I have done races, centuries, and double centuries, but it was last year's Tour de Tuck that spawned an idea for my dream ride. Climbing the mountains of the Blue Ridge provides for much challenge, solitude, and soul searching. Battling feelings of self doubt and accomplishment; surrounding yourself in pain and beauty. Why not do it for a week? My own mini Tour: Five stages, 476 miles. The Blue Ridge Parkway.
Yup, here's the plan: Me and four other dudes roll up to Virginia, take to the bikes, and end up on the other side of Asheville 5 days later. We have a fully stocked SAG wagon, rotate drivers, and keep ourselves well fed. It is that simple. Look, these guys did it. I lifted some information from here and there and this is what I came up with:
Stage 1: Waynesville to Peaks of Otter: 86 miles, 8600' total ascent.
What a nice way to start the tour. One hundred feet of elevation for every mile. An appetizer for the main courses to come.
Stage 2: Peaks of Otter to Fancy Gap: 113 miles, 9700' total ascent.
The legs will be feeling it today. The second longest day of the tour only has one major climb, but the rest of the profile looks like a saw blade. Make it past this stage and your body should become acclimated to the pain and numbness that still awaits.
Stage 3: Fancy Gap to Blowing Rock: 95 miles, 8700' total ascent.
Through the halfway point and into North Carolina, no looking back now. Thankfully today is an easier day, as tomorrow is the queen stage.
Stage 4: Blowing Rock to Mount Pisgah: 117 miles, 13, 900' total ascent.
By all accounts, a beast of a day; this alone could be anyone's most difficult day on a bike. Precede this with the first three stages and it becomes epic. The denouement. Passing near Grandfather Mountain and Mt. Mitchell, this stage features two peaks in excess of 5600'. As if this weren't enough, the last 20 miles contain nine tunnels and are all uphill.
Stage 5: Mount Pisgah to Cherokee: 60 miles, 6200' total ascent.
Make sure you set aside at least four hours for the finale, for the shortest day also contains the highest peak; the Richland Balsam at over 6000'. The last ten miles of descending should prove to be quick and emotional, but no worries, you'll have the rest of your life to reflect on what you just did.
Anne and I have been talking about doing something like this for a while. You can count us in on this one!!
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