2023 Tour d’ Apple Event Guide

Thank you for joining the 2023 Tour d’Apple presented by Hunter Subaru! We are so happy you’re joining us on Monday, September 4th, 2023 for this amazing annual ride!

We encourage you to read this Event Guide in its entirety. The goal is to provide a safe, fun, riding experience.

The event takes place rain or shine. All rides will begin with a mass start at 8:00am. We will begin picking up signs and volunteers/safety personnel will begin leaving as the last riders come through areas based off of this start time.

Remember this event is a RIDE not a race, it is an un-timed event. If you start the ride and then decide that you want to do a different ride option due to rain, etc, please know the route colors below for the various routes. We encourage you to also have your cell phone with you to look at google maps for directions to find the easiest way back to Blue Ridge Community College if you are not familiar with the area. In case of recent rainfall, pay attention for gravel on the roads and prepare your bike accordingly with the correct tire pressure and tires that are more suitable for rain and possible dirt/gravel on the roads.

Safety First! We have been having some very foggy mornings here in WNC. Don’t forget to bring your front and back safety lights for your bike for the ride in the morning.

Packet Pickup & Registration

1. Sunday, September 3rd (the day before the ride) at Sycamore Cycles in Hendersonville, NC from 1-3pm. (743 Locust Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792)
2. Monday, September 4th – Labor Day– You can also pick up your packet the morning of the ride from 6:30am-7:30am at the Blue Ridge Community College parking lot/Ride Hub.

Walk-up registration will be available at both packet pickups UNLESS the ride has sold out. Please note: Participants must register online HERE for the ride. We encourage cyclists to sign up in the comfort of their home on their computer, ipad, or phone prior to showing up for the race.

If you opted to have your ride number and shirt shipped to you, and you were registered for the ride prior to July 25th at 1:00pm, you will receive a custom-designed, 2023 Tour d’Apple water bottle from Sycamore Cycles. Stop by the packet pickup tent on Sunday or Monday to pick yours up! All water bottles have been claimed.

Important Contact Information

• Support And Gear (SAG) and Other Help
• True Emergency: Call 911
• ADD THIS NUMBER TO YOUR PHONE CONTACTS BEFORE THE RIDE: SAG #: 828-329-8863

SAG staff cannot do repairs, but they will take you to the closest rest stop or, if closer, to the College Hub.

Parking

Let’s start with the basics: Where do I park? Blue Ridge Community College has ample parking for our participants. There are additional parking lots near the main parking area.  There will be porta-johns available in the parking lot.  Here is a Campus Map with all the available Parking Locations.

Ok I’m ready to ride. Now what? 

Cyclists start their ride with a mass start at 8:00am. Earlier or later starts will not be permitted.

PLEASE DO NOT START THE RIDE BEFORE THIS TIME. WE WILL NOT HAVE RIDE SUPPORT ON THE ROUTE UNTIL 8:00AM AND IT CONFUSES AND ADDS CHAOS TO THE SAFETY, VOLUNTEERS, AND REST STOP VOLUNTEERS. THE SAFETY OFFICIALS, VOLUNTEERS AND SIGN CREW ARE SCHEDULED ON THE BASIS OF THE 8:00AM START TIME. STARTS LATER THAN 8:00AM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.  

• Courses closes at 4pm, no exceptions.

Course Maps & Cue Sheets

• We will have Henderson County VIPs out on the course in various intersections and locations.

Rest Stops

Rest stops will not be open for the entirety of the ride, so please plan your ride around the following schedule:

• 1: 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM – Mountain Machine, 2011 Pilot Mtn Rd, Edneyville
• 2: 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM – Mountain Machine, 2011 Pilot Mtn Rd, Edneyville
• 3: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 104 Mine Gap Rd
• 4: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Near 57 Pinnacle Falls Lane, Zirconia, NC
• 5: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Fire Station, 3559 Hebron Road, Etowah
• Note: Rest Stops 1&2 are the same location.

Tour d’Apple Courses close at 4:00 pm with no exceptions.

Post-Ride Festivities

You finished the ride. Now what? 

EAT! When participants finish, you can grab your lunch and hang out and eat or take yours to go. Your post-ride lunch will be available from 11:00am to 3:30pm. 

IMPORTANT: Your ride bib has your complimentary meal ticket on it. Please bring this with you to claim your post-ride meal.  Lunch for friends or family will cost $10.00; purchase tickets at the Volunteer Tent or online HERE. 

RELAX TO SOME BLUEGRASS MUSIC! Bear Creek String Bandits will be the 2023 Tour d’Apple band! Sit back and enjoy the music after your ride.

Grab a post-ride massage from Yoga and Massage (YAM) at their tent!

 

Hincapie Custom Jersey & Shorts