Bicycling and Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway extends for over 450 miles through the mountains over Virginia and North Carolina. It's scenic, lightly traveled, and has convenient campgrounds -- perfect for bike touring. But be prepared before you go -- it's no easy ride in the park. Here's some keys to success if you're planning a trip.

Be realistic about your fitness level

As the name suggests, the vast majority of the Blue Ridge Parkway follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Parkway. That makes for scenic views and beautiful scenery, but it also means lots of climbing. If you're an experienced climber you may be ready for it. But if you do most of your cycling on flat terrain, you're going to be challenged. Be realistic about your fitness level and plan accordingly by keeping your daily mileage at a reasonable level. Better yet, find some hills and get some training in. Remember, there's no substitute for time in the saddle, or as the great Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx said "Ride lots."

Make sure you've got the right gear

If you're going to camp and bike you'll need the right kind of bike. After all, you'll be carrying a lot of weight. There's no substitute for a well-built touring bike, especially if you'll be riding for multiple day trips. They can carry heavy loads, and are built for the demands of touring, with heavy-duty brakes, low gearings and attachment points for racks and panniers.

If you're not experienced at your own bike maintenance, be sure to get your bike into the shop and have the mechanic give it a tuneup before you go. And no matter your expertise, be sure to take along some basic tools, including (of course) spare tubes, patches, and a tire pump.

Keep the camping gear light