maggie valley routes needed
 

next weekend 8/8-8/11 i'll be in maggie valley. anyone have any routes that include a lot of climbing over 25-30 miles leaving from maggie valley? don't laugh red.

You can ride up to Cataloochee Ski area from Maggie Valley but I promise you will only do that once. :eek:

Most people avoid the Maggie Valley area for riding because of all the tourist traffic. I would recommend driving over to Balsam Gap and riding the Blue Ridge Parkway either towards Asheville or Cherokee. Either way will be an out and back unless you want to take in a long loop and some busier roads.

The other option is to drive through Waynesville on 276 to the intersection of NC 215 and park. Ride up 215 to the BRP then either come back down or go North on the BRP to 276 back down to your car. That makes a 45 mile loop. Make sure you turn the right way at the two intersections or you will have made a big mistake!

Thanks or the information.

Just out of curiosity, what is so bad about the Cataloochie ski area ride?

Hey bnettles, I live in Haywood County and if you get an early start, a good ride close to Maggie is:

Start at the intersection of 276 N & 23 at the stop light on the east side of Maggie. Go north on 276(a 4 lane highway going toward I-40) When you reach I-40, go under the interstate & turn right onto RabbitSkin Road. Climb up & over gap & enjoy a long, fast downhill to the Pigeon River. At the river, go straight & start up Iron Duff Road. When you come to a traffic island, go right onto Coleman Mountain Road. This road will climb up & over I-40 and will take you back to 276, Turn left & return to start(17 miles or so) If you want a longer ride, when you get to the river at the end of rabbitskin, turn left, cross the bridge, go right to highway 209, turn left, cross Rush Fork, a climb that is much harder than it looks, and drop down to Ferguson Supply Store. At the store, 209 goes right, you stay straight past the side of the store & go to Fines Creek Rd. Turn left at intersection & go back to I 40 and turn right onto Panther Creek Rd. Follow Panther Creek Road back to the bridge across the River & turn right & climb back up RabbitSkin.

It's just a very steep climb. It averages 10.5% for 2.9 miles with a few sections that are much steeper. Give it go, and report back. :)

I know that road. Fie Top Road, I think. The first part of the road is pretty steep! Higher up it isn't so bad, but that is all relative.

This is a nice ride and doable by even a large flatlander like me with a 39x25 low gear. It is a long climb up, but the grade never gets too extreme. Once on the BRP it seems flat!:lol:

Thank you all very much.

It sounds like the Cataloochie climb is similar to the Snake Mountain climb in BSG.

I'll give some of these a try and roll up and down the BRP.