Georgia's 6 Gap Century
09-28-09, 03:18 PM
#51
shedding fat
Thread Starter
Actually, I passed you guyson the way up the first climb I think. You got next to me on the descend and I told you that "you guys need to put a hitch on the back of that thing". I kept going and never saw you guys again. Good to know you guys finished it.
Next year...............
Next year...............
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Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-28-09, 04:18 PM
#53
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We had a long day. (hey we we're riding with friends and waiting to regroup at the rest stops, our story and sticking to it.) By the end, I was cursing the guy who decided to add the extra loop.
The real PITA was driving home, getting to bed at 1:30am, and leaving for the airport at 6:00 am.
But it was a beautiful day, and lots of fun.
And we hit 61mph down Jacks. We could have easily exceeded that on Hogpen, but I was a wimp.
The real PITA was driving home, getting to bed at 1:30am, and leaving for the airport at 6:00 am.
But it was a beautiful day, and lots of fun.
And we hit 61mph down Jacks. We could have easily exceeded that on Hogpen, but I was a wimp.
The results are up, by the way. I had a chip on but I'm nowhere to be found. I finished in ~6:32 because I came in with a guy named Christian from Atlanta. I would like to know the KOM times though...
09-28-09, 04:38 PM
#54
Elite Fred
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The thing that scares me about doing the official 6 Gap ride is sharing the road with cyclists of unknown handling skills while descending. Descending is scary enough without that aspect. Then again, "sharing" the road with a bunch of old farts on motorcycles, which is the typical experience on those roads, ain't such a grand experience either.
09-28-09, 04:49 PM
#55
shedding fat
Thread Starter
Woah! I know that descent and it ain't that steep. On Hogpen you might have generated shock waves.
The thing that scares me about doing the official 6 Gap ride is sharing the road with cyclists of unknown handling skills while descending. Descending is scary enough without that aspect. Then again, "sharing" the road with a bunch of old farts on motorcycles, which is the typical experience on those roads, ain't such a grand experience either.
The thing that scares me about doing the official 6 Gap ride is sharing the road with cyclists of unknown handling skills while descending. Descending is scary enough without that aspect. Then again, "sharing" the road with a bunch of old farts on motorcycles, which is the typical experience on those roads, ain't such a grand experience either.
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-28-09, 04:51 PM
#56
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The back side of Hogpen is like getting dropped out of an airplane. That descent turns a brake-dragger like me into the uber brake dragger.
09-29-09, 07:00 AM
#57
shedding fat
Thread Starter
Here are some pict.
This is where he entire trip started to go south. At 3 AM we find out the roof racks don't have the proper tie downs to the roof rails, so the bikes move some wile driving. A few tie downs with bungie cords, and we were on the road.
Here you see us doing something you do way too often when you drive a hummer and take a road trip: pumping gas!!!
One of our designated drivers on duty:
This is what it looked like outside from just south of Atlanta all the way to Dahlonega.
This is the registration and Expo area that was originally set up outside. They had to ultimately move it indoors due to relentless rain.
I was very impressed by some of the Frondiest bikes they had in the Expo. Very nice indeed.
This is where he entire trip started to go south. At 3 AM we find out the roof racks don't have the proper tie downs to the roof rails, so the bikes move some wile driving. A few tie downs with bungie cords, and we were on the road.
Here you see us doing something you do way too often when you drive a hummer and take a road trip: pumping gas!!!
One of our designated drivers on duty:
This is what it looked like outside from just south of Atlanta all the way to Dahlonega.
This is the registration and Expo area that was originally set up outside. They had to ultimately move it indoors due to relentless rain.
I was very impressed by some of the Frondiest bikes they had in the Expo. Very nice indeed.
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-29-09, 07:13 AM
#58
shedding fat
Thread Starter
I was extremely impressed by the fact that there were dozens of $6-10K bikes sitting on car racks unattended in this Expo parking lot. No incidents or issues. Do that in South Florida and you won't even find the car they were sitting on 5 min later!!
Tail end of the start line. It is hard to see from it how many people there are really, but the background where you only see dots is people lined up down the hill. All 3000+ of them!!
Rest stop #2. It was very cold there.
Mid morning, the roads were already drying and the sky was clearing up. The cloudyness you see in the picture is actually fog/low lying clouds!
I think this was the only relatively flat section I saw.
Tail end of the start line. It is hard to see from it how many people there are really, but the background where you only see dots is people lined up down the hill. All 3000+ of them!!
Rest stop #2. It was very cold there.
Mid morning, the roads were already drying and the sky was clearing up. The cloudyness you see in the picture is actually fog/low lying clouds!
I think this was the only relatively flat section I saw.
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-29-09, 07:28 AM
#59
shedding fat
Thread Starter
As I stayed longer in this rest stop waiting for a ride back, I started to take pictures of the bigger guys like me to inspire me next year to tear it up. You can see a few in these pictures.
While I sat there, I was impressed I could have climb better than I expected. The trees in this picture are taller than the highest point I have in town to train.
This was something that demoralized me more than someone hitting me in the nuts while I was down. Seeing this guy pass by:
Other random shots. I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked to. Having the roads wet, 3000 people around you, going uphill, and a gillet on top of the jersey does not make it convenient to pull out the camera from the back pocket. I am getting a helmet cam though, so maybe it will make it easier to video tape in HD at least some events here and there.
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-29-09, 07:29 AM
#60
shedding fat
Thread Starter
Lastly, driving home. You can see how the background scenery looks "a bit different" topographically than N. GA.
Next year...........
Next year...........
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-29-09, 08:48 AM
#61
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Great pictures. I've tried Brasstown Baldbuster twice and failed both times. I might try BBB and 6 Gap next year now that I live up this way. There is certainly no substitute for riding in the hills.
I'm glad you had a semi-good time. It really makes you want to live in North Georgia, doesn't it?
Michael
I'm glad you had a semi-good time. It really makes you want to live in North Georgia, doesn't it?
Michael
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RIP Stacey. =3.
RIP Stacey. =3.
09-29-09, 09:27 AM
#62
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Well, congratulations to all of those that did it. I, unfortunately DNF. It was obvious to me at the second gap that I was not going to finish it. Did not feel good overall. I was climbing surprisingly well all the way to the middle of the mountain right before the 4th food station in Unicoi Gap. I simply felt my energy disappear. I made it to the rest stop at the top. The next 10 miles or so were descends right to the base of Hogpen. I knew I maybe had enough to get halfway up Hogpen, but I knew I would not finish it and be stranded in the middle of the climb trying to walk it up to the next rest station. So, I decided to throw the towel at the 4th rest stop in Unicoi Gap. I am pretty demoralized to say the least.
Equipment worked great, the trip was long and very tiring both ways, and everything else was fine, but I guess the engine decided not to work accordingly. A few things I know now to do for next year:
1. Spend a few days riding IN the mountains. There is simply no substitute for this. I did quite a bit of long intervals here, worked on increasing my cadence, etc., but in the end there is no substitute for going uphill. I will likely get a trainer and some of the climbing videos that are out.
2. The trip from south FL is very long. 12+ Hr and more for some of my buddies coming from Miami is a long time to be sitting in a car. I can't shorten the distance, but certainly have to work on making the trip a bit more pleasant and quicker.
3. Eat and drink more during the climbing itself.
4. Try not to be very intimidated by the fact that I think the 4 of us and maybe 6 more people in town were the only fat people doing this ride. Everywhere we went and everywhere we looked there was noting but chiseled legs and lean, skinny, and muscular people. We finally had to go to Walmart to see a few fat people before going to bed.
I would like to say this is certainly the most scenic route I have cycled in so far. Very very nice and considered people in the area volunteering for the event. Extremely nice, patient, and very considered drivers in the area despite being in the middle of redneck country. Certainly proved the stereotypes wrong. Also, lots of local people sitting on the sides of the roads cheering us on and saying encouraging words. I would like to thank the 8 y.o. girls on the side of the road that screamed at me: "come on BIG guy, you look so good going up in your pretty outfit". That was very cute.
Despite it all, we had a great time. Even the weather collaborated. We are certainly doing it again next year where I will be picking up my dignity.
Pictures later on.
Equipment worked great, the trip was long and very tiring both ways, and everything else was fine, but I guess the engine decided not to work accordingly. A few things I know now to do for next year:
1. Spend a few days riding IN the mountains. There is simply no substitute for this. I did quite a bit of long intervals here, worked on increasing my cadence, etc., but in the end there is no substitute for going uphill. I will likely get a trainer and some of the climbing videos that are out.
2. The trip from south FL is very long. 12+ Hr and more for some of my buddies coming from Miami is a long time to be sitting in a car. I can't shorten the distance, but certainly have to work on making the trip a bit more pleasant and quicker.
3. Eat and drink more during the climbing itself.
4. Try not to be very intimidated by the fact that I think the 4 of us and maybe 6 more people in town were the only fat people doing this ride. Everywhere we went and everywhere we looked there was noting but chiseled legs and lean, skinny, and muscular people. We finally had to go to Walmart to see a few fat people before going to bed.
I would like to say this is certainly the most scenic route I have cycled in so far. Very very nice and considered people in the area volunteering for the event. Extremely nice, patient, and very considered drivers in the area despite being in the middle of redneck country. Certainly proved the stereotypes wrong. Also, lots of local people sitting on the sides of the roads cheering us on and saying encouraging words. I would like to thank the 8 y.o. girls on the side of the road that screamed at me: "come on BIG guy, you look so good going up in your pretty outfit". That was very cute.
Despite it all, we had a great time. Even the weather collaborated. We are certainly doing it again next year where I will be picking up my dignity.
Pictures later on.
09-29-09, 09:49 AM
#65
Well I'll be a fig newton
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Six Gap was the first century I've ever done and it was pretty intense, but I had a good time. My total elapsed was 8 hours 31 minutes with 7 hours 34 minutes of actual saddle time. I'm pretty happy with that. The group of four of us that went together showed up a bit late (my fault) and got an 8:15am start, but it all worked out!
Managed to snap a few pics en route...
Top of Neels Gap:
Somewhere between Neels and Jack's:
Coming over the top of Hogpen:
Nice view from Hogpen:
Scenic view from Woody Gap:
Managed to snap a few pics en route...
Top of Neels Gap:
Somewhere between Neels and Jack's:
Coming over the top of Hogpen:
Nice view from Hogpen:
Scenic view from Woody Gap:
09-29-09, 10:10 AM
#67
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Dgasmd, you should've ridden it like that. Cut the zip ties a little shorter...
The Hummer completes the look. Awesome.
The Hummer completes the look. Awesome.
09-29-09, 10:30 AM
#68
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Great day for riding a bike. Was a bit windy, but otherwise no complains. The cars seemed to be a bit more patient this year, not sure if that was because I was riding with my 14 year old son and they gave him a bit more space on the road. Thanks to all passing cyclists for the verbal encouragements he received on the ride.
The extra 7 miles that were added last year make a big difference, with the extra climbing, it was a long day but we made it in a bit over 9 hours. The view from the top of Hogpen and Woody's was awasome.
Any news on the young guy that crashed about 15 miles into the ride? We saw him pretty badly injured on the side of the road and saw the ambulance, but hopefully he is OK.
The extra 7 miles that were added last year make a big difference, with the extra climbing, it was a long day but we made it in a bit over 9 hours. The view from the top of Hogpen and Woody's was awasome.
Any news on the young guy that crashed about 15 miles into the ride? We saw him pretty badly injured on the side of the road and saw the ambulance, but hopefully he is OK.
09-29-09, 10:40 AM
#69
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I saw two crashes; a couple of guys tangled perhaps 5 miles in from the start, neither one looked badly hurt and they were getting up as I went by. Another guy had crashed on the Wolfpen descent and people were with him and had help on the way; his might've been more serious.
Unfortunately, I don't think you'll see a ride like this without a crash or two; it's just too far outside of many people's experience range (including mine when I first did it).
Unfortunately, I don't think you'll see a ride like this without a crash or two; it's just too far outside of many people's experience range (including mine when I first did it).
09-29-09, 10:58 AM
#70
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I saw two crashes; a couple of guys tangled perhaps 5 miles in from the start, neither one looked badly hurt and they were getting up as I went by. Another guy had crashed on the Wolfpen descent and people were with him and had help on the way; his might've been more serious.
Unfortunately, I don't think you'll see a ride like this without a crash or two; it's just too far outside of many people's experience range (including mine when I first did it).
Unfortunately, I don't think you'll see a ride like this without a crash or two; it's just too far outside of many people's experience range (including mine when I first did it).
part of the experience of riding the maratona, is hearing the cacophony of helicopters. some covering the event for RAI, the others airlifting injured riders.
09-29-09, 11:37 AM
#71
shedding fat
Thread Starter
Great pictures. I've tried Brasstown Baldbuster twice and failed both times. I might try BBB and 6 Gap next year now that I live up this way. There is certainly no substitute for riding in the hills.
I'm glad you had a semi-good time. It really makes you want to live in North Georgia, doesn't it?
Michael
I'm glad you had a semi-good time. It really makes you want to live in North Georgia, doesn't it?
Michael
In the end, it all worked out great. Kendallf, I am considering next year padding myself just like I did the bike and using one of those full face helmets like the one guy I saw on the ride. It was a combination of a motorcycle/NASCAR helmet and a football helmet. It was simply hilarious, but I think it will keep me from getting injuries.
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Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
09-29-09, 12:32 PM
#73
old but fast
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Don't post here often but since me and the wife did this ride wanted to put in my two cents worth. The wife did the 3 gap ride, her finish was in 3:58 official time 3:50 bike computer time. was 52nd over all and 6th women in. This was her first time on ride in the mountains (she rode it without her trusted domestique, me) and she loved it and would love to do it again next year. I did the 6 gap 9that's why I wasn't with her) in 6:42 official time and 6:30 from the computer. 160th ,16 in age group(50-04) and my Kom was 1:11.
Keep in mind we live and train in Ohio, and you would have to do about 300K in our most hilly area to even some close to this kind of climbing and trust me there ain't nothing, nowhere, nohow, around here that will prepare you for Hogpen. Oh god that hurt!!! LOL
Keep in mind we live and train in Ohio, and you would have to do about 300K in our most hilly area to even some close to this kind of climbing and trust me there ain't nothing, nowhere, nohow, around here that will prepare you for Hogpen. Oh god that hurt!!! LOL
09-29-09, 12:39 PM
#74
going roundy round
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My favorite... and not for what you might think.
I almost bought one of those KOM helmets. Thank God I didn't.
I almost bought one of those KOM helmets. Thank God I didn't.