Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour
July 13-20, 2024
Join us in the spirit of camaraderie, philanthropy, and sport on an 8-day, 469-mile fully supported charity ride along the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. The ride is self-paced and open to all abilities.
Join Our
Arthritis Challenge Experience
Introducing the Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour, a thrilling cycling experience that brings the beauty of the East Coast to the forefront of our charitable mission. The California Coast Classic is the Arthritis Foundation’s premier national destination event and flagship fundraiser. Inspired by its success, the Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour is designed as a local adventure, allowing cyclists who can’t make it to California an opportunity to participate and contribute to the cause.
Ready to roll? Join our team and participate in our voluntary fundraising campaign and help us raise funds to conquer arthritis and make a life-changing difference, all while having A TON OF FUN! Secure your spot by registering for $349, and if you’re up for it, consider setting a personal fundraising goal of $500. Your voluntary support will make a significant difference in our mission!
Registration Includes:
Click on the arrows for more details.
Daily meals
Breakfast and dinner will be each day of riding. Only breakfast will be provided on the last day of riding.
Nutrition supplies
SAG support will provide snacks and hydration options throughout each day. Infinit Nutrition will also provide drink mixes for energy, hydration, and recovery.
SAG support
Vehicle support will provide transportation for participants if a rider is not feeling up to completing part of the ride or just needs us to carry a little extra gear such as clothing or tools.
Camping gear transportation
SAG support will transport your camping gear each day for you. We will be staying at the same campground two nights in a row so you do not need to take down camp during those days.
Camping fees
Camping reservations will be made in advance of the trip and are covered with registration.
Discounted Velocity Cycling account for virtual training and group rides
Join us for weekly coached training rides for a nominal fee. Enjoy structured classes focused on the critical nuances of endurance cycling such as metabolic training, form, pacing, shifting, cadence, climbing/descending, and more. You’ll receive an invitation to connect after registration.
Parkway Sign Car Decal
What better way to remember ”America’s Favorite Drive” than with a reproduction of an actual road sign from the parkway?
Official Arthritis Foundation ACEXCCC Fundraiser Page
You’ll receive a personal fundraising website link to include in your emails, letters, and social media posts. You’ll also receive a Fundraising Handbook brimming with advice, tips, and ideas. We are fundraising experts who can help design a customized plan to reach the minimum fundraising goal. We have helped many who were nervous about reaching the minimum surpass it, so don’t be intimidated. It’s very attainable.
Facebook Fundraiser Page
Take your fundraising to social media. You’ll be provided with a custom Facebook page to share your experience with your friends and keep them up to date with your training as well as the ride itself each day!
An unforgettable adventure, breathtaking views, friendships, and fond memories to last a lifetime!
Go ahead, Click Register, and get started.
If you can’t join the ride, we’d appreciate your donation to help reach our fundraising goal.
Arthritis is a thief. It steals everyday joys and long-term dreams. It isolates and ostracizes. It is painful. It induces a spirit of “No.”
Becoming “Champions of Yes” sums up the essence of our goal, charting a course for the arthritis community, and helping families develop personalized plans for saying yes—day after day.
As the nation’s leading cause of disability, arthritis affects nearly 60 million Americans, including 300,000 children.
Join Our Strava Club
Resources
FAQ, fundraising resources, training plan, packing list, event schedule, and more coming soon.
Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains
A backdrop of captivating landscapes and rich cultural history
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic highway that stretches for 469 miles along the spine of the greater Appalachian (pronounced, App-a-LATCH-an) mountain chain, connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It was conceived during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal’s efforts to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Construction began in 1935, and the parkway was completed in 1987.
The parkway provides cyclists with an immersive experience as they pedal through a diverse range of ecosystems from rolling meadows to high altitude boreal forests. One of the highlights of the Blue Ridge Parkway is its numerous scenic overlooks, providing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. These overlooks are perfect spots for participants to take a break, soak in the scenery, and capture memorable photos. Notable viewpoints include Craggy Gardens, Linville Viaduct, and Grandfather Mountain.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is intricately intertwined with the historical narrative of the Highlanders who first settled this rugged terrain. Hailing from Scottish and Irish immigrant roots, these Highlanders brought their rich cultural heritage of independence, durability, and resilience to the region, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape. This creates an unparalleled and motivational backdrop for personal development, where the spirit of the past converges with the journey of the present.
Mt. Mitchell – Milepost 355
Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and the highest point in the Appalachian Mountains at 6,684 feet (2,037 meters) above sea level. Due to its high elevation, Mount Mitchell experiences cooler temperatures than the surrounding lower elevations. The climate is often more reminiscent of northern regions, and the summit is home to a spruce-fir forest, a habitat more commonly found in the northeastern United States and Canada.
Day 1
61 miles – 9,677′ climbing
Straight out of the gate on day 1, we’ll climb from Cherokee to the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Attractions: Waterrock Knob Visitor Center
Day 2
69 miles – 7,109′ climbing
What goes up must come down. Today we’ll come down to the valley floor as we skirt around Asheville, NC.
Attractions: Folk Art Center Visitor Center, Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, & Mt. Mitchell State Park
Tunnels
The Blue Ridge Parkway features a total of 26 tunnels along its route, each contributing to the overall experience of biking through the picturesque mountain scenery. Tunnels were carefully placed and designed to blend with the environment. The architects and engineers aimed to ensure that the parkway provided a harmonious experience, allowing travelers to appreciate the scenic vistas without disruptions.
Day 3
43 miles – 4,365′ climbing
Attractions: Musuem of North Carolina Minerals Visitor Center, Linville Falls Visitor Center, & Linn Cover Visitor Center.
Day 4
58 miles – 6,350′ climbing
Attractions: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Visitor Center & Northwest Trading Post
Day 5
71 miles – 5,537′ climbing
While it’s not the short day mileage wise, this is arguably the flatest day with a decent to start the day off with and lots of smaller hills.
Attractions: Brinegar Cabin, Cumberland Knob Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Music Center, Mabry Mill, & Rocky Knob Visitor Center
Linn Cove Viaduct – Milepost 303
The Linn Cove Viaduct is an engineering marvel and a notable feature of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Construction of the Linn Cove Viaduct began in 1979 and was completed in 1983. The viaduct was designed to minimize the environmental impact on Grandfather Mountain, a region known for its ecological diversity and rugged terrain. It represents the final link to complete the entire 469-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Day 6
81 miles – 7,333′ climbing
We’ll return back to the valley as we circumvent Roanoke, VA.
Attractions: Explore Park Visitor Center & Peaks of Otter Visitor Center
Day 7
86 miles – 8,411′ climbing
Immediately after leaving camp we’ll climb to the highest elevation of the parkway in Virginia at 3,950’ as we skirt around Terrapin Mountain. Then after a steep descent, we’ll cross the James River, the lowest point on the entire parkway, before ending this epic journey with one last push through rolling terrain to reach Wanyesboro, VA.
Attractions: Whetsone Ridge & Humpback Rocks Visitor Center
200 Overlooks
26 Tunnels
2 states
One Unforgettable Experience
Together, we are champions of Yes!
Arthritis is a thief. People with arthritis know this full well. It steals everyday joys and long-term dreams. It isolates and ostracizes. It is painful. It induces a spirit of “No.”
It doesn’t have to be this way. There are unique ways of fighting for everyday victories. Champion of Yes sums up the essence of our goal, charting the course for the arthritis community, and helping families develop personalized plans for saying yes—day after day.
We Ride Differently
Fitness
Improving your fitness gives you the opportunity to pursue new adventures every day! Then something miraculous happens. As your physical fitness improves, so does your mental fitness. (Or vice versa. You cannot have one without the other.) As your mental fitness improves, your life improves. The ultimate reward of connecting both your physical and mental fitness to your daily life comes when you’re able to move beyond your own needs by serving others.
Community
At Carolina Multisports, our training is driven by purpose. We believe in utilizing the God-given talents and strengths we possess to serve others whenever possible. While exercise and physical fitness offer proven benefits, we find that true happiness comes from serving our community. Each year, we actively engage in multiple community projects, embodying our commitment to make a positive impact beyond the realms of sports and fitness.
Adventure
What makes an adventure truly unforgettable is the pursuit of new experiences, the new perspectives you gain, and the parts of yourself that you discover along the way. These are the stories you’ll tell for years to come and the moments that will inspire others to embark on their own adventures. So go ahead, step out of your comfort zone and into the extraordinary—the world awaits.
