Bicycle Mornings in Cades Cove to Begin

Bicycle Mornings in Cades Cove to Begin

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

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Next Wednesday marks the first day of Bicycle Mornings in Cades Cove. From May 9th through late September, the Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to motor vehicle traffic on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10:00 a.m. in order to allow bicyclists and pedestrians the chance to enjoy the cove.

Two years ago the Smokies re-paved the loop road and made it an outstanding destination for road bikes. The 11-mile one-way road provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife and touring 19th century homesites. During the summer and fall season, bicycles may be rented from the Cades Cove Campground Store (located near the Cades Cove Campground) if needed. For information call (865) 448-9034. If at all possible I would highly recommend bringing your own bikes.

If you wish to explore the interior of Cades Cove via Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane, you will need a mountain bike or a hybrid.

For more information on cycling in the Smokies, please click here.



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Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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BRP Issues Press Release to Clarify Future Recreational Uses

BRP Issues Press Release to Clarify Future Recreational Uses

Monday, December 19, 2011

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Over the last several days I've posted a couple of blogs regarding concerns within the cycling community about the possibility of the Blue Ridge Parkway applying for National Historic Landmark status as a way of managing the parkway. The Adventure Cycling Association and the Virginia Bicycling Federation, and others, have expressed deep concern about the future of cycling on the Parkway as a result of this recommendation.

Last week Blue Ridge Parkway superintendent Phil Francis told Bicycle Retailer that "we’ve never had a discussion about limiting bicycle use as part of the GMP (draft management plan) process, not since I’ve been here." Francis also went on to say that "Our plan is to continue to welcome bicyclists; we are not planning to change our policy at all."

This afternoon Parkway officials published the following press release, clarifying their position, as well as some of the confusion being generated in some of these outlets:

The Blue Ridge Parkway was established for scenic driving and recreational purposes with a focus on the automobile. Over time, visitation trends have changed with an increased variety of uses, with both recreational vehicles and bicycles enjoying a scenic recreational experience. Both types of use have been accommodated on the Parkway. There is nothing in the General Management Plan (GMP) Preferred Alternative that precludes any existing uses from continuing, or precludes the consideration of new uses. There are many activities that occur on the Parkway - hiking, horseback riding, motorcycle use, running, bird watching - such uses are allowed where appropriate given resource protection and safety concerns. All uses of the Parkway motor road are currently and will continue to be managed under federal laws and National Park Service (NPS) policies.

The Parkway is National Register eligible because of its designed landscape, age, and contributing features and is world renowned as an example of rural Parkway design. NPS managers are required by law to manage eligible properties as if they were currently on the National Register of Historic Places. The historical significance of the Parkway motor road prism is based upon the design and spatial relationship of the travel lanes, grass shoulders, paved ditches, and cut and fill slopes. Keeping this relationship intact is critical to protecting the character and historic integrity of the Parkway, which NPS staff are charged with maintaining under the Organic Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and other NPS laws and policies.

Decisions about cultural and historic resources, like all Parkway resources and other day-to-day park management decisions, are dictated by NPS and Department of Interior (DOI) laws and policies, the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, and other law and policy. The GMP provides overall direction for that management, but is designed to provide general guidancewhile allowing flexibility for management within the parameters of law and policy.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Cycling the Cades Cove Loop Road

Cycling the Cades Cove Loop Road

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

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This past weekend my wife and I returned from another trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. On this visit we accomplished several firsts - including our first elk sighting in the Smokies, as well as our first visit to the Cataloochee area.

Last Wednesday we also had a chance to ride a bicycle around Cades Cove for the very first time. Let me tell you, other than actually walking it, cycling the loop road is absolutely the best way to see the Cove. Not having to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic offers a completely different experience as well as a different perspective of Cades Cove. You can ride at your own pace and enjoy the peace, quiet and tranquility of this truly special place.

Now I’m not recommending riding the loop at anytime. I’m referring to taking the opportunity to ride the loop when it’s closed to motor traffic on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

With brand new pavement recently laid down, we originally intended to bring our road bikes to the park. However, due to some roof rack issues, we decided to just go with some rentals from the Cades Cove Campground Store – a decision we really regretted. The mountain bikes we rented were in pretty bad condition. In addition to being forced to ride in an extreme forward position, I had shifting problems during the entire ride. The front brakes on Kathy’s bike didn’t work properly - effectively doubling her stopping distance and increasing her risk of crashing. Also, the quick release on her seat stem failed on several occasions resulting in her seat dropping while riding up hills.

When we returned we told the attendant about the problems and told them that they really needed to take better care of their bikes.

Honestly, until the store corrects these problems, you’re probably better off digging out that old rusted Huffy (with the banana seat) out of your attic.

We did discover one advantage with the rentals, however. Riding mountain bikes allowed us to ride on Sparks and Hyatt Lanes – something I highly recommend in order to explore the interior of the Cove.

Below are a few photos from our ride.

Over the next several days I’ll be sharing hike reports and other photos from our visit.








For more information on cycling in the Smokies, please click here.

Need cycling gear? Both the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Altrec Outdoors offer a wide variety of gear to get you properly outfitted for your next ride.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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