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cycling trip
Last Post 10/08/2021 11:23 AM by 79 pmooney. 23 Replies.
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longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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09/15/2021 06:53 PM
Just observing that our new normal in the SE is September is still summer so deluges in the mountains continue.
this aside I wish TL and his crew clear skis and empty roads.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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09/15/2021 08:03 PM
It’s not ski season yet I hope. I got my own 3 day bike trip planned (impromptu today) for next week in interior now that forest fires have been mostly doused. Forecast looks good, cool but sunny. A total of 415 kms on gravel will be somewhat ambitious given current form.

Whistler alpine may get a first dump of snow this Friday.
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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09/15/2021 08:14 PM
Have you ever met an outdoor group more optimistic and hopeful than downhill skiers?
thinline

Posts:323

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10/06/2021 10:23 AM
Had a fine time.  Got to Asheville a few days early (West Asheville) and used the bus system to get around and check out stuff.  Did a walking tour with a group called Hood Huggers to learn a bit about the history of the black community in Asheville.  Very informative.  I recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

As for cycling, we got some rain on 4 out of 6 days.  Generally not bad, just rained for a bit.  Most days :-) 

Day one was a nice ride intro to the area of a couple hours.  Marshall to Asheville in a meandering fashion on some great roads.

Day two we did the longer route option that featured an add on at the end of a climb up Elk Mtn. Scenic Highway to the BRP and a descent of Town Mountain Road to finish.  The climb was awesome.  Very cool switchbacks.  The descent started out as super fun but then it started to rain hard the second half where it was steep and twisty with increasing traffic towards town so we had to cool it. 

Day three was Mount Mitchell day.  Started out in the rain with a 4 or 5 mile climb to the BRP, then north with a loooooong piece of climbing (mellow to occasionally moderate grade for about 12 or so miles).  Thankfully, the rain had stopped and it was really quite nice, even got some views.  But, the last 2 miles of that we were suddenly in pea soup clouds, nasty cold winds, and cold, cold, sideways drizzle/rain.  Got to the lunch spot, ate quickly, and decided against trying for the summit of Mount Mitchell (another 12 miles or so, 8-9 on the BRP then about 4 on a road to the summit) given the weather.  One person out of the group did it but bailed on the bike and got into the support van just after starting back down.  He was freezing and in nasty conditions so opted for warmth and safety.  Can't blame him.  I was a tad jealous I did not go for it!  The fun part (after the fun 12 miles of downhill on the BRP), we again descended Town Hill Road but this time on dry pavement with no rain and little traffic.  Dang, that was fun!

Next day, rode to Brevard.  Okay, partway.  We stopped for lunch at the Sierra Nevada brewery and when we came out, strong winds gusting to maybe 20-25 mph and sideways DOWNPOUR rain.  Alright, into the van and to another brewery. 

Day five, freaking gorgeous pedal out of Brevard under blue skies and sunshine, comfy temps after a brisk start.  Rode through DuPont State Forest then veered off the standard route to the add on option section on a road called East Fork just off the Greenville Highway, and I suddenly realized, hey, I have pedaled here before.  It was on a trip several years ago that also used that stretch of road as part of another route.  Pretty cool and awesome stretch of pedaling. 

Last day, short ride before heading to the airport.  Beautiful but very chilly.  Numb toes and fingers but well worth it.

I have to give my sweetie and "atta girl" for her tenacity.  This is only her fourth season cycling (started at age 57) and she toughed it up all the long climbs, went for the long route options on all but the day three route (Mt. Mitchell day), which I think she would have tried to go for it if the weather was good.

All and all a fine trip if a bit wet and chilly at times.  Looking forward to the next one!

As to ski season, we are expecting a nice run of fall weather here in Vermont.  Foliage is peaking and skies are clearing right now.  Looking at several days of sunny weather in the 60-70 degree range.  I smell a lunch time pedal and maybe some end of day golf at the local mountain course!

Hope y'all are well.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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10/06/2021 10:26 AM
Sounds like a great trip, thinline! Too bad about Mt. Mitchell but it gives you an excuse to go back now!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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10/06/2021 11:26 AM
Posted By thinline . on 10/06/2021 10:23 AM
As to ski season, we are expecting a nice run of fall weather here in Vermont.  Foliage is peaking and skies are clearing right now.  Looking at several days of sunny weather in the 60-70 degree range.  I smell a lunch time pedal and maybe some end of day golf at the local mountain course!

Hope y'all are well.


Sounds like you had a great trip. Good that your better half is able to join in such challenging rides. My wife who also started recently isn't quite there yet. Next year we have a big goal to work towards, so fingers crossed.

Ski season is around the corner here too. Last Friday we went to see Golden Larches at Manning. They're a deciduous conifer that turns into a spectacular yellow right before loosing needles. Between the yellow, the bright sun low on horizon, first frost and some trace snow the conditions were nothing short of spectacular.
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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10/06/2021 05:12 PM
Good Ride Report, thanks!
What was your route from Brevard to Dupont? East Fork road is a clue. 276 east of Brevard always scared me (narrow, fast traffic, lots of retirees and rednecks), never rode on it ever.
thinline

Posts:323

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10/08/2021 10:34 AM
LSD,

We rode out of Brevard mostly using a bike path for a couple miles, then quiet roads (starting from pilot Cover Cabins).  We turned right onto a road into the DuPont Forest and immediately began a climb of a mile or so.  At the top on the right was an ice cream stand/snackbar by what looked like a campground if that helps you figure it out.  Descended about a mile then right into another climb, maybe 1.5 miles or a tad longer, then a short mild descent to a T intersection.  Turned left and a bit later turned right onto the Greenville Highway.  Took that for maybe 2 miles and turned left onto East Fork, climbed up by a fire station, went through a series of rollers before a steep descent with really tight hairpins onto the valley floor by the river.

Hope that helps!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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10/08/2021 11:23 AM
Thanks thinline. Great read! So you went to the mountains and were greeted by true mountain weather. How'd that happen? (I've been pretty lucky - or maybe just sheltered) - in my mountain ascents. It was 28 degrees at the top of Mt Washington my second time up but it was the TT. We weren't allowed to ride down.

I've spent about 36 hours in NC; visiting a high school classmate in Charlottesville, then my brother's MB graduation at Duke. May, green and beautiful. No bike.

I'd love to hear more about visit to the history of the local Black community. I had a very interesting time with my (Black) classmate. He picked me up at the airport, then he, his wife and I went to dinner. Nice restaurant. Seating was in deep booths. The staff was both Black and white and obviously got along and worked together well. Next morning, my friend and I went to a popular breakfast spot. Large open room. Tables of Blacks and whites in roughly the proportion of the city breakdown. Staff was both. Everyone got along. But at both places we stood out for being the only party that was mixed. And throughout the rest of my quick time in the state, I saw the mix of Black and white everywhere but only as work or other association brought them together. Not once as friends. (Sorry thinline. This should really be a separate thread. I'd cut and paste it to a new thread but I am still a Windows 10/touchpad beginner and selecting text correctly only happens when the gods allow it.)
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