This ride links rolling country roads south of Asheville into a 61.7-mile loop that is mellower than the famed Jeter Mountain ride, but still challenges with three tough climbs and more than 4,600 feet of climbing overall.
From the start point in Etowah, you’ll warm up on flats headed to the Little River Valley. At mile 10.5, turn uphill on DuPont Road climbing 500 feet in just 1.5 miles before a quick downhill rolls into another 2-mile, 500-footer in the DuPont State Forest. This route turns west for a short stretch on the busy Greenville Highway—there’s a rest-stop gas station at mile 20.5—before a steep climb on East Fork Road tops out at the ride’s high point just after mile 23. After the climb, there are some rolling hills and a descent into a valley alongside the French Broad River which you’ll follow to Rosman. The best second-half rest stop is Quotations Coffee Café in Brevard, but the last 14 miles is mostly flat, and an easy toll back to Etowah.
While these are mostly country roads (no shoulders and few services) watch for traffic on Crab Creek Road, the Greenville Highway (US-276), Old Highway 64, and cruising the town of Brevard. For a more difficult ride, or for add-on ideas, consider tackling the more traditional Jeter Mountain Loop, instead.
-Mapped with help from the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club
TO TRAILHEAD: From Asheville, drive 12 miles south on I-26 E and take exit 44, turn right onto US 25. Drive 1 mile and turn right onto Rugby Drive and turn left at the T-junction in 0.9 miles. Continue 4.1 miles and turn right onto Brevard Road. Park at the Ingles Market, 3 miles ahead on the road’s left side.
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Datum: |
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Jeter Cheater
| Dist: 61.72 mi |
Points: 1102 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
| 1.50 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at NC-1191/River Rd Continue to follow NC-119 |
Then go 3.19 mi |
| 4.70 mi |
|
Continue on John Talley Rd/NC-1527 |
Then go 2.41 mi |
| 7.11 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Crab Creek Rd/NC-1528 |
Then go 3.38 mi |
| 10.48 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Dupont Rd/NC-1259 |
Then go 1.23 mi |
| 11.71 mi |
|
Continue on Duponte Rd/NC-1593 |
Then go 4.25 mi |
| 15.96 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Cascade Lake Rd/NC-1536 |
Then go 0.17 mi |
| 16.13 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left to stay on Cascade Lake Rd/NC-1536 |
Then go 2.27 mi |
| 18.40 mi |
Bear Left |
Slight left at Green River Rd |
Then go 0.07 mi |
| 18.48 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Greenville Hwy/US-276 |
Then go 3.51 mi |
| 21.99 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 0.38 mi |
| 22.37 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at E Fork Rd |
Then go 1.03 mi |
| 23.40 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at E Fork Rd/NC-1107 Continue to follow E Fork R |
Then go 1.63 mi |
| 25.03 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 2.05 mi |
| 27.09 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left to stay on E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 0.37 mi |
| 27.46 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right to stay on E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 1.59 mi |
| 29.05 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right to stay on E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 1.43 mi |
| 30.48 mi |
Bear Left |
Slight left to stay on E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 2.14 mi |
| 32.61 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left to stay on E Fork Rd/NC-1107 |
Then go 1.39 mi |
| 34.00 mi |
Bear Right |
Slight right at US-178 |
Then go 0.90 mi |
| 34.90 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Church St/NC-1388 |
Then go 1.72 mi |
| 36.63 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Calvert Rd/NC-1195 |
Then go 0.08 mi |
| 36.70 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left to stay on Calvert Rd/NC-1195 |
Then go 0.64 mi |
| 37.35 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Hannah Ford Rd/NC-1109 |
Then go 0.57 mi |
| 37.92 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left to stay on Hannah Ford Rd/NC-1109 |
Then go 3.54 mi |
| 41.46 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at NC-1103/Walnut Hollow Rd |
Then go 0.48 mi |
| 41.94 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Island Ford Rd/NC-1110 |
Then go 0.88 mi |
| 42.82 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Country Club Rd/NC-1113 |
Then go 1.61 mi |
| 44.43 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Barclay Rd/NC-1114/NC-1207 |
Then go 0.16 mi |
| 44.59 mi |
Bear Right |
Slight right at Country Club Rd/NC-1116 |
Then go 1.14 mi |
| 45.73 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Gallimore Rd/NC-1118 |
Then go 0.84 mi |
| 46.57 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Greenville Hwy/US-276 |
Then go 0.48 mi |
| 47.05 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at Franklin St |
Then go 0.24 mi |
| 47.29 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at E French Broad St/NC-1544 |
Then go 0.22 mi |
| 47.51 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Neely Rd |
Then go 0.98 mi |
| 48.49 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at NC-1145/Old 64/Old Hendersonville Hwy Continue to follow NC-1145/Old Hendersonville Hw |
Then go 2.40 mi |
| 50.89 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right to stay on Everett Rd/NC-1533 |
Then go 2.48 mi |
| 53.38 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left to stay on Everett Rd/NC-1533 |
Then go 0.73 mi |
| 54.10 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Crab Creek Rd/NC-1528 |
Then go 0.51 mi |
| 54.62 mi |
Turn Right |
Turn right at John Talley Rd/NC-1527 |
Then go 2.41 mi |
| 57.02 mi |
|
Continue on NC-1191/Pleasant Grove Rd |
Then go 3.19 mi |
| 60.22 mi |
Turn Left |
Turn left at Etowah School Rd/NC-1205 |
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JCH001
Location: 35.317191°, -82.589368°
This ride begins south of Asheville at the Ingles Market in Etowah. There is a large parking lot here, and you can use the restrooms and fuel up before and after your ride.
JCH002
Location: 35.296914°, -82.580967°
Near mile 1.6 the road crosses the French Broad River. For the next 5.5 miles, you'll wind west and south through the flat-land floodplain.
JCH003
Location: 35.259357°, -82.633839°
This route bypasses Jeter Mountain Road and rolls past lush farmland in the Little River Valley. Though straighter and wider than many nearby mountain roads, Crab Creek Road (running through the valley) has soft shoulders and is sometimes littered with gravel from farm equipment, so ride carefully.
JCH004
Location: 35.234964°, -82.600708°
This southbound turn on DuPont Road marks the beginning of two consecutive 500-foot climbs. There's a short downhill in between where you can catch your breath.
JCH005
Location: 35.202077°, -82.618990°
A network of trails criss-crosses DuPont Road for the next several miles through the state forest so be alert for hikers, mountain bikers, and horses.
JCH006
Location: 35.148688°, -82.648087°
Though it's a major thoroughfare in this area, the Greenville Highway is a narrow, 2-lane road with soft, gravel shoulders. Watch for traffic on this relatively busy (and flat) 3.5-mile stretch.
JCH007
Location: 35.148196°, -82.683621°
Just past mile 20, there is a Lycra-friendly Quik Stop at this Citgo station. There's a great Mexican restaurant next door, but remember, there is a steep climb up ahead after the turn onto East Fork Road.
JCH008
Location: 35.140055°, -82.706022°
A steep, 1-mile climb up East Fork Road leads to this ride's high point. Relatively low elevations on this route mean that it's rideable most of the year and may be a good choice during cold weather.
JCH009
Location: 35.137107°, -82.772541°
Turn left just past Sunset Lake to stay on East Fork and bypass a big climb up Walnut Gap. This round-about option adds some distance alongside the French Broad, but cuts a difficult climb out of the more traditional loop.
JCH010
Location: 35.231949°, -82.730398°
Stop at Quotations Coffee Cafe in Brevard. This cycling-friendly rest stop serves sandwiches, salads, and deserts.
JCH011
Location: 35.254591°, -82.634525°
Ride through fields lining Everett Road to close this route's 46-mile loop and cool down on a familiar 7.6-mile roll headed back to Etowah.
French Broad
Location: 35.176685°, -82.766619°
This river-valley section of the ride rolls gently north, but comes after the ride's major climbs. © Ralph Draves
DuPont Road
Location: 35.217295°, -82.614956°
A small peloton in formation along a tree-lined stretch of DuPont Road. © Ralph Draves
Lake
Location: 35.188260°, -82.625084°
Look left near the top of the climb on DuPont Road for a quick view of this small lake. © Ralph Draves
Rest Stop
Location: 35.147986°, -82.683277°
A gas station and Mexican restaurant can satisfy refueling (and restroom) needs near mile 20. © Ralph Draves
Climbing
Location: 35.147424°, -82.708340°
© Ralph Draves
East Fork
Location: 35.139002°, -82.706451°
Note the winding and narrow road descending from the ride's high point on East Fork Road. © Ralph Draves
Quotations
Location: 35.231879°, -82.730398°
This Brevard cafe's stuffed blueberry French Toast is to die for. If that's too heavy to fuel your last 14 miles, grab a cookie or some caffeine instead. © Ralph Draves
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