![]() When you reach the parking lot, ride your bike up the trail on the left to the top (don’t ride the trail on the right, which is hiking only). The view up at Max Patch is always worth it. From here, you start an 11-mile gravel climb (with the occasional descent) to Max Patch, North Carolina. ![]() This route starts with a windy road climb out of Hartford, Tennessee with random scenic sections of gravel that take you over into Del Rio, Tennessee. Start your day with coffee at the Bean Trees Cafe – it’s also a great place to grab some grub post-ride. I would claim this route as one of the full enchiladas of gravel riding here. Almost every local in town that rides gravel has suffered through it and – most of the time – we enjoy it. There is a local race at the end of the summer called the HARDford 50 Gravel Grinder in Hartford, Tennessee. Given that the cabins are right in the middle of the National Park, it makes for a perfect spot if you have non-cyclists in your group that want to spend time on the hiking trails or swimming holes in the Smokies. Cobbly Nob Rentals have the best views of the Great Smoky Mountains, allow dogs, and the owner is a local cyclist with tons of knowledge on cycling routes and hidden local eats. Mount Leconte is one of the famous hikes of the Smokies, but I highly recommend going to Charlies Bunion.ĭuring quarantine, I took to the mountains to be closer to gravel and stayed at Cobbly Nob Rentals, a short drive away from Hartford, Tennessee and Hots Springs, North Carolina where a lot of routes start.Sights to Seeġ0/10 would recommend adding these on to your Appalachian gravel biking trip: The Liv Devote Advanced, perfect for exploring gravel roads in Appalachia. Sycamore Cycles: A staple in Brevard and Hendersonville, North Carolina, this is the best stop for folks driving in from South Carolina or taking a vacation in Pisgah. Harper’s Bike Shop : If you’re coming from or driving through Knoxville, Tennessee, Harper’s is worth a stop.Īsheville Bicycle Company : If you’re staying in Asheville, or driving in on Highway 40, Asheville Bicycle Company will be able to hook you up with anything you need. Make sure you stop at a bike shop to stock up on supplies and get your bike serviced before heading out on your gravel adventure. Once you get out in the forest, there’s not much around – bike shops included. Map: If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s always nice to have a waterproof map for backup.Garmin: A charged Garmin device with your route preloaded is definitely nice to have.Water filter: In the Appalachian Mountains, you might not see a convenience store to fill up your bottle, but there is no shortage of water.So, here’s a few things I would always bring: ![]() The region here is full of diversity and has endless amounts of gravel roads, but you tend to get out of service and way off the beaten path. The Appalachian Mountains are known for their sprawling hills filled with waterfalls and the gravel roads are a great way to explore the depths that these mountains offer. ![]() There is an infinite amount of gravel to be discovered here and no two rides are ever the same. How many fire towers do I want to climb up? Whenever I’m planning a ride, I tend to ask myself a few questions:ĭo I want a coffee stop in the middle of the mountains?ĭo I want a swimming hole to cool down and get water? Gravel riding in eastern Tennessee consists of a web of roads connecting communities, mountain tops, swimming holes, farmland, state parks, and national forests. Little did I know, that one day of suffering would take me on some of the most demanding climbs to iconic views which would become the base of all my training miles as a professional mountain bike and gravel athlete. Many years ago when I first got into mountain bike racing, a group of friends took me on an epic gravel loop to get me ready for a 100-mile mtb race. I spend most of my race season traveling through the western United States to race, an area which claims to have the “best gravel routes.” While the gravel roads out West are stunning and challenging, I always leave knowing that my own backyard is the best kept secret around. Best Gravel Bike Routes in the Appalachian Mountains with KAYSEE ARMSTRONG, Liv Factory Racing Athlete
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