Riding the Entire Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 5

The final day should be a minimal effort as compared to the previous days.  Departing from the Pisgah Inn @ MM408 and finishing our journey in Cherokee @ MM469.  We woke to the fog and clouds set in with light rain/drizzle.  We ate an excellent breakfast at the Pisgah Inn and headed out.  Today’s highlight would  be the highest elevation on the BRP at Richland Balsam, which is at 6,053′ @ MM 431.  There is also the 9-mile climb from Balsam Gap to Waterrock Knob.  We rode an easy pace since he fog and wind were pretty strong.  The only glimmer of sunlight was descending down to Balsam Gap.  We could see it was sunny in Waynesville, but we would get none of that on today’s ride.  It seemed to only be rainng on the descents, but that is likely due to the speed of the water hitting us.  As we crested the final climb several miles from Cherokee, it was literally all downhill from there.  A few tunnels to negotiate and we would be done.  Mother Nature threw us one last blow when a deluge of rain hit us with about two miles to go.  I just laughed out loud and pressed on.  Nice try Mother Nature, but I am sure she was just letting us know she could have been tougher on us for the entire route.  Gibbs’ dad picked us up at the end of the BRP.  We quickly loaded up and changed into dry clothes.  We stopped for a nice little buffet lunch in Cherokee at the Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and celebrated our accomplishment.

Thanks to Gibbs and Chris for joining me on this wonderful ride.  Special thanks to our wives, Heather and Stacy, for providing all the logistical support.  Kudos to Motion Makers Bike Shop in Sylva for getting us ready for the trip.  Shout out to Boone Bike & Touring for getting Gibbs going again.  I hope everyone enjoyed the trip summary!

Heading out on the final day!

6,053' - Highest point on the BRP

Finished!

Day Five Stats:
Distance: 59.88 miles (476.44 total)
Ride Time: 4:19 (34:47 total)
Elevation Gain: 6,237′ (47,226′ total)
Garmin Data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10259834

Projected Profile:

Actual Profile:

Riding the Entire Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 4

After a great stay at the Chetola Lodge, this day is to be the “queen” stage from Blowing Rock (MM292) to the Pisgah Inn.  We thought the Pisgah Inn was at MM400 when planning it out.  Gibbs informed us just before we started he double-checked and it is actually at MM408.  Now the ~110-mile day just got longer.  Ouch!  So we licked our mental wounds and headed out.  This would be the most scenic day as we rode the Linn Cove Viaduct at the base of Grandfather Mountain.  This is a breathtaking view that we never fully appreciated when we have ridden the Bridge-to-Bridge, which travels in the opposite direction during the event on the BRP.  When stopped in Little Switzerland for some fluids and to fix Gibbs’ low rear tire.  Then we rode towards the entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park.  We have all done the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, so we knew the ride from NC-80 to the park entrance would be tough, and it did not disappoint.  Once at the park entrance, we rested and regrouped, then headed on.  There was still considerable climbing on new asphalt to the descent to Craggy Gardens.  We looked forward to the long descent into Asheville and then pleasantly dreaded the Pisgah Inn climb.  The descent from Craggy down to the Folk Arts Center proved to be the worst part of the entire BRP experience.  The road down is riddled with potholes and such.  To their credit, they are working on the road, but having to ride in the other lane to avoid the holes and to ride a section in baby powderish dirt in traffic sucked big time.  The kicker was mother nature finally unleashed on us with heavy rain as we finished the descent.  We refilled bottles at the FAC then headed out as the thunder and lightning subsided.  We then wrestled across the BRP with 5PM weekday traffic.  Apparently this section of the BRP is a thoroughfare for local traffic from the Bat Cave Road area to Hendersonville Road.  It was a nightmare.  It was the second worse part of the entire ride.  Fortunately it was short-lived and we were soon on an epic final climb up to the Pisgah Inn.  Rain was coming down hard and the fog rolled in.  This, coupled with the long, dark tunnels, made the ascent to the Pisgah Inn an epic finish.  Once at the Pisgah Inn, it was time to clean up and devour some food.  The views from the Pisgah Inn are fabulous and the food at the restaurant is outstanding.

Grandfather Mountain

Linn Cove Viaduct

Entrance to Mt Mitchell State Park

View from our room at the Pisgah Inn after the storm

Another view from our room at the Pisgah Inn after the storm

Day Four Stats:
Distance: 118.79 miles (416.56 total)
Ride Time: 9:12 (30:28 total)
Elevation Gain: 13,921′ (40,989′ total)
Garmin Data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10256931

Projected Profile:

Actual Profile:

Riding the Entire Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 3

We departed the Inn at MM195 for an “easy” ride to Blowing Rock at ~MM292.  The BRP web site listed two detours for construction/repairs to the BRP near Blowing Rock.  The detours appeared to add about four miles to the day or ~96 miles.  It looked to have one long climb and a few short ones with some rolling hills.  We would cross from Virginia into North Carolina today.  Doughton Park offered a nice stop at about the 3-hour mark for fluids.  We reached the first detour at MM269.  There were dark skies ahead and the detour took us away from that, which was nice.  We stopped a truck and asked about how far out of the way the detour was.  We were going south and the northbound detour was routed a longer way, so we knew it would take us a short while to get back on the BRP.  There was a near miss with a dog just on the detour.  After a few miles and one medium climb, we were back on the BRP.  We went a few more miles and were detoured again.  The BRP web site had the second detour only being a short one.  Gibbs was noticing some shifting issues and he could not stay in the easiest gear.  This was concerning considering we could not repair a broken cable.  After winding through remote neighborhoods and waiting to arrive in Blowing Rock, we saw the sign for Boone City Limit.  Doh!  This was a tough blow as we had already gone 94 miles and only expected about two more.  However, Karma was good to us in that Gibbs could now just ride to Boone Bikes, and after an earlier call they said to bring the bike by.  Gibbs rode to the shop and Chris and I headed for the eight-mile ride to Blowing Rock.  Sure enough Gibbs’ rear shifter cable was hanging on by a thread.  A shout out to Boone Bikes for getting him rolling so quickly.  Chris and I arrived at the Chetola Inn happily just before it started raining.  Gibbs got there about 30 minutes later wet, but shifting nicely.  It was time to clean up and get some grub!  We ate at a great restaurant in Blowing Rock called the Bistro Roca.

Gibbs happy to be in NC!

Chris looks not sure why he is on this ridiculous ride...

Scott is happy and his feet are hot in these covers with no rain!

Day Three Stats:
Distance: 102.91 miles (297.77 total)
Ride Time: 7:26 (21:16 total)
Elevation Gain: 8,747′ (27,068′ total)
Garmin Data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10256931

Projected Profile:

Actual Profile:

Riding the Entire Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 2

Day 2 – We departed the Peaks of Otter lodge after a great dinner the night before in Bedford, VA (Bedford Social Club) and we look forward to a good ~110 mile day going to Orchard Gap, VA @ MM 195, which is just before Fancy Gap, VA and near Mount Airy, NC.  The legs feel good, although they can feel the previous day’s efforts.  Today we will slow the pace a bit, for this is a long series of rides.  We pass by Roanoke today, and have the longest stretch of all the days where getting fluids is not very convenient.  There is one spur road for the Virginia’s Explore Park, but once we got to the entrance to it we saw it would add three miles and unknown climbing to the already long projected day.  We talked to the gals the night before and they are planning to spend some time in Roanoke, and we would be there about the same time.  So they were gracious to bring us some water refills after some challenges getting through Roanoke over to the BRP.  The long climb of the day was just past Roanoke.  There were a lot of rolling hills and meadows on this stretch, with some home developments coming close to the BRP.  The Rocky Knob visitor’s center was a welcome site for a short break and refills.  The counter clerk was kind enough to give us fountain refills of cold water.  Thanks!  We did realize after two days’ of riding that the seat-mounted double water cages that the triathlon folks sometimes use are not good for the large one-liter water bottles.  Any bump in the road, mainly edges of bridges, would send any full bottles flying.  After a few near misses and a busted bottle, we deplyed some electrical tape modifications.  We narrowly avoided a big thunderstorm and only had a few drops and the roads stayed dry.  We got to the Inn and Cottages at Orchard Gap and were pleased to have another good day.  There was a short gravel drive that Gibbs and I walked up, but Chris attacked it and it attacked his rear tire the next morning.  We had a great dinner with Todd and Claire Collins at Goober’s 52 in Mount Airy.  We got the unofficial tour by Todd and Claire who are from Mount Airy.

(L-R) Chris, Scott, Gibbs depart for Day 2

The funky painted limo in front of Goober's 52.

Day Two Stats:
Distance: 109.2 miles (194.86 total)
Ride Time: 7:51 (13:50 total)
Elevation Gain: 9,690′ (18,321′ total)
Garmin Data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10252340

Projected Profile:

Actual Profile:

Riding the Entire Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 1

Prologue – Some friends (Chris Cooper & Gibbs Knotts) and I (Scott Baker) left on Friday, July 24th, 2009  and drove to Waynesboro, VA to depart on July 25th to ride the entire length of the BRP (http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/maps.htm).  Our plan was to do it in five days.  My wife, Heather, and Gibbs’ wife, Stacy, went with us on the trip and were gracious enough to haul our clothing and gear from each starting and ending point.  Many, many thanks to Heather and Stacy for their help and patience on this borderline ridiculous journey.  We mapped out an aggressive itinerary that allowed us to stay in places just on or off the BRP.  The first four days would average about 100 miles each day and the last day a paultry 60ish miles.  I mapped out the rides each day and got an approximation of the elevation gain from mapmyride.com.  As we learned after the first day, the mapmyride.com elevation gain numbers are inaccurate, and the actual amount was typically 20% MORE than we thought.  We got everything we needed or thought we would need and headed off.  Once we arrive and checked into our rooms, we had a great dinner in Staunton, VA at the Zynodoa Restaurant, only a 15-minute drive from Waynesboro.

Day One – We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Waynesboro, VA, which was about five miles from Rockfish Gap and MM0 for the BRP and where it connects to the Skyline Drive.  The weather was nice and the forecast was for hot weather.  Today we would ride to the Peaks of Otter lodge at ~MM86.  The route was very scenic and the first several miles offered some great views as we climbed.  This day we would ride to the lowest point on the BRP @ 649′ at the Otter Lake at MM63.  The following 12 miles to MM75 @ the Apple Orchard Mountain peak, the highest on the BRP in VA @ 3950′, would be the toughest section of the entire ride it seemed.  The 12-mile climb was in the sun, and with the temps in the mid-80′s and a slight tailwind, it was boiling hot.  Just before the top we neared the ridgeline and the most welcome cool wind I have ever felt came upon me.  We rested and regrouped at the top for the remaining 11 miles.  We pep-talked each other and survived the first day when we pulled into the Peaks of Otter lodge.

(L-R) Scott Baker, Gibbs, Knotts, Chris Cooper

Here we go!

This way? Rock and roll!

The highest point on the BRP in Virginia @ 3,950'.

No phones, no TV, no problem, just let us sleep!

Day One Stats:
Distance: 85.66 miles
Ride Time: 5:59
Elevation Gain: 8,631′
Garmin Data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10249368

Projected Profile:

Actual Profile:

Home at Last

Andy and I both got home last night after a long and awesome trip. I think it’s safe to say that we both loved the trip, but we’re happy to get home to see our families and friends. I hope everyone enjoyed the blogs while we were away. I’m off to Colorado in a few days with my friend Mark to go ride bikes again then it’s off to school. Talk to everyone soon.

Off to the Airport

After almost a month in France, Spain, Andorra, and Switzeraland Andy and I are off to the airport soon. It’s been one hell of a trip and one hell of a race. Yesterday was absolutely incredible. We were hanging out in the Automobile Club of Paris with Lance’s girlfriend and kids and all of his friends along with the president of Trek and basically cycling royalty. I think we’re both excited to get home to see our families and do a little recovering from our vacation.

Out from the Hotel d’ Aubusson Paris France.

Annecy TT

Today was absolutely amazing. After descending from Mageve down to Annecy we rode along the lake on the same route that the pros were racing down in an hour until we got to our viewing location where a full European breakfast was waiting for us as well as lake access with kayaks etc. After walking down the couple of kilometers to the start house and taking pictures with some cool pros Andy and I went back to the viewing location and had some cute French girls massage our butts for half an hour so we could work ourselves up to going up the climb to the hotel. We just got back from dinner at a local fondue restaurant where we ate our weight in cheese and meets and talked to our awesome French Algerian waiter who we suspect was high on drugs. When we got back to the hotel, we shared some glasses of wine with the receptionist at the hotel desk and talked about her life and her boyfriend who wouldn’t propose to her. So ends another night in one of the coolest places on earth and a day of watching the hardest race known to man that is coming down to the final stages. Yes, Charlie and Gloria I am getting your messages. Thanks for the well wishes.

Christopher

Col de Romme

Today was one hell of a climb. The Col de Romme was easily the hardest climb I’ve done yet especially since Andy and I really attacked this climb from the bottom. I think after nearly a month of riding some of the hardest roads I can think of, Andy and I are finally feeling a little tired. Tomorrow is the time trial. Friday we go down to Le Baux de Provence which is where we were for our “down” week and then on Saturday it’s the MONT VENTOUX where I’m pretty sure the entire race is going to be decided. It’s been so exciting so far, I don’t know how this race could get spiced up any more. I’m glad to see that my family has found their way across the internet cosmos to find the blog. Happy birthday, Jonathan. Much love from Megeve, France.
Chris and Andy (who is sleeping now)

Back to the Grind

After a week of down time Andy and I are hooking back onto the tour train. We’ll be driving to Annecy tomorrow afternoon and staying there for one night before we meet up with our Trek Travels group at the train station the next day. Andy and I just got back from our last dinner in Saint Remy. We ate at Mirabeau once again. I think we’re both very sad to be leaving, and I hope to make it back here again soon. I hope everyone watched Contador attack the field today. That was quite a performance, but I don’t think it’s the last we’ve seen of Lance. With a rest day tomorrow and then a flat ITT and Mont Ventoux the Tour is far from over. I think that the Tour has just started. Much love to our friends stateside, Chris and Andy.