jppe

I was up in the NC mountains with family this weekend and rode from where we were staying to the top of Mt Mitchell-highest point east of the Mississippi. Most of the ride was on the Blue Ridge Parkway which in this section is either going up or going down-no flats. Since the BRP is closed to Mitchell from the south there was very little traffic on the road. Most of the grades are in the 6-10% range.

Weather was very typical for Mitchell this time of the year. Cold, windy and cloudy. It was perfect for climbing and very chilly descending until about 4000 ft. I thought there were would more riders doing the climb from Marion preparing for the Assault but I only saw 4-5 others.

When I had got to the top of Mitchell I was really surprised to see that I'd climbed about 6600 ft in 30 miles. There was only 2000 ft of climbing the last 35 miles so I wound up with 8600ft for the day.

Miles 15 to 30 are a part of the Assault on Mt Mitchell and it was so nice not having 85 miles in the saddle prior to hitting this section. As I was moving along I was reminded of the several Mitchell rides I've done and especially the first one. There's a spot about 7 miles from the finish I'll always remember from my first Mitchell. I was so tired physically and mentally at that point I got off my bike and literally started talking to myself out loud trying to summon the where with all to get back on the bike and finish. After a good talking too I got back on the bike and managed to finish to the cheers of my family.

My legs felt the best they'd felt in a long, long time. I was even able to keep my HR around 80% of max the entire ride. The only thing I did differently this past week was drink a beer. Guess I'll have to include that as a part of my weekly recovery.......

Here is the profile. Sure was a lot of climbing for such a short distance-but it sure was fun!! Just wished I would have remembered my camera that I left back in the cabin.

big john

Great ride jppe! That looks like something I would enjoy struggling through.

MTBLover

Bravo jppe!

kycycler

as I remember the Assault is 11500 vertical in 103 miles. 7000 ft come in the last 30 miles. I remember the section form Marion to the BRP to be the most difficult of the ride.

barryflht

Do you ride up the road to "Little Switzerland" to pick up the parkway??? #226 or something like that.... I ride that on my motorcycle and if that's the one, it is tough indeed.

jppe

I started at the top of Hwy 226 where it meets the Parkway so I didn't have to do the climb on this trip. Gosh that would have added at leat another 1500 ft in about 5 miles. I doubt I would climb 226 anyway but I would climb 226A which is the one that comes out at Little Switzerland. It's a little rougher but much less traffic to deal with-except for motorcycles! That's a good idea for the next time!

Hermes

Well done.

RockyMtnMerlin

I'll only say this one more time. You....make....my....knees....hurt. A well done sir!

Mojo Slim

I was going to post about my 67 mile ride with 4400 feet of climbing. I don't think I will mention it now, though.

scvroadie

Awesome job, jppe. Looks like a fun ride

John,

I always thought that you only went on rides where the climbing rate over the course of the ride averaged 100 ft per mile, like up on AC.

LynnH

Wow!

SaiKaiTai

Puts the 1800' in 50 miles I did on Saturday into some kind of perspective.
OK, it was first 1/2 century, ever but you, sir, speak a language I do not understand.

Nice job

big john

[QUOTE=scvroadie;6682082]Awesome job, jppe. Looks like a fun ride



John,

I always thought that you only went on rides where the climbing rate over the course of the ride averaged 100 ft per mile, like up on AC.

You know me, I'll do anything. What are you doing this weekend?