As one of the countries top mountain bike destinations alongside hundreds of miles of road biking, there is no better way to explore Asheville than on two wheels. Here's a list of places and local businesses that can help you on your way.
1. Flying Bike Tours
Enjoy a tour of Asheville on these e-bikes.
Geared toward: Anyone who wants to explore Asheville on two wheels!
These family-friendly e-bicycle rentals are the perfect way to explore Asheville and its many neighborhoods. You and your family can explore downtown, from its charming city scenes and fascinating history, or the River Arts District, where you can ease your way along the French Broad River as you take in the art, on your own for the day. Pizza lovers can rejoice because this company also offers an 'Asheville's Best E-bike Pizza' tour. This is perfect for groups, too!
2. Asheville Adventure Company
Take a tour of Asheville's many breweries with the Asheville Adventure Company on e-bikes. The Asheville Adventure Co. takes guests on a tour of the South Slope. This tour's itinerary is packed with iconic stops like The Funkatorium and One World Brewing. Asheville Adventure Co. also offers an eSunset Tour and eBike Tour in the Mountains.
3. Beer City Bicycles
Frank and Michael’s passion for bicycles (and beer) show at this Biltmore Avenue bike shop.
Geared toward: Those who prefer to just grab a bike and go.
Rent a hybrid bike or mountain bike from Beer City Bicycles and the knowledgeable staff can recommend trails, routes, and climbs based on their experience and your skill level. BCB’s favorite mountain biking locations include the ever popular Bent Creek Experimental Forest and Dupont State Forest. Or rent a hybrid and bike around town. Not sure what kind of ride you’re looking for? Stop in and talk about it over a pint.
4. Biltmore Estate
See the grounds of America’s largest home in a whole new way.
Geared toward: Families and couples -- wooded trails for the more adventurous, scenic paved trails along the French Broad River for all.
You’ve toured the house; you’ve seen the gardens; you’ve sampled the wine. But what about that 8,000-acre backyard just screaming for you to come out and play? Rent beach cruisers, hybrids, or mountain bikes from Biltmore’s Bike Barn and explore miles of pathways with the fam. Or rent romance on two wheels with a tandem bike. If you have your own bicycles, feel free to BYOB -- just be sure to check in at the barn for a trail map.
5. Kolo Bike Park
Four miles of purpose-built mountain bike flow trails right smack on the edge of downtown Asheville.
Geared toward: Bikers of all ages and skill levels looking for a taste of the Asheville mountain biking experience. They even have a new pump track designed specifically for young children scheduled to open summer 2015.
Just across the French Broad River from downtown, the well-maintained park (read: no branches in the face) has an equal number of trails for beginners and intermediate bikers with plenty of advanced feature options mixed in for bikers looking to hone their skills. In the works: plans for a truly advanced trail loop. Kolo Bike Park is intertwined with Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, so you can make a family-friendly adrenaline-pumping day of it with mountain biking, ziplining, rappelling, and more.
NON-BICYCLE BONUS: Moving Sidewalk Tours
Channel your inner mall cop and experience Asheville the way Paul Blart would (only you are way, way cooler).
Geared Toward: Anyone age 10 or over who’s not afraid to try new things… or be the center of attention!
People will stare, but only because they are jealous that you’re swooshing past them on that super rad Segway while they’re hoofing it up Lexington Avenue. Guided Segway tours conveniently meet at the Asheville Visitor Center and include 20-30 minutes of training before heading out into the concrete wilds of downtown.
