Congrats to PAlt for a fantastic ride on Bridge to Bridge yesterday in 6hr 16 mins and just missed a top 100 finish. If I can figure out a way to disqualify 2-3 riders we will get him in the top 100!

BtB is a 101 mile ride with 9100 ft of climbing with about 6500 ft the last 50 miles. The longest climb is a 12-13 mile climb up Hwy 181 where you pick up about 2800 ft of elevation. But this year they had to change the route to the last minute and include Shulls Mill Road which is a 5-6 mile climb that ordinarilly is not that difficult, but when you start climbing at 80+ miles it makes quite a difference. Add to that a 4 mile,a 2 mile and a 1 mile climb before the entrance to the featured climb of the day-Grandfather Mountain. GFM is a 2 mile climb that gets steeper as you climb and ends with a nice 200 yard kicker at the end. About 2/3 of the way up you pedal around Forrest Gump curve which was featured in the movie.

(Neal and BikeWNC-Hwy 221 was just recently torn up so they took us up Hwy 181 to Linville-Hwy 105 down to Shulls Mill and then the BRP to the entrance to Grandfather-thus the long climb from Julian Price back up to the Viaduct-yuk)

Yours truly started cramping at just 25 miles but managed to stay with the lead group until mile 50 where we had averaged about 23 mph with about 2500 ft of climbing. When we started the long climb at 50 miles I sat up and nursed cramps all the way-and just got slower the further I went. I ate bananas, gulped electrolyte pills, ate electrolyte gels and drank lots of fluids but it was just my day to cramp. It was pretty warm for a September day but thought I'd be acclimated to the heat and humidity after a summer of riding in 100 degree weather.

I gave it up at 90 miles and caught a ride with my daughter. It was my first DNF other than a mechanical so that was a real bummer. I've wrestled over and over with cause and effect and finally determined it just wasn't my day. I'd done a number of centuries over the past month and thought I was at least positioned to finish-and probably could have but it simply got to where it was just not worth the effort.

I rode 600 miles in a week in Colorado and never cramped once. I think I'm going to move there.....

Some other people I know rode and also finished-even thought it took them over 9-10 hours. My hat is off to anyone that finished yesterday!!

Congrats to PAlt-we need to get him a 50+ polka dot jersey!!!

Wow, great time Pat! Sorry to hear about your cramping Joe, I know that has to be frustrating. You probably made the right decision though. A cramp on the wall up Grandfather's would likely result in a fall. Summer doesn't seem to want to give way to Fall, it was hot here too.

Congrats to PAlt! A great time given the difficulty of that route. I've been wanting to ride the B2B but it just hasn't worked out for one reason or another. Perhaps next year.

And I know what those cramps feel like Joe. I hate those things! I've pretty much avoided them the past couple weeks but, I'm more careful about hydration and, I'm trying to use lower gears when I would otherwise "mash" on over a hill. I still feel a twinge every now and then but it doesn't go anywhere.

Its good to hear they are resurfacing 221 as it was needed.

Thanks to jppe as well as Neal & Andy...that finish certainly made up for my bad day at the RAIN ride earlier this summer. Jppe & I rode together in a rather large front group for that first 50mi., a fast pace but it didn't seem too bad. When the real climbing started at the 50mi. mark, it was just about riding my pace, keeping the HR under control, and not burning all the matches before the end.
At about 80 miles, just getting on Old Shulls Mill Rd., my hammies spoke to me a bit, but stretched it out and made the Shulls Mill climb OK. I felt all right on the Parkway, and got a few more twinges just before the entrance to Grandfather. I figured at that point I couldn't quit, so just put my head down (while screaming under my breath with some pain) and powered it up to the top. That last 200yds. are killer though, as you're out there in the open and the assembled crowd can see you to cheer you (or pity you) on as you try to make it up the 15%+ grade and finish. Nowhere to hide, but the motivation there at the end is a big lift!
This was my best effort of the season in climbing (or any) event(s) in terms of time, vs. feet gained and grades, managing my fluids and nutrition, as well as riding smarter, so I could finish well and satisfied with my efforts.
Thanks again guys!!!

Nicely done PAlt. Cramps suck but as you said, sometimes it is not your day.

Great job PAlt. It does read like you nailed the ride. I can only imagine the satisfaction you are feeling.

jppe, no need to beat yourself up over a bad day. I bet if you went out next week and rode the same route you would own it. We all have bad days and rides, yours came at a time that wasn't good for you.

Congrtulations PAlt

Cramps aren't anything to ignore, jppe. You were wise to end the ride....there's always the next time!