Tour de Cashiers.....the defining mountain ride

[NealH]

The event is this Saturday, the 5th and I hope some of our forum members will be riding this event. Its one of the defining mountain rides on the east coast as it covers rugged and scenic landscapes and provides plenty of climbing and descending. In fact its one of the few events that deliver more elevation gain than advertised. If you need an alternative to 3-State 3-Mountain, look not further. It traverses some storied ground in NC.

[Creatre]

I'll be there. I'll be in the front group or ahead of it. I did the ILR last weekend too, and it was a great ride.

[NealH]

BikeWNC and I also rode the ILR last Saturday and yes, it was a good event. Of course we didn't finish in the lead group but, we finished. It'll be the same with Cashiers. If you can finish Cashiers anywhere near the lead group then I take my hat off to you.

[PAlt]

NealH- You know I'll be there. Was good to see you both on the first of the "Blue Ridge Double" legs

[Creatre]

Course looks brutal, and I think it's supposed to be hot this weekend. Good luck to everyone! May we all finish in one piece!

[BikeWNC]

Course looks brutal, and I think it's supposed to be hot this weekend. Good luck to everyone! May we all finish in one piece!

Are you riding the century or the metric?

[Creatre]

Are you riding the century or the metric?

Full century.

[BikeWNC]

Full century.

They made the century a bit easier last year when Charlies Ck with 18% grades was replaced with Tanasee Ck and more mellow climbs. I doubt you'll feel cheated though. Neal and I will be riding the metric. We'll wave at you near the bottom of Tilly Ck as we head to the Cullowhee Mtn Rd climb and you start Tilly. Coming from Columbia I doubt the warm temps will bother you. Most of the climbs are in the shade anyway. Have fun!

[Creatre]

They made the century a bit easier last year when Charlies Ck with 18% grades was replaced with Tanasee Ck and more mellow climbs. I doubt you'll feel cheated though. Neal and I will be riding the metric. We'll wave at you near the bottom of Tilly Ck as we head to the Cullowhee Mtn Rd climb and you start Tilly. Coming from Columbia I doubt the warm temps will bother you. Most of the climbs are in the shade anyway. Have fun!

Yeah I'm sure I'll be fine. Bit tired after ILR and a century the weekend before that one. Getting well in shape for Assault on Mt. Mitchell though. Hoping there is a good showing of fast people at Cashiers so I can really test my legs, and not walk away from everyone on the climbs.

[BikeWNC]

There are always a few really fast riders that show up. One group will ride around 6 hours but there are a couple fast guys that come in by 5.5 hours or less.

[Creatre]

Here is the route I did following the race directions in ridewithgps.com if anyone wants to check out the elevation or download into their garmin:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1099093

[BikeWNC]

Here is the route I did following the race directions in ridewithgps.com if anyone wants to check out the elevation or download into their garmin:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1099093

That looks correct. The elevation gain is a bit overstated though. I think there is around 10,600' total.

[7218]

I'll definitely be riding this year. I signed up last year but got really sick, shivering uncontrollably and couldn't sleep the night before, so I didn't ride. Family has a cabin nearby so I am pretty familiar with the roads(at least on the west side of Cashiers). Really looking forward to this ride. Love the scenery and riding in this beautiful area.

[NealH]

I received the following info from the event host. I remember it being very good last year as its home made.

Breakfast:7:30 AM- 10:30 AM
Coffee
OJ
Lemonade
Iced Tea
Omega Breakfast Breads from Chef Fatigati
Fresh Bananas, Orange Slices and grapes

Lunch: 11AM- 6PM+
Coffee
OJ
Lemonade
Iced Tea
Grilled Caesar Salad with Smoked Trout
Fresh, Hot Vegetarian and Chicken Pasta Salads
Strawberry Cobbler
Trail Mix Energy Cookies from Fatigati's
Cookies and Brownies from Buck's Cafe

[NealH]

Here is the route I did following the race directions in ridewithgps.com if anyone wants to check out the elevation or download into their garmin:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1099093

The event website reports 7000' for the metric but my Garmin reported right at 7200' the past couple years. Mapping it with RidewithGps reports about 7800'. RwGPS typically maps out to be about 10% high on most routes. So as mentioned above, the actually gain should be just shy of 11K' on the century. Regardless, its a tough route.

Hope to see you'll at there (maybe at lunch).

[Creatre]

So that sucked. Got dropped from the main group at mile 50 or so going 50mph+ on a downhill and my 138lb's doesn't get me going downhill fast enough I guess. Serious pain the rest of the course solo, that middle climb sucked, was super steep. Hopefully got me the fitness I needed for Mitchell in a couple weeks.

[BikeWNC]

So that sucked. Got dropped from the main group at mile 50 or so going 50mph+ on a downhill and my 138lb's doesn't get me going downhill fast enough I guess. Serious pain the rest of the course solo, that middle climb sucked, was super steep. Hopefully got me the fitness I needed for Mitchell in a couple weeks.

I'm sure it helped. There isn't anything on Mitchell as steep. Glad the weather held out. Nice day for a ride.