Fifty Plus (50+) - Afternoon ride on the BRP

In my struggle to recover from what the heat did to me on Mitchell I've been trying to get out for some short but increasingly more strenuous rides. Today's ride was a 13 mile out then back segment (26 total miles) of the Blue Ridge Parkway near my home. It has about 2600' of climbing but none of the hills are more than a couple of miles long with a 7% max grade. It was a beautiful day with a starting temp of 70F but that dropped to the mid 60s as I climbed up to over 6000'. It was nice and breezy up there too.

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Far in the distance, Mt. Mitchell looms.

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The rhododendron, mountain laurel and flame azalea were in full bloom.

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The hillsides were covered with flowering shrubs.

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Rhododendron with Clingman's Dome in Smoky Mtn. N.P. in the background.

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The BRP climbed through the gap lined by flowers.

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Smooth BRP pavement.

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Long views are everywhere on this ride.

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On the descent back to the car.

I had a great ride today even though I'm still not riding my best yet. But who really cares on a day like today on one of the best roads in the Country to ride a bike. It was awesome!

Those big red Xs are beautiful. :)

Outstanding!:thumb:

Those big red Xs are beautiful. :)

I can see the pics, I guess you can't? hmmm...

Great pictures, thanks for sharing them with us.

On a clear day there is not much prettier than a good view from the Parkway, NC or VA.

Glad to hear you're back on the recovery path BikeWNC and, ticking on mileage and elevation. Somehow I don't think this recovery will take very long.

Nice pictures.

I can see the pics, I guess you can't? hmmm...


Still can't see them. Must be the kids were messing with the computer again. :crash:

That's a beautiful ride. The roads appear to be in excellent condition as well.

Yup, the flowers are nice, but I can't stop staring at the incredibly good condition of the asphalt.
Interesting that there is no paved shoulder, though. I would love to cycle on that road.

Great pictures! I've gone mtn biking at Tsali several times, but wasn't into road biking then. Next time we go to NC, I'm taking my road bike. We usually stay near Almond, on a hill overlooking the lake. Great views of the Smokies.

I read a good thread on another forum, with lots of pics and vids, of the U. of Wisconsin's spring training trip to NC. Great stuff. Enjoy!

Nice pictures! I have one of those from a ride in 2003. Crossing this viaduct was so cool, I had to stop and take a photo!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w203/SuzieGreen/South024.jpg

Great pictures! I've gone mtn biking at Tsali several times, but wasn't into road biking then. Next time we go to NC, I'm taking my road bike. We usually stay near Almond, on a hill overlooking the lake. Great views of the Smokies.

I read a good thread on another forum, with lots of pics and vids, of the U. of Wisconsin's spring training trip to NC. Great stuff. Enjoy!

Yes, I see the U of W team down here every Spring. The put in a lot of miles that week.

Nice pictures! I have one of those from a ride in 2003. Crossing this viaduct was so cool, I had to stop and take a photo!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w203/SuzieGreen/South024.jpg

If the weather holds out a bit over the weekend I plan to be up there doing some miles around Boone that will take in the viaduct. There are some fantastic views around there but probably none up to what BikeWNC offers on his regular routes. The cooler temps will certainly be very, very welcome.

I have fond memories of the BRP from when I lived in VA. I will never forget the ride my brother and I took back around 1982 - bikes loaded with full camping gear we headed off from Roanoke to the Peaks of Otter where we camped for the night and then road back the next day. Beautiful this time of year - but HHH in late July & Aug.

I have fond memories of the BRP from when I lived in VA. I will never forget the ride my brother and I took back around 1982 - bikes loaded with full camping gear we headed off from Roanoke to the Peaks of Otter where we camped for the night and then road back the next day. Beautiful this time of year - but HHH in late July & Aug.

Later this summer I will be riding from Leesville Lake up through Bedford to the Peaks of Otter. About 70 miles with 8K of climbing. I grew up in Va and, used to hike up the Peaks and camp out on top. Of course this was years ago and, the rangers will not allow this today. Its an awesome sight though, sitting up there at night and looking at the faint glow from towns many miles away.

I'll also be in the Finger Lakes area for some riding in late August. Is this near your habitat? This is suppose to be a great riding area and, I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks for the pics. WNC if you want a challenging grind ride old Hwy 221 on the back side of Grandfather. Hwy 181 between Morganton and Pinola is another good one. Lp

Smooth roads. Great views. Manageable climbs. Cool temperatures. It doesn't get much better than that. :thumb:

I've ridden 27 miles this week and have a whopping 206 feet of climbing. I have absolutely no concept of what it must be like to climb 2600 feet. That looks like a beautiful ride.