One of my favorite short rides is a loop from North Asheville out Patton Mountain Road to Town Mountain Road and then to the Parkway at Craven Gap. From Craven Gap, I like to ride north to Bull Gap and then take Ox Creek Rd to Elk Mountain Scenic Highway and ride back to North Asheville. From my home near Beaver Lake, this is a 16 mile loop with about 1700 feet of climbing.
I start by heading up Gracelyn Rd from Merrimon Avenue. Gracylyn becomes Griffing Blvd when it crosses Kimberly Avenue. Griffing ends at North Griffing, which climbs and then runs along the side of Patton Mountain. Patton Mountain Road, which is a good quality dirt/gravel road, starts on Nortth Griffing and climbs to the top of Patton Mountain and then down to Town Mountain Road. After Patton Mountain Road, North Griffing becomes Sunset Drive which comes out on Old Toll Road. Old Toll is another good way to ride up to Town Mountain Road. Ashevile has lots of roads that change names!
The Rose Garden on Griffing Blvd
Griffing turns left and starts climbing just past the Rose Garden
A view of Downtown Asheville from North Griffing
North Griffing Road
Patton Mountain Road
Looking down on Beaver Lake from Patton Mountain Road
my house is close to the middle of this image, hidden by trees
Beaverdam Valley ends at the bottom center of it
At the end of the dirt section of Patton Mountain Road,
You turn right at the water tank onto the paved road
and ride past the Western Residence - for NC's Governor,
downhill to Town Mountain road.
Turn left on Town Mountain Road
Heading north on Town Mountain Road just after Patton Mountain Road
Climbing the Esses on Town Mountain Road
On the Parkway
Starting up Ox Creek Road
Climbing on Elk Mountain Scenic Highway
A farm near the top of Elk Mountain Scenic Highway
Descending Elk Mountain Scenic Highway - a great descent!
Heading back to Merrimon Avenue on Beaverdam Road