We have racked our brains to come up with a better way to promote and celebrate cycling and bike advocacy in the Southeast. We’ve already participated in the National Bike Summit in DC, we’ve conducted bike law training courses for bike clubs and the police, we’ve given away hundreds of red blinkie lights, we’ve spread the word on the radio and television, we’ve written about new bike laws, and we’ve worked hand in hand with local and state-wide advocacy groups.
Then, in a flash, it struck us: let’s go for a bike ride!
We picked the best time of year (June), the best place in the world to ride (Blue Ridge Parkway and Mt. Mitchell), the best tour operator (Paul Wood of www.blackbearadventures.com), and the best fellow riders (twenty of you).
Join us from Wednesday June 22nd through Sunday June 26th for a five-day journey through cycling paradise. The plan is to have Paul and his team guide us on the most scenic stretches of the Parkway, as we ride from inn to inn. We will have great accommodations, amazing food, and just the right level of pampering. We will ride ourselves ragged during the day, relax around the dinner table, and brainstorm about the future of bike advocacy in the Southeast. Every evening will focus on a different angle, as we get deeper towards an answer: How will the Southeast fulfill its promise to be the center of North American cycling?
We will combine the very best of bicycle tourism with a roundtable to further our passion for bicycle advocacy. You will come away energized and empowered to continue making a difference in the Southeast. We have some of the greatest cycling problems to face, but also have the most promise for the future.
Tour Itinerary: This is challenging terrain, but there will be options for riding less. Paul knows how to cater to all fitness levels. No one will complain that it is too easy!
Day 1 Wednesday June 22: Meet in Blowing Rock, NC, with an afternoon ride along beautiful Route 221.
Day 2 Thursday June 23: Cycle from Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland.
Day 3 Friday June 24: Cycle from Little Switzerland to Asheville including ascent up Mt. Mitchell.
Day 4 Saturday June 25: Cycle one of many metric century options available from Asheville.
Day 5 Sunday June 26: Morning ride from Asheville before our afternoon shuttle back to Blowing Rock.
The price of the Tour is $1200, which includes all lodging, most food, shuttle transportation back to Blowing Rock, all guide services, and a specially designed mybikelaw jersey, shorts, and socks!
Please let us know if you want a space asap, as there is only room for 20. To sign up for the ride, contact Jana at (843) 723-9804.
