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-   -   Just an idea on a C & V event. (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/814616-just-idea-c-v-event.html)

puchfinnland 04-30-12 04:52 AM

Just an idea on a C & V event.
 
In 1997 I had the chance to bike skyline drive and the blueridge parkway.
it was most likely the best trip I have done on 2 wheels.

Well Italy has their L'eroica and france has their event, And If do say there could not be a better piece of road to tour on.

Now this is just an idea-
I think the best time is when the fall colors come around.
Anybody interested?

http://www.bikingwithbill.org/Editor...eRidgeRoad.jpg

http://www.romanticasheville.com/ima.../waterrock.jpg

pastorbobnlnh 04-30-12 05:24 AM

It's a great idea. A year ago DrRobWave and I met up in NC and rode for two days. I was never more challenged! Both the constant climbing and by mechanical issues.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...nchesBald1.jpg

There are also logistics to consider. IIRC, there is very limited camping on the BRP-SLD. Lodging is not abundant but can be found. On the Parkway lodging is basic but moderately priced. If riders can go down into surrounding towns, less expensive motels can be found, but often times the climbs back up to the Parkway are of TdF Cat 1 quality.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...FinalStop1.jpg

We met a group of about 6 riders at the high point on the BRP. They were on their last leg and were riding about 70-100 miles per day. They dealt with logistics by one rider taking a day off to shuttle their gear and their van. Their plan made a lot of sense to us.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...tHighPoint.jpg

puchfinnland 04-30-12 05:32 AM

I think having a van with seats and a trailer is a start.
everybody needs to take a layday and drive the van,- and nobody wants to haul their stuff,
my old man really loved to be our driver back then and enjoyed the trip maybe more then us!
maybe every evening people meet the van, and drive into a small town for beds.

I have seen on the net arranged 14 day tours and they even list every stopover place-lots of free info there for us to steal.

maybe an idea is to split a large group into 2,
group 1 N to S
and group 2 S to N
this way we get cars back to their owners by driving only back to the mid point?

only thought with the fall is the leaves-wet-slipery?

RobbieTunes 04-30-12 05:39 AM

My son and another friend's son will be at UNC-Asheville next year.
That's always a consideration for "duty drivers."
I built a bike to ride with the two Rev's, and tornadoes struck in April to waylay my plans.

Fall is a great time, but hotels/lodging fill up in that time span due to the foilage.
A long-standing NC tradition is to go to the beach in July, hit the mountains in October.

wrk101 04-30-12 05:46 AM

+1 Fall is a great choice timing wise.

+1 Roads to and from the Parkway are the toughest climbs.

Pisgah Inn is right on the Parkway along with a nice restaurant, with camping across the street.

Lots of great side trips: Mt Mitchell, Boone, NC, Asheville (Biltmore Estate, etc.)

I think a van or shuttle is a necessity.

Thrifty Bill's dumpy duplex/bike workshop is available for primitive lodging, bike hospital, or whatever.

Italuminium 04-30-12 06:11 AM

WOW, those pics make me want to book a ticket to there right away. Unfortunately (:)) I'm already signed in for the Eroica! Maybe if this event gets a bit more momentum I'll be there next year.

Velognome 04-30-12 07:23 AM

1 Attachment(s)
I think it's a great idea. Sided trip to the Peaks of Otter, on a clear day please!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=247488

20grit 04-30-12 07:48 AM

If anyone does the parkway, I'd be more than happy to come out and meet them on a weekend or during the evening. If mechanical issues arise, I have some tools that can help too. I'm also right on the Bicycle Route 76 if anyone's ever done or is planning to do that.

puchfinnland 04-30-12 08:29 AM

Well it was my Idea. but I can admit I currently live in Finland(may change very shortly!)
I have arranged simmilar events in Finland for over 10 years.(small craft one week sailing event)
these are some of the things that I needed to address:
catering- its is far easier to have only one option-full catering
In this I mean either have planned mealstops where there is a restaurant where people can
choose and pay what they wish, or arrange package lunches for everyone in remote locations.
If a few people want to feed themselves to save money the group becomes divided at mealtime
and this also causes stress at departure times.
lodging
if possible find locations that cater to both roomies and campers
some of us prefer a room, some of us are too cheap/poor and prefer camping. so the evening
location has to be planned to take care of both of us (this was the major reason I retired my
event as the "POSH" people started demanding the event to be catered to them-thus the
most beautiful parts of the route had to be omitted for accommodation reasons.

following vehicle-
I think a small bus with trailer(enough to transport us all?- nobody wants to carry anything if
this is arranged correctly.this is to be fun not murder, spares to keep us going would be good
how far is realistic for each day?
I arranged that we start same time and stop for lunch(regroup) and continue for the evening
location, this also allows us to have 2 starts, slow riders can start before the faster ones so
we stay together, nobody wants to be the last ones.

good questions for us all.

How long should this event be?
long weekend
week
more?
this could be arranged same place every year, or it moves to different locations every year, this way we get to see something different-but this also means a new group to arrange in their neck of the woods(good thing) but also it is easy to do the same thing every year with the same group of people and service providers.

I think it could be a package arrangement. for xxx dollars you get the following vehicle,catering for x meals, the other times is pay yourself, rooms arranged(deposit) and transport back to the start arranged among the group.
there should be a small profit margin to help give the volunteers marketing,phone bills,recon work expenses. If this wheel starts turning we may get a "big" sponsor to help-this is totally realistic.

I am sure for some it would be easier to borrow bikes from some of us horders then to transport your bike to and from.


I am happy to help and advise- I am not trying to run this thing, or make money.
If a good team of planners comes forward it would be great.

all the best- Mike in Finland

norskagent 04-30-12 10:56 AM

Here are some logistics to consider for mountainous NC portion:
The southern end of the Parkway is at milepost (MP) 460-something.
Waynesville is at ~MP 440, but there is a major climb (Mt. Balsam) beforehand.
Mt. Pisgah Inn / Campground is at ~MP 405.
Asheville is at MP ~380, and it's mostly all downhill from Mt. Pisgah to get there.
Mount Mitchell is at ~MP355, and it's mostly all climbing from Asheville.
Mount Mitchell is just a notable waypoint, no accommodations.
Little Switzerland is just off the Parkway at ~MP330, it has a motel/restaurant (reservations may be necessary).
Blowing Rock is at ~MP295.
Virginia state line is at ~MP215.

I would be inclined to stay in Asheville for one night if I were doing this, the beer and food there is worth it!

seypat 04-30-12 10:59 AM

Somewhat on topic for this thread, but are any of you VA/North Carolinians doing the Storming Of Thunder Ridge ride on May 20th? I signed up and will be doing it on the trusty 72' Lejeune.

http://www.stormingofthunderridge.com/

20grit 04-30-12 12:07 PM

I'll be playing music at Big Walker Lookout that day, otherwise, I'd probably try it.

seypat 04-30-12 12:23 PM

20grit, my father got remarried at the ripe age of 71 between Christmas and New Years. They took their honeymoon last week and spent it in your neck of the woods going up and down 81 visiting the various Bluegrass/music historical places and events.

On a sidenote, will a 52/40/32 triple and a 14-28 rear cog be enough to get me through the Thunder Ridge ride?

20grit 04-30-12 01:23 PM

I don't think you'll have a problem with that triple. I ride the Wythe County area which is somewhat similar with a 53/39 x 12-26. I'll admit, there are times I just walk, but generally, I don't have problems. I've not ridden anything close to a century, but there are other riders around here riding similar Double gearing and doing those distances.


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