What is the weather like in December?
It really can vary a lot. This year so far it’s been quite mild. Last week was 60s and sunny all week. December is typically more sunny days than bad days especially early on. Most of the time it won’t be the cold temps that discourage outdoor riding, but cloudy rainy days the closer to January (rains a lot in January/February) that you get. If you were wanting to do December I’d come as early as possible in the month. The later you wait the more likely the weather will not cooperate.
Looking back at my outdoor riding history I tend to ride a lot outdoors till close to Christmas. Then from then until mid February I’m more inside with the occasional nice day for an outdoor ride. Last year I rode exclusively outside until December 11. For the month I did 65% of my rides outside. January I did only two outdoor rides, so don’t plan to come then!
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If you go to chatt, Heres a great resource https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiEutG-ydH0AhW4lmoFHTz2B7EQFnoECBgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBicycle-Routes-Chattanooga-Elle-Colquitt%2Fdp%2F1450746209&usg=AOvVaw18upMSDI5wcyCfLcJBn1m-
Peaks Coaching Group is based in Bedford, VA and runs most of their training camps there. Flats to the east, Appalachian mountains to the west including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Thunder Ridge.
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions, Current plan is as follows as the wife will be joining who will have to work remotely:
- 4 days Athens, GA (all riding)
- 1.5 days Charlotte, NC (no riding)
- 5 days Asheville, NC (riding 4 out of 5 days)
- 2 days Chattanooga, TN (1-day riding)
I am excited about it. If you have further recommendations, feel free to share!
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Let me know if you want any routes for Asheville or Chattanooga. Happy to send my favorites over.
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That is a very generous offer. Please share. I will be brining the gravel bike, so anything on road or gravel would be great 
Gravel near chatt? Here ya go, gravel for days and days and days
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Going to Asheville at the end of March. Bringing the gravel bike. Any road/gravel routes you’d suggest?
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I’ll send you some tonight!
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Here’s a few:
This one starts in Old Fort, NC. Very bike friendly and easy parking behind the brewery. I would go in the direction where you climb Curtis Creek up to Parkway. Curtis Creek is a very long and consistent gravel climb that takes you into the mountains. This is a mixed surface ride. Actually more road than gravel, but Mt Mitchell is a must and this is the most gravel way to get there. Bring a jacket because it’s likely to be a different world above 5,000 feet.
Starting right by the French Broad river this route does the classic Brevard pavement. Takes you by looking glass falls and the Cradle of Forestry. Also follows the Davidson River for a bit and is beautiful riding. This ride is basically a road ride so just know that going in.
Starts beside Mills River at the campground and has about 200 feet of pavement then all gravel from there. Moore road is very curvy and quite smooth. Fun fact is this road was named after my great grandfather John Moore. Probably spent more time in this part of Pisgah than anywhere else. Also feel free to explore Yellow Gap if you want more at the end of this loop. To do that just go through campground from where you parked and stay on the right side of river through campground. Cross river (road stays straight) then you will go past a white house on the left then will be climbing for a while. Can climb to top then coast back down and will be good bonus miles.
This takes you from the Brevard Ingles to DuPont. Can’t really go wrong whatever you choose to do in DuPont, just make sure you do Pinnacle Mountain Rd. This route includes it.
I can do more if you want. Just let me know if this is what you are looking for.
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Hey, these are great! I’m going to dig into these and digest. I think these will be everything i need. Excited to see what’s out there!