**Executive decision has been made by BikeWNC & myself - we've decided to set a date for the fall mountain ride and go from there. This way, we have a definitive date and those who are able to ride on this date can now make plans.**
Let's get together for a fall ride in the mountains of NC!
Date: Weekend of September 29/30
Location: Dillsboro, NC
Rides:
-Friday evening for the early arrivers -- 6:00pm ride from Dillsboro, NC along the Tuckasiegee River to Cullowhee and back. Easy pace, 1-1.5hr riding.
-Saturday -- 9:00am, leave Dillsboro for short drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We can do an out and back on the BRP or a loop (longer). About 30-45 miles.
-Sunday -- 10:00am, ride in the Little Tennessee River Valley. Rolling, moderate terrain, very scenic, about 30 miles or so. Could do more miles if people wanted.
There are a couple of hotels right there in Dillsboro for lodging and some restaurants in town.
Questions about the routes and area should be directed to BikeWNC, as he is the resident biker for that area and will be putting the routes together.
Hope to see ya'll in September.
Velo Vol
07-27-07, 08:33 PM
Yes, in this situation this is probably the best way to get things going.
Now, to generate momentum and get participants interested . . . .
BikeWNC
07-28-07, 05:05 PM
I went out this afternoon a rode a portion of the planned ride for Sat. 9/29. Her are a few photos I took along the way.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p37/apadyk/RideA.jpg
The road goes through that cut upper left.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p37/apadyk/RideB.jpg
Lots of wildflowers on the road, like these sunflowers.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p37/apadyk/Ride1.jpg
Almost ripe!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p37/apadyk/Ride2.jpg
The clouds hung on the slopes.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p37/apadyk/IF-1.jpg
It was cool up there today.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p37/apadyk/Ride3.jpg
Looked like rain on the way down.
CPArider
07-28-07, 05:55 PM
I'll be in the area that weekend, but I'm a maybe. Inlaws wanting to see the baby, going to mtn heritage day and a wedding in Asheville on the night of the 29th hurt my chances.
BikeWNC what are the Sat and Sun routes? I might be able to swing something where I can ride along a bit and then go back home. I also need to get back on the bike....
wolfpack
07-28-07, 05:57 PM
oh geez. this ride's gonna kill me! are those persimmons??
BikeWNC
07-28-07, 05:58 PM
oh geez. this ride's gonna kill me! are those persimmons??
Persimmons? No, blueberries!
BikeWNC
07-28-07, 06:04 PM
I'll be in the area that weekend, but I'm a maybe. Inlaws wanting to see the baby, going to mtn heritage day and a wedding in Asheville on the night of the 29th hurt my chances.
BikeWNC what are the Sat and Sun routes? I might be able to swing something where I can ride along a bit and then go back home. I also need to get back on the bike....
The Sat route will start on the BRP near Balsam Gap and head North to Devils' Courthouse Overlook. We may go on a bit further depending on what the group wants to do. Then it is back to the car. An out and back route which is great on the BRP because the way back will look completely different.
The Sun route will be in Macon County near Franklin, NC and will ride in the Little Tennessee River valley. There are a couple of loops available and depending on how the group feels after the Sat ride we will decide where exactly.
BikeWNC
07-28-07, 06:08 PM
oh geez. this ride's gonna kill me! are those persimmons??
Wolfpack, the grades are actually not bad on this stretch. None of the hills are very long so there is always some recovery.
wolfpack
07-28-07, 07:24 PM
the picture was so close up i couldn't tell. dont know why i thought of persimmons:rolleyes:
Velo Vol
07-28-07, 09:18 PM
Her are a few photos I took along the way.
The weather sure took a dramatic turn the last few days. It seems like we got almost as much rain as in the last two months. I'd almost forgotten what a cloudy wet day is like, or what it's like to have rain interfere with riding plans. :rolleyes:
Wolfpack: You can do it! :)
jschen
07-28-07, 09:25 PM
Cool. :) If I'm ever out that way, would you be willing to lead another ride? Or at least give me a route slip?
BikeWNC
07-28-07, 09:42 PM
Cool. :) If I'm ever out that way, would you be willing to lead another ride? Or at least give me a route slip?
If you come out this way I'll make sure to show you around. :)
wolfpack
07-29-07, 06:39 AM
Cool. :) If I'm ever out that way, would you be willing to lead another ride? Or at least give me a route slip?
a vacation is calling you Jason! come on over here to the East Coast and ride with us!
BikeWNC
07-30-07, 05:18 AM
For those even thinking of attending this ride, here are a couple of hotel choices. Because Mountain Heritage day is in the area that same weekend, I would suggest booking a room asap.
From closest and nicest to Dillsboro
Best Western (http://www.bestwesternnorthcarolina.com/hotels/best-western-river-escape-inn-and-suites/)
Holiday Inn Express (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/dsbnc?_requestid=201292&rpb=hotel&crUrl=%2Fh%2Fd%2F6c%2F1%2Fen%2Fhotelsearchresults)
Comfort Inn (http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-us/html/HotelInfo?hotel=NC237&promo=gglocal)
There also are B&Bs here (http://www.squirewatkinsinn.com/) and here (http://www.dillsboro-oldetowne.com/) in Dillsboro worth checking out.
wolfpack
08-05-07, 11:26 AM
well, the Best Western didn't have rooms available for friday/saturday nights. i did get one at the holiday inn express...
roadrider
08-05-07, 07:56 PM
Well here is another ride I'll have to miss. Next year PLEASE have one of these rides not
at Furn. Market!!
rm -rf
08-08-07, 06:32 AM
I missed this new thread. I'll be there for the Friday and Saturday rides.
It looks like the Saturday ride starts at a lower elevation, so the end of the ride will have lots of downhill sections. And the BRP runs along ridge lines there, so there should be great views.
Thanks for the photos, BikeWNC. I found this 360 degree view of the same overlook: Cowee Mountains Overlook (http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway_tour/overlooks/00430.asp). They have other overlooks, too.
BikeWNC
08-08-07, 06:49 AM
I rode by Cowee Mtn Overlook yesterday on my ride. I timed the Sat. ride from the start to Graveyard Fields at 1:35. That was at a conversational pace. That would be the furthest we would ride on the out leg. I guess coming back would be about the same time. So the max ride time for the Sat. ride would be about 3 hours +/-. Add stops to take in the views or needed breaks to that. About 42 miles total would be the longest distance we would ride. Of course we could turn around anytime we needed to.
I will be out of town from 8/9 -8/21. I may have web access but I'm not sure. I'll try to check in while on the road.
Velo Vol
08-08-07, 12:43 PM
BikeWNC: Aren't you going out west for some riding and other fun? If so, happy travels.
BikeWNC
08-08-07, 01:15 PM
BikeWNC: Aren't you going out west for some riding and other fun? If so, happy travels.
I was supposed to have gone out this past weekend but decided not to. I didn't know if my leg would have healed enough from Mitchell to want to ride in Colorado. So I skipped it. I'm heading North to get out of the heat for about 10 days. Bringing my bike with me. Thanks for the good wishes.
Velo Vol
08-08-07, 08:02 PM
I didn't realize you had "heat" at 3,000-5,000 feet. ;)
Today's high was 73F at Mount LeConte (http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=RTPMRX). Meanwhile, 35 miles away, it was 93F as I rode at sunset. Oh well, still beats winter.
I should downgrade my ride status to "maybe." I'm still thinking of trying that Tour de Tuck. If I do, I don't know if I want to drive over there on back-to-back weekends. We'll see.
cnickgo
08-13-07, 12:38 AM
Count me in as a maybe! I should be able to escape from school and come ride, It will be a good chance to visit friends at Western as well.
Tappets
08-14-07, 10:59 AM
well, if i'm staying at my GF's house that weekend, i would love to join! she lives just up the road in sylva. i will find out her schedule and inform everyone if i can make it and on what days!
i'll be the one with the tutu on. :D
rm -rf
08-22-07, 07:13 AM
I just got my reservation at the Pisgah Inn (http://www.pisgahinn.com/) up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (We started the spring ride from here.) See you all on Friday and Saturday.
WheresWaldo
08-22-07, 08:12 AM
You can count me in as a maybe, I will be coming from Charlotte.
BikeWNC
08-22-07, 09:23 AM
You can count me in as a maybe, I will be coming from Charlotte.
Cool, I'll add your name to the list.
LaExpat
08-22-07, 12:28 PM
Man I wish I could get in shape fast enough to make this one but I doubt it. I'm only a beginner (I hate that word, maybe novice is better) but I'll give it a shot. Great boating around there too!!!
cnickgo
08-22-07, 11:57 PM
alright im in! i plan to ride the tuck friday and then fish it sat with a friend from WCU. Hopefully ride sunday but thats not certain. Sounds like a good weekend for me :D (free room to stay in helps to!).
BikeWNC
08-23-07, 06:55 AM
alright im in! i plan to ride the tuck friday and then fish it sat with a friend from WCU. Hopefully ride sunday but thats not certain. Sounds like a good weekend for me :D (free room to stay in helps to!).
You're in but you might ride Sunday? What kind of a commitment is that? :rolleyes:
cnickgo
08-24-07, 11:24 PM
haha the kind of commitment that is up to the girlfriend to decide if she wants to stay that long. It looks like now I'll ride Sat. for sure and not sunday.
wolfpack
08-28-07, 08:03 PM
bump.
4 weeks to go! can it get here any quicker??? never thought i would be looking forward to riding BRP or anything in that area, but dang, even as hard as it was, i'm so looking forward to this!
Velo Vol
08-28-07, 08:42 PM
never thought i would be looking forward to riding BRP or anything in that area, but dang, even as hard as it was, i'm so looking forward to this!
You should be; it's a very scenic area to ride.
BikeWNC
08-29-07, 06:39 AM
Have you decided to ride with us or are you still planning to do the Tour de Tuck?
Velo Vol
08-30-07, 12:03 PM
I haven't decided yet what I'm doing. I'm going to do a tougher ride this weekend and see what kind of shape I'm in. August wasn't a good month for long-distance training.
BikeWNC
08-31-07, 09:00 AM
I haven't decided yet what I'm doing. I'm going to do a tougher ride this weekend and see what kind of shape I'm in. August wasn't a good month for long-distance training.
You can always decide to do the century in Nov. Nantahala Nightmare (http://www.noc.com/events_tournany.html)
NealH
09-03-07, 06:14 PM
What is the status of this ride, is it still on? Of so, please count me in - assuming I can find a place to stay. Perhaps around Cherokee. Seems like the end of September is a busy month for motels and the such.
BikeWNC
09-03-07, 08:08 PM
Yes the ride is still on and I will add your name to the list. Check out the first page for hotel info.
atarisuicide
09-03-07, 09:08 PM
What kind of shape do you need to be on to do this ride? I've been riding seriously for about a month or so in South Charlotte...about 17-18 avg, 25-30 miles per ride. Not too many hills down here though, and to this point the big hills are definitely my Achilles Heel, so I've got a feeling this might be a bit over my head. Any thoughts?
NealH
09-04-07, 05:25 AM
All those hotels are booked but, I will find a place. Cherokee has a bunch of hotels. I am going to try like h*** to get there for the Friday evening ride but, it will be close. Will keep you informed.
BikeWNC
09-04-07, 06:16 AM
What kind of shape do you need to be on to do this ride? I've been riding seriously for about a month or so in South Charlotte...about 17-18 avg, 25-30 miles per ride. Not too many hills down here though, and to this point the big hills are definitely my Achilles Heel, so I've got a feeling this might be a bit over my head. Any thoughts?
I guess it depends on a few things. I find that younger riders can make up for lack of fitness easier than older riders. That's just a fact of life I guess. How often do you ride? Miles per week? Type of bike and gearing? All these factors play a part.
Yes, the big hills are different, ask Wolfpack. That doesn't mean they can't be ridden coming from Charlotte. The main difference on a long hill from the easy rollers around your area will be the sustained effort required. The hill just never gives you a chance to coast. But, the ride we will do on the BRP is moderate in that the climbs are all relatively short as it steps up the hill. I think the longest section is about 3 miles and it has the easiest grade of 3-4%. Some other sections are as long as 2 miles and 6% grade. I hope that gives you some idea of what the ride is like.
So I can't answer your question directly but I hope you have enough info to make an informed decision. It's great to be challenged, but nobody wants to suffer. It's supposed to be a fun social ride.
NealH
09-04-07, 05:03 PM
I just reserved a room at the Blue Ridge Inn in Sylva. Hope it's decent - the price certainly was. It's wasn't easy finding a place due to the Mountain Heritage activities associated with NC Western.
BikeWNC
09-04-07, 05:48 PM
I just reserved a room at the Blue Ridge Inn in Sylva. Hope it's decent - the price certainly was. It's wasn't easy finding a place due to the Mountain Heritage activities associated with NC Western.
I really don't know anything about the Blue Ridge Inn. I can ride by there and check it out if you like. I know it is right in town so it is really convenient to the ride and resturants.
BikeWNC
09-04-07, 05:59 PM
Concerning Mountain Heritage Day... I'm worried that the local resturants will be jammed so by next weekend I would like a final count so that I can make reservations at places to eat Friday and Sat. evenings. That is if people want to do that. If everyone wants to figure that out on their own that is ok too. I would also like info on what type of food y'all (corrected by VegaVixen :rolleyes:) care for.
It's probable that we will have a small group Friday evening and we can decide where to eat then.
For those staying through Sunday's ride and want the group dinner after the ride Sat. it would be best for us to have a reservation especially if our group is on the large size.
ModoVincere
09-06-07, 08:25 AM
Hoping to be there...need to verify wifes schedule, and should be able to commit by next week.
BikeWNC
09-06-07, 09:23 AM
Hope you can make it.
wolfpack
09-06-07, 10:47 AM
I'd just as soon eat with someone Friday and Saturday evening, so ya'll (and I ain't a'fixin' my spelling cause my fingers don't type that word any other way;)) come on an' speak up.
As far as the kind of food....the eatin' kind would be good as well as some blueberries:). Seriously, I pretty much like anything 'cept Anchovies & beets, prefer grilled over fried and chicken/fish over beef.
atarisuicide - You will be just fine riding up there. I'm pretty slow, but I've ridden up there 3x now and I ain't skeerd of those mtns anymore. Sometimes a little intimidated, but I know I can ride them now, just slowly...BikeWNC is right tho...it's a sustained effort and the only break you will get is the one you take when you stop and when you are flying down the other side (which is my favorite part!)!
Velo Vol
09-06-07, 12:19 PM
It appears we're amassing a fair number of maybes (I include myself in that group). What's the count stand at?
rm -rf
09-06-07, 01:13 PM
I'd just as soon eat with someone Friday and Saturday evening, so ya'll (and I ain't a'fixin' my spelling cause my fingers don't type that word any other way;)) come on an' speak up.
As far as the kind of food....the eatin' kind would be good as well as some blueberries:). Seriously, I pretty much like anything 'cept Anchovies & beets, prefer grilled over fried and chicken/fish over beef.
I'll be there for the Friday ride, and dinner Friday. I'm driving to Sanford NC after the ride on Saturday, so I'll miss the Saturday dinner.
Grilled sounds good for me, too.
BikeWNC: where is the Friday ride starting location? And do you have a BRP mile marker for the Saturday start?
atarisuicide: You need to finish at least a flat 60 mile ride if you want to ride on the 50 mile Saturday ride in the mountains. You'll handle the hills if you pace yourself. If your 17-18 average is what your computer shows as an average at the end of your 30 mile ride, you should be fine. That's about my average. But a 4 hour ride is different than a 2 hour one.
BikeWNC
09-06-07, 02:13 PM
It appears we're amassing a fair number of maybes (I include myself in that group). What's the count stand at?