GotSnow

Hi
Does anyone have any information or know where to find additional information on this ride? That is besides what is listed on the Dahlonega city website.

Thanks in advance.

dsb137

What would you like to know? Perhaps I could help...

GotSnow

I'm looking for more detailed information: Gap elevations, length, and any kind of route map. I've done some searching online and the info below is the only real information I come across, other than someone's ride report from several years ago. It's not very specific.

Thanks.

"6 Gap Century and 3 Gap Fifty Mile Ride

Sunday, September 24, 2006 (7:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
The Ride of Your Life! The Dahlonega/Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor the 18th annual Six Gap Century and Three Gap Fifty bike rides through the mountains.

The Six Gap Century
This ultra challenging route takes you up down six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia Mountains. Test your stamina with more than 10,700 feet of vertical climbing over the 100 mile course. Elevations for the six gaps in this ride range from 2,949 feet to 3,490 feet. The toughest climb, Hogpen Gap, tests even the toughest riders, averaging a 7% grade for seven miles, with sections as steep as 15%.

The Three Gap Fifty
This alternative route offers half the gaps and half the distance, but is nevertheless a demanding and challenging course. Elevations for the mountains on this ride range from 3,109 feet to 3,280 feet. "

dsb137

Here's a discussion of the different Gaps covered on the ride:
https://www.bikesbl.org/modules.php?o...5397a55524bc57

Here's a map with some other references as well:
https://www.sadlebred.com/maps/6gap.pdf#search='6%20gap%20century'

This one has a ride profile:
https://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=131842

They've just changed the Dahlonega Chamber website so I'll have to do some digging for you...

HTH,
Dave

Pedal Wench

There are some good route maps here: https://www.atlbike.org/modules.php?o...download&sid=4

On his main site: www.atlbike.org there are some good forum discussions on many of the gaps, as they've been doing a bunch of training rides up there.

Any specific questions we can help you with?

Pedal Wench

https://www.teamvega.net/?q=node/8

or

https://www.bike4one.com/rides2004/sixgap.htm

or this report from a guy in Tallahassee

A DESCRIPTION OF THE RIDE

The course consists of an "approach" from Dahlonega followed by six climbs
with some rolling hills between the gaps. Each climb culminates at a "gap",
or mountain pass. The climb is named for the gap. There are refreshment
stops at each gap and an extra one about half way up Hogpen (gap 4). (There
may be more, but you won't need them.)

The approach is rolling, with some very sharp (but short) hills. It's
roughly comparable to a loop around the Havana Hills race course in Gadsden
county. You want to be very careful with your energy on these first few
miles. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and push hard enough to
effectively ruin the rest of the ride before you even get to the first
climb. Forget the group - ride your own pace and get warmed up. You
absolutely have to ride your own ride on the climbs anyway. Keep in mind: a
ride like 6-gap is more about energy management than anything else. You
have only so much, and you're going to need a lot of it on the latter part
of the ride.

Gap 1: Neels

This is a seven mile climb of moderate grade. Use it to get your legs and
CV system running well and to get the feel of what it's like to go up hill
for an hour. Watch your energy output rate (preferably with a heart rate
monitor) and keep it moderate. There will be plenty of opportunity to push
harder later in the ride, should you find the workout inadequate.

The descent from Neels is fast but straight enough to be relatively safe,
with good pavement. (For the 3-gap folks, the left turn to Wolfpen Gap is
easy to fly by if you are not looking for it.)

Gap 2: Jacks

After some fairly good Havana-hills-like rolling terrain, this climb goes
for about 3 miles at a moderate+ grade. This is where you get the
experience of making a long climb that is not the first long climb...

The descent from Jacks is long and moderate - let it fly. Beautiful scenery
and lots of free miles on this one. It takes you all the way to the start
of the climb to Unicoi Gap, no hilly stuff in between: just descend and
start the next climb.

Gap 3: Unicoi

Unicoi is about 3 miles of moderate++ climbing. The main problem with
Unicoi is that it is unshaded and can be very hot facing into the sun.

The descent from Unicoi is great. While the climb is relatively short, the
descent is over 10 miles all the way into Helen. The grade is steep enough
to be fun, but the pavement is good and the curves are well banked so again
this is not particularly dangerous. There may be a lot of traffic, the only
"down side". But the roadway is wide enough to accommodate autos and bikes
in most places. Stay aware of the traffic behind you.

At 1445 ft above sea level, Helen is the lowest elevation on 6-gap, thus
explaining why the descent is so long. (Dahlonega is 1880 ft.) And you WILL
pay a price...

Gap 4: Hogpen

This is the big one. Seven miles at a steep grade, averaging around 7% but
with some sections well above that. There are also a couple of false
summits. There's a rest stop at mile 4, with 3 to go. (The mile markers on
the highway actually correspond to miles on this climb.) Try to skip the
intermediate rest stop. If the weather is hot, though, you may need to just
get some fluid here.

The descent from Hogpen is dangerous. It is very steep. There are sharp
blind curves at the end of steep strait sections. The pavement is bad: old
chip-seal, broken in places, and loose gravel possible anywhere. The road
is narrow, and the camber of the turns is not adequate. The grade is such
that speeds in excess of 50 mph are possible just using gravity.

Someone said that if you don't brake, you won't flat: well, tell that to
all the people who have flatted on, say, our St Marks Trail. You can also
come up on wildlife, potholes, stopped leaf peepers, wet roadway, loose
gravel, pavement cracks, hickory nuts, crashed motorcycles, motorcycles
ascending in your lane, and any number of other hazards that require a very
rapid change of plans. Bad stuff CAN happen. I have personally seen
everything in my list above on the 6-gap course. It is unwise to descend at
a speed that allows for no margin of correction.

It is also unwise to brake too much, especially to ride the brakes. You
want to avoid heat buildup in your rims - eventually, this will cause a
blowout by melting your tube. (If you have plastic rim strips, failure will
occur at a much lower temperature. Change to cloth rim tape before 6-gap.)
And keep in mind: the heavier you are, the faster gravity will accelerate
you and the more heat you will put into your rims when you slow down.

There's no simple recipe here, just make sure you control your speed to
something that gives you some wiggle room in case of unexpected events.

Gap 5: Wolfpen

The second toughest climb on 6-gap. About 2.5 miles (depending on where you
define the beginning) with grades on par with Hogpen. The roadway is shady,
however, which is great if the weather is hot. (It's been known to sleet up
here, if the weather is wet.)

The Wolfpen descent is twisty but on good pavement with good camber to the
curves, so not too dangerous. It is often damp, though. Stay out of the paint.

Gap 6: Woody

The descent from Wolfpen takes you only down to Suches, home of the highest
elevation school in Georgia. Consequently the climb up Woody is a paltry
1.5 miles of moderate grade. From the top of Woody it's a 15+/- mile
descent of mild grade all the way back to Dahlonega. Try to have enough
energy left to enjoy it.

HOW TO SIMULATE A CLIMB IN FLORIDA

IMO: The only way to get a feel for climbing in Tallahassee is on a flat
road. We do not have seven mile hills. Hills around here are great for
building climbing strength and technique, but they can't give you a feeling
for the long sustained effort required for the climbs in the mountains.

Here is how to "feel" the climb to Neels Gap:

On a 20 mile stretch of relatively flat road, assume a climbing position on
your bike (hands on the top of the bar, loose grip, elbows out, chest open,
head up) and start a 20 mile time trial. Using your heart rate monitor,
maintain a steady heart rate at a sustainable level for the entire 20
miles. Let's say 85% of your maximum sustainable effort. OK, that's Neels.

Hog Pen: 30 miles at 90%

Wolf Pen: 15 miles at 90%

Etc.

The entire 6-gap effort can be simulated by riding about 130 miles in
Florida, making long sustained efforts of appropriate length. (Except, this
simulation is harder on your butt than 6-gap, and it's a lot less fun.
Plus, there's essentially no way to simulate the descents.)

ADVICE

It's all about energy management.

Stop at the top just long enough to get supplies. Rest on the bike going
downhill.

Be prepared for weather. I guarantee there will be some.

You can't have too low gears. Take all you have.

DISCLAIMER

Descending is never safe. Any time you are going 30+ mph in traffic there
is danger to be assessed and managed.

dsb137

Here's one for ya... If you have google earth you can 'fly' the 6 gap...
https://www.bikesbl.org/modules.php?o...ad39a3d3526919

GotSnow

Thanks for helping me out, Dave & Pedal Wench.
I've been able to find useful info on the links that you guys provided.

Are either of you planning on riding? I see that it is in your neck of the woods, Dave.
Also, do you recommend any must see's or do's while in the Dahlonega area?

Pedal Wench

Must do in Dahlonega? Carbo load!!!! (Got my eye on a Moe's burrito!)

You know -- there is one thing that the report I 'borrowed' touched on, but should be stressed. The split for folks doing the 3-Gap 50 comes up VERY fast on the descent from Neels. Be careful of riders around you trying to make that turn. Watch for people hitting the brakes, or cutting across to make the turn if you're continuing straight for the 6-Gap 100. The turn is just past the driveway for Vogel State park. Look for the signs.

One other tip. On most of the gaps, the Appalachian Trail crosses right at the top. So, just before the top, you'll see a little green sign with hikers on it. That means you just have a 1,000 feet or so to go.

GotSnow

I won't have a problem there.

Mental note made. I'm sure it's going to be pretty hairy. More than likely I'll be one of the ones cutting left, since I don't have great climbing legs yet. The guy I'm going with is doing the 6 Gap, I'll have to stress it to him.

Thanks for the additional tips.

dsb137

Yep, I live on the ride route... I may ride up Neels and do Hogpen, but I wasn't planning on doing anything 'official'. Dahlonega is pretty much 'Mayberry', everthing of any interest is pretty much on or near the square. There are a few decent restaurants, PW mentioned Moe's, there is also Pueblo's on the square, and a couple of italian places as well. Rick's reataurant is closed, but Rick is cooking in the Crimson Moon. The biggest problem you're going to have is that with all of the cyclists in town the restaurants fill up pretty quick, it makes for some pretty long waits. There are usually some cycling specific venders set up on the square on Sat. There is one bicycle shop in town now, but he's out by Walmart, maybe a mile or so from the square.

Disgression is definately the better part of valor when it comes to this ride. Last year my brother (mr. triathalon) came up from FLA to do it, I tried to talk him into just doing the 50 miler, but he insisted on doing the century. It took him over 10 hours to get thru it, and he was pretty much toast...

Have fun, and be safe... especially on the decents...

Olebiker

There's a Pearl Izumi outlet in Dawsonville with a pretty good pizza place next door.

Pedal Wench

Actually, any specific names for the Italian places in Dahlonega? We're looking for someplace with huge portions and cheap prices. Cyclists before a big century, go figure...

dsb137

Caruso's is pretty good, Piazza is better, but more expensive. They are both right on the square. For what it's worth, depending on what your pre-ride carbo load or post-ride recovery routine is, Caruso's also has the Dahlonega Brewery...

Tmax1

I heard this 6 Gap was "sold" out. Is this true? Or can you show up and register? ~jg

dsb137

I don't know, you'd have to call the chamber 706-864-3711. Last year the cap was supposed to be 1500 riders, I've heard rumors of between 2000 and 2200 having ridden. I wouldn't just show up, if they say they are full, you might ask to be reserve listed or whatever, that way you have something to fall back on...

GotSnow

Hey Tmax1-

You can still register online. I did this past Thursday and I received my confirmation today.