TryonCycling
Find Your Fit.
Discover tranquil roads ideal for your next bicycling adventure in Tryon, North Carolina.
Overview
Bicycling in Tryon
Tryon, “The Friendliest Town in the South,” is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (Google Maps). The quiet country roads surrounding the town provide rolling hills, challenging climbs as well as flat sections that meander through beautiful horse farm country. Whether you prefer pavement or gravel roads, you’ll find that Tryon is a great place for your next bicycling adventure.
View of Trade Street in Tryon, North Carolina.
Site Contents
Events
Information about bicycling events that take
place in and around the town of Tryon, NC.
Segments
See how you
measure up to KOMs/QOMs on popular local Strava Segments.
Routes
Sample of local bicycling
routes.
News
The latest news and information about
bicycling in and around the town of Tryon, NC.
Visitor Resources
Information
about lodging, restaurants, and points of interest in and around the town of Tryon, NC.
Cycling Events
Information about bicycling events that take place in and around the town of Tryon, NC.
(Info as of Jan 4, 2024)
2024 Events
Belgian Waffle Ride
June 22, 2024
44% unroad (long, muddy, wet, dry, rocky, loose, hilly, ugly) numerous tight corners, roots, water crossings, and obstacles.
Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour
July 4, 2024
Challenging bike tour through rural NC and SC, benefiting the Tryon Rotary Club.
SEG Tryon Gravel Gallop
October 12, 2024
Long sections of pavement, very smooth gravel, two track roads, and very chunky gravel.
Hincapie Gran Fondo - Greenville
October 19, 2024
Ride through North and South Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains on routes George Hincapie traveled when training for the Tour de France.
Popular Local Strava Segments
See how you measure up to local KOMs/QOMs — many of the people in the top 10 of the climbing segments are current, retired or aspiring pro cyclists.
Skyuka Mountain Road
Distance: 3.95mi
Elevation Gain: 1814ft
Avg Grade: 8.7%
The most challenging and elevated climb in the area with steep sections throughout until you get to the top. There are many tight switchbacks on the way up. Segment ends at the top of Tryon Mountain where there is a large rock outcrop (perfect for photo). Please be cautious on the dangerous steep descent.
Green River Cove
Distance: 2.44mi
Elevation Gain: 978ft
Avg Grade: 7.5%
One of the toughest climbs of the area has 17 tight switchbacks. The grade is between 8-10% in the toughest spots, and steeper if the inside of the switchbacks are taken. Be careful of opposing traffic when climbing. The climb ends near the I-26 Saluda exit.
Hogback Mountain
Distance: 3.66mi
Elevation Gain: 1168ft
Avg Grade: 6.0%
A challenging climb in the backyard of Tryon. Over four miles of neighborhood roads until you approach the less populous top section. This climb “dead ends” at a clearing near gated subdivision and power line tower (Great for photo). There is seldom traffic because of dead-end, still be cautious on the lower part of segment.
Saluda Grade
Distance: 3.97mi
Elevation Gain: 1152ft
Avg Grade: 5.2%
There are two sections to this climb. The first section takes you up to the road for Pearson Falls, where it is flat for a little while. Then a moderate climb in the 6-8% range with some switchbacks ends up near the town of Saluda. Route 176 can have traffic during the day, best riden in the morning and even better weekend morning.
SEG Race Route Paved
Distance: 4.28mi
Elevation Gain: 858ft
Avg Grade: 1.1%
This segment is on Hunting Country Road which is a quiet country road with rolling hills, horse farms and is used during the SEG Tryon Gravel Gallop Race course. This segment contains smaller segments Hunting Country Road Kicker (6.0%) and Hunting Country Rd Hill Jam #3 (5.4%) that provide a good challenge.
Lake Lanier Loop
Distance: 4.80mi
Elevation Gain: 403ft
Avg Grade: 0.0%
This segment is a loop around Lake Lanier Clockwise to/from Lakeshore Drive which has rolling hills and tight turns thoughout. Although there are very few cars on this segment, please be cautious for oncoming traffic around turns. Great for a warm up or an easy scenic ride.
Local Cycling Routes
A sample of local bicycling routes in and around the town of Tryon, NC.
Tryon Quintessential Loop
Distance: 24.68mi
Elevation Gain: 2,016ft
Approx Time: 1:40:00
Popular local loop start/end at Harmon Field in Tryon, NC that takes you past Tryon Mountain, through the town of Columbus, NC and meanders through Tryon “Horse Country” on quiet country roads lined with beautiful horse farm landscape then back through the town of Tryon to Harmon field. Can be ridden clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Tryon Medio Loop
Distance: 49.32mi
Elevation Gain: 4,456ft
Approx Time: 3:35:00
A looping route that has a start/finish at Harmon Field in Tryon, NC (Modified Hincapie Fondo Medio). This route takes you up the “Saluda Grade” to the historic town of Saluda, NC, down the Greenville watershed, up Callahan Mountain, past Lake Lanier and through the town of Tryon, NC.
Tryon Eleven Hundred
Distance: 102.68mi
Elevation Gain: 11,106ft
Approx Time: 7:28:00
A challenging pro tour stage inspired route with a start/finish at Harmon Field in Tryon, NC. This route is 102 miles long with an elevation gain of 11,000 feet and includes Strava Segments: Skyuka Mountain Road, Hogback Mountain, Saluda Grade, and Green River Cove. Approximate time to finish is 7.5hrs-8hrs. Refuel and/or rest in any of the historic towns of Tryon, Saluda, or Columbus which are located along the route.
News
The latest news and information about bicycling in and around the town of Tryon, NC.
Community Input Sought for Saluda Grade Trail Feasibility Study
October 19, 2023
The Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy is conducting a Feasibility Study to assess the possibility of converting the Saluda Grade rail corridor into a greenway trail.
Agreement Reached on Saluda Grade Rail Line
March 16, 2023
A coalition of nonprofits that is spearheading the Saluda Grade Trail has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to sell the 31-mile rail line for use as a recreational rail trail.
Saluda Grade Rail-to-Trail Begins Uphill Chug Toward Reality
July 28, 2022
After several fits and starts through the years, the “idle” W line of the Norfolk Southern railway has drawn a new and fresh breath of air if a consortium of nonprofit organizations can work their way through hurdles thicker than kudzu and steeper than the Saluda Grade itself.
Visitor Resources
Information about lodging, restaurants, and points of interest in and around the town of Tryon.
Explore Tryon
Information about lodging, restaurants, and points of interest in Tryon.
The purpose of ExploreTryon.com is to help connect visitors and locals with Tryon businesses, amenities, and attractions.
First Peak of the Blue Ridge
Information about local restaurants, shops, and services.
Our small towns — Historic Saluda, Tryon and Columbus — are within a few miles of each other, but each has its own distinct personality.
Town of Tryon
Government Site
Official Government Site of the Town of Tryon, NC. Celebrating over 125 years as “The Friendliest Town in the South.”