When it came time to pick another destination for The Arthritis Foundation to host a premiere cycle tourism event, Asheville was an obvious — and perfect — choice.
After all, the organization boasts a strong ethos of care and inclusivity, and its leaders wanted a location that boasted both gorgeous scenery and a welcoming community (talk about playing to our strengths!). The first Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour was held in 2025 and was an immediate success, garnering global accolades and leading journalist and avid biker Michael Venutolo-Mantovani to declare that “America’s best bike riding…might be in the Carolinas.” With support from local partners like Explore Asheville, The Biltmore Estate, Fuel Goods and the Asheville Regional Airport, the Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour certainly has a bright future as a signature regional event.
We sat down and spoke with Cailin Corbett, Director of Partnerships for the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experiences, about the history of their mission, why they chose Asheville for a new biking event and the importance community plays within their organization.
Where did your vision begin? How has it grown?
On May 6, 1948, the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation was founded with a goal to attack the challenges of arthritis through a national program to fund medical research and provide better medical services for patients. In 2001, we launched the California Coast Classic fundraiser, a 525-mile biking trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles, along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway — which has raised millions of dollars annually for our life-changing work ever since. In 2025, we kicked off the annual Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour as yet another great adventure of the Arthritis Foundation Cycling Experience.
“Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers an incredible backdrop for a cycling experience, with scenic roads, rolling hills and the kind of landscape that makes you want to slow down and take it all in.“
What made you choose the Asheville area?
We chose Asheville because it’s a place where natural beauty and a strong sense of community come together in a really special way.
Just as important as the scenery is the spirit of the community in Asheville. It has a welcoming, creative and active culture, and there’s a real sense of people coming together to support the places and causes they care about. That makes it a natural home for the Carolina Hills Classic.
The ride is about more than the miles. It’s about the people you meet, the communities you pass through and the shared experience of coming together for a purpose. Asheville embodies that spirit.
What is a little-known fact about your organization?
There are nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children in the US living with arthritis.
“Asheville has a welcoming, creative and active culture, and there’s a real sense of people coming together to support the places and causes they care about. That makes it a natural home for the Carolina Hills Classic.“
What does the word “community” mean to you?
To us, community means understanding the importance of connection and showing up for one another. It’s the people who cheer you on when the road gets hard, the stranger who offers a helping hand, the local business that opens its doors and the neighbors who come together to make something meaningful happen.
It’s also about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and connected and recognizing that we’re stronger when we combine our efforts and gifts. That’s what makes the Carolina Hills Classic so special. The ride may bring people together on bikes, but it’s the community we build along the way that reaches far beyond the participants that keeps us coming back.