Ride Guide
Leaving Roanoke, riders are greeted by Cardinal Bicycle, offering coffee, smoothies, and other café options — an ideal pre-ride stop. It’s also a reliable place to pick up last-minute essentials such as spare tubes.
The route follows the Greenway for 3 miles before connecting to Peters Creek. While traffic can be present, a solid bike lane provides space. After turning onto Melrose (also with a bike lane), a right onto Kessler Mill Road leads quickly to a gravel transition. Parkway Brewing sits along this stretch and is often open with food trucks.
Near Hanging Rock, two gas stations provide solid resupply options, sometimes including fresh local produce. Rather than turning directly onto 311, Dutch Oven Road offers a quieter bypass via a bridge closed to cars but open to bikes. Along 311, Just The Right Gear — a female-owned shop — has served as a mountain bike hub for Carvins Cove riders for more than two decades.
Old Catawba Road features scenic, low-traffic switchbacks — a welcome contrast to 311. The stretch along Catawba Creek Road is part of the TransAmerica Bicycle Route (marked with “Bike Route 76” signs). Around mile 58, the route climbs onto Potts Mountain, one of its most adventurous segments. This ridgeline road can hold water and feels rugged and remote, with expansive views and frequent wildlife sightings.
A less rugged alternative continues on 311 into Paint Bank, where a strong resupply awaits — including the option of a bison burger. The route can be rejoined via Route 18 near Potts Creek.
Beyond this point, the route weaves between Virginia and West Virginia on quiet, remote roads where cell service is often limited. Steep gravel climbs mark the transition into West Virginia. Before reaching White Sulphur Springs, the route passes Kate’s Mountain, named for Catherine “Kate” Carpenter, who sought refuge there during a 1756 frontier attack. Part of the mountain lies within Greenbrier State Forest. From White Sulphur Springs, the climb back over the mountain is a steady five miles to 3,280 feet.
White Sulphur Springs is a favored stop among Roanoke-area bikepackers, offering solid food options, nearby camping, and comfortable lodging.
Contributed by Kayla Hall, Roanoke Bikepacking
