DAY RIDE TO ASHEVILLE AND THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

On Wednesday, July 22, we took a Day Ride. Our destination was to ride to Asheville, North Carolina and then ride back to Cherokee on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Jeff kicks off our day in this video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 10am. It was a beautiful warm sunny day.

We rode south on Chapman Highway which took us into Sevierville and on through Chestnut Hill and then into Newport. We stopped in Newport at 11:30am for fuel and a quick snack.

Crackers and an apple make for a nice snack.

In Newport we took 25/70 east through Del Rio.

On the bridge over the French Broad River.

From Del Rio, we continued on 25/70 into Hot Springs, NC.

DR7-22-15-6 — Hot Springs is a quaint mountain town.

From Hot Springs, we continued on 25/70 toward Asheville.

From 25/70 we took 251 south – a beautiful road which runs along the French Broad River.

DR7-22-15-8 — Vacation houses are located all along the river.

DR7-22-15-9 — We’re taking another road break. This ride is all about the miles.

251 took us into Asheville. We arrived around 1:30pm, our journey not even half done, and we didn’t have a chance to walk around. We rode through downtown without stopping. Asheville was alive with students, tourists, and a multitude of shops, museums, bars and restaurants.

After riding and gawking through downtown Asheville, we took 240 east to get to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Within a half hour from Asheville, we were at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. We needed to find out about gas stops along the way.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a gorgeous design.

The interior of the Visitor Center is set up like a museum. Restrooms are available and the staff helps visitors plan their travel.

DR7-22-15-11 — Inside the Visitor Center is a long map of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jeff loves maps!

From the Visitor Center, we headed south. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a stunning road with a maximum speed of 45 mph. Often cars travel even slower to take in the views.

Here is our first stop about a half hour from the Visitor Center.

DR7-22-15-13 — These views explain why the Blue Ridge Parkway is such a popular destination.

By the time we took the above photos, it was 2:30pm and we were hungry.

At 3:00pm, we arrived at the General Store at Pisgah Inn.

DR7-22-15-15 — The General Store has cold sandwiches and snacks available for purchase. And we were ready to eat!

DR7-22-15-16 — Just above the General Store is the Pisgah Inn. Looks like a nice mountain resort.

DR7-22-15-17 — The Inn staff stays in another building high above the General Store.

DR7-22-15-18 — Jeff checks his map one more time before we head out. The General Store doesn’t have fuel so we needed to find another stop.

Here's the view just ten minutes from the General Store. Oh yeah baby! — Here’s the view just ten minutes from the General Store. Oh yeah baby!

DR7-22-15-20 — Another view from Funnel Top.

DR7-22-15-21 — Another view twenty minutes down the road.

DR7-22-15-22 — We arrive at Richland Balsam Overlook at 4:15pm.

DR7-22-15-23 — This is the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

DR7-22-15-24 — It’s mandatory to get a photo next to the placard. (By this time we needed a jacket for warmth.)

DR7-22-15-25 — I told you it was mandatory.

After reveling in the views, we got back on the Parkway and took the exit to Waynesville, NC for fuel. From the exit, we traveled about five miles into Waynesville, fueled up, then rode back to the Parkway.