I haven’t ridden it, but around Ithaca/Finger Lakes region seemed pretty ridable (and as many hills as you care for)
Vermont!
For everyone suggesting Vermont, NY, or anywhere in the Northeast in March / April - Total Crapshoot, I think you’re crazy. It’s still ski season, could still have big snowstorms, and if it’s not ski season, it’s mud season.
Go South.
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Idk if Canada is out, but depending on the time of year, I have always wanted to do a camp in or around Montreal. There are gravel bits out there that would be incredible.
I’ve stayed there 5-6 times. The trails are amazing, a real hidden gem, but I can ride all of them in a couple of hours, and Fork Run barely an hour. Do you have any suggestions for road routes? Road riding there always seemed a little sketchy to me with narrow windy roads and tourists that may be drunk.
That time of year those trails are probably groomed and full of snowmobiles…
There’s definitely great riding in that area, but the weather will be no different than in Buffalo at the time of year OP is looking for.
LOL - my thought as well. Lots of good road and gravel there. Not a days drive from Buffalo NY though!
Brevard is less than a day, Less than 12 Hours driving (I checked). I personally do 16-18 hour days followed by a 12-14 hour days at least 2x a year, solo. (Boston to/from CO, WY, MT, etc.)
Very doable if he’s going for a week.
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Haven’t been here in several years so can’t fully vouch for the business itself. However I can vouch for the riding in the area, absolutely top notch roads - both paved and gravel
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I typically stay at a Tiny Home community (Acony Village) about 10 minutes from the Pisgah entrance. In theory you could ride from that house but the highway is very busy and would not recommend that. There is a nearby MTB trail that can get you there but it is listed as “Black” and I have never dared that adventure, having horrible MTB skills at baseline. Easy to drive to the Hub, park, ride, and then come back for beer and food truck.
Not hard to do a route of whatever mileage gravel +/- road +/- single track in Pisgah. I used TrailForks to put together a nice loop. All up and down, no flat. There is wildlife around, which may make for PR for max 1 minute sprint (I had a bear saunter across the road about 20 yards in front of me and remarkably it gets closer and closer after every telling).
I haven’t done road riding around there, but as I understand it there is excellent road riding.
It poured relentless last time I was there, but gravel was still pretty traversable. No phone service. I do carry a basic Garmin satellite tracker with limited messaging as I am usually on my own and my wife worries. Also, I love gear.
Good luck and have fun.
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Such awesome comments! These made me smile at the end of a long week. Thank you!!!
Montreal…I live 90 minutes from Montreal. Outside riding isnt great until May at the typical earliest. Even May can be weather in the 50F range. It really depends on the year.
Yeah, I’m in Central VT and March/April is smack in the middle of mud season. This has been a shockingly dry year, so it might work out in the OP’s favor, but I wouldn’t bet on it. And like Buffalo, the temps can be very iffy that time of year, as well. Could be 60’s, could be 20’s or 30’s. Good time to come for sugaring, though.
If you’re looking within a day’s drive of Buffalo, I’d maybe recommend Western PA/West Virginia which are pretty close, or a bit further east to MD and VA as others are saying.
Frederick MD would be a great home base to hit all of the gravel of Michaux PA along with the more gucci gravel of Virginia. Lots of climbing in MD and the surrounding area. We have a gravel ride in MD that does 68 miles and 10k feet for example. No shortage of big climbs in PA and like someone else said, death by a thousand cuts in VA.
You can grab a ton of rides off of my strava if you need ideas. Michael Norton, Ellicott City, MD
The ride I reference above was two weekends ago. 64.1 mi Ride Activity on February 10, 2024 by Michael N on Strava
The weekend before we were in Michaux and I think the weekend before that we were in VA. Tomorrow we are doing a tamer base mile ride out of Frederick.
Highly recommend.
Mike
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I don’t know the trails there, but for road routes I’d suggest looking at the Garrett County Gran Fondo routes or the old Savageman Triathlon course. I’ve done both events a couple times and the roads were fantastic. Smooth and low traffic, but there are a few hills. Countryside is a mix of rolling farms and forrest.
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Yes, from Purcellville, you can ride or drive to the C&O Canal trail at Brunswick or Point of Rocks (sadly White’s Ferry is closed pending landowner dispute resolution). Purcellville is also the western terminus of the W&OD rail trail (paved), which can link you to spots east (all the way to DC using the Custis of Four Mile trails).
The C&O gives you a flatter, smoother ride than gravel roads, but I find it a bit boring on its own and usually use it to link up other rides. You could drive to Brunswick, park, and ride north on the C&O to Harper’s Ferry and Antietam Battlefield for a nice historic day tour by bicycle.
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Just returning from Las Vegas, great cycling within 1-2 hours as well as in Vegas ( Clark County Wetlands). Rent a Turo and go to Red Rock and Valley of Fire. A little further is Death Valley. All places have climbs!
Easy to get toLV from Buffalo and you can check out the Sphere! Ride on
Perfect
I have a whole bunch of routes from Hendersonville if anyone is interested. We are going back in April.
Hendersonville has lot of airbnb too
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