:roflmao:

mmkay. Serious. You did 35 miles in a leisurely 1h50min. Climbed 3444'. Good gawd, man! That's just over 19mph average! :eek:

Do you understand that by the time I finish that ride in three hours, if I'm lucky, that you'll have drunk all the Duvel?! :mad: <arms akimbo, feet planted firmly>

I think his altimeter seriously overestimates the amount of gain. He said it was a pretty flat ride. 3400' of climbing in 35 miles would be hilly for sure. Heck, the Sat. ride has like 4500' of climbing in 53 miles and I know that has got some climbing.

Our elevation gain will be around 3,444 ft.
Max. ascent grade is 27.2%
My moving time was a leizurely 1 hr:50 mins.:19 secs.

I'm not even that fast in my rides here in the valley, so I'll likely be a distant caboose.

So I weigh more than VegaVixen + heavy bike, and she's taller than me? VV, I gather you've never needed to venture into the dieting waters, huh? ;)

It'll be a double caboose. Unless I get the afterburner option on my new bike. :rolleyes:

Everyone thinks diet is about losing weight. My diet is one to help me maintain and not lose. And, yes, this is a "weight problem." ;)

If I can make the ride then we will make it a triple caboose. I am not sure I could climb that much in a month. VV^2, I'll rent a guard dog to put by our coolers of beers! :D

Beer Fetch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFg3HBMJyV4)

Good, I'll have someone's rear wheel to suck.

VV, how much does your current rig weigh?

I think I'll just lasso you two guys, and ride my bike behind you like a chariot. :p

Great idea on the guard dog, warrenl! :beer: I remember that commercial. I think it aired during one of the Superbowls one year?

VV, my old lugged steel bike weighs 29lbs, not including water bottle, but including tool bag. Yes, that means I weigh 125lb....

I weighed 125 lbs once, back when I was 10 years old I believe.

I think his altimeter seriously overestimates the amount of gain. He said it was a pretty flat ride. 3400' of climbing in 35 miles would be hilly for sure. Heck, the Sat. ride has like 4500' of climbing in 53 miles and I know that has got some climbing.

If I'm training seriously and riding solo, I want to average 1000 feet of climbing for every 10 miles. It seems to help in situations like these.

I don't think there's anyone here (who wants to show up for this) who cannot be ready for this ride and hold on. Once you set a goal, focus on that goal. If it's hills then make it hills. If it's speed and hills then make it ... well you get the point. We have a few weeks to prepare.

I had a goal to beat my PR on my commute home (Shelby, NC to Belmont, NC) It's 43 mile and 2600 feet of climbing going through Crowders Mountain. My last record was 20mph average. Monday night - 20.6 mph. I was glowing all night thinking about it. It made me realize what I am able to do once I put my mind on it and focus.

Plus, I don't think this ride is for a speed session is it? We're here for the fun of it.

The Sunday ride appears to basically follow the river up until the gigantic climb at the midway point. That means it should be one of the flatter rides around here.

I'm riding this thing on a hybrid, I'm not a racer, and I've never ridden more than 20 miles in a day. But I'm more used to hills that you flatlanders. Where will that leave me (me+bike=180lb)? I think I need to do a long ride or two before we get together...

msheron, I'd like to ride to the Sunday ride. Do you know how far the start is from downtown AVL?

The climb is over Hill St. where all the climbing takes place and we ride into the valley of the town of Marshall. The gain is a product of the Garmin Edge 305. Don't fret it is closer to flat than anything else. Look at the link and take the info. from it.


LOOK AT THIS LINK TO GET THE STATS::D

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1867390 <CLICK ON THIS LINK PLEASE BEFORE YOU GUYS HAVE HERNIAS!:) PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE PROFILE GRAPH. I THINK WE ARE DOING ALL TOGETHER MORE LIKE 1200 ACTUAL VERTICAL CLIMB.

I knew I should have explained more closely. Disregard the MB stats on the left of the elevation link.

This will give you the info. you need to disect out. The real climb comes if you take the Hill St. ext. I know we are not climbing 3400 ft. in that cross over and I should have pointed that out to you guys. I just posted what the Garmin Edge reported through the Motion Base site. My bad for not poiting that out.

And my avg.moving speed was only 15.6 mph........not to be confused with overall avg. speed. The Garmin Edge tracks overall move speed and actual overall time in relation to avg. speed. I listed those few stats for those who I knew would not link to the MB site.

? for BikeWNC-
How many tunnels if any do we go through and if we do everyone needs to bring a headlight for your bike and have a rear blinkie light as well for it is recquired by the park service for going through tunnels. Unless this has changed and I have not heard it has you will need it.

? for BikeWNC-
How many tunnels if any do we go through and if we do everyone needs to bring a headlight for your bike and have a rear blinkie light as well for it is recquired by the park service for going through tunnels. Unless this has changed and I have not heard it has you will need it.

There are two short straight tunnels on the route. One we will go through twice. A red flashing rear light will be all one needs. I usually keep one on my bike for the tunnels but lately I haven't had it on. The Devils' Courthouse tunnel is the longer of the two but it is straight and you can see the exit from the entrance. The flashing light is so any cars that enter the tunnel can see you. Mostly I just try to time my entrance into the tunnel when there are no cars in sight.

VV, if you shed 10 or so pounds off the bike, you'll be rocketing up the hills.

How steep is the climb on the Pigeon Loop? 5%-6%? (I'm not good at doing the math.)

VV, if you shed 10 or so pounds off the bike, you'll be rocketing up the hills.

How steep is the climb on the Pigeon Loop? 5%-6%? (I'm not good at doing the math.)

Once on the main part of the climb on NC 215, the grade is a steady 5-6%. But there are a couple of quarter mile sections that are 10% or so. On the BRP, the grades usually max out around 7% at most, but the hills on the part we will be doing are mostly less than a mile long.

Egad! :eek:

My usual relatively flat terrain is +/- 3%, and among the few little hills I have here, about 11% max for maybe 0.2mile. I'd better get busy ridin' in Stanly County! I know a great place for hill repeats, with grades, albeit short ones, of maybe up to 20%. But one after another after another for a mile out, then a mile back. I got a cramp in my ankle from pushing the accelerator in the car so hard while checkin' 'em out. I'll post pics sometime.

Rough head count for Sunday's ride please. Just give me an idea of how many of you plan to do that days ride as well and are wanting to do dinner Saturday night. Thanks.

I PLAN on joining you all for dinner Saturday night then driving back home Sunday AM. That's the plan at least.

I'm doing the ride Sat. but not dinner or the Sun. ride. I'll be doing the Fletcher Flyer century on Sun. and need my beauty sleep.

Just found out that my sons graduation is saturday morning and I will not be able to attend.
Hope every one has a great time. Keep me posted for next year or a "end of summer ride"?

You can hangout with this flatlander anytime....

yea VV, you can hang out with me; i'm from some serious flatland, so saturday's ride will most likely be slow.

hey, msheron, i will be there for both rides on the new bike! but, i will most likely be bringing up the rear for saturdays ride...that's ok,tho, jsut save me a beer or two :)

guess i'll do dinner on saturday too.

Once on the main part of the climb on NC 215, the grade is a steady 5-6%. But there are a couple of quarter mile sections that are 10% or so. On the BRP, the grades usually max out around 7% at most, but the hills on the part we will be doing are mostly less than a mile long.

geez, i hope you guys will regroup every once in a while...or i'm gonna be riding by myself quite A LOT:p

I will make sure no one is left behind to ride by themselves. Also for those wanting to do the dinner......give me an idea where you want to eat. I suggested the Japaneese Steakhouse but we can do whatever type of food you care for.

I've been looking forward to this ride. I'll be climbing at a reasonable pace, too. Otherwise, it's just tunnel vision and hammering, and the scenery is too good for that. Maybe there will be enough riders for two speed groups?

I can't stay for the Saturday dinner or the Sunday ride.

Maybe there will be enough riders for two speed groups?
Hmm, the 19 mph climbing group (msheron and company) and an 11 mph climbing group?

How 'bout a third 5mph climbing group? I volunteer. *raising hand*

How 'bout a third 5mph climbing group? I volunteer. *raising hand*

You told me the other night that you liked pain .... er .... that didn't come out right.
But, you liked to abuse yourself ... again ... didn't come out right.
Let's see ...
That you liked, uh .... A CHALLENGE. Yes, to be challenged and to hurt a bit on the bike.

No 5mph stuff. You are faster than that.

:roflmao:

Yeah, I do need challenge. And I do want to get stronger. I'm gonna be workin' hard to get my legs by May. I've seen a number of roadraces coming up, just about every weekend in April. :eek: Yay! :D

I think I'll go do the ride from Harrisburg Elem. School on Saturday morning.... I think that if I do some hammering on the 30-mile ride on Saturday, then have a light ride on Sunday, and a non-exhausting interval session on the trainer Monday, and maybe an easy spin Tuesday afternoon, I should be rested and recovered for TT by Tuesday evening. Hm....

Hmm, the 19 mph climbing group (msheron and company) and an 11 mph climbing group?

No 19 mph climbing here. I just hope to keep up with you lightweights. My arse weighs in at 195 and I look like a Krispy Kreme poster child on a bike. I climb as fast as I can pedal< did that make any sense?

Just got back from doing 40 miles of "hill" repeats. Ill be as ready as a "flatlander" west Tennessean can be.....which wont be very....:(

I think I'll tie my Reeboks together and wear them around my neck, just in case I have to walk uphill. :D

No 19 mph climbing here. I just hope to keep up with you lightweights. My arse weighs in at 195 and I look like a Krispy Kreme poster child on a bike. I climb as fast as I can pedal< did that make any sense?

You already told us you do "leizurely" 19 mph rides in the mountains. :p

VegaVixen is talking about road races every weekend, so I'm sure she'll be in the lead pack.

garysol1, there are "hills" in West Tennessee? :)

I think he means highway "off-ramps." <snicker>

You guys are funny. All this sandbagging. I'm beginning to think I'll be the one in back, the lantern rouge, the caboose. Don't let that little hill psych you out. After 20 miles of downhill fun there has to some price to pay.

garysol1, there are "hills" in West Tennessee? :)

Thats why I had the word hills in " " ...... Actually todays ride had 1,200 feet of climbing in 41 miles. No big hills but we do have some routes that have lots of constant large rollers. You just have to know where to look.

BikeWNC, did you just say 20 miles of downhill? <warily checkin' brake pads>

I need to hit my LBS for an extra set of brake pads! :eek:

That's it then, I guess I'll lead out. ;)

You mean on the downhill part? :p

I think I'll bring a bungee cord and tie it to one of you fast guys.

BikeWNC, did you just say 20 miles of downhill? <warily checkin' brake pads>

I need to hit my LBS for an extra set of brake pads! :eek:

Yes, but the slope on the last 10 miles is such that we will pedal through it. Everyone should make sure their brakes work well. We don't want any problems, now do we?

Have you ever done a 10 mile coast on a downhill? You'll be picking the bugs out of your teeth from all the grinning on the way down.

What Cassette do you climbing guys use with a 53-39 front? 12-25 ok or am I just asking for trouble? I know that's a hard question without knowing me so just generalize this question...LoL

I'll be ridin' my new roadbike by then. I'm gonna miss the 52-40 and 14-30 on my old beater, for sure! :eek:

BikeWNC, as long as they land on my teeth, and don't try to get friendly with my tonsils, which happened to me last Tuesday on a group ride with warrenl! <cough,cough>

What Cassette do you climbing guys use with a 53-39 front? 12-25 ok or am I just asking for trouble? I know that's a hard question without knowing me so just generalize this question...LoL

I'm not a climbing guy. I just climb because that's all I have. I use a 12-27 cassette with my 39/53 and it works OK. There are a few sections where my cadence drops into the 50s but that is so I stay in a reasonable power range. I have used a triple on this ride too. I've moved away from the triple lately and might replace it with a compact crank due to Q factor issues. It's always better to have extra gears than not enough. It's not a race.

I'll be ridin' my new roadbike by then. I'm gonna miss the 52-40 and 14-30 on my old beater, for sure! :eek:

BikeWNC, as long as they land on my teeth, and don't try to get friendly with my tonsils, which happened to me last Tuesday on a group ride with warrenl! <cough,cough>
What gearing will your new bike have? 40/30 is a 1.33 ratio. A 39/27 is a 1.44 ratio which is a little harder gear.

What gearing will your new bike have? 40/30 is a 1.33 ratio. A 39/27 is a 1.44 ratio which is a little harder gear.
My point exactly. I don't yet know what gearing my new bike will have. I plan to eventually have different hubs for different terrain. But I hope to be strong enough by May that 39-27 on a new bike is as comfortable as my smallest gear now. My next smallest gear on my old beater is 40-26. Currently, when that's too much for spinnin' up a hill, I go down to 40-30. If on a new roadbike 39-27 is too much, I guess I'll just throw it into a taller gear and stand. Or put on the Reeboks that will conveniently be hangin' around my neck. And walk. :D

My avg. is around 16-17 mph on the route for Sunday......minus the hill. I don't really try to kill this ride at all. It is a light day training ride to work on sprints and cadence. My ride including the Hill St. that day was 15.4 mph.

My point exactly. I don't yet know what gearing my new bike will have. I plan to eventually have different hubs for different terrain. But I hope to be strong enough by May that 39-27 on a new bike is as comfortable as my smallest gear now. My next smallest gear on my old beater is 40-26. Currently, when that's too much for spinnin' up a hill, I go down to 40-30. If on a new roadbike 39-27 is too much, I guess I'll just throw it into a taller gear and stand. Or put on the Reeboks that will conveniently be hangin' around my neck. And walk. :D

Walking! There's no walking in road biking! Mt bikers walk. There's no walking in road biking!

Then I'm bringin' my bungee cord. :mad:


:p

hey VV,

you and i will be sporting new bikes on this ride. mine's gonna have a compact crank on it (50/34) with a 12-27 on the back. hopefully, that'll get me up these mtns! i've always had a triple and will be getting the bike built up next week, so i'll have about a month to practice using it!

What Cassette do you climbing guys use with a 53-39 front? 12-25 ok or am I just asking for trouble? I know that's a hard question without knowing me so just generalize this question...LoL
Well, I haven't ridden the route, but routeslip.com shows the steep section of the climb from mile 27 to mile 37 for about 2500 feet. This averages a little under 5% grade. There are a few short sections that are steeper. So what gear can you maintain all the way up on your local climbs that are around 5% grade?

From post #53 in this thread: http://www.routeslip.com/routes/21762 Thanks, BikeWNC! (Ignore the total climbing of 5800 feet from routeslip, it measures every little bump and roller, even the little rises during the downhills. It's probably near 4000 total, with a 3000 climb and a 500 climb)

hey VV,

you and i will be sporting new bikes on this ride. mine's gonna have a compact crank on it (50/34) with a 12-27 on the back. hopefully, that'll get me up these mtns! i've always had a triple and will be getting the bike built up next week, so i'll have about a month to practice using it!
That's a tiny ratio, all right! What bike are you getting?