Overall Route Rating
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4.2 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.2
5 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By 91Softail (5 McR Points) on Jun 17, 2016

Rider Reviews

Dudewatson
89 McR Points
October 28, 2021
Rode from I40 to Bat Cave, I like this direction…
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GAMidnightRider
99 McR Points
September 9, 2020
Rode this on the way home from Little Switzerland…
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Written Directions

From Asheville, NC, head east on Route 70 to Black Mountain. Follow signs for Route 9 South.

Scenery

This route begins with a steep climb along switchbacks up the mountains to the Eastern Continental Divide. Near the top, take in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge mountains and the Foothills region of NC. Across the Divide, the road descends through lush mountain hardwood forest to the valley below. The road flattens out a bit and passes scenic farms with golden fields and old barns, and coursing mountain streams .before ascending through more forest along twists, turns and switchbacks. The road then passes more farms along some nice sweeping turns before ending at Bat Cave.

Drive Enjoyment

This road has everything from steep switchbacks and hairpins to some flat cruising with spectacular scenery. The road surface is excellent except for the occasional bit of shoulder gravel in some of the turns. Definitely keep speed in check through the turns as gravel can appear suddenly.

Tourism Opportunities

There's literally one stop along the way; The Straightaway Cafe. Nice atmosphere and a fairly extensive menu for a place in the middle of nowhere. Good place to stop for lunch with a great selection of burgers, sandwiches and salads as well as many other menu items.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

This is a fairly short ride that can be incorporated into a stop at Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. It's also easily incorporated into a loop by taking Rt. 74 back towards Asheville and I-40 East to Black Mountain.
 

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Dudewatson
October 28, 2021
89 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Rode from I40 to Bat Cave, I like this direction better than the other way!!!
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GAMidnightRider
September 9, 2020
99 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Rode this on the way home from Little Switzerland, NC and the Diamondback 226A during my Labor Day Weekend 2020 ride. I picked up a rocker patch named 'The Sidewinder' at Harley-Davidson of Asheville. Ate some good BBQ at Phil's BBQ in Black Mountain, NC. Then headed south on Hwy 9 to Bat Cave, NC.
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Dudewatson
November 18, 2020
89 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Rode it last weekend from the Chimney Rock side to Black Mountain. This is a good road, has a few really sharp curves and it gets narrow in some of the curves so watch out for other people in you lane! This is really a fun road!!
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