Just a couple weeks before hurricane Helene hit Asheville, North Carolina I had teamed up with Second Gear to create an epic self-guided bike tour through west Asheville and the Arts District. It highlighted locally-owned small businesses, queer-friendly spaces, and my favorite plant-based eats along the way. The day before I was set to publish the bike route & accompanying podcast episode everything failed to upload as the internet wavered and the storm rolled in. To my knowledge it was just another stormy night in the mountains; I had idea of the immense damage and destruction that was to come. Second Gear, alongside many other businesses, was completely flattened and destroyed by the disaster — the damage made clear by flipping through the before and after photos above. (Luckily there are after after photos as well!) When I saw their building for the first time I couldn’t imagine any sort of timely recovery. But as I’ve learned over the years, community pulls together when the stakes are high and you’ve put so much into your relationships. Though the mud and sludge Second Gear was able to rebuild and make a come back, continuing their much-needed community programs and mission to make outdoor gear more accessible. (Their new location is 52 Westgate Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28806, so go show them some love! 🎉) Asheville is not back to normal but it is open to travelers once again. Same as before the storm, locals ask that you visit consciously and support the small businesses and grass-roots organizations who are still doing life-saving work. 🎧👉🏻My favorite businesses and outdoor activities that are back open after Helene, as well as rad mutual aid groups (like @Beloved Asheville) are listed in episode
#81 of the Unruly Podcast! This episode also explores local gems that you won’t find on the first page of Google with the wonderful Gabbie Grey. Listen now with the link in my bio & send this episode to a friend who plans on visiting Asheville. 🤎 Have you been to Asheville before?
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