|
Originally Posted by Soarallover
(Post 6701819)
OK EVERYBODY!
I will most likely not be riding the Friday afternoon ride BUT I will be bringing - peanutbutter and jelly and bread - enough to make at least 8 sandwiches to stash at an opportune spot, most likely the top of the climb where we intersect the parkway. Believe me knowing they are waiting for you makes it easier, and one less thing to carry. Somebody should bring an ample amount of water, three gallons maybe, and leave them with the desk so I can stash that too. We need just one volunteer for that (the water.) anybody...anybody... WP a final head count is in order considering that there are dropouts so I know how many pjb's to make. sore all over We can coordinate the drop, and add the pbjs. |
final head count (as far as i know...):
The following people are confirmed for the Saturday & Sunday ride (5/17 & 5/18): wolfpack, BikeWNC, jschen, rnhood (NealH), soarallover, rm -rf, Velo Vol (Saturday, 5/17 only), Pugsly are you taking requests for jelly?? i can't eat that super sweet stuff - just too sweet. i may just bring my own - smucker's low sugar strawberry. :) i can volunteer someone to bring water if you want me to. :) it's hit or miss whether they do or not...how 'bout Jon??? |
well, i sent an email to Jon (Pugsly) asking him to bring 3 gallons of water. didn't see you're response, rm -rf, till after i'd done that. we should have plenty to eat & drink. thanks for bringing the stuff you're bringing!
|
I will wait untill you return to make the drop.
|
okie-dokie
|
I'm not sure what time I'll arrive on Friday. I might go out for a short ride in the late afternoon. Maybe I'll see your 2pm group on it's way back.
|
Okay, bike is put back together and loaded on the car. Bringing plenty of extra water, but only planning on carrying two bottles on the bike. Trying not to do anything stupid like forget my cycling shoes or something.
|
ok....bike is in the car, spare set of wheels, cycling bag with all cycling related stuff as well as 'regular clothes'....i'm sure i'm forgetting something, but as long as i have my bike, cycling clothes, helmet, shoes, my powertap, i'm good to go. i think.
see y'all tomorrow. |
Originally Posted by wolfpack
(Post 6703773)
....i'm sure i'm forgetting something
|
Originally Posted by wolfpack
(Post 6701193)
is it time to leave yet???? :)
So the weekend start times are 10 am? |
yes, i have beer. bought it yesterday during lunch.
and Velo it is at 10am tomorrow. heading out now to meet in CLT and have breakfast with jason & VV. |
Ride reports?
Here's my Friday non-ride report: When I was outside, it felt more like March than like May. :rolleyes: I hope tomorrow is a lot nicer. |
Ride report for the May 17 ride.
The ride was delayed for a few minutes because someone, ahem, with a long commute, arrived 10 minutes late. Thanks for waiting for me. Shortly thereafter, we departed. http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0242.jpg Heading downhill from the Pisgah Inn http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0243.jpg Descending off the mountain on US 276 As soon as we turned off the mountain, I got dropped like a lead weight. Downhill riding obviously isn't one of my strengths. I didn't catch back up to the group for miles. http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0245.jpg Along US 276 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0248.jpg A break to shed layers of clothing http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0249.jpg A golf course by US 276 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0251.jpg Agriculture along US 276 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0253.jpg Along US 276 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0255.jpg Field along NC 215 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0256.jpg The group riding on NC 215 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0258.jpg A more streamlined peloton Continued on next post . . . |
http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0259.jpg
Lake Logan http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0261.jpg Me posing on NC 215 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0264.jpg Group picture at Lake Logan Once we passed the lake we had a sustained climb up NC 215 for several miles. Despite the cool temperatures, I worked up a sweat. http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0267.jpg Me posing by a waterfall on NC 215 I enjoyed some cool spring water here. NC 215 gets a bit steeper past the waterfall. The tree cover opens up more, offering some terrific mountain views. http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0271.jpg Scenery on NC 215 http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0274.jpg Looking downhill near the top of NC 215. I'm intrigued by the bald mountains. Finally, I arrive back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0276.jpg View from Courthouse Valley overlook http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0277.jpg Food break at Courthouse Valley overlook. Thanks to rm -rf for the provisions and Soarallover for the sandwiches! http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0278.jpg View from Courthouse Valley overlook. The leaves have yet to come out at 5,000 feet. http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0281.jpg Graveyard Fields Continued on next post . . . |
http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0283.jpg
Looking Glass Rock http://www.brianarner.com/photogalle...1/IMG_0284.jpg Last climb up to the Pisgah Inn Distance: 51.7 miles Riding time: 3:45 Overall, an excellent ride. The weather was great, the riders were friendly, and the scenery was fantastic. This is what cycling is all about. Thanks to wolfpack and Bike WNC for organizing this event. |
|
I am glad you guys got back Ok. Karen should be back shortly as she had to drop Jason off in Charlotte. I just got back myself and, it was truly a great weekend of mountain riding. We just missed a 10K weekend, falling about 1K or so short. We changed the route today due to inclement weather which trimmed our climbing but, it's a good thing because I don't know if I could have done any more - my legs were zonked. Winter was apparently taking one last slap at the Parkway but, Spring was in Sylva so, that's where we started today's ride.
Great pictures Brian. The Pigeon Loop is absolutely beautiful. We refilled our water bottles from a natural spring spout and, it hit the spot after about 7 grueling miles uphill. I am sure Karen and Jason, will write full reports shortly. |
Well, just let me say, that staying up till 12:30am Friday morning and then getting up at 5am to prepare to drive to CLT to get Jason & have breakfast with VV & Jason, was, to say the least tiring.
Met those 2 around 8:30am at Ihop in CLT for breakfast and left around 10am for the mountains. Needless to say, we were way early for check-in. That was too bad, cause we both could've used a nap. We did "just" get started on napping when Jon showed up an woke us up. Andy arrived probably around 1:30pm along with another friend, Neal. Everyone got there stuff ready to go and we rolled around 2pm. Rode from the Pisgah Inn to Graveyard Fields with a few stops on the way at overlooks. Jon, Andy, & Neal before the ride: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...796800x600.jpg Andy, Neal, Jon, & Jason: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...797800x600.jpg Andy, me, Jon, Jason: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...798800x600.jpg Jason, Andy & Neal on the first long descent: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...799800x600.jpg My usual preferred riding location: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...800800x600.jpg One of the overlooks: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...803800x600.jpg On the way back, we stopped at an overlook, and WAY off in the distance is the Pisgah Inn. Not really visible in the photo (and Andy can tell you which mtn hump it's closest too), but it's there, after a bit of climbing: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...806800x600.jpg The wind was blowing so friggen hard later that evening, the trees were leaning! Seriously - it was VERY windy Friday night. http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...809800x600.jpg |
After arriving back at the motel, all the guys congregated at my room, which was on the first floor and designated The Partay Room. :D I told them I wasn't coming to their room because all of the guys were on the second floor and I didn't want to stumble down the stairs and get hurt. They could stumble up the stairs tho. :)
I forgot the camera when we went to eat...I wanted to get some photos of the awesome food & desserts, but, oh well, maybe next time. |
more...
OK...slept pretty well Friday night - didn't hear a thing, but the guys said that they felt the building shake a couple of times from the wind and it was pretty noisy. < shrug > dunno. I hardly ever hear anything. Up around 6:30am, back to sleep till around 7:30am, then off to the restaurant for breakfast with everyone. After breakfast, went back to the room and had a nap. :) All ready to go around 10am, but had to wait on one person driving in from (I think) Knoxville, TN. Once he got here, we took a few pics and then we're off. BRP to Hwy 276 = mostly downhill = lots of fun descending. Except for me - my bike sucks big time cornering now - after changing to a 0 offset post and a 90 to 110 stem, and I was very cautious. The bike feels like it just won't turn and wants to just plow straight through the corners. Really need to get that fixed....I was the last one down:( Picked up a friend of Andy's somewhere on that descent. Maybe he started at BRP/Hwy 276, dunno. Nice guy (i.e. good looking and nice legs:)). Before the ride, in the parking lot - Jon, Neal, Andy: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...814800x600.jpg Jon, Jason, me, Andy, Tim, Neal, Brian: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...815800x600.jpg Again, my preferred riding location, behind the guys: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...817800x600.jpg The guy behind Andy (2nd on right w/backpack=Andy's friend). Look at those legs!: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...830800x600.jpg the guys on Hwy 215: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...824800x600.jpg Brian (Velo Vol): http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...826800x600.jpg Jon being silly: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...831800x600.jpg |
still more...
more pics on Hwy 215 (or maybe Lake Logan Rd) before the climbing starts. http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...834800x600.jpg me at Lake Logan: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...838800x600.jpg The guys at Lake Logan: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...841800x600.jpg Neal: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...843800x600.jpg Dragonfly on Jon's wheel (at LL): http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...845800x600.jpg Lake Logan: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...846800x600.jpg Another group pic at LL: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...847800x600.jpg The climbing begins: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...848800x600.jpg And, off they go: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...850800x600.jpg |
....
Pretty much, after the climbing started, we got strung out a bit. I guess. I was riding sweep, as I said I would, so, I don't know what the guys did. I thought the climb on Hwy 215 was great - I would love to go back and do this ride again when I'm fully healthy. Yep. Knee/leg problems. Outside of left knee hurt pretty bad the whole day, but I stubbornly pushed on. I had one good climbing leg on Saturday and if I had not been in pain with every pedal stroke, I think I could have climbed a little better. There were times during the climb up 215 that I thought about calling Andy (should I have been fortunate enough to have cell service) and tell him he needed to ride on and get the car to pick me up at 215/BRP. That's how bad it was hurting. But, I'm too damn stubborn for my own good sometimes. :rolleyes: Anyways, there were lots of nice stops along the way...here at a waterfall and spring where we refilled our bottles. http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...851800x600.jpg A pic for the other SoCal women: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...853800x600.jpg Another stop: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...857800x600.jpg Brian (Velo Vol) and Jason: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...859800x600.jpg I stopped here to take more clothes off: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...860800x600.jpg The climb continues: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...862800x600.jpg The last 0.25mi on 215 up to the BRP was brutal. I have no pictures of this, as I could not pedal and take pictures as slow as I was going. I was really glad to reach the rest stop. Break at BRP/Hwy 215 where we had water & food stashed: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...864800x600.jpg View from BRP/Hwy 215: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...866800x600.jpg |
Back on the BRP, headed to the Pisgah Inn. This is at the Devil's Courthouse:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...868800x600.jpg Overlook, Andy says lots of good rock climbing... http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...869800x600.jpg The group at supper Saturday evening: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...872800x600.jpg Deer-In-The-Headlight-Look: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...874800x600.jpg Silk Pie "All The Way", Andy's dessert: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...877800x600.jpg Vanilla Ice Cream w/fresh strawberries: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...878800x600.jpg Jon: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...880800x600.jpg Jason: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...881800x600.jpg http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...882800x600.jpg Tim & his wife Denise: <photo deleted per Tim's request> |
Pics/report from Sunday will come in a bit....
It was a really great 3 days of riding (well, just 2 for me) and I'm ready to go back and do that loop again! Climbing 215 is not that hard, but was only made hard due to my knee/leg pain. Gotta get back up there sometime over the summer to ride it again. Who's going with me??? :) |
Thanks for a great ride, everybody! It was a bit of a tough ride for me (too much work, too little riding), but it's a great ride. Great ride profile, nice green scenery (the likes of which is not to be found in SoCal), and great company. A special thanks to BikeWNC, wolfpack, and VegaVixen for making this trip possible for me! :beer:
I'm in NYC now, to watch my sister graduate. I hope to write more about the ride once I'm back in SD. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:20 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.