BikeWNC

Just a heads up for a great ride next weekend April 30, out of Cashiers NC. The Tour de Cashiers offers 3 ride lengths of 25, 63 and 100 miles. If you want some climbing to tune up for the Assault on Mt Mitchell the metric and full century rides have it! These are my local roads and I can't recommend this ride highly enough. Bring your climbing legs!

https://www.tourdecashiers.com/

mvanderk

Looks like the two major climbs are Ellijay and Cullowhee Mountain Rd. I'm familiar with Ellijay climb as it is a regular ride for us Franklin riders but what is the road condition of Cullowhee Mountain Rd? I was under the impression it was less than desirable for road biking.

BikeWNC

Cullowhee Mtn Rd is paved just like Elijay. It's a more difficult descent than either Tilly or Elijay because it is more technical and often has some loose gravel in the switchbacks. The metric rides up CMR and the century avoids it completely by riding in the opposite direction up Tilly and Walnut. We often have a Sunday ride leaving the Jackson County Rec Park in Cullowhee and ride the Ring of Fire route over CMR, Pine Ck and Elijay.

Creatre

Read about this ride in the Assault's blog, definitely looks like a good tune up ride for Mitchell. Wish I could make it. Have fun to all that are going.