Whether or not you’re racing the clock or cruising to espresso, these 5 cities are good for each type of bicycle owner.
Cowl Picture: Biking is a lifestyle in Brevard. Picture courtesy of Discover Brevard
Throughout the Southeast, as soon as car-centriccities have gotten friendlier to two-wheeled transportation by buying and selling asphalt for entry—constructing greenways, including bike lanes, and embracing city path programs that welcome riders of all types. Listed below are 5 of our favourite bike-loving burgs.
Greenville, South Carolina
As soon as a stronghold for spandex-clad roadies and hardcore mountain bikers, Greenville is now one of many Southeast’s most inclusive biking cities. That’s all due to the Swamp Rabbit Path.
Formally opened in 2009, this 28-mile greenway stitched collectively downtown Greenville and the city of Vacationers Relaxation, linking breweries, brunch spots, and enterprise facilities alongside the best way. Nearly in a single day, biking went from area of interest sport to group pastime.
“Earlier than the Swamp Rabbit Path, the informal rider didn’t have numerous alternative in Greenville,” says Jamie McDonough, proprietor of Reedy Rides. “Now, we see every part from three-year-olds in bike trailers to 85-year-old grandparents out driving.”
However the path’s influence goes past recreation.
“It’s not only a path for vacationers,” McDonough provides. “It’s increasing into neighborhoods the place transportation entry is restricted. Individuals use it to commute to work, to run errands, and to get to highschool. It’s fully modified how folks transfer by the town.”
WHERE TO RIDE: Glide down the Swamp Rabbit Path for no-stress spins or head to close by Paris Mountain State Park for leg-burning climbs.
WHERE TO EAT: Gas up with a darkish chocolate banana waffle at Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse in Vacationers Relaxation, then wrap your journey with a ham-and-cheese sandwich from Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery.
WHERE TO STAY: Tucked within the foothills, Lodge Domestique is a Euro-style biking retreat based by Tour de France legend George Hincapie. Count on connoisseur meals, top-tier facilities, and dawn rides with Blue Ridge views.
Brevard, North Carolina
Some cities construct bike lanes. Brevard has constructed bike tradition.
This western North Carolina hub sits on the fringe of Pisgah Nationwide Forest and DuPont State Leisure Forest—two world-renowned driving zones with tons of of miles of path.
“Pisgah is thought for its rugged, technical, rooty, and rocky singletrack, providing difficult climbs and superb descents that demand ability and focus,” says Stacey Wiedrich, director of engagement for the Pisgah Space Southern Off-Street Bicycle Affiliation (SORBA). “DuPont, then again, is well known for its extra flowing, much less technical trails, usually that includes iconic waterfalls.”
And the most effective half? You’re by no means removed from dust.
“It’s uncommon to discover a downtown the place you’ll be able to actually pedal from Principal Avenue onto municipal trails after which seamlessly into an unlimited nationwide forest,” says Wiedrich.
WHERE TO RIDE: Black Mountain, Avery Creek, and Bennett Hole are all must-try trails for skilled mountain bikers. When you desire pavement, hit the Blue Ridge Parkway.
WHERE TO EAT: Brevard’s received your post-ride cravings coated. Swing by The Hub and Pisgah Tavern for bike gear and beer, or hit Brevard Pizza Works for pies sufficiently big to share together with your complete crew.
WHERE TO STAY: Arrange basecamp at Pilot Cove. With fashionable cabins tucked into the timber and miles of personal trails on-site, you received’t need to go far to spin your wheels.
Roanoke, Virginia
In Roanoke, two wheels can take you nearly wherever.
“That is one among few locations the place you’ll be able to roll out your door and be on highway, gravel, or mountain bike terrain inside minutes,” says Nicola Cranmer, founder and normal supervisor of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24.
In 2022, the skilled girls’s biking workforce relocated from Idaho to Roanoke, drawn by the temperate local weather. “You may just about journey every single day of the 12 months if you wish to,” says Cranmer.
However you don’t need to be a professional to pedal within the Star Metropolis. From elite cyclists to weekend warriors, Roanoke rolls out the Southern hospitality for all. “The biking group right here is extraordinarily welcoming,” says Cranmer.
WHERE TO RIDE: Cruise the scenic Roanoke River Greenway, or head to Mill Mountain Park for an city mountain biking expertise proper within the coronary heart of downtown.
WHERE TO EAT: Swing by Bread Craft for a pre-ride pastry and espresso, then toast your effort with road tacos and a margarita at Tuco’s Taqueria Garaje.
WHERE TO STAY: Guide a room at The Liberty Belief, a boutique resort conveniently situated close to bike-friendly routes.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville’s not simply bike-friendly—it’s downright dirt-obsessed. House to the City Wilderness, an enormous 1,000-acre community of trails, parks, and greenways, this metropolis provides two-wheeled entry like nowhere else within the Southeast.
“We’re actually fortunate to have about 100 miles of trails which might be interlaced all through our group,” says Matthew Kellogg, govt director of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Membership.
Kellogg’s favourite hangout? Baker Creek Protect—a 100-acre bike park close to downtown. With pump tracks, bounce strains, and trailheads that hook up with many extra miles of singletrack, it’s a launchpad for journey.
“Only a few cities have this type of entry so near their inhabitants heart,” says Kellogg.
WHERE TO RIDE: Craving some expert-only airtime? Drop into Satan’s Racetrack, a double-black diamond downhill path. Afterward, cool off with a pedal to Meads Quarry, a 25-acre lake.
WHERE TO EAT: Head to South Coast Pizza for a slice of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Membership Girl Shredder—a pie with sun-dried tomatoes, veg, and parm.
WHERE TO STAY: Examine into The Tennessean Lodge for luxe downtown lodging and entry to a fleet of e-bikes.
Morgantown, West Virginia
Tucked into the hills of north-central West Virginia, Morgantown is quietly turning into one of many area’s high spots to journey.
“There’s a long-standing mountain biking group right here, however we’re additionally seeing actual progress in gravel and youth driving,” says Colin Dierman, normal supervisor at Wamsley Cycles. “It’s a vacation spot for all sorts of cyclists.”
That’s due to West Virginia College. Lately, the faculty has invested in West Run Woods, a rising path community that blends fashionable machine-built circulate with traditional hand-cut singletrack.
“WVU constructed what I’d take into account a motorbike park proper right here on the town,” says Dierman. “It will get tons of use from residents, college students, and folk visiting. It’s actually cool that the college took the initiative.”
When you’re itching to get out of city, Large Bear Lake—situated about 20 miles east—provides a few of the area’s greatest terrain. And for gravel riders, the state-supported Mountaineer Gravel undertaking has mapped greater than 1,500 miles of scenic backroads to discover.
WHERE TO RIDE: Roll straight from downtown to West Run Woods for techy climbs and flowy descents.
WHERE TO EAT: Refuel at Mario’s Fishbowl, a beloved neighborhood bar identified for crispy wings, hand-cut fries, and frosty fishbowl beers.
WHERE TO STAY: Pitch a tent at Coopers Rock State Forest for a real style of the wild and great.
