So no decision yet, but I have decided that if I'm out there, it will be on my own bike. I know what crazy high speeds one can potentially hit on BRP, and I'd want to do that on a bike I've actually ridden before. And I don't want someone to have to worry about his/her bike or about another rider on his/her bike.

Gosh... if I go, I need to get a room, too. Umm, how far in advance do I have to decide so that all the rooms don't get booked? Or is that not a concern?

well, that makes since the way gas prices are these days.

Actually it is more laziness and not wanting to get up early 2 days in a row. 100 miles in the Prius is only 2 gal. of gas.

So no decision yet, but I have decided that if I'm out there, it will be on my own bike. I know what crazy high speeds one can potentially hit on BRP, and I'd want to do that on a bike I've actually ridden before. And I don't want someone to have to worry about his/her bike or about another rider on his/her bike.

Gosh... if I go, I need to get a room, too. Umm, how far in advance do I have to decide so that all the rooms don't get booked? Or is that not a concern?

I can't say when the Pisgah Inn would fill up but that time of year is popular with the motorcycle crowd and the wildflower peeps. Maybe you should book a room and cancel if you decide not to go.

Would you have to carry your bike to NY with you and would you have to pay to fly it up there too? Maybe it could be shipped back from Sylva, UPS and it would get to SD a few days after you get back.

I can't say when the Pisgah Inn would fill up but that time of year is popular with the motorcycle crowd and the wildflower peeps. Maybe you should book a room and cancel if you decide not to go.

Would you have to carry your bike to NY with you and would you have to pay to fly it up there too? Maybe it could be shipped back from Sylva, UPS and it would get to SD a few days after you get back.

I guess I'll try to make a decision soon, and if there's a chance I'm going, I'll go ahead and book a room. And figure out what to do about the bike.

I guess I'll try to make a decision soon, and if there's a chance I'm going, I'll go ahead and book a room. And figure out what to do about the bike.

It sure would be easier if we could find you a decent bike to ride. Plenty of time to figure that out.

It sure would be easier if we could find you a decent bike to ride. Plenty of time to figure that out.

At the worst, I'll just ship out my backup bike in advance. I've rode to the Baldy ski lift on it before, so I can manage the climbing and I feel confident on the descending. I've done a double metric on it before, so long rides on it isn't a problem.

Well, I just picked up my bike today from the shop...went with a new Centaur compact crankset and new 13-26 cassette. Hoping to make at least one day of this ride.

Im in again! I'll be at the campsite... much more student-budget friendly.

Im in again! I'll be at the campsite... much more student-budget friendly.

Nick, I'm sure someone will let you grab a shower at the Pisgah Inn. Glad you can make it.

Well, I just picked up my bike today from the shop...went with a new Centaur compact crankset and new 13-26 cassette. Hoping to make at least one day of this ride.

A compact is nice anytime in the mountains. Last year on this ride we had max gears of 39/25, 39/27 and 34/26. All did fine.

What is this shower thing you speak of?

Is wildflower tourism significant? I know people like to see flowers, but I don't know anyone who travels specifically for that purpose.

I can't say when the Pisgah Inn would fill up but that time of year is popular with the motorcycle crowd and the wildflower peeps.

Is wildflower tourism significant? I know people like to see flowers, but I don't know anyone who travels specifically for that purpose.

fall leaf tourism is significant (Floridiots) so you can expect a decent increase for wildflowers.

Is wildflower tourism significant? I know people like to see flowers, but I don't know anyone who travels specifically for that purpose.

Not really. May is more known for an increase in the number of motorcycles on the BRP. The rangers have really cracked down on the speed they travel though. I've seen them arrest the riders and impound the bikes. That's a good thing.

and, what would the park rangers do to those bicyclists who exceed the 45mph speed limit ya reckon?

and, what would the park rangers do to those bicyclists who exceed the 45mph speed limit ya reckon?

Hopefully applaud. You succeeded on the fall trip didn't ya?

Yeah, we have had law enforcement working toward that end on the Tennessee side of the Tail of the Dragon (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/), and it's made some folks quite unhappy (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_THP.html). :rolleyes:

The rangers have really cracked down on the speed they travel though. I've seen them arrest the riders and impound the bikes. That's a good thing.

Yeah, we have had law enforcement working toward that end on the Tennessee side of the Tail of the Dragon (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/), and it's made some folks quite unhappy (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_THP.html). :rolleyes:

I'm glad to see that. So they are unhappy that they are no longer allowed to race on a public road? Too bad. The speed limit is 35, stick to it or stay home.

bump.

just added an Attendee List to the first post...

hey all...planning to attend both days as well but have not booked myself a room at the Inn yet.

ok. i'll add you to the list. i wouldn't wait too long to get reservations tho...

Oh, there's a list?

I'm likely for May 17, subject to weather conditions.

I'm glad to see that. So they are unhappy that they are no longer allowed to race on a public road? Too bad. The speed limit is 35, stick to it or stay home.
Some people around here (even non-motorcyclists) argue that motorcycles should be free to speed through there. I guess the logic is the same as that supporting repeal of helmet laws--if bikers want to risk their lives riding like that, they should be free to do so.

The way I see it, the highway patrol is charged with maintaining safety on public roads. Unless the legislature specifically excludes a road from this mission, the patrol shouldn't pick and choose which roads it will enforce the laws on.

Oh, there's a list?

I'm likely for May 17, subject to weather conditions.

I made a list of attendee's in the first post of this thread.

Some people around here (even non-motorcyclists) argue that motorcycles should be free to speed through there. I guess the logic is the same as that supporting repeal of helmet laws--if bikers want to risk their lives riding like that, they should be free to do so.

The way I see it, the highway patrol is charged with maintaining safety on public roads. Unless the legislature specifically excludes a road from this mission, the patrol shouldn't pick and choose which roads it will enforce the laws on.

It's the same argument we see with other things in this Country. People seem to think that individual rights trump those of society. For the common good is why our Constitution was established not the good of the individual. Someday perhaps we will mature as a Nation and see that.

I now return you to the previous program in progress. :)

WP

I just made reservations for the BRP ride. Plan to ride both days.

You know me from a slow spoke ride starting at the Carolina Brewing Company.

It appears that our training/event rides parallel to some extent.

PM me.

Wolfie take those silly question marks off my name! I'll be there for sure, Ill make reservations for the campground asap if I can or as soon as I can.

:lol:

ok nick. just wasn't sure from your previous post.

This is shaping up to be a great weekend!! Let me get back to my hill repeats so I can stay with bikeWNC.

Sunday I rode at 24F with the dream of getting into good enough shape by May so I won't be dropped. :o

How much longer until spring? :(

Sunday I rode at 24F with the dream of getting into good enough shape by May so I won't be dropped. :o

How much longer until spring? :(

dream of getting into shape??? if i recall correctly, you didn't seem to have any problems at all on the brp ride in september:) i guess that's why i've been out riding in the below 30F temps...gotta get in some sort of shape for the May ride.

Being "in shape" certainly adds to the enjoyment of the day. There are 4 months to get it done. All I want is good weather and then a cold beer after the ride. I think I can handle the ride itself. ;) In fact I am sure that I will recon it several times before we go as a group.:)

This is the time of year when the diehards prove their metal.

Was there any snow on the east side of the mountains this past week? We haven't had any frozen stuff in the valley, but it's been farking cold. For an unknown reason, some of the school systems are closed or delayed tomorrow.

We had 3" of snow on Thursday and another couple of inches Sat. We still have some snow on the ground around the house even though it rained all day today. I was able to sneak out on the road both Friday and yesterday for short rides. I'll get out for about 90 min tomorrow. It's been hard to get longer rides in lately. Hopefully we'll get some better weather soon.

Has anyone been doing any climbing during the winter? I haven't challenged a mountain in months. I feel I'm doing good to get any miles in this time of year.

i think the only one doing any climbing is BWNC. i've done good this month up until this week...getting some good time in on the bike. but, guess i'll treat this as a rest week and hit it hard next week...

I will as soon as my brifter is replaced and we get some get good weather again. Going to tackle this beast:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/1923125427_99a1b3ac00.jpg

you know i'm not familiar with the area, so...grandfather mtn? just totally guessing too.

Nope... Howards Knob. Grandfather Mtn. is 20min up the road and much larger.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/boone/588665234
Quick mapping of it. Hardest part is the road doesn't wind that much. Cars have a hard time getting up there.

ok, people, just a bump here to keep this near the top.

Ba da bump.

It's getting a bit warmer, but I've still not done any climbing this winter.

Perhaps I'll just do the downhill part of the ride and wait for SAG to pick me up. :o

Ba da bump.

It's getting a bit warmer, but I've still not done any climbing this winter.

Perhaps I'll just do the downhill part of the ride and wait for SAG to pick me up. :o

The sag should be a truck so we can clamp handles on the bed and just get dragged up.

Sag? What sag? We don't need no stinkin' sag! :)

NO SAG??? I thought the ride was going to be upgraded this year.

Alas, my cunning plan just blew up. :(

is it May yet??? 3 more months!!! :( i feel a trip coming on earlier than that.

is it May yet??? 3 more months!!! :( i feel a trip coming on earlier than that.

No, go back to bed and wake up in 12 weeks.

No, go back to bed and wake up in 12 weeks.

haha, funny guy aren't you? :p if i did that then i would miss out on all the riding/training i'm supposed to be doing between now & then.

It'll be here before you know it!!

ha.

jeff you just don't know how impatient i am sometimes! impatient to a fault or so i'm told....working on that tho. and, yea, just like your children - turn around twice and they (your kids) will be grown up and married - so, turn around 3 times and next thing you know i'll be taking the friday before the ride off and heading up to the mtns!! :)

Or, instead of spinning around and getting dizzy, you can pack up your snowsuit and head to the mountains early for some winter riding. ;)