Originally Posted by
BikeWNC
Do you still have your Mitchell number? If so, I would really think about it this year. You're riding well from what I've seen.
After 60 or 70 miles, my rides seem to start leaning towards survival instead of enjoyment. I have the Mitchell ticket but, remain concerned with the distance and elevation gain. At this moment I am sticking with the Marion plan....though I've been known to change my mind on occasion.
Originally Posted by
jppe
I did the BRP climb from the top of 80 to the top of Mitchell a month ago. The climbs are about 3 miles, followed by a 2 mile descent and then a 2.5 mile climb. I hate the 2.5 mile climb. While not terribly steep, it just seems to go on and on and is probably a little steeper than the previous climb.
Once you get onto the road up Mitchell, just grind it out until you get to the gate at about 2.5 miles. It's not a bad climb on fresh legs, but with about 100 miles in the saddle it just feels like 15% but it is only around 8-9%. Then it flattens out a little with one little kicker just before the parking lot.
I was going to ride the 80 to Mitchell route myself a couple months ago but, the weather pre-emptied my plans. I did manage to ride up Mitchell though, in cold, windy and rainy conditions. It was tough.