We are climbing up Ox Creek Road at 2.9 MPH. Eve’s Garmin says it’s a 15% climb and mine has given up trying to figure out the grade. We’ve been doing this for three miles or so. It takes a long time to ride three miles at this pace, but at least it’s in the shade. Everything hurts, but we are determined to get to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Nobody ever talks about descending to the Blue Ridge. You always have to climb, and we are rewarded with great views.

We get a bonus, a screaming 5-mile downhill back into Asheville, our home for the next four days. We are here to bike and drink lots of locally-brewed beer. When in doubt, get a flight and taste four at once.

You have to refuel after climbing over 3000 feet on a 33-mile ride.

Shrimp tacos can help. Some breweries here serve food, others do not.

Green Man just has beer.

The amber and porter are good, and come right from the source. We need dinner, so let’s go to a brewery that sells food.

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Our friend RB would probably like the $5 margaritas, but that's not why we are here.

Beer and warm pretzels are the highlight at the Lexington Avenue Brewery. The roggenbier on the left is the better of the two.

We go to sleep tired and looking forward to our next ride.