Steve530

The Cherohala Challenge will be June 16, 2012.

Registration is now open. Here is a direct link to the registration webpage.

Note the Smoky Mountain Wheelmen website has changed www.smwbikeclub.org.

Velo Vol 

What happened to the flyer or event information?

https://www.smwbikeclub.org/cherohala-challenge/

Steve530

Sorry, I don't know, but I'll ask.

Steve530

At this point the best information is on the registration website.

If you have specific questions, post them here and I'll try to find the answer for you.

Velo Vol 

I'm familiar with the ride. I've done it several times.

My point is, if I was trying to promote it, I would put a lot more information out there. Even rerunning what was on the site last year would be better than what is there now.

Someone from the club asked to use pictures I took last year. But they're on a separate page from the ride description.

Doesn't make sense.

Steve530

VeloVol,

I agree. I don't know why your photos were not linked or why there has not been more promotion of the event.

My point in posting here was to inform people on this bbs that registration is open.

Steve

RacerOne

I signed up for this ride on the advise of a friend.. I too am seeing a lack of info as it comes closer. Any of you guys know about how many and where the rest stops will be? Same route as last year?

Steve530

I'll check if the route and rest stops are the same as last year.

Steve530

The routes for the 2012 Cherohalla Challenge are the same as the 2011 routes, and the rest stops are in the same locations.

RacerOne

Thanks Steve 530, that helps a bunch.

NealH

I can't make it this year but its a great event. One of my favorites. Hope you'll have a nice cool day (the heat is always a risk this time of year) and I hope to be there next year.

Velo Vol 

Weather was great. I got a bit overheated leading into the first rest stop on the Skyway, and got a bit too much sun, but otherwise one couldn't ask for a better day. The Dragon was even relatively quiet.

Sadly, I wasn't quite in century shape. Had some cramping on the ascent and other minor discomforts, but I survived.

Steve530

Glad you made it in. The weather was about perfect.

I was driving SAG between the top of the Cherohala and the Dragon. Hauled a couple of people to the top, gave out some water, and fixed one flat tire.

I heard the fastest group made it in in a little under 5 hours. Apparently, they drafted a motorcycle down the back of the Cherohala. I followed the last rider in about 6 PM.

It is quite a challenge.

JayhawKen

That was one of the best rides I have ever done. Loved the course, the climbs and especially the descents. We don't have any climbs that last longer than maybe a mile or so around here, so it was fun to dial up a certain level of pain and hold it all the way to the top. Before the start I set a rough bogey of under 7 hours, and I made it with about 10 seconds to spare riding solo the entire way. Now I have a mark to try to beat next year.

Awesome course - already looking forward to next year!

RacerOne

Truly great ride and support from the event staff. Never before, until this ride, has a volunteer offered to fill up my water bottle as I rode into a stop.

Steve530

I noticed there were about 25 people from 2 different clubs with jerseys from St. Louis. That's a pretty long drive. Glad you thought it was worth the trip from Missouri.

Steve530

Glad to read that the support was appreciated. I'll pass that along.