Southeast BF Spring Ride - May 17/18

[wolfpack]

Alrighty people - for those who have not had the great pleasure of riding your bike on the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway) or experienced the awesome leg burning pain of mountain riding - here is your chance!!

There will be a Southeast BF Spring ride in May on the 17th & 18th. The plan is for all participating in the ride to stay at the Pisgah Inn (http://www.pisgahinn.com/) or at the campground located across the street. Information about the campground can be found at this link (http://www.pisgahinn.com/accommodations_and_rates.htm#campground). Reservations at the Pisgah Inn should be made for the 16th & 17th.

The proposed route for Saturday will be the Pigeon Loop and will begin at the Pisgah Inn. Food & drink can be had here as well. For Sunday, we will ride on the BRP up to Richland Balsam (out & back type of route). More information about these routes can be obtained from BikeWNC.

So, mark your calendars, make your reservations, and start preparing for some awesome mountain riding! I plan to be there, as I would not pass up a chance to ride up there at any time:).

WP.

*Edit* Attendee List

Rider: Saturday Ride, Sunday Ride
wolfpack:Yes, Yes
BikeWNC: Yes, Yes
rnhood: Yes, Yes
roadrider: Yes, Yes
cnickgo: Yes, Yes
Porter20: No, Yes
Derby: Yes, Yes
Velo Vol: Yes, No
soarallover: Yes, Yes
rm -rf: Yes, Yes

[DieselDan]

Sounds like fun for an overweight flatland rider like me. Count me in as a maybe, as the 18th is my daughter's birthday.

[VegaVixen]

Hey, WP! Thanks for taking the TT schedule into account, or at least gettin' very lucky with the scheduling! :beer:

By May, I should be good for one of the two days. Things here are approaching some resolution. Finally. :)

[wolfpack]

Hey VV -

You can thank BWNC for the dates...tho if you look at my blog and the tenative rides I have planned for the year, it does fall right between TT's...I'll try to make some of them, but prolly not all of them.

Do hope you can make it up there...it won't be that hard. :D

[VegaVixen]

Hey VV -

You can thank BWNC for the dates...tho if you look at my blog and the tenative rides I have planned for the year, it does fall right between TT's...I'll try to make some of them, but prolly not all of them.

Do hope you can make it up there...it won't be that hard. :D

for those who have not...experienced the awesome leg burning pain of mountain riding

:eek:


Um. Yeah. :rolleyes: :o






















:D

[BikeWNC]

While it is snowing here today I have a few minutes to add more info about the rides. The Sat. ride will start at the Pisgah Inn (http://www.pisgahinn.com/) at milepost 408 on the BRP. If you are planning to ride both days this is the place to stay. As mentioned, there is a campground nearby too. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner and is quite good. There is also a campstore for the usual snacks and drinks. This trip is family friendly for those with non-riding spouses or kids. There is plenty to do in the good ole outdoors in the area. Hiking is obviously the first choice but fishing and photography are also great. Asheville (http://www.asheville.com/) is not far away for a day trip to the Biltmore Estate (http://www.biltmore.com/) or the Western NC Nature Center (http://www.wildwnc.org/) (small, nice zoo). If the weather is very warm a short drive to Sliding Rock (http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/sliding_rock1.htm) might excite the kids. The Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center (http://216.55.149.201//cradle_of_forestry/discoverycenter.asp) is also close by.

The Sat. ride will be on the Pigeon Loop (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/21762). This is a 51 mile loop beginning at the Pisgah Inn heading down US 276 to Bethel then back up to the BRP on NC 215. Once on the BRP the route returns to the Pisgah Inn. There is about 4400' of climbing on the ride, most in the 4-6% range. There are a couple of sections with steeper grades but they are not too long.

The Sun. ride will start at Graveyard Fields (http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway_tour/overlooks/00419a.asp) at mp 418.8. From there we will ride South (BRP South) to the high point of the BRP at Richland Balsam. Water is available from a good spring just down the hill. We will return back to the car by retracing the ride out. Total ride will be around 30 miles and about 3000' of climbing all on the BRP.

I'll add more info as I think of it.

[VegaVixen]

Thanks for the info, BWNC! :)

[flyingscotsman]

Need to look at the map and see where all this is

[VegaVixen]

Check out the map for the Saturday ride, fsm. Then you'll know. :)

[wolfpack]

Looks like a great route! Does this Routeslip stuff export garmin files??

[VegaVixen]

You could lay it into mapitpronto and get a .crs file.

[roadrider]

Hey Bikewnc no 14% grades this time? Even though I'll have a compact by then. Lesson learned don't ever
ride in the mountains with Bikewnc with a 39 26 as your smallest gear! Any one that hasn't ridden on
one of Bikewnc rides is in for a great time. I highly recommend it. Cullowhee mt. ride was one of the
hardest rides I have ever ridden (being a flatlander) but at the same time one of the best I have done in
a long time. Can't wait till May.

[wolfpack]

Hey Bikewnc no 14% grades this time? Even though I'll have a compact by then. Lesson learned don't ever
ride in the mountains with Bikewnc with a 39 26 as your smallest gear! Any one that hasn't ridden on
one of Bikewnc rides is in for a great time. I highly recommend it. Cullowhee mt. ride was one of the
hardest rides I have ever ridden (being a flatlander) but at the same time one of the best I have done in
a long time. Can't wait till May.

Heh. I hope there's no 14% grades, but if there are, well so be it cause I'll be a climbing them!

I'm glad you'll be able to come back in May for this ride...it should be really fun!

[BikeWNC]

Hey Bikewnc no 14% grades this time? Even though I'll have a compact by then. Lesson learned don't ever
ride in the mountains with Bikewnc with a 39 26 as your smallest gear! Any one that hasn't ridden on
one of Bikewnc rides is in for a great time. I highly recommend it. Cullowhee mt. ride was one of the
hardest rides I have ever ridden (being a flatlander) but at the same time one of the best I have done in
a long time. Can't wait till May.

Hey, glad to be of service! No, the main climb up NC 215 has a couple pitches that may have transient sections at 10%. The last couple hundred yards before reentering the BRP are some of the steepest but no, nothing like Cullowhee Mtn Rd.

[BikeWNC]

It has been called to my attention the rates for the Pisgah Inn on the website are quite high. It has been my experience that if you call them they are about half of what the website says. I hope that is still the case.

[wolfpack]

Rates at Pisgah Inn are $93 for standard room and $103 for deluxe room. (my bad, chose 2 nights and got $186/$206 and thought that was per night, duh!). The deluxe room has a refrigerator & coffee maker.

[Alasdair]

I'm an interested maybe. I'm a sorta flatlander (especially compared to some of you) that is a real hill slug (ok, a slug in general). How long are the grades? I can power up hills but mountains are another story!

[Velo Vol]

Lesson learned don't ever ride in the mountains with Bikewnc with a 39 26 as your smallest gear!

Heh. Guess I lucked out and caught him when he was in a softy mood. ;)

[Velo Vol]

How long are the grades? I can power up hills but mountains are another story!
Just think of them as long hills. I think BikeWNC is trying to scare people with his 10%. I did the ride last spring and it's not bad at all. If you are in decent riding shape you can handle it.

[BikeWNC]

Just think of them as long hills. I think BikeWNC is trying to scare people with his 10%. I did the ride last spring and it's not bad at all. If you are in decent riding shape you can handle it.

Hehe, not trying to scare anyone at all. I do think the last pitch just before the BRP is near 10% though. Luckily it is short. Most of the climb is between 4-6%. Parkway pitches usually max out around 7%.

[wolfpack]

OK people. Look, I am a true flatlander, coming from Clayton, NC. On a 40-50mi ride around here, I might and I mean might, have 1000-1200' elevation change. And, I'm being very generous with those numbers.

I just came home from riding up there with Jschen, BWNC, and roadrider. Yes, the Ring of Fire loop (Cullowhee Mtn Rd, Pine Crk, & Elijay) was very hard to ride for me. But, I managed with a 34/27. Yes, I had to stop some and rest. Yes, I was the last one on every climb. This last ride was a social ride, as were all the others. No one is here to race or see who can get to the top first. It surely won't be me:rolleyes:. If it's your first time riding in the mountains, you get some pats on the back and high fives when you reach the top because this is a great accomplishment, at least it was for me. And, don't forget - the downhill descents way more than make up for the climbing!!!! 52.8mph max downhill speed for me on this last journey!!! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:)

Being a social ride, there is no real "racing" on the ride, but, if I have the strength/energy, I will try to go for the county line signs, city limit signs, etc, or try to beat BWNC up the very short and not too steep grades on Burningtown:D. I know that I most likely won't win, but hey, it's all in fun:).

Seriously, don't let the elevation profile scare you away. Yea, it looks rough and hard, but in all seriousness, if I, a true flatlander, can go up there not once but five times and ride, it can't be all that difficult. (Yes it can, but it's completely do-able:)). I must be a glutton for punishment as I'm doing this ride, and have plans for 3 or 4 other events up there this year.

So, go ahead and make your reservations for a night or two at the Pisgah Inn and come on up and enjoy riding in the WNC mountains and on the BRP. I already have my room reserved:).

WP.

[rm -rf]

Here's the ride reports (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=300571) from last May. Photos are in this web album (http://picasaweb.google.com/bike859/May19PigeonLoopRide).

The big climb is 2700 feet, but we did a lot of stops last year. There's only one short section where I needed to stand. The rest of the climb is just a matter of pacing. This is 9 times as high as my local 300 foot climbs, and I made it OK.

Here's a route map. (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/waynesville/520437474) Edit--If you have a fast internet connection, click the "View this route in 3-D (Google Earth)" link. The satellite data has been upgraded recently; the Pisgah Inn buildings now are visible, before, it was all a blur. You can get Google Earth at earth.google.com The ride is shown in yellow on the view. You can get a cool 3-D view by pressing the mouse wheel like a button and dragging the mouse downward to tilt the view.

I had a great breakfast at the Pisgah Inn. The whole wall is glass with a great view. It's affordable, too.

[jschen]

OMG... I may be heading to the east coast that weekend for other reasons! I would love to ride BRP again. I may manage to swing by for the SEBF spring ride. :D

[wolfpack]

you must make a special stop in for the ride on Saturday then. I'm trying to figure out how to get out west or somewhere now too:). i've got traveling on the brain.

[jschen]

I'm more likely to be able to make it for Sunday (gotta be in NYC on Tuesday) but may conceivably make it out there for both days. We'll see.

[BikeWNC]

I'm more likely to be able to make it for Sunday (gotta be in NYC on Tuesday) but may conceivably make it out there for both days. We'll see.

The Tuesday before or after the rides?

[wolfpack]

cool! i'll be more ready for mountain riding than i was this time, so hopefully, if you get to come out here, you will be able to get more than just a few miles of climbing in.

[BikeWNC]

We did ok. Sure we might have gotten more in but come on it was Dec. The rides totaled 92 miles and 9400' of climbing over the 3 days. Late starts and short days make long rides difficult. Anyway it was fun.

[jschen]

The Tuesday before or after the rides?

After. Making it for Sunday seems possible, but making it for Saturday may be a bit of a stretch since it may require me to take Friday off.

[jschen]

The rides totaled 92 miles and 9400' of climbing over the 3 days.

And included a wide variety of terrain, including flat-ish sections (that make the climbing total all that much more impressive), leg-burning double digit grades, and multiple 50+ MPH opportunities. Can't ask for much better than that. And yes, it definitely was a lot of fun.

[BikeWNC]

After. Making it for Sunday seems possible, but making it for Saturday may be a bit of a stretch since it may require me to take Friday off.

You would need to take Friday off to make the Sat. ride. See what you can do. Perhaps someone has an extra 54cm road bike that you can borrow instead of bringing yours all that way. Or maybe you want your bike?

[wolfpack]

We did ok. Sure we might have gotten more in but come on it was Dec. The rides totaled 92 miles and 9400' of climbing over the 3 days. Late starts and short days make long rides difficult. Anyway it was fun.

i know. it was fun and i'm not complaining, really. just seems like we should've ridden more since he did fly in from the west coast. but, we did have one day of nothing but rain and High School Musical 2. :D

[VegaVixen]

Well, Jason, you know you have a place to stay here in CLT. And there may even be time and good weather to sit out on my deck this time. :)

[jschen]

You would need to take Friday off to make the Sat. ride. See what you can do. Perhaps someone has an extra 54cm road bike that you can borrow instead of bringing yours all that way. Or maybe you want your bike?

Yup... you've basically summarized the situation. Saturday isn't possible without some sort of flight arrangement that gets me in on Friday night, which is difficult if not impossible without taking Friday off. Sunday alone is one awfully expensive ride if I bring Vivian along. And then there's the all so unpredictable momentum of research in the lab.

[Porter20]

I am planning on riding the Brasstown Bald Century on May 17, but I think I am planning on being up for the Sunday ride. I am looking forward to hearing more about it!

[BikeWNC]

I am planning on riding the Brasstown Bald Century on May 17, but I think I am planning on being up for the Sunday ride. I am looking forward to hearing more about it!

It will be a pleasant recovery ride for you then! The Sunday ride will be an out and back on the BRP. It will be about 30 miles with around 3000' of climbing. Most if not all the ride will be above 5000' elevation so weather permitting great views are a given. Check back for more info in the coming months.

[roadrider]

Don't let this ride scare anyone from flatland. I had been of the bike for a couple of weeks due to back problems and had a not so low gear. But it was still alot of fun and made some great friends. Judging from what Bikewnc says this ride will be much easier than the ring of fire ride we did. Besides this is a social ride, its to enjoy. Jschen hope you can make it back out here. And I'll see wolfpack and bikewnc then for sure.

[CycleMagic]

You would need to take Friday off to make the Sat. ride. See what you can do. Perhaps someone has an extra 54cm road bike that you can borrow instead of bringing yours all that way. Or maybe you want your bike?

He can borrow my old Cannondale. I'll have to let him ride that beast while I stay seated on the Giant; that would be the only way I could keep up with him!

[wolfpack]

well, that's cool. i was gonna let him borrow mine and see if i could find something else from a friend around here to ride.

[jschen]

He can borrow my old Cannondale. I'll have to let him ride that beast while I stay seated on the Giant; that would be the only way I could keep up with him!

Thanks CM! I'll have to first see whether I can make it at all. And then decide whether Vivian's coming along to play. If I can make it for both days, I'll probably bring Vivian along. If only one day, I'll probably look to borrow a bike from someone. We'll see.

[CycleMagic]

well, no problem. You can borrow the bike if you need to. It will feel like ton-a-bricks next to Vivian, but it will at least be wheels!

[VegaVixen]

Thanks CM! I'll have to first see whether I can make it at all. And then decide whether Vivian's coming along to play. If I can make it for both days, I'll probably bring Vivian along. If only one day, I'll probably look to borrow a bike from someone. We'll see.

You can always ride "you-know-who," unless I'm ridin' him, in which case you get my Scott. :)

[NealH]

Please add my name to the list for this Springtime adventure. The ride last September was outstanding and, it sounds like this recent December ride equaled it in every respect.

[Velo Vol]

3-State 3-Mountain (http://www.chattbike.com/events/3_state/3stchlng.htm) is May 3. It might be a good training ride for that hors catégorie (10%) slog up NC 215. ;)

[BikeWNC]

I have my room booked at the Pisgah Inn for Friday and Sat. night.

[roadrider]

I have booked my room also. Just waiting on my compact crank :D.

[wolfpack]

Yay! Well, at least 3 of us will be staying there and riding:). You're gonna love the compact crank rr.

[CycleMagic]

I have my room booked at the Pisgah Inn for Friday and Sat. night.

don't you live, like, right in their back yard?

[BikeWNC]

don't you live, like, right in their back yard?

Well, not quite in their backyard. :p

I had planned to stay there Sat night to socialize but made my res. for Fri too in case I want to stay there that night also. Though most likely I will only stay Sat. It save me about 100 miles of driving if I stay.

[CycleMagic]

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