Asheville Riding

[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!!!!

[Blueberry]

Had a great weekend! Got back late this afternoon. Just enough family (a bunch of us ended up in Asheville accidentally on the same weekend!), not quite enough riding, too much sun and too much shopping!!

Tried riding part of the parkway on Saturday - was too much traffic, plus the heat was brutal, as were the hills! Didn't go very far. Trip to discount shoes - left with many pairs of danskos (oh, my credit card!!!). Trip to Liberty Cycles - almost left with a new bike - drool!!! Dinner at an Italian restaurant (not my choice) with family. Good to see them - food was too greasy for my taste.

Yesterday - did the Etowah ride of 31 miles (except we turned around a little early - too much sun, not enough sunscreen) and ended up with 28. Beautiful route! Saw lots of other cyclists. Just enough hills for my liking.
Went to Earthguild and bought some alpaca yarn for a hat/scarf come winter, and meandered to the other yarn shop downtown, Purl. Knitters will appreciate this - they had enough skiens of a discontinued yarn I had kicked myself for not buying to make a tank I had been wanting to make (plus 1 extra for good measure). Yay!! Dinner at the Laughing Seed which was delicious!!

This AM - verified the yarn was enough and picked it up. Picked up some black locust honey - yum!!! Drive home was uneventful (which is rare for this weekend!). Ate breakfast everyday at Greenlife Grocery - you ladies are lucky to have such a neat whole foods option!

Carrie Anne

PS - The 'Shroom on Franklin street closed a while ago. There's a new one in downtown Durham, though, that's pretty nice.

[Blueberry]

Pic from the Sunday ride...

[Gowest]

Carrie Ann,

Sounds like you had a good weekend. The weather was hot - I was road riding every day except for Friday - which was mountain riding day. I got a beautiful farmers tan - especially on the arms. The Etowah rides are very nice and rolling - glad you were able to get out there.

I warned you about Discount Shoes now didn't I?????? Easy to walk out with an entire stack of boxes.

What did you "almost buy" at Liberty???

I had thought about riding the parkway, but decided against it for the very reason you mentioned - TRAFFIC - especially bad on holiday weekends - with no shoulder and out of the area drivers, it can be dangerous.

Let us Asheville gals know when you are returning.

Debi

[Blueberry]

Debi-

Will do. It would be really neat to have a NC TE get together!! I'm kinda jealous of the CA gals...

This trip was kind of nutty - dealing with family made our schedule really unpredictable. I'll be back up the nights of the 7th and 8th, but I'll be in depositions all day both days so...I probably won't get much riding in

I was really glad for the Etowah rides - for anyone else visiting who's used to flat land - you'll be fine on them. The hills are short and, with one very short (1/8 mile) noteable exception, not steep at all. They really are an incredible suggestion.

I have a nice farmers burn on my arms, so I know what you mean. That's the last time I listen to dh when he says you don't need sunscreen.

The bike at liberty - It was a Specialized Roubaix. Beautiful and a perfect fit! But alas - I didn't need to do that much credit card damage and I'm not sure I want a carbon fiber bike (I'm thinking maybe ti or steel - current is aluminum). We actually discovered that DH and I ride the same size frame.

Carrie Anne