Locating the MTMS in Asheville in 2015 was the first time that the event was held in an urban setting. Although a change of tradition, using a city offers a few advantages. Asheville offers easier access due to its location at the intersection of multiple federal highways. Another advantage is the accessibility of quality restaurants, shopping, and things to do. And the diversity of lodging provides choices – from an inexpensive hotel in downtown to nicer hotels to B&Bs. Gathering sites for MTMS attendees would probably form at the beer bars that are located only a block away from the recommended lodging.
And the riding is phenomenal, with only few miles of urban riding required to reach the good stuff just outside of town. Asheville is a unique town, with progressive politics, good restaurants and a stellar beer culture, a walkable and bike-friendly downtown, and lots of stuff to do off the bike (or for significant others who may choose to attend this MTMS). Its location may even entice first time attendance from the Major Taylor clubs in Nashville and Charlotte, as well.
Check out this nice video from the Asheville Convention folks.
THE AREA
Asheville is located in the high mountains of the North Carolina Blue Ridge, approximately 100 miles west of Charlotte. Mount Mitchell and Mount Pisgah, both at more than 5,700 feet, loom near the city. It is one of the few cities of any size in the mountains, with a population of ~85,000. It tends to lean both older and younger, with a sizeable retirement population, but also a very vibrant group of young people attracted to the area’s universities, progressive thinking, and foodie atmosphere. Below are the driving distances from various cities.
Atlanta: 3.75 hrs New York: 10 hrs Columbus: 7 hrs Chicago: 10 hrs Philly: 9 hrs
Washington, DC: 7 hrs Baltimore: 7.5 hrs Detroit: 9 hrs Charlotte: 2 hrs Nashville: 4.5 hrs
Airports, Bike Shipping and Rentals: Asheville has a regional airport about 10 miles south of downtown. Check your local airlines to see if there are affordable flights into Asheville from your area. Charlotte is the closest major city, with all of the requisite airport car rental and bus options. No train to Asheville, though. You can ship your bike to Hearn Cycling in Asheville for a negotiated fee, which is immediately across the street from the MTMS headquarters at the Downtown Asheville Inn. Check and see if your hotel will accept delivery of a bike. Or, see below about road bike rentals in Asheville.
STUFF TO DO
The big attractions in Asheville are the restaurants and the breweries. Few cities of any size have the diversity and quality of eating choices of this town, and most are within a ten minute walk of the Downtown Asheville Inn. There are 10 breweries and serious beer bars in the central city, making it one of the best beer cities in the country. Two of these bars are across the street from the DAI. Some large breweries have chosen to make it home, too – including Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues, and New Belgium Brewing.
Asheville is also home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest residential home ever built in the U.S. and still a self-sufficient farm and winery, and open for tours. Other interesting destinations include the Folk Art Center, Biltmore Village, Black Mountain arts community, dozens of parks, and incredibly good shopping. And not to be missed is the drum circle in the downtown square on Friday nights. Visitors are welcome to bring their own drums!
Click on the map to see an interactive map of key MTMS places in Asheville, including restaurants, beer joints and things to do.
BIKE SHOPS
Asheville has lots of good shops. Across the street from MTMS headquarters is Hearn Cycling, which specializes in hard to find parts for old or unusual bicycles. Liberty Bicycles is a high end road shop, located on Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25), just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and south of Asheville. Liberty rents high-end Trek Domane and Lexa road bikes. Pro-Bikes in West Asheville also rents road bikes, but it’s closed on Sunday (get that bike back on Saturday afternoon!) Both rental bike shops are outside of the immediate Asheville downtown area, so plan on driving to the shop or catching a local bus. Youngblood Bikes is a road shop just a little over a mile north of the downtown area.
A few items to note:
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Those who choose one of the cheaper hotels on Tunnel Road will have to drive into town to join the rides, eating, etc., and parking on the streets or lots is hardly ever free (although parking at the Downtown Asheville Inn is free for those staying there).
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The city itself sits at more than 2,000 feet, and meteorologists claim it has a similar weather season to Boston – so warm weather is not guaranteed. The average April high temp is 68 and the average low is 43, and it’s a relatively dry month, averaging just over 3”. Snow is not unheard of, but unlikely at the time of the MTMS.
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Finally, those who want flat or easy rides cannot be easily accommodated. Serious rolling terrain is about as close as it gets, unless one rides along the river every day.
*** Please register for the MTMS on the button to the right. Your registration funds allow us to provide a quality event, with rest stops, good maps, and more. You also have the option of paying your registration fee at the Downtown Asheville Inn at certain times during the MTMS. See the Schedule of Events section for details.
A nun drinking a beer is not all that unusual in Asheville, whose slogan is “Keep Asheville Weird.”
Major Taylor Mountains Summit - 2017 