For many years, late September was the time when cyclists from all over the Southeast made their way to Western North Carolina for the Bridge to Bridge ride from Lenoir to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Bridge to Bridge is no more…however, this year there’s a new ride that promises to bring riders back to the High Country: The Blowing Rock Fall Classic ride on Saturday, September 26.
“Blowing Rock is excited to welcome cyclists from around the region to the first ever Fall Classic. Having 400 or more cyclists spending the weekend with us will certainly have a positive economic impact in what is traditionally a slower time of the year. This opportunity also allows us to showcase our scenic surroundings and hospitality to a very well heeled audience that we hope to see for many years to come, said Tracy Brown, Executive Director of the Blowing Rock TDA.
The Fall Classic starts and finishes in Blowing Rock, which is a great place to start and finish anything, and in between, a 72-mile circle on some of the region’s most scenic roads. Oh…and 6000 feet of cumulative climbing. Riders and their families or support teams should consider staying overnight in Blowing Rock either the Friday night before the ride, the Saturday night after…or both.
For more information on the ride, go to blowingrock.com/FallClassic, which has links to registration and detailed route information.
The Blowing Rock Fall Classic is part of a Triple Crown of bike rides, along with Blood, Sweat & Gears and the Beech Mountain Metric. For more information, call Scott Nelson at 704.450.2022.