CycleMagic

Anyone planning on riding in good ole' Hickory this Sunday for Brett's Ride?

Formula Ugh and I are planning on riding the 65 mile option. Has a nice little climb up Baker Mountain. wheeee!

pjgonwa

My wife and I will be there again this year. We'll be on a black Trek T100 tandem. We're doing the 32 mile route.

Mo'Phat

Will John Reep be there...He's from HICKORY!


/Last Comic Standing winnar.

CycleMagic

does he ride a bicycle?

BikeWNC

CM, is there lunch after the ride? How is the course? Low traffic? Decent rest stops? Tell me more.

wolfpack 

. wish i could, but better do some riding around here this weekend since i'm planning more mountain riding in the near future.

Mo'Phat

I doubt it...but I was pulling for John this season...any man that can imitate a garden sprinkler is okay in my book...and a big part of his comic persona was due to his being from Hickory...so anything Hickory related will get a chuckle out of me for the next year or so.

Formula Ugh

BWNC,

Yes, they provide lunch afterwards. Last year it was a cookout with hot dogs and whatnot. Rest stops were well-stocked, too- even plenty of gas stations along the way if all else fails.

The course is really nice. It goes south out of Hickory. Moderate terrain - probably comparable to the Murray's Mill ride with a couple of longer pulls (65 mile route)... and a trip up Baker's Mountain. They had police block traffic for riders in town, and once you get out of town, there's not much traffic at all. The roads are very rural - mostly well paved, though.

We've got the inside connection for great parking, too!
Hope to see you there.

CycleMagic

Thanks for the summary, FU. You bring up a good point, parking at the YMCA can be a bit limited. There are other options close by, though.

CycleMagic

Just got the update on the food situation and there is GOOD news! Don't you just hate it when there is nothing left for the long distance group of riders (or the folks that take longer to finish)? Well, the Brett's Ride folks are planning on holding back some food for the riders that come in a bit later. There will be lots of baked ziti and wraps available after the first wave of ravenous riders attack the buffet table. This ain't no pimento & cheese ride, folks!

BikeWNC

I'm up in the air on this one CM. I am going down to CLT on Tuesday for the TT at Lowes, up and back for the day. Then on that Friday I am heading down to the Triangle for the State Fair and to visit friends.

I tried to get my wife to come along to do the 32 mile ride but she would rather just ride around here that weekend (if she rides at all). She's at UNC today, has to work tomorrow night and we have 2 parties to attend Friday and Sat. I think she just wants to hang out.

So I have to decide whether she wants me to hang here with her or I can get away. And if I can get away do I want to given the driving I will be doing the next week. I may not know until the night before.

CycleMagic

No problem BWNC. It would be great if you could join us, but totally understandable if you can't. If you decide to come and want to ride with us, just give me a call and we'll arrange a meet spot.

BikeWNC

Will do. Thanks.

cnickgo

How is the 64m route compared to our ride on Sat? I would at least like to do the 30m if I can muster up the $25.

CycleMagic

cnickgo: think....longer. not as much climbing, but rolling hills and one long pull up Baker's Mountain. Plus you will be at a lower altitude. You will easily be able to do the 30 if Saturday's climb didn't hurt too bad. You were looking pretty strong, so you should have no trouble with that option. This is a well organized and supported ride, so be sure to take advantage of the break stops. BTW, the fee is $25 until October 6th. Day of, it will be $30.

BikeWNC

CM and FU, I'll be coming down to do the ride tomorrow. I should be down there around 7:15 - 7:30. What's the deal on parking? CM, I'll call you when I get to Hickory.

BikeWNC

I had a great ride down in Catawba County on Brett's Ride. I really like riding in that part of the State as it has more flat and gentle rollers than I have up in the mountains. Of course there are always the longer or steeper parts of any ride but overall it was just perfect for me. It was a beautiful early Fall day for the ride and the food after was very good. I'll probably be back to do this one again.

Thanks to CM for the heads up and letting me hang with her group.

Edit for stats. 66.25 miles, 3:41 riding time/ 4:05 total time, 18mph moving ave.

CycleMagic

Glad you could make it, BWNC! This was a pretty challenging ride for me, but I am glad that I did it. Nothing that some good food at the end and a nap wouldn't cure. My stats are a little less stellar than yours,finishing at 16.2 avg for the 65 miler. (I DID have 18.5 1/2 way into the thing; those durn hills hurt me). I'm just happy I was able to spin up Bakers Mtn at a blistering 8 MPH and not a)die, b)whine, c) Raaalph. :-)

Good day over all. Great weather, great riding company.