oh, awesome! thanks. We will be driving up from Hick-town saturday morning and don't want to have to get up too terribly early.

I think if you get on I 40 by 7:30 you will be there in time. Take 40 through Asheville to exit 27 US 74. Through Waynesville to the BRP (entrance on the right). Go up the ramp then take a left on the BRP. About 4 miles up the hill through the tunnel to the overlook. See you there. Do you still have my cell # or should I pm it to you?

Thanks for the directions; very helpful! Looks like you'll need to PM that #. Thanks.

I'll meet you at the overlook at 9:30, too, since I'm driving south on the BRP from the Pisgah Inn. I'll drop off the water stash near our turnaround point. The overlook is around mile marker 439.

Is Wolfpack collecting cell numbers via PM?

BikeWNC, how does the temperature on the ride typically compare to the forecast for Sylva? so far, Intellicast (http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=USNC0682) is predicting 51/78 for Saturday.

Less than a week to go! :D

I'll meet you at the overlook at 9:30, too, since I'm driving south on the BRP from the Pisgah Inn. I'll drop off the water stash near our turnaround point. The overlook is around mile marker 439.

Is Wolfpack collecting cell numbers via PM?

BikeWNC, how does the temperature on the ride typically compare to the forecast for Sylva? so far, Intellicast (http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=USNC0682) is predicting 51/78 for Saturday.

Less than a week to go! :D

I'll ask Wolfpack about the cell#s. This time of year it can be noticeably cooler up on the mountain than it is in town. Sometimes it is actually warmer in the morning up at mid elevations. I would come prepared with knee and arm warmers and a vest. I think that should do it but to be on the safe side bring more.

To answer your question, I would expect a starting temp in the low 50s and a max in the low 60s at elevation. Might be cooler for the max at 6000'.

anyone down for some breakfast saturday morning?

I can collect cell #'s if you want to PM them to me. Get them to me by Thursday and I'll then send a PM to all with the numbers, if you want me to do that.

Breakfast - hmmm, I usually have PB & honey on mornings of rides, but I suppose I'd be open to something else as long as it's not really something heavy.

I mostly wanted a contact cell number I can call for someone that will be at the ride, and to give you my number.

BikeWNC PM'd me his number, I'll send him mine. That'll work.

The Saturday ride will meet at mp 439.4 +/- on the BRP at the first overlook on the North side of the Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel about 4 miles North of the 74/23 intersection at Balsam Gap. 10am roll out.For whatever reason, I've found myself directionally challenged in Western North Carolina. By "North" you mean toward Asheville (as opposed to direction of the compass north)? In other words, this is between Balsam Gap and Richland Balsam?

Also, how long does it take to drive (on the parkway) from this spot to Asheville?

I'm considering joining you guys on sat...and was a bit confused by the directions also. I think bikewnc was using "parkway north", as opposed to true north. So, from balsam gap, you would take the parkway "north", towards asheville, though that stretch of the parkway actually runs due south. Correct?
I think balsam gap from asheville along I-40 / U.S. 74 takes about 45min. to drive.
Driving along the parkway from asheville to the pullout would take much longer I think.

Velo - how was Tour de Tuck? Will you be recovered enough to join us Saturday?

For whatever reason, I've found myself directionally challenged in Western North Carolina. By "North" you mean toward Asheville (as opposed to direction of the compass north)? In other words, this is between Balsam Gap and Richland Balsam?

Also, how long does it take to drive (on the parkway) from this spot to Asheville?

Yes, I mean Parkway North, or the general direction the BRP is heading towards Va. From Balsam Gap that would be towards Asheville. The best way from Knoxville would be to take I40 to US74 at exit 27. Take 74 to the BRP at Balsam Gap and drive the 4 miles "north" through the tunnel to the overlook on the left. You rode this section on Sat. If you wanted to drive to Asheville on the BRP from the starting point it might take up to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. It's about 60 miles.

Here's who we've got so far:

Friday riders: Wolfpack, BikeWNC, rm –rf, cnickgo, Elizabeth (Tappets' GF); after ride supper – WP, BWNC, rm -rf.

Saturday riders: Wolfpack, BikeWNC, rm –rf, CycleMagic, ForumulaUgh, rnhood, Tappets, WheresWaldo, 3MTA3, cnickgo. After ride supper – all but CM, FormulaUgh, rm –rf.

Sunday riders: Wolfpack, BikeWNC, Tappets & Elizabeth,

These people are maybe's for Friday ride (& supper): Tappets' GF, CPArider, rnhood

These are maybe's for Saturday's ride: Velo Vol, norskagent

Lemme know if I've got all this straight....

I'm considering joining you guys on sat...and was a bit confused by the directions also. I think bikewnc was using "parkway north", as opposed to true north. So, from balsam gap, you would take the parkway "north", towards asheville, though that stretch of the parkway actually runs due south. Correct?
I think balsam gap from asheville along I-40 / U.S. 74 takes about 45min. to drive.
Driving along the parkway from asheville to the pullout would take much longer I think.

Correct, Parkway "North" or towards Asheville from Balsam Gap. We a planning for a 10am rollout Sat. morning from the overlook at mp 439.4 which is the first parking area on the left just through the tunnel coming from Balsam Gap. Try to let us know for sure whether you can make it or not so we know to expect you. Hope you can make it.

so we're not meeting at the hospital parking lot? can we get a google map of exactly where we're meeting? maybe we could all meet beforehand at the parking lot of one of the hotels or some sort of landmark instead of some pull-over on the brp, if that's possible. i'm hoping to meet up with wolfpack in the morning before we roll out.

I thought you were camping up on the BRP. If that is the case you will be doing a lot of driving coming into town to meet us. It's up to you, but rm-rf is staying at the Pisgah Inn and will probably eat breakfast there. The reason for meeting at the hospital is that it has a huge empty parking lot and they don't mind if we leave a few cars there.

So to sum this up. For the Sat. ride, those staying in the Sylva/Dillsboro area or coming from points South can meet at the Harris Regional Hospital parking lot which is off exit 85 on US 74. Just go to the first light and take a right then the first right into the lot. For those coming from points West or East it would be better just to meet at the starting point on the BRP at mp 439.4. Take the entrance to the BRP off US 74 at Balsam Gap and then turn left (towards Asheville or North) 4 miles to the overlook just past the tunnel. If you are staying on the BRP at the Pisgah Inn or campground it would be easier to just drive down the BRP to the overlook about 31 miles.

Edit... Also, parking is tight at the start on the BRP. It would be best if we didn't bring 10 cars up there. So be prepared to try to carpool from the Hospital. I can take 2 others in my car.

ah right right right... i was just cross-eyed with the mile markers, gaps, tunnels, parking lots, etc. hahaha.

1st question... Do we have any info for Friday yet other than a 6:00 pm rollout in Dillsboro? Do we have a specific starting place?

2nd question... Who else is planning/would want to camp and where? I was thinking about Mt. Pisgah at mile marker 408.6.

edit: 3rd question... The sat route... where does it travel on the BRP? Or can someone send me a route plan/map?

Edit... Also, parking is tight at the start on the BRP. It would be best if we didn't bring 10 cars up there. So be prepared to try to carpool from the Hospital. I can take 2 others in my car.

Can I catch a ride back to the hospital? My friend at WCU is picking me up and would be alot easier instead of him driving up to the brp.

2nd question... Who else is planning/would want to camp and where? I was thinking about Mt. Pisgah at mile marker 408.6.


me! i'm arriving in that area late on friday night & was thinking of camping somewhere, although i was thinking of camping in waynesville as it's closer to the saturday start point. pisgah isn't a bad idea, though. PM me if you want.

The Friday evening ride will meet at 5:30 in Dillsboro at the Harold's supermaket parking lot. That is at the intersection of W. Main St. (bus. 23) and Savannah Dr. From US 441 turn into Dillsboro on Haywood Rd or W. Main St. (seems to have 2 names) go to the second traffic light and the parking lot is on the left.

From Sylva, head west out of town on W. Main St. towards Dillsboro to Harold's supermarket on the right at the light. There is a Valero gas station on the corner.

We will leave for the ride no later than 6pm.

Dinner for those interested will be in Sylva right after the ride so bring a change of clothes (casual - I'll be wearing shorts and a t-shirt). We're not going to work up a sweat so you can shower later.

Can I catch a ride back to the hospital? My friend at WCU is picking me up and would be alot easier instead of him driving up to the brp.

I would think that would be easy to do.

Dinner for those interested will be in Sylva right after the ride so bring a change of clothes (casual - I'll be wearing shorts and a t-shirt). We're not going to work up a sweat so you can shower later.

Do you have the plans for Saturday's supper? Casual clothing? Jeans & shirt?

Do you have the plans for Saturday's supper? Casual clothing? Jeans & shirt?

Everything is casual here. It's the mountains. I have 2 places in mind for Fri and Sat. I just depends which one will be able to take the larger group on Sat.

good. i like casual:)

i can hardly wait! i wanna come on up before Friday!

good. i like casual:)

i can hardly wait! i wanna come on up before Friday!

I'll be here if you do. ;)

I plan to ride the Sat. route tomorrow to get some miles in and scout the area for blueberries. :p

I'll be here if you do. ;)

I plan to ride the Sat. route tomorrow to get some miles in and scout the area for blueberries. :p

Well, you better just be scouting for blueberries!!!:p No more eating them till I get there!!

ohhh...Saturday morning temps...47F:eek:

ohhh...Saturday morning temps...47F:eek:

NICE! :D

ummmm....brrrrr......

ummmm....brrrrr......

It won't be that temp by the time we start riding. Bring layers though just in case.

oh, believe me, I will. I'm a big whinny baby when it comes to being too cold. (my one fault:D)

ohhh...Saturday morning temps...47F

NICE! :D

ummmm....brrrrr......

+1..brrrrr. I'm gonna have to bring the tights instead of knee warmers!

+1..brrrrr. I'm gonna have to bring the tights instead of knee warmers!

Bring both and decide in the morning.

I think I'll wear my knickers. and arm warmers. and bring a big bag of whiiiiiiiiiiine!

want me to bring some cheese to go along with that whiiiiine?? :p

yes please!

oh, believe me, I will. I'm a big whinny baby when it comes to being too cold. (my one fault:D)

You have a fault? :eek:

yes I do, and big ole' cry cold baby would be it!

yes I do, and big ole' cry cold baby would be it!

That would be hawt in knickers. :)

haha!

Hey, BWNC....just in case you are bored or interested or something: how about mapping our Saturday route with this: map my ride (http://www.mapmyride.com/)

Hey, BWNC....just in case you are bored or interested or something: how about mapping our Saturday route with this: map my ride (http://www.mapmyride.com/)

I'll try but I haven't had a lot of success with that site.

try bikeroutetoaster (http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/)

Try this for the Sat ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/balsam/1001407130

Is this an out and back ride?

Is this an out and back ride?

Yes it is. Don't worry. It will look completely different each way. Where you went 7 mph on the way out you will go 40 mph on the way back.

wheee!!! 40 MPH! in sub zero temps.....my snot will freeze!

wheee!!! 40 MPH! in sub zero temps.....my snot will freeze!

But your knees will be warm in those knickers!

yes they will!

hmmm, something tells me I also need to bring my toasties for my shoes as well as the knee warmers. if snot's gonna be freezing on the decents, then i know my toesies will be cold as well:rolleyes: