Asheville Riding

[Gowest]

CA,

I see you are in Durham - I used to live in Bahama - in northern Durham County - I miss Sal's Pizza in the worst way!

The other ride library is here: http://www.bikehighway.com/nc_henderson_cty.htm
They are also from the blue ridge bicycle club

Watch out for the ones marked hilly - the Apple Festival Challenge is a bear - climb climb climb and then when you think you are done - climb some more. The rolling rides are more what you are looking for. Although I live in Buncombe county - I prefer to ride in Henderson county - I find less issues with traffic, and more rolling scenery if that is what you are looking for. The one I think you might enjoy the most is the Etowah ride of 31 miles - it is one of my favorites - you need to drive to the start from Asheville - but worth the short ride in the car. Avoid Cane Creek Road on a holiday weekend unless you are riding very early - they are installing natural gas lines and there is construction traffic, and it is generally a busy road.

Food - yes the Flying Frog is good - pricey for dinner - I like to go for lunch and sit outside and enjoy people watching. If you like vegetarian or whole foods - my all time favorite restaurant is Jai - next to Earthfare - the food is very fresh with no preservatives and prepared just how you like it. The owner - Nam is usually there - and she is very sweet. Their hot ginger tea is fantastic.

Other - don't forget to go to Discount Shoes (there is bike shop across the street from there) and Tops if shoes are your thing - not for me - but most ladies who come to town consider these must-go to places.

Lastly - have you been out to Chimney Rock while you have visited Asheville? It is a short beautiful drive out 74A east - off 240 ("beltline" around Asheville) it is extremely beautiful and a fun place to poke around for an afternoon. The drive up and over from Asheville is also scenic - just be glad you are not on your bike as you go - that is part of a ride this summer called the hilly helacious.

Let me know if I can be of more help - I will be around for the holiday weekend - just returned from a trip to Utah - hence my name GoWest.

Debi

[Blueberry]

Gowest-

Wow - small world! I was just up in Bahama last weekend - every weekend I buy goat cheese from the local farmers market, and they had an open house at their goat farm. Adorable baby goats and LOTS of cheese to sample Yum! It's really beautiful up there. Let me know if you're ever back down here for long enough to ride!!

Thanks also for the ride suggestions- it's so neat that they have all of the elevation information. We rode the breakfast ride last year. I'm thinking we'll ride in Asheville one day, and in Henderson County the other.

No shoes - unless, of course, they're danskos - that's what my feet have been demanding I wear of late. I know we'll be visiting Earthguild again, but I'm not sure what else is on the plan.

The Flying frog is on the high side - not sure my family I'm meeting for dinner would go for a veg/whole foods kind of place. We'll have to go there for lunch one day

I have been to Chimney Rock, but it might be time for a re-visit!!

Thanks again!!

Carrie Anne

[Gowest]

Carrie Ann,

Definitely go to Discount Shoes if you love Dansko's - they have the largest selection I have seen - and tons of European shoes that are similarly comfortable. They also have a great kids section and mens section. It is near the Biltmore Square Mall on 191 - very easy to find - self service so you can look at whatever you want. I actually can give you a nice rolling ride of a little over 20 miles up to as many as 40 right from there if you want - it is a loop that takes you out to Mills River on some lovely country roads that are rarely used.

I have no immediate plans to return to Durham any time soon, the heat in the summer was just so brutal - I love the cool air in the mountains.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Jai is a Thai restaurant - so it appeals to many - not just the whole food crowd. Lunch is excellent there.

I will send you my contact info for future reference.

Debi

[Beth-Ro]

I know this has already been mentioned, but Liberty Bikes is awesome. They are our LBS...and we live 40 miles away in South Carolina. There are other shops closer to us, but they can't touch Liberty. We've bought 5 bikes from Liberty and they do all our bike work. They have a good selection of everything. They are well worth the trip. Here's a link:

http://libertybikes.com/index.cfm

Also, if you like pizza, try the Mellow Mushroom.

-beth

[Blueberry]

I've actually visited Liberty Bikes while I was in Asheville on vacation, and I agree - they are fabulous! Wish we had one like them here....I'm still on the prowl for a good LBS.

We're lucky enough to have a 'shroom here They do have incredible pizza!!! Didn't know there was one up that way, though.

Thanks!!

Carrie Anne

[tulip]

CA-has the 'shroom on E. Franklin Street across from the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill closed? It was there for a long time.

I like Franklin St. Cycles in Chapel Hill. Durham used to have Bull City Bikes, but it's long gone.

In Asheville, I like BioWheels for bikes, and Heiwa for sushi. There's also Laughing Seed for vegetarian food. And Tops for Shoes! And Gold Hill for coffee! and Malaprops for books! And Earthguild for yarn! I could go on and on...I'll be in Asheville in a couple weeks and I look forward to going a ride with my brother, who knows every road and trail up there.

Have fun!

[bouncybouncy]

SOOOOO?????? how was your weekend C-A??? the weather was phenomenal!!!! hubby and i hooked up with some new friends and did a mtb trail called heartbreak ridge...6000 feet of climbing

....but that also meant 6000 feet of sweet singletrack DESCENDING!!!! boy did i have a blast but i was worn-out!!!!

hope your weekend was one to remember....and lets not forget what this weekend is about....

Thank You to all our troops!!!!