(I'm not sure if this should go here or elsewhere since it mentions organized rides, so mods, please move if this is the wrong spot)

My wife decided she wanted to join me for a weeklong bike tour, but only if there is a SAG. That means my UP trip is out, and I need to find an organized ride that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The ones I found that fit our schedule & budget are DALMAC and CNC. DALMAC is a nice choice since its close to WI, but CNC goes from Asheville to Wilmington, and my grandparents live in Canton & Warsaw, just outside the start/finish so we could extend for a family visit. Has anyone got some experience with either of these two rides that could shed some light on the difficulty of terrain or organization of these events? BART is also possible, but its not by anything and is still a long distance away so we are ranking it 3rd right now. We don't want the "party" atmosphere that seem to be associated with RAGBRI and BRAG. DALMAC doesn't seem to have this from the ride reports I've seen but I can't tell about CNC. Anyone have suggestions?

Budget = $1000 ($500 Per person) + travel, with the total not to exceed $2000. Are there any other late summer (After Aug 20th) weeklong organized tours that would fit?

for CNC questions, try posting your questions to the Carolina Tarwheels Bicycle Club listserv:

https://www.tarwheels.org/mailman/lis...tarwheels-chat

Depends on where the start is in Asheville, and which route they are using, the grades are brutal in and around that area, once you get below Hickory, it flattens out and is much more tolerable. The NC Mountains to the Sea trail includes a 35+ mile climb up into Asheville....not fun if you are not a seasoned rider. Would it be possible to join the tour a little further down the line? Or perhaps find a shorter sponsered tour like a MS ride?

Aaron

Since you have family in Canton, you presumably know what the mountains are like in western NC. They are not for the timid or once-in-a-while cyclist. wahoonc has it right--the rest of the trip, from Hickory on, could be delightful. However, central NC in August is quite hot and humid. I happen to like it that way, but folks from up north tend to be caught off guard during the summer and really suffer.

Carolina Tarwheels is a good organization, so the other person (I'm not going to try to type that) is right on with that suggestion.

Good luck and have fun.

I've done DALMAC 4 times - the quad century twice, the 5 day west, and the 4 day east. Terrain is pretty much a non issue with the 5 day west other than the Wall on the 4th day. The quad century sees significant hills on days 3 and 4, but with enough space between the climbs to allow one to recover. The 4 day east is the flattest of all the routes. Appropriately, the rides attract distinct types of riders. The 4 day east and 5 day west riders are pretty laid back, very sociable, and mainly looking to have an enjoyable ride. Look for riders on these routes to take time to smell the roses! The 4 day west riders are a bit more serious about riding, and average speeds will increase a bit. The quad is composed mainly of riders who enjoy pushing themselves, and their riding buddies. Even though the terrain is a bit tougher, average speeds will be higher on the quad than the other routes.

All the routes are very well run. The only things that will stand in your way of an enjoyable 4 - 5 days of riding would be terrible weather, major mechanical problems, or being not at all prepared for the ride (mentally and physically). The icing on the cake is the ride across the bridge at the end!

I've done CNC for the past 3 years and will go again this year. Great ride! The mountains are tough, but do-able. I'm surprised at the shape of many of the riders who do this ride. They not only do it, but many pass me! The shower trucks are adequate, transportation into towns after the ride are good. Rest stops every 12-15 miles. The mileage is usually pretty long, 60-75 miles a day with no rest days. Entertainment nightly and usually one beer night.

I think CNC is in late september or october. I wouldn't do it in mid-August....ick! Yes, I know the hills (I think you can actually call them mountains there, right?) are major. I'm not worried about myself, but my wife would need some serious training to prepare for it. Her low gear is either a 26 or 28 / 34 on a 700c, so she can probably spin most of the grades at 4-5 mph and walk the walls. I don't think 70 miles per day is that bad, since you have 9 hours to do it, but again, its all dependent on how my wife is doing.

Thanks for the input.

I live in NC, so I'll give you my opinions. It think this year's CNC is probably the best route to date. First the dates are Oct. 2-8, not in Aug. as previously posted. LY's weather has some passing showers on the first day and then sun and 60's the rest of the week. Oct. is a great month in NC. Some fall color in the mountains and foothills and the ocean water is warm enough for Canadians or Minnesoteans to swim in. Historical Disclaimer: on CNC ran into a hurricane (Floyd?) and some riders reported that had a day with over 5 inches of rain.
Asheville is a special town and great for biking if you are in reasonable shape. You could easily spend a few great days here sightseeing and cycling. The highest peak in the East (Mt. Mitchell, of the famed Assault) is about 38 miles from downtown (and 4000 ft above). The CNC ride from Asheville will be at the end of the day a downhill ride. There will be some climbing in the first two days, make no mistake. But as one rider posted earlier, people of all ages and abilities do this ride and manage to make it through the "hills". This year's first two days will undoubtedly will be easier than last fall's ride.
The middle section through the Piedmont is fairly rolling hills and back roads. Lake Norman, Davidson, Concord, and Albermare are all pleasant stops. The finish in Wilmington and the beaches there is a great end to a week long trip. Especially if you have family at the end of the tour.
CNC does 1/2 week and daily options so you may be able just to do the days at the end, or whatever meets your needs. You and your partner may have different ideas about how to spend the week.
Another great tour is the FANY ride across New York. www.fanyride.com