Adv Club - Appalachian Gravel Growler

Looking for an excuse to get away from the daily grind, ride bikes, support local breweries, camp and reconnect through pedaling for hours on end, a group of former co-workers and friends decided to head to Pisgah National Forest and the mountains of Western North Carolina along the Appalachian Gravel Growler route by bikepacking.com for a 4 day, 200 mile, pedal powered adventure.

Stats and Snippets

  • Riders: Jesse Hyde, Dave Hepp, Brian Mister, Eric Osterhus, Eric Theys, Kris Steele, Adam Bratton, Jeff Shelton
  • Days: 4
  • Distance: 196+ miles
  • Elevation Gain: 19,800+ ft
  • Moving Time: 18Hrs 59Mins
  • Average Pace: 10.4 MPH
  • Brewery Stops: 6.5 (Hillman Beer, Whaley Farm, Greenman, New Belgium, Oskar Blues, Fonta Flora ... and a few convenient store cold snacks)
  • Bear Sightings: 1
  • Suggested "Hike a Bike" Percentage: 4%
  • Actual "Hike a Bike" Percentage: Ego-checkingly higher than 4%
  • Misplaced Items: 1 Wool Sock, 1 Hard Cover Book, Sunglasses, morals
  • Gear Issues: Hole in a sleeping pad (night #1), lack of a sleeping bag, 1 broken spoke at mile 190