Appalachian Trail starting in GA
 

Thinking about riding the Appalachian Trail starting in GA + getting off about halfway into NC and ending in Ashville, NC. Riding a cross bike and my buddy amt bike. Anyone know ANYTHING about something like this? Hints , tips, done it before? I’ve never have, so looking for good info.

I didn't think bikes were allowed on the Appalachian Trail. They are allowed on some of it or was I just flat wrong?

Bicycles, motorcycles or any other kind of vehicle are not allowed on the Appalachian Trail. Try the Blue Ridge Parkway if you want to ride a bike through the mountains.

No bikes on AT.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiki...ations-permits

Maybe you could look at some of the great divide. Supposed to be the bee's knees for offroad touring.

Hmmm crap... did not even think they wouldnt be allowed. But thanks for the alternatives. Guess we'll just have to find something else to do! Something that starts in North GA would be nice... or NC near Asheville.

http://www.mtbikewnc.com/
http://www.ncbikeclub.org/ncbclink.htm

Have fun. It's a gorgeous area.

Mr C. If you got six months to spare you could hike it. It's supposed to be quite the adventure. We met a couple who were about a third of the way along it while we were riding on the Blue Ridge Highway. We just happened to be stopped for a break when they came out of the woods to cross the road...right where we had stopped. Their stories were amazing!

hiking the trail is one of my life goals....do that!

Yeah my wife and I put hiking the AT on our bucket list :) Beautiful place.

Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC/VA and Skyline Drive in VA would be a great alternative. Lots of cyclists do this. The parkways have relatively light traffic and are incredibly scenic, with many places to camp along the way. There's even a book about, the title is something surprising like Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Google it.

Some other options are the C&O Canal trail, which runs from Washington DC as far as Pittsburgh, PA, I believe. That is unpaved if you prefer off-road. Also check out the Natchez Trace parkway, which runs through Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

I cycled the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive recently. I applied for and received a "back-country permit" to basically camp anywhere in the parks as long as I was 1/4 mile off the road. They don't even allow people to push a bicycle on the AT for 1/4 mile... or on the fire roads. At the fire roads, there are signs that say "Backcountry-no bicycle allowed" I'm currently riding the C&O and it's perfect for bikes

Yeah, been looking into the Blue Ridge Prkwy. Really digging it. My buddy lives in GA, and I'm stuck in OK, so flying out there to do this. Been looking around and think we'll get dropped off in Hiawasee, GA (sp?) right on the boarder, and take smaller rds to Bryson City, NC... then on to the BRP and into Asheville. And I dig the "back-country permit" a lot cause it'll give us way more flexibility. In case we're sucking... Which we NEVER would ;)

And I did want to hike the AT... But really got into riding and didnt know what else was in the area. So I really appreciate the help! If you know any other good info abou the route I'm thinking about please let me know...

What about doing the OT in Arkansas?
 

Mr. CJ,

You might check out this ( http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...sm9_039448.pdf )...3 hours from Tulsa and it is a 192 mile trail that about half "is bikeable". I've been trying to get down there to do the section between HWY 27 and HWY 7 (Seg 8 & 9)...it has huts, so you don't need to bring tents. Also, you will be right next to the Womble!!! great trail in AR.

Check this forum for local beta: http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=145


Kev

That should make a great trip. Definitely pick up a copy of the book I mentioned. It's well worth the cost, less than $20 in paperback.

A few things to consider about riding on the BRP. There is virtually no development along it aside from a few park-approved lodges and shops. Camping areas are spread out (another reason for the book or at least a park map). To resupply food, you'll need to get off the parkway and ride down to towns along the way. Since the parkway runs right along the Blueridge, that means very significant elevation drops to the towns, with steep climbs back up. You'll need headlights and tail-lights for your bike. The park service requires it because of the tunnels, and you'll be glad you have them. Carry plenty of water bottles because you won't be able to get water just anywhere. Traffic is generally light on weekdays (except during fall leaf season) but can be heavy at times on weekends. Weather is much cooler and wetter on the parkway than roads at lower elevations due to the altitude. Bring rain gear.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiki...ations-permits

"Bicycles and mountain bikes are not permitted on the Trail or the Trail corridor. "

Ooooops.. didn't catch all the replies above - pardon my redundancy.

You might want to go from Hiwasee through Copper Hill, then up TN 68 (narrow, winding road over two ridges) to Tellico Plains. From there take the Cherohala Skyway to Robbinsville, down the Dragon then up to Fontana, and into Cherokee to get on the BRP. Too much tourist traffic on 19 for my taste, flying low and gawking at the rafters.

I don't know how the AT is in other areas, but in my area of VA we've hiked a lot of it and I don't see how much of it would even be rideable even if they did let you. Maybe on a full sus MTB and with a couple years to do it... :-)

In this area it's a LOT of rock scrambles and stairstep switchbacking up and down the ridges.

@ kbabin. Look at the OT pdf and love it! Still think I'll end up doing something in GA with my buddy, but def want to do this while I live in OK. Do you live near the trail or have you done it before?