I will lead a B+ ride if anyone is interested. The B+ ride is
intended for those who want a slightly slower pace than the A ride.
The B+ group will also be the sweep group picking up the many weenies
who retire from the A group. Please let Tony and I know if you are
interested in the B+ ride so we can get a count.
1. The B+ ride will follow the same route and rules as the A ride.
2. The overall pace will be a bit slower than the A ride, but will not
be leisurely. There are no leisurely rides in the mountains.
3. The route, not including the three major climbs, consists of
continuous rollers and long, steep inclines. Just that part of the
route is more difficult than anything we ride here in Raleigh at that
distance.
4. There are three mountain climbs on the route. The climbs are each
over two miles in length and there are no flat sections where you can
rest. It is a continuous climb all the way up. Mountain roads in
North Carolina were built following old goat and deer paths. If you
have ever seen a deer or goat climb you know what I am talking about.
During the pre-Nascar, moonshine running days in western NC the good
old boys had 400+ cubic inch engines ("got a hemi?") in their cars so
a little "incline" was no problem for them. Each of the three climbs
is "interesting." Sauratown, the first mountain climb on the route,
consists of three long switchbacks. Each switchback gets
progressively steeper and longer with lengthy grades of 10% or
better. It is probably the "easiest" of the three climbs but
psychologically seems very difficult because you can see almost all
the way up the last mile and your slow progress up the mountain is all
too evident and disheartening. This is the first climb on the famous
Three Mountain Madness (3MM). If you are new to mountain climbing it
will be your wake up call. When I ride in the 3MM as I am starting the
climb up Sauratown I get to watch the "big dogs" on their way down,
which puts them about an hour ahead of me less than 20 miles into the
ride. Talk about putting you in your place. There is no rest stop at
the top of Sauratown, only a turnaround, fence, bugs (yes, some bees
too) and a radio antenna farm. Next stop is Hanging Rock which is
ranked by the Rocket Man (Tom Sheffield
http://ncbc.addr.com/documents/Rocket_Man_Climb_Ratings.htm)
as the third most difficult climb in NC. It has several, steep
switchbacks with a 15% grade or more in some places. The bottom
section is the only place where you can see ahead for a few hundred
feet, after that the road twists all over the place. It has restroom
facilities (a good place to puke) and water available at the parking
lot off to the left before you reach the summit. I have had the
pleasure of bonking on Hanging Rock and it was all I could do to keep
from going down backwards. We finish with Pilot Mountain. No,
contrary to popular opinion, Andy Griffith did not ride his cruiser
bike up Pilot Mountain from the fictional Mayberry (Mt. Airy). But I
have ridden up Pilot Mountain, several times in fact, and lived to
tell about it - barely. Each time I am grinding and cussing my way up
Pilot Mountain I question my sanity. Rocket Man ranks it number 6 on
his list of most difficult NC climbs. But it deserves better in my
book. It is at the end of the route so you face it when you are
tired. And you will be tired. It has two switchbacks that are so
steep (~20% grade) that I have to lean over my handlebars jsut to keep
the front wheel on the ground while barely turning over the cranks.
The final mile or so is a constant 9-10% grade that just sucks the
life out of your legs. You are so high at the top you can see all the
way to Causfornia. There are facilities and a parking lot at the top
of Pilot Mountain. The first time I made it to the top on the 3MM I
rode over to a guy sitting on a bench and asked him to kick the c...@p
out of me so I would never do it again. But I did and he didn't.
Tony and I are toying with the idea of parking at the top of Pilot and
starting the ride there thus forcing everyone to climb Pilot at the
end of the ride to get back to the cars. Machiavellian, aren't we?
5. All that being said don't let me scare you off - "you can do it!"
I have done it - several times. Some suggestions though. a) You will
need proper gearing. A compact crankset with a climbing gear on the
cassette, such as a 25 or 27 tooth, is the minimum in my opinion. A
triple is better. One time I put a mountain bike derailleur, longer
chain and "pie pan" (34 tooth) gear on the cassette on my road bike to
give me a nice, low climbing gear. b) Know your ability. Pace
yourself throughout the ride and especially on the three mountain
climbs. You should have the experience and common sense to ride at
your own tempo. Everyone will have a different tempo and it is
important you find and ride yours. Don't try to chase down or ride
with someone faster and stronger than you on the climbs. You will
bonk - I promise. c) Be aware of cramping. If you are susceptible to
cramps on long climbs (like me) drink the proper amount of fluids and
take supplements you know work. I have used Lava salts with some
success. Others may have their favorite potions to recommend. d) It
is OK to rest on the climbs. Just find a place to pull off the road
and rest. I promise we won't call you names (at least until we are on
the way back to Raleigh). Getting started again on a steep incline is
another matter, one I will let you figure out and experience on your
own. e) Be careful on the descents - you will pick up speed rapidly
and the switchbacks can come at you in a hurry and surprise you (false
cambers, oncoming traffic, etc.). Make sure your brakes are in good
shape. One lesson I learned is to feather my front and back brakes
alternately to allow the rims to stay cool. It is possible to flat by
overheating the rims. Tony knows about that. f) You will get very
tired and need to make an extra effort to stay attentive to the road
conditions, other riders and traffic.
The good news is all of the mountain climbs are up and back down
(loops) so you can ride part of the climb or skip it entirely and wait
for everyone at the bottom. So come with us and enjoy some of the
"high country."
Gary
On Apr 5, 8:18 am, "Tony" <[email protected]> wrote:
> G's,
>
> Bert and I have scheduled a date for our spring mountain ride.
>
> Date is Saturday, May 15th. Mark your calendars!
>
> For all of you newbie Gyros, we have done this over the last 4 years in
> preparation for upcoming mountain rides.
>
> This year we'll make our trip to Sauratown, Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountains.
>
>
> The plan is the same as in the past. We'll meet at the Kohl's Store in Brier
> Creek early Saturday morning (6am), carpool to Pilot Mountain, have breakfast
> along the way, ride the course TOGETHER, and eat dinner on the return trip.
> So, if you haven't figured it out, this is a one day excursion.
>
> This is an A ride but B's are also welcome to join in IF you can get enough
> to establish a group. The point here is to ride and stay together.
>
> On every climb, the philosophy will be every man for himself but we regroup
> at the bottom and will continue our trek to the next climb. What's nice
> about this is that you do not have to do every mountain or if you make it up
> part way and realize that the task at hand is just too great, turn around and
> meet everyone at the bottom.
>
> I believe the course is around 55 miles.
>
> It's a great time and a fantastic workout for those of you that are doing
> Blood, Sweat and Gears or the 3 Mountain Madness.
>
> We have had many Gyros do this in the past so we expect a great turnout this
> year too.
>
> If you are interested, we would like to get a head count so please email me,
> OFFLINE, to let me know.
>
> If the weather looks iffy or too many Gyros have this date already reserved,
> we'll reschedule for a Saturday in June.
>
> More information will come as we get closer.
>
> Thanks, Tony
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