Fruitland - Lamb Mountain

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Henderson County, NC, US

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Route Overview

PAUL OZIER

Gravel, Mountain Bike, Road

53 mi.

4,583 ft.

A great 53 mile route along mostly low traffic country roads. Lots of great views along this quiet route.

For the adventurous, at mile 24 you can turn right to head south on Hwy 74A to the tiny town of Chimney Rock, but don't let the size fool you. Both sides of the road are lined with shops, coffee houses, restaurants, and more. The town is really bustling in the summer vacation months.

A few miles farther down Hwy 74A and you can visit Lake Lure. This is the town famous for the filming of the movie Dirty Dancing. More shops, places to eat, and other fun activities.

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Route Details

* A great 53 mile route along mostly low traffic country roads. There are several churches with large lots at the starting point and a library a few hundred feet down Fruitland Rd. Other than Sunday they are deserted. Be aware that during the summer vacation months and the Apple Festival week, traffic will be busier on a few of the main roads (Hwy 64 and 74a).
* The route does include 1.5 miles of @slice[dirt road near the end](d,71263.32,73401.37), but it has never been a problem to ride on 23mm road tires. I do consider this if there has been a lot of rain in the preceding days. On all my trips on this road it has appeared to be well maintained. This section of the route is Brown on the map. @photo[Grant Mountain Rd](7334370)
* The route gives you a few miles of warm up time on flatter roads. The first climb you encounter is Lamb Mountain, a 1.7 mile climb and 5% average grade. In a few miles you will have a fast descent through some beautiful scenery on Bald Rock Rd. It is a 3 mile fast twisty downhill.
* Hwy 64 is a mostly flat then a descending 5.5 mile section to Bat Cave. Traffic has always been very light on this road (avoid on Apple Festival week though). It is at this point where you could take a side trip, heading south on Hwy 74A to Chimney Rock or Lake Lure.
* Hwy 9 out of Bat Cave is a 2 mile, 6% grade. At the start a @slice[pretty creek](d,39662.65,40611.33) greets you on your left side. Then the road turns uphill. In a few minutes you will see new pavement, and a @slice[massive cut in the mountain](d,41047.99,41828.11) on your right side. This is the result of a huge landslide in 2018. @photo[Landslide](7527092)
* Morgan Mill Rd / Garren Creek Rd is probably the most challenging part of the route. Several steep sections will have you hoping you remembered to put on the 30 tooth cassette! It is nearly 5 miles uphill at an average of 4%, but along the way are sections of @slice[1.1 miles at 8%](d,47879.45,49643.69) and @slice[1.2 miles at 5%](d,53282.36,55273.99). Then you are rewarded with a 2 mile 40+ mph descent.
* Sharp left turn on to Hollywood Rd and head over to Hwy 74a for a 2.5 mile, 5% ascent up to the Eastern Continental Divide. Be sure to @slice[notice the pastures](d,63814.98,64205.05) on your right side. The horses there have the best view ever!
* Over the top for a pretty fast and twisty 3 mile downhill. A right turn on Grant Mountain Road quickly turns to dirt/gravel. @poi[The campground](15618036) you see on your right side has a small store and the prices are actually good. Ask and they may let you fill your water bottles. Nice folks there.
* Last challenge is @slice[1.5 miles of uphill gravel](d,71184.63,73577.39) road. Only 5% average, but the gravel/dirt road makes it feel like 10% in some parts.  Back to pavement and enjoy a fast downhill. Be warned, there is a pretty big dip in the pavement about a 1/4 mile down. Stay near the center line.
* Lightly rolling hills for about 5 miles to cool down and you are home.

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## Helpful Information
* You will pass several churches along the route. Most have working water faucets. Be sure to let the water run for a bit in case it has been unused in a while. Please be sure to reattach the hose if you had to remove it from the faucet.
* Any fire station or any public service will let you get water.
* A few stores along the journey have food, drinks, coffee, water, etc.

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Fruitland - Lamb Mountain - Garren

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