SemperFi87

Anybody doing this metric century? I have never done it before, but it looks like a pretty good ride.

https://www.bmcc.us/id42.htm

NealH

I've been wanting to ride it, as I have heard its a good ride and plenty hard. However, the problem is that it falls on the same date as the Roan Moan event, and I really like this one. The climb up Roan Mountain is a fat burner indeed. I am going to write both organizers and see if they can put a week between the two next year.

SemperFi87

That's what I was looking at too, but H,P, and A is about an hour closer, so that's where I will be. Good luck this weekend

PAlt

I'll be there. Closer to me as well.

Kostritzer

I've done HP & A several times. It's a great ride that is done very well. There is some excellent Parkway riding, the opening 6 mile climb and the 18% Mahogany Rock climb for highlights. There are some tough hills after Mahogany too so you have to save a little energy before you get to the 6 mile downhill to the finish. It seemed like the first couple of times I did this one, the downhill was clean and smooth, even at the top winding section, but last year there was some gravel and junk up there so be careful on the way down. Once you get to the straight part you can usually just let it fly and get close to 50mph.

wolfpack 

hmmm, i have no plans for the weekend...i may try to get up early tomorrow and do this ride...may see some of you there if i make it. wp.

Nota

I did so much tick-tacking getting up Oaklahoma & Mahogany Rock, I damn near logged a full English century.

I had an abysmal time (4:53) , but I knew that going into it, as I've hardly been on the bike at all in the past 5 weeks, and I'm about 40-50 lbs more than I want to be. Oh well, at least did it, and I pedaled all the way up Oaklahoma & Mahogany Rock, without stopping. Nearly had a f'king coronary, but I did it. That was my main goal. I'm satisfied. Better finish time next year.

How 'bout you; didja have a good ride?

wolfpack 

well, i've been sick most of this month with a cold-turned-bronchitis and just took 3 days off work last week due to that....have not ridden nearly the mileage i'm accustomed to....i didn't think i was gonna make it up Oaklahoma, but i did and just about puked once i stopped.

i bailed at some point close to the 3rd rest stop...cramping, headache from hell, and generally feeling bad...no point in making myself any worse. i'll be back next year though. did a write up on my blog.

Nota - nice to finally meet you. damn people with their triples!

Nota

Sorry you weren't feeling well, WP. If you made it all the way up Oaklahoma, you did well; that was a m'fer, even for me, on my triple. I so wanted to bring the Trek, but I knew I'd be dead in the water with that gearing, when the hills turned shaprly upward, so I opted for the trusty ole (Bianchi w/the triple) steed.

I managed to make it up Oaklahoma sitting down the whole way, though it was trying indeed. Mahogany Rock, otoh, was a different story altogether. I managed to sit all the way up to the 50 yd line, but after that, I was a stand up guy. I honestly didn't think I was gonna make it up it. The last 30 feet, I damn near went down, twice. I'm in awe of the people that did it on a double. There's absolutely no way I could have; not with this extra 40+ lbs I'm dragging around right now.

wolfpack 

yea, Oaklahoma was very hard. hardest climb i've done in a really long time except Allison Watts in WNC. i had to stand a couple times and i think i may have finished out of the saddle. gawd, that was hard. i sorta watched other riders and how they climbed that 6mi and a lot of them got out of hte saddle frequently - i tried it and it seemed to work ok...

if i can drop #20 by this time next year, i should be able to climb a little better.

sammabe

Great ride yesterday, and it kicked my butt. I've clocked 400 miles since ive started riding, and I thought i was gonna be ready, but i was WRONG. I managed to do the 33 mile route in 3hours. Oklahoma was TOUGH, but i managed to do the whole ride without getting off the bike and walking.

I was on a red/white cannondale carbon 5 synapse, wearing a red/white plain jersey.

wolfpack 

you did great! i didn't walk either, but damn, if i didn't use up all the road surface, tacking back 'n forth to get up that climb. i definitely want to go back and ride this again...

SemperFi87

Hey all,

Well, I made it in just over 5 hours, and considering that I have had over two years off until about a week and a half ago, I am pretty happy. I wasn't warmed up well enough, so I had to stop at the bottom of the really steep grade on the opening climb, but other than that, I made it up everything without stopping, even that stupid wall that someone dropped in the middle of the course. After about mile 40, it was clear that I hadn't ridden that far in so long, my legs were sooooo tired, but I made it just fine. Bridge to Bridge is my next big challenge, then a two day MS ride. It's amazing how fun being back on the bike is.

jppe

Glad lots of folks had a chance to ride. Matt does a terrific job putting on the ride. I rode in the first one along with some others and use the route as a training ride as it only takes 60+ mins from the house. I don't even take route maps with me on it anymore.

Last time I rode it I met Max-a puppy on the start of the climb of Mahogany Rock Rd. I had to pull into the driveway where he came from to get him out of the road so an oncoming car would not hit it. I always worry about pulling out on the BRP from Mahogany Rock when doing it solo. There is noone there to spot traffic and there's just no way to stop pedaling before you get onto the BRP.

Nice views along the BRP for the short stretch you are on it.

And if you can crack 4 hours on that ride you've done a really nice day's work!!

And the country store before the entrance to Stone Mountain has really good burgers....and ice cream.

sammabe

omg you arent lying, the ice cream is great. If you ever get the chance, get the blueberry pie ice cream, its amazing.

I'm lucky enough to live 15 minutes from the start of the course, so hopefully I can get some training in before next years ride.