Fabulous 4th Metric Bike Tour
ATTENTION---UPDATE!!!
SHOWERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FAB FOURTH 2009 BIKE TOUR
For many years, the Fabulous Fourth Metric Century Bike Tour registration and start/finish was at the Open Air Gym at the Polk County Middle School adjoining Harmon Field in Tryon, NC. This facility included dressing rooms and showers. This school was closed a few years back when the new Polk County Middle School between Columbus and Mill Spring was completed. The start, finish and parking for the Bike Tour was moved to cabin on the other side of Harmon Field in 2008.
The Town of Tryon repurchased this facility from the School District in 2007 (after giving it to them some years earlier). A major renovation of the Open Air Gym is now underway. The roof has just been replaced. A complete renovation of the dressing rooms/rest rooms area is scheduled, but will probablly not be completed until after July 2, 2009. However, Harmon Field Supt. George Alley has now assured me the showers will be open, clean, and working for those who would like to use them after the 2009 Tour. This facility is about 0.2 miles or less from the Harmon Field cabin and parking area - riders who would like to use it are welcome. Parking is available nearby.
For many years, the Fabulous Fourth Metric Century Bike Tour registration and start/finish was at the Open Air Gym at the Polk County Middle School adjoining Harmon Field in Tryon, NC. This facility included dressing rooms and showers. This school was closed a few years back when the new Polk County Middle School between Columbus and Mill Spring was completed. The start, finish and parking for the Bike Tour was moved to cabin on the other side of Harmon Field in 2008.
General Information on where to eat,
stay and how to get to the starting line.
RV's
RV'ers will have a special area to park your RV in.
Limited 15 amp hookup only. Power must be shared with all RV's.
No water or sewer hookups provided.
Best if you are completely self contained
CAR PARKING
Please follow the signs to the parking area. The Rotary Staff will direct you to your parking area. We can park about 600 cars here so you should be ok on finding a place to park.
Where to eat
Here's where to find food before or after the event
Remember, The Fourth of July is a holiday.
Some the following stores may choose to be closed for the holiday.
But here is a listing of what is here!
* = Cash available from ATM's at this location
In Columbus, NC
McDonald's
Burger King *
Texaco Hot Food Stop (super station) *
Waffle House
Wendy's
Calvert's Kitchen
KFC
Subway
Brick Pizzera Cafe
Cocula Mexican Grill
El Surento Mexican Restaurant
BI-LO Super Store *
Food Lion *
Pizza at the Exxon *
In Tryon, NC
Buck's Pizza
El Chile Rojo
Side Street Pizza
Elmo's Pub and Grill
Pine Crest Inn & Restaurant
Kyoto Japanese Steak House
China Dynasty
Simple Simon's Sandwiches
& Ice Cream
Trade Street Cafe
The Dogwood Cafe
IGA food store *
In Landrum, SC
Subway
Bojangles
Burger King *
China Cafe
El Chile Rojo
Green Onion
Hare & Hound Pub
Hungry Fox
Lake Lanier Tea House
Twigs
Ingles Super Store *
BI-LO Super Store *
Where to stay
WARNING
Riders report that this motel is
NOT recommended
Tryon Plaza Motel
There are a number of motels, inns and B&B's in this area.
CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE BOOKING A ROOM.
Pricing varies according to local special events.
The following are recommend and there may be additional new places opening since this list was posted:
Days Inn - 626 W. Mills St. - Columbus, NC 28722 - 828-894-8373 - 800-325-2525
Foxtrot Inn - PO Box 1561 - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-9706
Saluda Mountain Lodge - 1719 Holberts Cove Road, Saluda, NC 28773 - 828-749-4951
Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast - 1026 E. Lakeshore Drive - Landrum, SC 29356 - 864-457-5330
Mimosa Inn - One Mimosa Lane - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-7668
Melrose Inn - 55 Melrose Avenue - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-7014
The Orchard Inn - PO Box 725 - Saluda, NC 28773 - 828-749-5471 - 800-581-3800
Pine Crest Inn & Restaurant - 85 Pine Crest Lane - Tryon, NC 28782 -828-859-9135 - 800-633-3001
Stone Hedge Inn - PO Box 366 - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-9114 - 800-633-3800
Tryon Old South - 27 Markham Rd. - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-6965 - 800-288-7966
Butterfly Creek Inn - 780 Smith Dairy Road, Columbus NC 28722 - 828-894-6393
Country Mouse Inn - 120 N Trade Avenue, Landrum SC 29356 - 864--457-4016
Silver Creek Campground
410 Silver Creek Road
Mill Spring, NC 28756
828.894.2331
Wilderness Cove Campground
3772 Green River Cove Road
Saluda, NC 28773
828.749.9100
Orchard Lake Campground
460 Orchard Lake Road
Saluda, NC 28773
828.749.3901
How To Get Here
To get to the starting line
From the North travel I-26 South to the US-74 Exit at the bottom of the long grade. Take the exit and the next exit will be for NC-108 - Tryon / Columbus. Exit and then there is a traffic circle. Take the First EXIT west to Tryon and Proceed about 5 Miles west and turn onto Harmon Field Road and follow signs to the parking area.
From the South take I-85 to Spartanburg SC or I-26 from Columbia SC and travel North on I-26 to the Columbus NC Exit. This exit has a traffic circle on either side of the over pass. Go around the first and then exit WEST from the second on NC-108. Again about 5 miles to the parking area.
From the East take US-74 to the First Columbus NC Exit and get off turning LEFT onto NC-108. Proceed through Columbus and the two above traffic circles to the parking area. The total distance is about 8 miles.
See the maps below .
