Applewood’s owner, Stephen Collins, is an avid cyclist, and he has made his Asheville Bed & Breakfast Inn bicycle friendly. Whether you are looking for a simple route suggestion for a solo ride or for customize support services, the staff can accommodate your needs when it comes to all things cycling. Services include ride planning, on-ride guides, ride support including follow vehicles, coaching, mechanic services and bike assembly/break-down, logo cycling clothing, and even sports nutrition. Guests don’t even have to bring their own bikes. Applewood has partnered with 3T Cycling. They make the world’s finest and lightest bike racing equipment. The Manor keeps a fleet of high performance 3T Exploro bikes, suitable for both paved road and gravel rides, at the ready for guests to rent during their stay.
Applewood has also partnered with US professional national road race champion, Jonathan (Jonny) Brown, to lead the Inn’s biking program providing unique cycling experiences for our guests who share the owner’s love of the sport. When Jonny is in Asheville and not racing with his professional team, EvoPro Racing, he is available for guided rides, coaching and challenge races. Check our calendar of events for Applewood group rides led by Jonny Brown, Stephen Collins, or other special guest ride leaders. Private in person Asheville area rides with Jonny Brown must be scheduled in advance and include additional fees.
However, you do not have to be an Applewood guest or even in Asheville to ride with our cyclists. Applewood Manor hosts a weekly @gozwift group ride lead by our biking pro or Stephen Collins. Go to https://www.strava.com/clubs/applewood-manor-cycling-706205. to join the Applewood Cycling Club, USA Cycling Club 17390. The virtual ride is currently scheduled for every Thursday starting at 10:30AM EST, but the schedule is subject to change, so follow us on strava.com.
While Stephen Collins has had a remarkable business career, he is also a committed cyclist and active supporter of the sport. He has been riding for pleasure and competitively since 1999. His race results for recent years are posted on the official Website of USA Cycling. He is a member of USA Cycling’s Champion Club and one of the leading supporters of the organization’s Development Foundation. In 2006, he was the force behind the formation of an elite level Junior/Espoir (U23) development team, under the auspices of the Tristar Cycling Club, to recruit, coach and mentor young competitive cyclists with aspirations to compete at the highest level of the sport. Its mission was to identify, train and select cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. Applewood’s cycling pro, Jonny Brown, is a graduate of that program. Jonny Brown currently rides for the UCI Continental team, EvoPro Racing. In 2018 he won the United States National Road Race Championship and earned 7th place in Paris-Roubaix Espoirs. In his mid-twenties, Brown is on the road to a stellar career in the international competitive cycling world.