EPIC Appalachians Bike Tour

Highlights: Today’s ride takes us out of Bethel with nice rural routes along the Androscoggin and Saco Rivers. There is one climb of the day before we ride across the Maine/New Hampshire border a few times. Enjoy the White Mountain National Forest scenery near Gorham, NH. Tonight’s accommodations are right in Conway with walking distance to several restaurants and a 5-minute drive from outlet shopping. Accommodations: Starting hotel is the Bethel Resort Inn, Bethel, Maine. Scenic Inn, Conway NH (casual)

Highlights: Our ride today is challenging. The first 18 miles are a steady uphill climb of 1 -3%, then a 5-mile finale’ to the top of Kancamagus Highway. All downhill following the rocky riverbed to a riverside picnic lunch near Loon Resort. Weather permitting, views of Mt. Washington, Mt La Fayette. Accommodations: Nootka Lodge (casual)

Highlights: Today we hug the Vermont/New Hampshire state line along the very scenic Connecticut River. Great lunch stop on the Green in Hanover, home to Dartmouth University. We cross the river into Vermont now and follow the White River before sneaking in the back way to Woodstock, Vermont. Quechee Gorge and Simon Pierce Glass blowing are wonderful stops. Today’s ride is rolling hills and a few small climbs. Accommodations: Shire Inn (casual, Riverside, intown)

Highlights: Before leaving town, try to visit the Billings Farm Museum and walk the downtown streets. Today’s ride is another challenging day with 2 big hill climbs near Okemo and Bromley Ski Resorts but, nice downhill riding, as well. Our home for the night is in Manchester Center with upscale outlet stores, the Orvis flagship store, fly fishing clinics, and fine dining possibilities. Accommodations: Palmer House Resort (casual)

Highlights: Riding today with lots of rolling hills in both VT and MA. We travel along the Housatonic River and through the small western Massachusetts towns of Adams and North Adams. We are crossing the Appalachian Trail several times today and following the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail before coming into Pittsfield for our rest day. Accommodations: Holiday Inn and Suites Downtown (business class)

Highlights: The long scenic riverside ride along the Housatonic River and the lowest points on the Appalachian Trail are just steps away from our route at various points today. The ride is relatively easy as we follow the valley through the beautiful MA and CT towns of Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, North Canaan and a lunch break at the charming Historical Society Park in Sheffield. Accommodations: Sharon Country Inn (casual)

Highlights:  Cycling beautiful country roads of Connecticut and New York state 

Highlights: We will rack up two more states today: New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Today’s ride takes us along the Neversink, Wallkill and Shawangunk Kill Rivers. We have several portions on the NY rail trail systems in Walden and Goshen, NY. There are fine examples of older rail bridges along the route. The route is rolling and follows the valley again today with one climb over the Appalachian ridge and into the small town of Milford, PA. Accommodations: Tom Quick Inn (casual)

Highlights: Today, we will parallel the Appalachian Trail for most of the route. If you look over your left shoulder, the AT will follow the ridge on the opposite side of the Delaware River. We have a beautiful ride all morning along the Delaware River with a lunch stop at the Little Gap covered bridge. As we pull away from the river, the afternoon takes us through fertile farmlands and the lush green Pocono Mountains. Our stop for the evening is the town of Jim Thorpe, named for the Olympic athlete. The town once known as Maulk Chunk was the site of coal mining along the Appalachians and brought out by steam engines along the Lehigh River. Accommodations: The Inn at Jim Thorpe (historic)

Highlights: Today is just more beautiful rolling farmlands and barns in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. We parallel the mountain range and skirt in and out of once thriving mining town of Schuykill Haven. Much of the local industry now lends itself to farming and small service towns as well as popular tourist attractions as Hershey Park. We follow part of the Swatara Rail Trail to our stopping point of Grantville. Accommodations: Hampton Inn (casual)

Highlights: The Capital City Bike Trail follows the beautiful waterfront of the Susquehanna River. There you will see an abundance of retired and operational train bridges, tunnels and newly renovated recreational paths. Riding for the day is a small gradual uphill from the river valley, then rural farmland and small PA farming towns to our destination of historic Gettysburg. We will stay downtown and take in some of the battlefield, today and tomorrow, before we leave for Harper’s Ferry, WV. Accommodations: Inn at Cemetery Hill (casual)

Highlights:Enjoy the morning riding through the battlefields by bike on your way to Harpers Ferry.Today we gain two more states, MD and WV. We travel more back roads through farmland and around the battlefields of Boonsboro and Gettysburg. We do travel through the city of Frederick, MD, but try to stay on more residential and farming roads which parallel the new interstate and highway systems. We use part of the C&O Towpath to make our way into downtown Harper’s Ferry. Accommodations: Quality Inn located in Historic District (casual) Here you will have a rest Day to explore Harpers Ferry.

Highlights: Country riding  near the Shenandoah River. This will be your last day of rolling hills before climbing to Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Pkwy.

Highlights: Scenic riding in the valley along the river in Shenandoah National Park Accommodations: Big Meadows

Highlights: This is day two of Skyline Drive. We have numerous crossings of the Appalachian Trail. Quiet and low volume traffic on very nicely paved roads. There is no commercial traffic and no billboards on Skyline Dr. We take Skyline to its terminus where the next morning we start our venture southbound on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Accommodations: Best Western Plus (casual)

Highlights: The Blue Ridge Parkway was a Civilian Conservation Corp project started on September 11, 1935 for the purpose of connecting Shenandoah National Park to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are 27 tunnels on the Blue Ridge Pkwy: one in Virginia and the remaining 26 in North Carolina. Today you will take on the first 45 miles of the 469 miles of this beautiful scenic roadway – “America’s Favorite Drive”. Accommodations: Hampton Inn Historic District for a  day off.  Enjoy The historic town of Lexington, VA. Horse capital of VA, Natural Bridge Park, Washington and Lee University, Virginia Military Institute. Do get lots of rest. The next two days are strenuous.

Highlights: Falling Waters Cascade, 15 overlooks, spectacular lodge setting at The Peaks of Otter National Parks Lodge. On today’s route, you will be at the lowest and highest elevations of the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, that means some hill climbing. Accommodations: Peaks of Otter Lodge National Park Service (casual)

Highlights: Big climbs out of the Roanoke area of the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Due to heavy rains in Spring of 2020, we will have a detour from mile post 112 to 136 to reroute us around a road-wash and land slide. Specific stopping points are Mabry Mill and Rocky Knob Visitors Center and overlook. Accommodations: Pine Tavern Lodge (casual)

Highlights: Great quiet riding of the VA section of the Blue Ridge Parkway – 18 overlooks. Some of the quietest and most rural parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cross into NC. If you ever get the opportunity, come back one summer evening to enjoy an outdoor music presentation at the Blue Ridge Music Center located at the state line. Accommodations: New River Inns and Cabins

Highlights: Great riding on the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Linville Falls, the most viewed water falls along the parkway. Moses Cone Manor Museum, Arts and Craft center housed inside of the manor home to Moses Cone, the Levi Straus of the East Coast. Famous Linn Cove Viaduct was the last 7.5 mile section on the Parkway completed in 1987. This is 52 years after the start of the BRP. Grandfather Mountain is private property and the owner would not give the National Park Service permission to dig on his mountain. Thus, the suspended Linn Viaduct. Accommodations: Linville Falls Lodge (rustic)

Highlights: Blue Ridge cycling, Little Switzerland, multiple tunnels, Crab Tree Falls, and Mt. Mitchell, if you choose. Enjoy a nice evening out in downtown Asheville, my favorite small city in America. This vibrant downtown is packed with art, culture and dining opportunities ranging from upscale tapas bars to gourmet tacos. America’s largest private home, Biltmore, is located in Asheville. Accommodations: Sheraton Downtown (business casual)

Highlights: Blue Ridge Parkway riding, 11 tunnels, beautiful spot atop Pisgah Mountain for a wonderful dinner together at the lodge. Accommodations: Pisgah Lodge (National Park Lodge)

Highlights: Shuttle back to Asheville Sheraton for our last night together. Choose to stay longer or catch a flight out of Asheville in the morning. Pat yourself on the back! You have just completed 761 miles and 72,333 ft of elevation gain on this southern segment. ENTIRE TOUR: Total Miles – 1,438 Total Elevation Gain – 106,899 ft Average daily riding mileage – 60 Average elevation gain – 4,454 ft