Headed to Asheville - what do I need to know

[Tugela]

Last millennium I spent a summer working near Hendersonville NC and saw enough of Asheville to consider settling down there. But Seattle won out and I've been there ever since. I have been taking advantage of working remotely during the pandemic to literally work remotely - I spent last month in Michigan and now I'm in Florida. I decided to stretch out my road trip and I have plans to head up to Asheville for the month of March. I'm sure a lot has changed since I've been there so I'd appreciate some pointers from folks who are familiar with the area.

Specifically, I'd like to know:

• Where to go off-roading. I have my stock LR3 with 265/65/18 AT tires.
• Where's the good cycling? I have my road bike with me, but not my mountain bike. I plan to get my hands on a mountain bike, either rent/buy/borrow. If you know anyone in the area who'd loan me an XL sized mountain bike, I'd be thrilled.
• What are the good local breweries these days? Distilleries?
• Is there a Rover club/scene?

That's plenty to get me started. I'll have more questions but it's still 2 months away and I like to do my research.

 

[Howski]

I’d suggest Hurricane Creek trail which is probably 30-45 mins outside Asheville paired with a trip up to Max Patch. There are a lot of other FS roads to explore but nothing much fun outside of some good scenery. There’s a pretty active group WNC Land Rover on Facebook. Give me a shout when you’ll be around and I’ll throw out some feelers for a ride if you’re interested.

Nearby DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest near Brevard has some excellent mountain biking. Not sure of any good road biking in the area but sure there is some.

There’s about a million breweries in Asheville area. We usually hit Wicked Weed, Green Man, Catawba, and Highlands. Sierra Nevada and New Belgium weren’t fully open the last time I was up there but worth going to if they are. If you go to Brevard drop by Oskar Blues.

 

[MM3846]

I was there last March. Eat at Curate. You should make reservations, but if it’s just you you’ll prob be able to walk in and grab a seat at the bar. My fave local breweries were the Funkatorium (sours) and Burial (IPAs). The name and descriptions of the beers at Burial are brutal and they play metal music (or jazz, oddly) in the brewery.

Don’t skimp on the tours at Sierra Nevada and New Belgium though. I didn’t pay for one of the tours at Sierra, just did the free one but the experiences seemed cool if you’re into that. The building is beautiful. The New Belgium tour was totally free and my wife and I got absolutely hammered.

Don’t sleep on driving some of the Blue Ridge Parkway if you never have. It’s totally empty if you head up at dawn, but in March it won’t be that busy anyway. Watch for weather/closures.

 

[Howski]

Buxton Hall BBQ and Carmel’s are restaurants we visit regularly. Keep in mind NC is still relatively shut down (for a southern state) so would recommend getting reservations when possible

 

[Blueboy]

Last millennium I spent a summer working near Hendersonville NC and saw enough of Asheville to consider settling down there. But Seattle won out and I've been there ever since. I have been taking advantage of working remotely during the pandemic to literally work remotely - I spent last month in Michigan and now I'm in Florida. I decided to stretch out my road trip and I have plans to head up to Asheville for the month of March. I'm sure a lot has changed since I've been there so I'd appreciate some pointers from folks who are familiar with the area.

Specifically, I'd like to know:

• Where to go off-roading. I have my stock LR3 with 265/65/18 AT tires.
• Where's the good cycling? I have my road bike with me, but not my mountain bike. I plan to get my hands on a mountain bike, either rent/buy/borrow. If you know anyone in the area who'd loan me an XL sized mountain bike, I'd be thrilled.
• What are the good local breweries these days? Distilleries?
• Is there a Rover club/scene?

That's plenty to get me started. I'll have more questions but it's still 2 months away and I like to do my research.

So, taking some time off?

 

[Tugela]

So, taking some time off?

I am due for a sabbatical this year, which I hope to take if I can work it into my schedule. I'll probably be working while in Asheville, but I'll probably also be getting "sick" a lot and getting prescriptions for heavy doses of single track mountain biking.

 

[K-rover]

I am due for a sabbatical this year, which I hope to take if I can work it into my schedule. I'll probably be working while in Asheville, but I'll probably also be getting "sick" a lot and getting prescriptions for heavy doses of single track mountain biking.

A few hours west of Asheville, in Tennessee is Windrock park. Probably the largest 4x4 park on the east coast. Oh and they also have crazy single track courses. Definitely worth a visit!

 

[jymmiejamz]

My in-laws just bought a mountain house about 30 min from Asheville. I’d love to check out some mountain biking trails or off road trails there.

If you know what bike you want, Carytown Bicycle Company in Richmond, Va is owned by two Land Rover guys. I’d be happy to bring a bike down for you if they have what you’re looking for.

 

[JackW]

Lots of Forest Service roads off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and there is the Kentucky Adventure Tour off to the northwest - a 1000 mile loop around eastern n Kentucky that loops into Tennessee and West Virginia. Lots of Mt Bike trails out near Reeb Ranch near Brevard

 

[MM3846]

A few hours west of Asheville, in Tennessee is Windrock park. Probably the largest 4x4 park on the east coast. Oh and they also have crazy single track courses. Definitely worth a visit!

Windrock's trail system for mild 4wds is kind of shitty. It's miles of 5mph or less of annoying rutted out rocky double track access roads to get to the trails you want to actually wheel. With 35s or bigger (or SxS or ATVs) you can just breeze over these access roads, with less its really a pain. At least, that was my experience. Their MTB trails however are phenomenal.

 

[Blue]

Just stay inside with a mask on. Do it for the chilrin.

 

[K-rover]

Windrock's trail system for mild 4wds is kind of shitty. It's miles of 5mph or less of annoying rutted out rocky double track access roads to get to the trails you want to actually wheel. With 35s or bigger (or SxS or ATVs) you can just breeze over these access roads, with less its really a pain. At least, that was my experience. Their MTB trails however are phenomenal.

We didnt really have that problem in our group, but with 75,000 acres it is a long drive from one end to the other. We did take a few public roads to the back side of the park in order to save some time on the last day.

 

[MM3846]

We didnt really have that problem in our group, but with 75,000 acres it is a long drive from one end to the other. We did take a few public roads to the back side of the park in order to save some time on the last day.

It might have been the way we accessed the trails, true. It is a LARGE place and the mountains and valley make it difficult for access roads to criss-cross the property.

 

[ukoffroad]

Asheville is great. When I lived in Richmond, we wanted to try someplace new and narrowed it to Charlottesville here and Asheville. Wife got the better job offer in Cville but I would have loved that area.

 

[Tugela]

Progress to report: the house I'm renting is literally down the street from an access point to the Bent Creek singletrack trail network. And I bought another mountain bike to be delivered to that house since my other mountain bikes are back home. I think I'm going to be suitably occupied for my month there.

 

[Blueboy]

Progress to report: the house I'm renting is literally down the street from an access point to the Bent Creek singletrack trail network. And I bought another mountain bike to be delivered to that house since my other mountain bikes are back home. I think I'm going to be suitably occupied for my month there.

Great to hear and hope the weather cooperates for you.