A Local's Guide: What to Do in Greenville, SC

Lodging
If you are planning a cycling-focused train-cation in Greenville, SC, there are a few options for lodging. You can always go the VRBO/Airbnb route or book a hotel but there are a few other options to make your stay feel more like home.

Swamp Rabbit Inn TR (Traveler's Rest) - closer to the mountains/bike-friendly routes
Swamp Rabbit Inn Greenville (downtown) - walking distance to our award-winning downtown
The Bike Barn (close to Furman University and the Swamp Rabbit Trail)

Swamp Rabbit Trail 
The SRT connects downton Greenville to downtown Traveler's Rest. With over 20 miles of paved road, you can run, bike or walk on our heavilyused trail. If you are close to downtown, be sure to stop at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and grocery for a delicious treat or Stecca bread.

Falls Park 
Our picture-worthy downtown has everything you would want in a downtown. Small businesses, farm-to-table restaurants, a park, waterfall, a scenic bridge and so much more. Located in the West end of downtown Greenville, this nature-filled park is worth the visit. You can also check out our art distric and Peace Center. Our downtown is also very pet-friendly.

Hiking
If you need a break from riding the roads on two wheels, be sure to visit some of our many popular hiking destinations. Lake Jocassee (Devils Fork) is one of our favs (you can rent a paddle board or kayak to see more of the lake). Other locations include Paris Mountain, Dupont State Forest (which is popular for mountain biking), Table Rock, Jones Gap state park, Lake Conestee, Caesar's Head and Pleasant Ridge. Most South Carolina state parks require a park pass (or a one-day park fee) and can get very busy on the weekend.

Eating
There are so many restaurants to choose from in and around Greenville. You'll find over 100 restaurants around downtown Greenville and several options in downtown Traveler's Rest. 
Here's a blog post that I wrote in 2014 (a few months after we moved to Greenville) discussing some of our favorite recent finds.

Where to ride
There are many notable cycling routes. We have lived in Greenville for 6 years and we are still discovering new routes! Here's a list of our favorite scenic climbs:
The Watershed
Green River Cove loop
Saluda Grade
Skyuka
Caesar's Head
Paris Mountain
Sassafras

Where to start your ride
Trailblazer Park 
Furman University 
Traveler's Rest Museum 
Hotel Domestique 
North Greenville University (Tigerville location - behind the theater off 414)

Extra StuffRun In - Run store
Carolina Triathlon - tri/bike shop
Set up Events - SC triathlon series - local race series
Greenville Humane Society - adopt, foster, donate
Westside Aquatics - lap swimming
Greenville Spinners - local cycling club
Greenville Triathlon Club - local triathlon club
Greenville Track Club - local track/running club

Greenville Splash - local master and open water swim group
Lake Summit run route - Popular crushed gravel loop around Lake Summit (park at Tuxedo Park).

Although the word is slowly getting out, Greenville, SC is a hidden gem in the southeast. We are so happy to live in such a beautiful and friendly community. If you love nature and live an active lifestyle, you too will quickly fall in love with our incredible city.

Happy Mother's Day!

"You never know how strong you are until strong is your only choice" - Bob Marley

This is one of my favorite quotes. I often think of this saying before I race for I always feel like I find myself in uncomfortable situations on race day and in order to find success, I have to stay physically and mentally strong. It's amazing how strong you can be when your only choices are to find a way or to simply give up. 

This past year has been incredibly tough for my family. 

Almost one year ago, my dad lost his 10 month fight with cancer. For anyone who has lost a close friend, family member or loved one, it's very easy to feel depressed, lonely, sad and angry
People will often say "stay strong" but it's just not that easy. 

Everyone grieves differently but eventually, the survivor of the loved one is destined to continue on with life. It never gets easy and the loved one is never forgotten but life does go on and we should try to not waste any precious days of living. 

My mom has been incredibly strong over the past year. She took such good care of dad when he was diagnosed with cancer and she was constantly with him through  multiple doctor's appointments, treatments and surgeries. Eventually when the day came to take my dad off life support, we were all by my mom's side in the hospital, keeping her strong. 

When my dad passed away, my mom was forced to take on almost all the house chores and life responsibilities that my dad did on a daily basis. My mom eventually moved to Greenville and joined several social groups, including a cancer survivor group, a widow's group and a mahjong group. She stays incredibly busy with all her friends and has never stopped living her life.

It hasn't been easy for any of us but my mom has stayed so strong for us all because well, you never know how strong you are until it's your only choice. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the strong, selfless, determined, hard-working, compassionate, loving, caring and amazing human and furry mom's in this world! 

I LOVE YOU MOM! 

Since my mom spent the night at our place last night, I made my mom breakfast this morning. French toast (cinnamon raisin bread) with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. 

While Karel and I worked out, my mom took Campy for a long walk at our place.
We then took a trip across the street to Furman University to walk around. 

Here are a few pics from our afternoon, enjoying the beautiful outdoors!

Roads worth exploring

Today's workout required a lot of mental focus, strength, fuel and well, a really strong body. I can't believe that I will be racing my first key race of the season here in two weeks at Challenge Knoxville! Karel and I will both be racing and we are excited to race a Challenge event and explore Knoxville by swimming, biking and running in the city. 

                                                                                                                             

I had no time for pictures this morning so I am sharing a few pics from earlier this week (including the pic above from climbing up and over and then up and over again on Paris Mountain). This was the view on top of Paris Mountain (above).....which is now a 10 min bike ride from our new home. 

Oh yes, I forgot to blog about that so that will come soon....we moved out of our rental home and we are now first time home owners!

The Swamp Rabbit Trail (SRT, pictured above) extends from downtown Greenville to Traveler's Rest. We are now less than 2 miles from Furman University which makes for a lot of new running routines to explore. I prefer to stick with rolling hills as they are better for my hips and running form so I don't do much, if any, of my running on the SRT which is flat for almost 30 miles. 

This is our new running route to leave our neighborhood. We have a .25 mile climb out of our neighborhood and then endless country/neighborhood roads to enjoy on two feet. It's like running freedom! 

I've decided that every athlete or fitness enthusiast who lives in Greenville is strong because it's nearly impossible to have an easy workout here. You get strong by default because simply training outside toughens you up in our nature-filled, yet challenging environment.

I made sure to take a lot of mental pictures on today's route. I just love that I can leave for a ride (today I was alone as Karel did his own workout) and not have a plan as to where I will ride and just discover new roads/routes, feel safe and love every mile of it. 

Karel and Campy chilaxin in the back yard after our morning workout. Campy loves our new yard, especially squirrel and bird watching!

Here was our morning workout: 

3 hour ride (which included 4000 feet of climbing)
MS: 5x6 min best effort with 5 min EZ spin.

Followed by a 7.5 mile/1 hour run with 1000 feet of climbing.

Karel's workout: 

~70 miles
MS 9x6min best effort with 5 min EZ. 

Followed by a 20 min run

This evening we had my mom over to watch the Derby and then we watched Unbroken (which is a GREAT movie!). I made this beautiful and delicious salad, topped with Veronica's Health Crunch.
I used petite lettuce, napa cabbage, pears, carrots, thinly sliced onions and celery. 

Hope you are having a great weekend! 

Make sure you enjoy your views on your favorite and new routes! 

Exploring Greenville

Greenville, SC is the perfect place for our active lifestyle. After 10 years of living in Florida and the 6 past years living in Jacksonville, FL, we were ready for a change.

So, we decided to exchange the beach for the mountains and we haven't regretted our decision since we moved in mid-May.

We absolutely love exploring our new city and we have so much more to see but I thought I'd share some of our favorite finds in Greenville, SC.

Let me start off with the yummy stuff first.

FOOD
Everyday Organic - 100% organic restaurant and bakery with delicious meals that satisfy almost every diet and taste (vegetarian, gluten free, vegan and meat options)
Green Lettuce - fresh, delicious, Mediterranean inspired cuisine
Pomegranate on main - traditional Persian food with excellent appetizers and entrees
Chicora Alley - a variety of cuisine (vegetarian/vegan options available) which is a fusion of exotic island and southern cooking. You can find burritos, salads, burgers and sandwiches.
Passerelle in the Park  - enjoy a beautiful view overlooking Falls Park. Enjoy chef inspired fare that's a little French, a little European and a lot local. Dog friendly.
Barley's - Pizza, salads, burgers, fries and 72 carefully-selected craft beers on tap and over 200 bottled beers. Dog friendly.
Lazy Goat - Mediterranean-themed restaurant with a menu featuring global influences from Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Greece, Africa and the Middle East. Dog friendly.
Trio brick oven cafe - Gourmet wood-fired pizzas, a wide variety of homemade pastas, wraps, sandwiches and an extensive wine list. Dog friendly.
Mary Beth at McBee- known as the best breakfast in Greenville but now serving lunch and dinner too.
Growler Station - Fresh craft beer to go OR bring your dog inside and have a beer and chillax.

BAKERY AND COFFEE
Le Grand - French bakery
Strossners - German bakery
Bavarian Pretzel factory - German bakery
Coffee Underground - cool vibe, coffee and food available
Spill the Beans - Great coffee and ice cream
Westend coffee - buy a bag (or two) of fresh coffee that is roasted in-house.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe - Right on the swamp rabbit bicycle trail. Great selection of local foods, fresh breads and the best baguettes!

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Paris Mountain State park
Jones Gap State park
Cesear's Head State park
Devils Fork State park
Hotel Domestique  - George Hincapie's hotel. Enjoy an overnight stay during your cycling adventure or a fine-dining experience with a great view.
Pedal Chic - All women's bike shop.
GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail - cycling, walking, running
Falls Park on the Reedy- Named the 9th best park in the US (Trip Advisor 2013)Westside aquatics - This is where we swim. We just love this pool. Throughout the year it changes from short to long course. We also belong to Caine Halter YMCA.

OTHER
Greenville Humane Society - the largest no kill facility in the Southeast. Donate HERE or volunteer, foster a pet, donate a Kuranda  bed or apply for a job.

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