giantgene
10-31-07, 07:45 AM
Can anyone give some details about this ride? Will be my first time. The onsite map is too fuzzy to make out any details.
View Full Version : Nantahala Nightmare lowdown
BikeWNC
10-31-07, 12:56 PM
Can anyone give some details about this ride? Will be my first time. The onsite map is too fuzzy to make out any details.
What is it you would like to know? The century ride starts at 8am and the metric at 8:30. The weather should be cool to start, about 35F and warm to the mid 60s by afternoon. Which ride are you doing?
What is it you would like to know? The century ride starts at 8am and the metric at 8:30. The weather should be cool to start, about 35F and warm to the mid 60s by afternoon. Which ride are you doing?
giantgene
10-31-07, 01:07 PM
I am planning on the 65k. The elevation graph justs depicts the 106k and I was curious as to the terrain gains for the 65. I am trying to decipher that map with the supplied route map that is on-line, but it is so fuzzy as to be unreadable.
BikeWNC
10-31-07, 01:22 PM
I am planning on the 65k. The elevation graph justs depicts the 106k and I was curious as to the terrain gains for the 65. I am trying to decipher that map with the supplied route map that is on-line, but it is so fuzzy as to be unreadable.
Ok, I plan to do the 65 also and have done that route before. It will leave the NOC and head east on hwy 19 to NC 28 and the follow the rest of the century route back to the NOC. The climbs are generally short, less than a mile usually, but can be up to 7% or so that is until the climb up Wayah Gap. The Wayah climb as you can see on the profile gets progressively steeper to the crest and the last 3 miles average 9% with steeper short sections. After the Gap, the ride is mostly down back to the NOC but there will be a couple of climbs with the one to the fire-station at Junaluska Rd being a pain. After getting back on 19 watch for traffic along the Nantahala River as you ride down the river grade to the finish.
I would estimate there is about 5500' of climbing on this ride with the Wayah climb most notable. Very pretty along the route, enjoy the ride.
Ok, I plan to do the 65 also and have done that route before. It will leave the NOC and head east on hwy 19 to NC 28 and the follow the rest of the century route back to the NOC. The climbs are generally short, less than a mile usually, but can be up to 7% or so that is until the climb up Wayah Gap. The Wayah climb as you can see on the profile gets progressively steeper to the crest and the last 3 miles average 9% with steeper short sections. After the Gap, the ride is mostly down back to the NOC but there will be a couple of climbs with the one to the fire-station at Junaluska Rd being a pain. After getting back on 19 watch for traffic along the Nantahala River as you ride down the river grade to the finish.
I would estimate there is about 5500' of climbing on this ride with the Wayah climb most notable. Very pretty along the route, enjoy the ride.
BikeWNC
10-31-07, 01:23 PM
Oh BTW, it is 65 miles or 100K for the Wayah loop. That is the ride you are doing right?
giantgene
10-31-07, 01:25 PM
Yep, never could do metric in school.
Sluggo
11-02-07, 10:43 AM
I am doing the full century. See you tomorrow.
BikeWNC
11-02-07, 10:59 AM
I am doing the full century. See you tomorrow.
Or not, as I am only doing the metric and plan to be long out of there before the first century riders finish. (I hope). Have a great ride.
Or not, as I am only doing the metric and plan to be long out of there before the first century riders finish. (I hope). Have a great ride.
BikeWNC
11-04-07, 01:21 PM
Can anyone give some details about this ride? Will be my first time. The onsite map is too fuzzy to make out any details.
So how did the ride go for you? It was a good ride except for the traffic on NC 28 near Franklin. I think the route may be changed next year to get around that stretch.
I had 69 miles in 4:35 ride/ 4:48 total.
So how did the ride go for you? It was a good ride except for the traffic on NC 28 near Franklin. I think the route may be changed next year to get around that stretch.
I had 69 miles in 4:35 ride/ 4:48 total.
Sluggo
11-04-07, 03:57 PM
It took me 8:45 to do the full century. Something like an hour of that was climbing Wayah.
Fabulous, beautiful day and scenery. But too many narrow roads with heavy traffic, especially near Franklin (as noted by BikeWNC). I can ride roads like those any day. I probably won't do the ride again unless they do change the route.
Fabulous, beautiful day and scenery. But too many narrow roads with heavy traffic, especially near Franklin (as noted by BikeWNC). I can ride roads like those any day. I probably won't do the ride again unless they do change the route.
Velo Vol
11-04-07, 04:01 PM
Is it really a nightmare? If not, that's curious marketing.
BikeWNC
11-04-07, 04:05 PM
I agree about the traffic which detracts from an otherwise great ride. I asked if NOC would consider doing the ride on a Sunday which might reduce some of the traffic especially the work/contractor type. I was told they are reluctant due to local culture and events on Sunday. I personally don't see the problem and many rides in the area are held on Sunday.
BikeWNC
11-04-07, 04:08 PM
I've not done the full century in one ride but Wayah Gap (1800' in 3.5 miles) is hard enough at mile 40 and even harder at mile 75 or more.
Sluggo
11-08-07, 07:08 PM
Is it really a nightmare? .. .
I would say it is a little excessively rhetorical. But it is just after Halloween.
As is the case with many of the long rides in the region, there was not much of the ride that flat or even gentle. Wayah was the hardest climb, and maybe the guy I passed 2/3 of the way up who was lying on his back on the shoulder of the road (the sag crew was attending to him) thought it was a nightmare. The serious part of the climb is about 3.4 miles at an average of 8%. This is somewhere between a category 2 and category 1 climb in the TDF world (see the article on the second page of this newsletter: http://www.smwbike.org/Newsletters/NOV05_Pedal%20Notes.pdf ). This is significant with 70-odd miles in your legs, but no worse than several other rides (Cherohala, for example, is harder).
I would say it is a little excessively rhetorical. But it is just after Halloween.
As is the case with many of the long rides in the region, there was not much of the ride that flat or even gentle. Wayah was the hardest climb, and maybe the guy I passed 2/3 of the way up who was lying on his back on the shoulder of the road (the sag crew was attending to him) thought it was a nightmare. The serious part of the climb is about 3.4 miles at an average of 8%. This is somewhere between a category 2 and category 1 climb in the TDF world (see the article on the second page of this newsletter: http://www.smwbike.org/Newsletters/NOV05_Pedal%20Notes.pdf ). This is significant with 70-odd miles in your legs, but no worse than several other rides (Cherohala, for example, is harder).
BikeWNC
11-08-07, 07:22 PM
The guys in town did the century in 5:40 and 5:45 total time. That's pretty fast.
Velo Vol
11-08-07, 10:32 PM
That's an interesting SMW article; I hadn't seen it before. I had wondered about the grade on some of those climbs.
Sluggo
11-09-07, 07:18 PM
That's an interesting SMW article...
I might immodestly note that I wrote that article...
Yes, 5:40 and 5:45 are pretty fast. Maybe I could have done it that fast in my racerboy days lo these many years ago; I like to think so, anyway. I would like the record to show that at 8:45 there were several people behind me this time.
I might immodestly note that I wrote that article...
Yes, 5:40 and 5:45 are pretty fast. Maybe I could have done it that fast in my racerboy days lo these many years ago; I like to think so, anyway. I would like the record to show that at 8:45 there were several people behind me this time.
Pedal Wench
11-12-07, 01:59 PM
A friend suggested riding Wayah Road from the Andrews side as a nice day ride - just out and back from the Nantahala area. I'll be up in the N.Ga area and I'm looking for something besides the 6-Gap options.
BikeWNC
11-12-07, 05:08 PM
A friend suggested riding Wayah Road from the Andrews side as a nice day ride - just out and back from the Nantahala area. I'll be up in the N.Ga area and I'm looking for something besides the 6-Gap options.
It is about 19 miles for the river launch parking area at the intersection of Wayah Rd and Hwy 19. It really isn't a bad climb, just long. Depending on where in N. Ga. you are there may be rides that are closer. Where will you be coming from?
It is about 19 miles for the river launch parking area at the intersection of Wayah Rd and Hwy 19. It really isn't a bad climb, just long. Depending on where in N. Ga. you are there may be rides that are closer. Where will you be coming from?
Pedal Wench
11-12-07, 08:03 PM
We'll be near Hiawasee
BikeWNC
11-12-07, 08:24 PM
If you are staying near Hiawasee I would recommend coming over to Franklin, NC and doing one of the rides out of the valley. There are several loops of varying length and difficulty. How much climbing do you want to do? You mentioned the gaps in Ga., do you want that kind of ride but on low traffic roads? Or do you need easier stuff to ride? Check out this ride (http://www.motionmakersbikes.com/html/ring_of_fire.html) as an example. What do you think? It is one of my favorites. Longer options are available off that loop.
Pedal Wench
11-13-07, 08:22 AM
That ride looks great! We're just looking for long, fun rides. Nothing too challenging (we're not training for anything at the moment) but just want to spend time on our bikes on low-traffic roads. We're both used to long rides, so do you have anything with more miles?
Actually, from that link, I saw some more rides. We'll print them all out and see what happens when we're up there! Thanks for the suggestions!
Actually, from that link, I saw some more rides. We'll print them all out and see what happens when we're up there! Thanks for the suggestions!
BikeWNC
11-13-07, 09:58 AM
Glad you found the link to the other rides. Just to let you know, some of the climbs are steep. There is also plenty of riding around in the valley near Franklin. If you need more info let me know.
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.