Author Topic: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC  (Read 7203 times)

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Offline Flynn

Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« on: February 21, 2012, 01:47:06 pm »
My husband and I are planning to do the TransAmerica ride (EB) with a minor change at the end.  Instead of going to the coast in VA we want to go from Mammouth Caves National Park to Asheville, North Carolina.  How do I figure out the best/safest way to go?  I have looked at Adventure Cycling Association website and the lists of mapped routes but don't see one that will help get me from KY to NC.  Is there a way to find the roads deemed useable by the Association or can I to use Google Maps/bike route?  How reliable is that? :)

Offline John Nelson

Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2012, 02:46:57 pm »
I recommend you use Google maps, but don't use the bike route option. The bike route option of Google maps is useful for getting you to the grocery store, but really bad for getting you long distances. It will give you a route with a thousand turns, put you on many unnamed paths that you won't be able to find, and might even route you on hiking trails. Instead, use Google driving directions, but ask for the "Avoid Highways" option. Then look at the roads with street view, and get traffic volumes from the state Departments of Transportation, and adjust as you see fit.

The ACA does not publish a database of usable roads.

Offline Flynn

Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2012, 03:48:36 pm »
OK I'll check that out now.  Thanks!

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2012, 10:05:24 pm »
Two options for you to investigate.  First, Mark Boyd has done a number of tours out of Asheville, and IIRC a couple of them went north to Kentucky.  Check out http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/bicycling.html for his journals.  (Note: from what I know of at least one of his routes, he may be nuts!  U.S. 19 may have lost some traffic with the completion of I-26, but it's narrow, winding, and has too many drivers going too fast for my tastes.)

Second, although this is a bit longer and involves doubling back a bit, stay on the TransAm through Damascus.  From there, figure out a way to get down to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and follow that into Asheville.  You could either take the Virginia Creeper all the way up to Whitetop, then cut down through West Jefferson, NC, or go down from Konnarock to Troutdale, and cut through Mouth of Wilson on 58 and over towards Sparta.

Offline JHamelman

Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2012, 10:53:20 am »
Another resource is the bicycle and pedestrian coordinators. They often have maps and advice that is helpful for bicycling in their state. Contact information for each can be found here:

http://www.walkinginfo.org/assistance/contacts.cfm

Hope that helps,
.Jennifer.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline Flynn

Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2012, 12:05:29 am »
Thanks guys.  I will look into all your suggestions to find the best way for us 8)
« Last Edit: February 26, 2012, 12:12:40 am by Flynn »

Offline Indianacharlie

Re: Mammouth Caves Loop, Kentucky to Asheville, NC
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2012, 10:21:55 am »
Jenny's suggestion to look at the state information is good. Just incase you haven't found the routing for KY here's a direct link to the site:  http://transportation.ky.gov/bike-walk/Documents/KentuckyBikeTours.kmz

Charlie
Scenic routes in Indiana and Kentucky:  http://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/