| The Bicycle is a great way to get round the Smokies | | | | All cycles should be equipped with a white light or a |
| and especially the Blue Ridge Parkway. The real | | | | reflector that is visible from at least 500ft in the front |
| reason for this with the Parkway is the slow speed | | | | and the red light or the rear reflector should be visible |
| limits and the complete absence (more or less) of | | | | from at least 200ft during periods of low visibility, |
| Commercial Vehicles (less chance of ending up facing | | | | between sunset and sunrise or whenever the cyclist is |
| the wrong way on the radiator grill of a Truck!). | | | | cycling through a tunnel. |
| This having been said the Blue Ridge Parkway was | | | | Like elsewhere but possibly more so here (make |
| designed primarily for motorised forms of transport | | | | sense?) it makes sense to make your activities as |
| and so for those who wish to use a cycle, it is best to | | | | safe as is possible therefore do yourself a favour and |
| seek shelter in those facilities off the parkway rather | | | | wear a helmet all the time, make sure that you have a |
| than use the more conventional Campgrounds which | | | | first aid pack and also a cycle / tyre repair kit. OK it |
| tend to be more spaced apart designed more to be | | | | doesn't have to be of the standard of the average |
| reached by car etc. | | | | Tour de France participant but you get the drift? Make |
| The other problem with the roads off the Parkway | | | | sure that your cycles headlights are efficient and work |
| especially in Virginia and parts of North Carolina is that | | | | as the 26 tunnels that help make up the Blue Ridge |
| they can be rather steep. Hey it's great for the calves | | | | Parkway have quite severe curves within them and |
| and you certainly will end a cycling holiday here fitter | | | | are pitch black within the centre - no illumination folks |
| than you would when you started! This means that it is | | | | and so be forewarned! |
| more of an endurance exercise than a gentle cycle | | | | With regards to clothing, it is an idea to wear |
| but well worthwhile nevertheless. The lowest point on | | | | breathable clothes in layers to give you the opportunity |
| the parkway is 600 ft above sea level with the highest | | | | to heat up or cool yourself down. Heat exhaustion at |
| accessible point by cycle being at 6,000ft. | | | | times can almost be as bad as hypothermia. Make |
| You can't cycle on the walkways or trails and riders | | | | sure that you have adequate supplies of water to |
| should travel in single file and it is advisable to ensure | | | | safeguard against dehydration and to safeguard |
| that you are always well to the right of the road. | | | | against general exhaustion, make sure that you have a |
| Sounds more like plain common sense really but you | | | | couple of High energy snacks. |
| would be surprised how many people lack this basic | | | | Lastly, use your common sense and avoid the roads if |
| common sense approach. | | | | at all possible when the conditions are foggy. |