Mark Manner

I need a good hilly/mountain century ride preferrably this weekend in NC/GA or East TN (May 30/31). I can't seem to find one. Anyone know of a good one? Thanks for any help.
Mark

BikeWNC

The Ruby Ride in Franklin NC. It has a few good climbs, mostly front loaded though lots of short climb/rollers towards the end. I'll be there with several other BF members but on the metric.

jppe

Anything terribly steep on either the Century or metric? Just wondering if my 34/27 could handle the climbs or if I'd need my 34/32 setup (wheel being rebuilt and may not be ready by Saturday).

BikeWNC

On the metric whatever steep there is will be relatively short. On the century there is Wayah Gap which is over 3 miles at 9% ave grade. I guess the max grade is around 12%.

Mark Manner

Thanks for the link to the Ruby Ride. I took a look at the Ruby Ride site and it says the 100 mile route has around 10,000 feet of elevation gain. Looking at the elevation chart, I wonder if that is correct? Also, what are the roads like from a traffic perspective? Thanks for your help. Mark

BikeWNC

10K' is a bit optimistic. We did the Nantahala Loop which is the last 72 miles of the Ruby Ride and it had 5500' of climbing. Add about 2500' for the first 28 miles and it adds up to around 8000' total.

Most of the century route is very low traffic. There are two sections that will be busy though. One is through the Nantahala River Gorge on Hwy 19. You'll be riding downriver grade and the speed limit is 35-45 mph so it's not so bad. The part I don't like is after the NOC store on the climb out to NC 28. It's a narrow road for 3 miles. During the Nantahala Loop we start at the store and have a police escort through this section so it's fine.

The other busy section is on NC 28 just before getting back into Franklin. There's probably 4 miles that you can expect some traffic. Otherwise the route is really wonderful.

If you do the century, watch the descent on US 64 at Winding Stairs Gap. It is usually windy and it's steep. I take the lane and make the cars wait as I'm doing 50+mph anyway. Hope that helps.

substructure

https://www.3mountainmadness.com/

95 miles ~11,000' of climbing.

neked chicken

mark,
this will keep you in TN https://www.englishmountainchallenge.com/

i will probably do the metric i am still contemplating. i did this ride the first year and volunteered the next couple. the ride is mostly rolling until at around the 85 mile mark you hit english mountain. after the mountain there are a few steep hills.

wolfpack 

nah...34/27 will work...i'll be using 34/28 as usual and don't have any problems, other than just being slow climbing.

Mark Manner

Thanks for the link to the English Mtn ride. Will there be many riders based on your prior experience? Any particular traffic concerns on the route? Thanks again. Mark

Mark Manner

3 Mountain Madness looks good, maybe farther to drive than I can get Friday night. Thanks for the link.

NealH

The 3-Mountain Madness ride will give you a lot of climbing but, I would recommend not passing up the opportunity to cycle through the pristine and unspoiled beauty of the Nantahala Gorge area. Few places can match the rustic scenery on the Ruby route. And the century route includes two really good climbs - Standing Indian and Wayah Gap (as mentioned by BikeWNC). Wayah Gap in particular will be memorable. It is a switchback climb in the best tradition of switchback climbs. But its the territory and landscape that you're covering on this route that makes it so appealing. You would be remiss to pass on it.

neked chicken

it is not a huge event probably a hundred or less. if you come down on friday, traffic is always an issue coming in off the interstate onto hwy 66. if you do come, find a place to stay on hwy 66, or the landmark inn in sevierville, otherwise you will be dealing with tourist traffic in pigeon forge. also if you are on hwy 66 getting to the start will be a snap.
most of the roads in our county do not have shoulders, but because traffic is light(the ride is in rural areas) there usually isn't a car issue.

Mark Manner

I think I will head over to the Ruby Ride. Of course, I waited until this am to finally decide where I was going, and Active.com registration is closed. I just emailed the race organizer, but the email says that person is out until Monday, so I can't get confirmation that I can register in person Saturday morning. Does anyone happen to know if that is possible for certain, or someone else I could contact? Thanks for all the recommendations.
Mark

BikeWNC

You can register before the ride, that's what I plan to do.

Mark Manner

I will be there (Franklin, NC ruby ride) tomorrow, blue shorts/death valley jersey, colnago bike with zipp wheels(like giving a cro-magnon man a laser in my case).
look forward to seeing other bfers there.
Mark

jppe

We rode together at the lake and start of the River-I was in the Gaston County Jersey. I hope you made it back on Hwy 28 okay-I really enjoyed seeing the folks rafting but certainly had to keep an eye on traffic through there. Best of luck on all your hilly rides later this year. Let us know how they go.

Mark Manner

Hi. It is great to put a face to people you meet on BF. I enjoyed talking with you today. I had a nice ride after you guys rode away, with just a bit of trouble with the traffic on HWY 28 near Franklin--I took to the grass on the side of the road once when a car pulled out coming the other way and crossed the center line. It was a good spot so no problem. The Ruby Ride route is really beautiful. I also met one other BF person (maybe NealH or BikeWNC).
Good luck in Indiana.
Best, Mark

substructure

Anyone do the 3 mountain metric/madness yesterday? A couple of BF'ers were there. Me and truckin.
Brutal ride.