Hi. I visit the Asheville area a couple of times a year, and have always wanted to figure out a (relatively) safe way, traffic-wise, to ride from downtown to Bent Creek. I've come across a route that approaches from Sand Hill Rd, then goes up 5096 (Baldwin Branch?). Apparently a couple of miles in, there's a trail turn off to access Mease Gap/N. Boundary Rd, but I've read it can be difficult to find this connector trail. Anyone here ever ride in that way? Any suggestions on how to find that connector trail? Thanks!
Riding to Bent Creek
grodo
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Joined
·
133 Posts
Hi. I visit the Asheville area a couple of times a year, and have always wanted to figure out a (relatively) safe way, traffic-wise, to ride from downtown to Bent Creek. I've come across a route that approaches from Sand Hill Rd, then goes up 5096 (Baldwin Branch?). Apparently a couple of miles in, there's a trail turn off to access Mease Gap/N. Boundary Rd, but I've read it can be difficult to find this connector trail. Anyone here ever ride in that way? Any suggestions on how to find that connector trail? Thanks!
Joined
·
42,655 Posts
that's probably not your best way. officially, the baldwin branch gravel is separate from n. boundary and doesn't connect. any connector between the two is unofficial and the usfs doesn't want it to exist, so it probably gets blocked off from time to time. from what I know of any that have existed is that they're super steep and truly suck to try to use. you probably won't be riding it.
there's a connector trail from the bent creek community park that you can use to get in. obv riding there from downtown requires you to use brevard rd. which sucks.
eventually (no idea how long it's gonna take) there should be a greenway connector from the existing greenway terminus at hominy creek river park at least down to the main turnoff from brevard rd to bent creek.
there's a connector trail from the bent creek community park that you can use to get in. obv riding there from downtown requires you to use brevard rd. which sucks.
eventually (no idea how long it's gonna take) there should be a greenway connector from the existing greenway terminus at hominy creek river park at least down to the main turnoff from brevard rd to bent creek.
Joined
·
133 Posts
Thanks Harold. Yeah, the connector (if it exists) seems to be pretty short and steep and I fully expected to have to hike-a-bike up it, so it does sound like it's unofficial.
Hmmm, okay. I'll need to look into accessing from BC Community Park then, i guess. As you mentioned, riding Brevard Rd sucks and is something I'm trying to avoid. Thanks again, I appreciate the info!
Hmmm, okay. I'll need to look into accessing from BC Community Park then, i guess. As you mentioned, riding Brevard Rd sucks and is something I'm trying to avoid. Thanks again, I appreciate the info!
Joined
·
42,655 Posts
as I understand, it's more than just hike-a-bike. from what I've heard, it came from walkers, not bikers. lots of downed timber and overgrowth. I've heard there's more than one, but they're more or less the same.
from how I've heard it described, it would actually achieve a rating on this scale.
Sub-Alpinism - The Brush and Bushwhack Rating System (alpenglow.org)
I have also heard that the USFS has considered an official connector but wants to see a history of better trail maintenance on the rest of the official bent creek trails before moving forward with anything. if there was an official, rideable connector between the gravel roads, it would be one I would use regularly. it would be a lot quicker for me to get from where I live onto the trails than to have to drive sardis and brevard rd to get around to the main entrance.
There are now short sections of painted bike lanes crossing over I-26 through the interchange. it also looks like there's enough room for these lanes to be extended well north, at least to 240. you can also cut through parking lots for a pretty good chunk of the busiest part, near the outlet mall. you can also chat with folks at motion makers and carolina fatz about their preferred ways to get to bent creek.
I was considering riding this route. Is the hike a bike section referenced on this route the same one being discussed?
Thank you for the help.
Appalachian Gravel Growler
The Appalachian Gravel Growler is a 4-6 day bikepacking route that explores one of America’s top craft beer destinations...
Joined
·
133 Posts
Yes, that 'back entry' into Bent Creek is exactly the route / connector I'm asking about.
I was considering riding this route. Is the hike a bike section referenced on this route the same one being discussed?
Thank you for the help.
Appalachian Gravel Growler
The Appalachian Gravel Growler is a 4-6 day bikepacking route that explores one of America’s top craft beer destinations...bikepacking.com
Joined
·
3,337 Posts
The best way - in my opinion- to ride to Bent Creek is to take the greenway to Hominy Creek, then cross the closed bridge off Hominy Creek road, ride up to 191, then ride 191 to Pole Creasman, access BC through the neighborhood or just ride to Rice Pinnacle. 191 has a very wide right lane there is room for you and an unnecessarily giant truck even. This is by far the fastest way and there's some trail-ish sections on the greenway.
Another option is to go through Biltmore Forest to the Parkway, Parkway to 191, Arboretum to BC. Less traffic, much longer. There are trails that drop off the parkway, but that'd be poaching, yo.
Another option is to go through Biltmore Forest to the Parkway, Parkway to 191, Arboretum to BC. Less traffic, much longer. There are trails that drop off the parkway, but that'd be poaching, yo.
Joined
·
133 Posts
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
