - http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/touring...icycleinn.htm).

Overall, a great experience. Hubby and I will be returning just as soon as we have time!

CA

[bouncybouncy]

Thanks CA!!!

hubby is building up a Long Haul Trucker as we speak...I have a Monkey I adore and use as a commuter so we are adding a few long-distance toys to it and looking to try them out...this may be just the ticket!

future tours will hopefully be farther from home but we need practice...hehe!

Glad you had a good time...maybe our paths will cross soon!

[SouthernBelle]

I so want to go there.

[GLC1968]

Ok, we just got back from our weekend at the Bicycle Inn, and man, I WANT TO GO BACK NOW!! It was the BEST weekend!

I'm not sure where to begin, but let me start by saying that if you love to ride your bike, you MUST make a trip to this Inn! Michael is the best guide, and both he and Paulette are awesome hosts.

We went up early on Friday and the plan was to meet some of the other couple's going so that we could go for a ride before dinner. There were 5 couples all from Greensboro spending the weekend there (someone else coordinated, so I only knew one other couple). As we arived, the rain started to clear and by the time the next couple got there, the roads were drying. Michael took 4 of us out on a wonderful 25 mile ride. It was a great ride, and he was a great leader (pointing out stuff, taking photos, etc). We got back, took showers and then hooked up with the other arriving couples and all went out to eat in the next town (Michael and Paulette included).

Saturday, we got up early, ate a TON of food (all kinds of things to choose from), and then Michael led us on what was basically the route for The Roan Moan. Again, he was taking tons of pictures, encouraging all of us, and offering interesting commentary about the area. He's a very strong cyclist, so he was able to run back and forth from the faster riders at the front to those bringing up the rear, so we all felt like a tight knit group. We got back to the inn and dressed for our dinner reservations at a lodge a few towns over that Michael recommended. It was incredible food...totally unexpected and totally enjoyable. Again, he joined us and took photos and provided commentary (and a ride for some of us). We all got back and hung out on the huge porch drinking wine (we brought our own) and recapping the day.

Sunday morning, Michael again cooked us a yummy breakfast. We all piled into cars and drove to the 'river route' which was a flat 40 mile ride that we wanted to do as a 'recovery' from the climbing of the day before. Again, he was a great guide. Afterward, we all got back to the inn, cleaned up and then packed up to leave. Michael had made us each a CD of all the photos he took over the weekend!! OVER 400 photos!!!

The Inn itself is comfortable and even in July when the temps were in the 90's during the day, it was still cool and comfy at night. The food was good, the hospitality was wonderful...and if you like bike history, your jaw will drop as you tour the place. It is totally decorated with all types of biking history from photos and posters, to jerseys, shoes and bikes.

All in all...a great weekend. We will DEFINITELY go back again.

[Trek420]

I so want to go there.

me too, me too, me too