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3 must ride routes during your visit to North Carolina

Whether you are looking for a long day in the saddle with lots of climbing or a quiet day on some singletrack Transylvania County has got it all

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Transylvania County in North Carolina is a microcosm of everything a cyclist could wish for in a training camp destination. Quiet roads are found throughout the area. Some smoothly paved that twist up picturesque mountains to the Blue Ridge Parkway while others roll gently along the flats. There is also gravel to be ridden for the more adventurous. Mountain bikers can find fire roads and technical singletrack with exposed rock and roots that go back into the mountains towards the regions cascading waterfalls and heavily forested slopes.

RELATED: A guide to cycling in North Carolina

Bob Bryant, Joe Driver, and Elizabeth Harrison bike the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bob Bryant, Joe Driver, and Elizabeth Harrison bike the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For Canadians, it’s a popular region for a spring training camp to put in some kilometres on the bike in a scenic area after a long winter. The lure of the mountainous geography and milder temperatures are hard to resist. Here are three rides you must check out during your stay in Transylvania county.

Canadian Cycling Magazine and Land of Waterfalls/Transylvania County want to set you up with a $5,800 cycling getaway to North Carolina. Here is how to enter. Deadline to enter is March 8.

Headwaters Loop

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Type: Road
Distance: 32-km
Elevation gain: 565 m

A good ride to get the legs spinning after a day of travel or just to ease into training camp. This loop will take you to the base of the road that heads up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The roads back here are quiet and well paved. After heading 10-km north you turn left onto an even quieter road which winds its way up through quiet countryside. It’s narrower here and there are some good kickers especially as you come by Macedonia Church. The road then heads south along some really picturesque twisting roads. After about 26-km you hook back up with U.S. Hwy 64 and head back to Rosman. The ride has a little over 500-m of climbing and you won’t be disappointing by the scenery.

Directions:

Headwatersloop

Begin in the town of Rosman where you’ll find a parking lot to leave a car at the corner of Old Turnpike Rd and the Pickens Hwy 178. Head west on Old Turnpike Rd until you reach the U.S. Hwy 64 and turn right before almost immediately turning left to head north onto Parkway Rd number 215. After 11 km of riding you come upon Macedonia Church Rd and turn left onto it. The road turns south by the Macedonia Church turning into Silverstein Rd which you follow until coming back onto the 64 which you turn right on to head back to Rosman.

Tour de Transylvania

For a bigger day on the road bike head to the Blue Ridge parkway for an extraordinary day of climbing and scenic views of the Appalachian Mountains. The road heads straight up from the town of Brevard in the parking at the Hub bike shop. The road is well paved and has some steep sections with gradients nearing 15 per cent in places. After 24-km of almost continuous climbing during which you will pass by Looking Glass Falls, you’ll reach the Blue Ridge Parkway. Make sure to stop at the many lookouts as you head southwest along the ridge for over 20-km. Then you get a ripping descent down the 215 with views but stay attentive because there are many switchbacks on the way down. The road heads south and is mostly downhill as you pass through the town of Balsam Grove. The gas station is a great place to fill up on snacks and water. It will be the only place you’ve come across so far to do so. The mostly quiet flat country roads will take you back to Brevard. The views of the mountains where you just were across the fields will be satisfying with all the climbing already in the legs.

Directions:

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The ride starts at The Hub in Brevard and heads north on the 276. Once the parkway is reached turn west and ride for 22-km along the parkway. Take the 2015 ramp to head off the parkway south towards Balsam Grove and Rosman. You’ll arrive in Rosman after 72-km then head east on the Old Rosman Highway before taking Hannah Ford Rd through Dunns Rock until you hit the 276. Follow the highway until Wolson Rd where you turn right. When you reach the 64 turn right and then take Ecusta Rd on your left until you get back to the bike shop.

DuPont State Recreational Forest

Transylvania County, North Carolina

If it’s single track you are looking to ride, DuPont State Forest is an excellent place to start. With plenty of fire roads and trails there are options for riders of all skill levels. As you head into the forest keep your head up for chances to catch some nice views especially on the lower slopes of the mountains. Also stay attentive for signs for the beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the park. It’s a very expansive trail system to explore in a geographical small area. There is over 100-km of fire roads and singletrack to be discovered. There are six parking areas where you can access trail heads. Visit dupontforest.com for details.

If you are looking for a more technical challenge hit up Pisgah National Forest where you’ll find challenging single track in another expansive and beautiful trail network. For trail maps and riding advice drop by the Hub or Sycamores Cycles bike shop.

RELATED: Win a cycling getaway to North Carolina’s cycling mecca, the Land of Waterfalls