What Are The BIG American Bike Rides?
10-11-11, 01:43 PM
#51
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https://www.adventurecorps.com/dvspring/index.html
Beautiful place, sometimes you get headwinds in both directions on the out and back course. Fun!
eta: The KOM series is also a hard, but fun way to spend a few saturdays... https://www.planetultra.com/KOM/index.html
Last edited by DScott; 10-11-11 at 01:46 PM.
10-11-11, 05:23 PM
#52
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There is no such thing as a "must-do" big ride as far as I'm concerned.
Huge rides with thousands of people are their own type of animal. If that's your thing, by all means track them down and go for it.
I do large rides once in awhile, but I prefer smaller ones because you can focus on the ride itself rather than dodging idiots.
Huge rides with thousands of people are their own type of animal. If that's your thing, by all means track them down and go for it.
I do large rides once in awhile, but I prefer smaller ones because you can focus on the ride itself rather than dodging idiots.
10-11-11, 09:23 PM
#53
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Some excellent suggestions here - thanks to all who posted.
The reason I'm asking:
I've just spent 3 years gearing up for - and finally completing - a huge "bucket list" item (not cycling related). It involved training, saving, organization, and a huge effort all round. And now that it's complete, I find myself at a loss! So I'm looking for the next goal, the next mountain to climb, the next item to train for - and I'd prefer it to be on the bike.
I'm intrigued by BRAG, STP and Ride The Rockies. (I know they're different types of events, but they look interesting.)
I definitely plan to do that next year. I'm not sufficiently cycling-fit to do it this year, because since RAGBRAI, I've been off the bike and climbing mountains. That ended last week, though, and I'm back in cycling training now...
LOL - I'd start as early as possible, blast past the few slow-pokes in front of me, and would be left with serious cyclists. That's what I did at RAGBRAI.
Regarding riding in a crowd: I don't mind it, but am equally comfortable with just a few friends. So a few non-crowded rides I may consider soon are Skyline Drive, Virginia, and riding US Highway 1 in California.
I'll spend a few hours researching the other rides suggested in this thread...
The reason I'm asking:
I've just spent 3 years gearing up for - and finally completing - a huge "bucket list" item (not cycling related). It involved training, saving, organization, and a huge effort all round. And now that it's complete, I find myself at a loss! So I'm looking for the next goal, the next mountain to climb, the next item to train for - and I'd prefer it to be on the bike.
I'm intrigued by BRAG, STP and Ride The Rockies. (I know they're different types of events, but they look interesting.)
Regarding riding in a crowd: I don't mind it, but am equally comfortable with just a few friends. So a few non-crowded rides I may consider soon are Skyline Drive, Virginia, and riding US Highway 1 in California.
I'll spend a few hours researching the other rides suggested in this thread...
10-11-11, 09:56 PM
#54
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Some excellent suggestions here - thanks to all who posted.
The reason I'm asking:
I've just spent 3 years gearing up for - and finally completing - a huge "bucket list" item (not cycling related). It involved training, saving, organization, and a huge effort all round.
The reason I'm asking:
I've just spent 3 years gearing up for - and finally completing - a huge "bucket list" item (not cycling related). It involved training, saving, organization, and a huge effort all round.
10-12-11, 05:03 AM
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Harpeth River Ride - Franklin, TN in June; Lance Armstrong rode in it this past June 2011. 1500 riders first class support.
Sunrise Century - Clarksville, TN - very flat about 1200 riders
Jack & Back MS 150- leaves Franklin , TN and goes to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN where you stay the night and then return.
Sunrise Century - Clarksville, TN - very flat about 1200 riders
Jack & Back MS 150- leaves Franklin , TN and goes to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN where you stay the night and then return.
I wish they'd bring back the Leaves of Lincoln Century in Fayetteville. That area on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau is great for cycling. Rural, hilly, and you never know what you'll find in the next valley.
Last edited by bbattle; 10-12-11 at 05:06 AM.
10-12-11, 05:08 AM
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I would love to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Natchez Trace and the Katy Trail. Or head up to Colorado and try some of the ToC stages.
10-12-11, 07:51 AM
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+1, although I did a bunch of them. The worst part is descending with morons, then comes standing in line to pee or get food and water.
If you're just going to start early and blast off the front to be alone then why do the big group thing? Just do the route yourself with friends.
To me, the ideal size for an organized ride is under 100 riders, all of whom know how to ride around others.
If you're just going to start early and blast off the front to be alone then why do the big group thing? Just do the route yourself with friends.
To me, the ideal size for an organized ride is under 100 riders, all of whom know how to ride around others.
10-12-11, 07:56 AM
#58
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^^ Yes! One of the nicest organized rides I've ever done was the Angeles Crest Century.
However, some riders seem to love having an audience for their amazing feats and accomplishments. I, on the other hand, prefer that there be no witnesses.
However, some riders seem to love having an audience for their amazing feats and accomplishments. I, on the other hand, prefer that there be no witnesses.
10-12-11, 08:13 AM
#59
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Kilimanjaro
Pictures / travelogue here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1103015...46095148485202
Interesting - I'll have to look into this, as I will probably be relocating to Crossville (Fairfield Glade) within the next 2 years.
Pictures / travelogue here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1103015...46095148485202
Interesting - I'll have to look into this, as I will probably be relocating to Crossville (Fairfield Glade) within the next 2 years.
10-12-11, 09:45 AM
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Grand Fondo in NYC sounds pretty cool.
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