Southeast - Six Gap Century training ride

Anyone planning to get one last training ride in before the century?

I had planned to go and ride some gaps this weekend, but the guy I was going to go with just broke his collar bone.

Please PM me if I can join your ride, or if you just want to meet up and ride.

EDIT: to be clear, I mean a training ride that includes some or all of the gaps.

You could always do the Tour de Tuck (http://www.tourdetuck.com/) the weekend before but that might be too close to 6 Gap and the fact that it is a more difficult ride also makes the timing not so good.

You could always do the Tour de Tuck (http://www.tourdetuck.com/) the weekend before but that might be too close to 6 Gap and the fact that it is a more difficult ride also makes the timing not so good.More difficult than 6 Gap? Uh oh.

Have you signed up for the TdT, VeloVol? I did a 72 mile loop this past Sunday that included all of the ride from Balsam Gap back to Sylva. It had 7500' of climbing. The climbs on Charlies Creek after coming off NC 215 were really steep. I rode it in my 39/27 but I swear I don't think my cadence was above 30. I would say the first hill in there was 15% for a half mile. I can't think what my legs would feel like on that grade with 4200' more climbing in them as would be in the century.

Have you signed up for the TdT, VeloVol?
In a moment of weakness, I registered for the TDT. Your post reemphasizes how crazy that move was, as I'm woefully unprepared for miles of climbing.

The elevation profile (http://www.tourdetuck.com/html/century_profile.html) on the website suggest that if you can through Richland Balsam, the battle is largely won. But I take it from your comment that this isn't the case. Ugh.

Sorry for threadjacking.

I'll post this then return this thread to its originally scheduled program.

One would think, looking at the profile that would be the case. The ride from the high point on the BRP to NC 215 is not bad. Some climbing but generally down. What the profile doesn't show at the resolution are the many side ridges you need to cross to get across the mountain. Each of these are steep climbs. The Charlies Creek section used to be a gravel FS road if that gives you any indication. They didn't re-grade it when it was paved.

From the summit of Richland Balsam there still remains 3100' of climbing in 47 miles. A lot of it is steep unlike the 6-7% on the BRP.

i would be willing to get with you on the low side - jacks and unico as i have not done then yet - then back - yo yo to in and out of the 129-180 area - i am a slow rider so might not be the best for your training

thanks and enjoy the gaps to run down - speeds are great

jz

both rides look like a great time! i wonder if i can get the time out of the office.. hmmmmmmmm

You could always do the Tour de Tuck (http://www.tourdetuck.com/) the weekend before but that might be too close to 6 Gap and the fact that it is a more difficult ride also makes the timing not so good.

I haven't ridded Tour de Tuck, so I could be off, but I've ridden on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Based on riding th Parkway, and looking at the route profile. I'd argue 6 gap is at least as tough maybe tougher.

The climibing on the Parkway, while extended is not very steep. The route profile looks like you have 2 major climbs that average less than 4% grade.

There doesn't appear to be anything on TDT, that approaches the 7 miles of torture that's Hogpen.

I haven't ridded Tour de Tuck, so I could be off, but I've ridden on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Based on riding th Parkway, and looking at the route profile. I'd argue 6 gap is at least as tough maybe tougher.

The climibing on the Parkway, while extended is not very steep. The route profile looks like you have 2 major climbs that average less than 4% grade.

There doesn't appear to be anything on TDT, that approaches the 7 miles of torture that's Hogpen.

Hogpen averages 7% for 7 miles. I know there are a couple of really steep sections in there and some down. The climb from Cherokee to Lickstone RIdge is 10 miles at 6.5%. The best time at the TdT will be around 5:30-5:45 hours by a local Cat 1 (he finished 5th at Mitchell). So I don't know which is tougher. Both are hard rides. There is about 1800' more climbing on the TdT. The climb on Charlies Creek has grades to 18%. The last hill into town at mile 103 is 12% for .5 mile. So pick your poison I guess.

Oh my.

Per the websites, both rides claim to have about 11,000 feet of climbing. Either one looks like a tough day in the saddle.

Hey Velo Vol - You'll do fine! Do it dude! :)

Hey Velo Vol - You'll do fine! Do it dude! :)That's easy enough said. Will you do a follow-up sweep to pick up the pieces? :o

I think the local guy will do good, but I am going to put my money on Cesar Grajales since he will be there :-)

Doing the metric, told my buddy that if I am not at the finish by one hour after him to just load up the truck and come get me. :-)



Hogpen averages 7% for 7 miles. I know there are a couple of really steep sections in there and some down. The climb from Cherokee to Lickstone RIdge is 10 miles at 6.5%. The best time at the TdT will be around 5:30-5:45 hours by a local Cat 1 (he finished 5th at Mitchell). So I don't know which is tougher. Both are hard rides. There is about 1800' more climbing on the TdT. The climb on Charlies Creek has grades to 18%. The last hill into town at mile 103 is 12% for .5 mile. So pick your poison I guess.

Like telling the Tree People not to eat monkey heads! :D

I think the local guy will do good, but I am going to put my money on Cesar Grajales since he will be there :-)

Doing the metric, told my buddy that if I am not at the finish by one hour after him to just load up the truck and come get me. :-)

I was told Cesar was only doing the metric with his brother. So you might have some competition. ;)

The local guy finished behind Justin England at Mitchell by only 5 minutes so he might do OK hanging in.