Clearly the cold and climb had taken it our of us. The group of us slept in until about 7:45am. Check out wasn't until 10am so, we headed back over to the Log Cabin Pancake house where we decided to mix it up from the day before and ordered some more traditional breakfast food. I had a wonderful western omelet. Then it was back to the hotel to pack up and head to Asheville, NC. In new found efficiency we were packed up and ready to roll with time to spare. Our 1 1/2 hour drive was nearly doubled due to I40 being closed for a rockslide. The detour must have added 100 miles to our trip. As we neared Asheville, the traffic picked up so, we ducked off the highway and with a combination of Tom's man-compass and Bryan's black berry, we found our way through the city and to our hotel. Also equipped with a fire place. An added bonus.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
Our detour had added quite a bit of time to our journey so, we quickly geared up and headed out to the Blueridge Parkway on our bikes. The journey to the parkway turned out to be rather hectic. We had to take a detour due to construction on the direct route and road on 5 lanes roads along side full force traffic for the few miles to where the real riding begun. Our peril through traffic was worth it. The blacktop on the parkway was so smooth it felt like there was little to no rolling resistance. The road was smooth and scenic. However, we were not alone. The parkway in the area is used by those that want to circumvent the traffic in the city so, traffic was pretty heavy and there was no shoulder. We complained about people driving like idiots the day before but, that was nothing compared to what we were experiencing. There were far less curves and elevation and the speed limit was 45 opposed to 35 as it was on the climb to Clingmans Dome. The drivers were far less patient and they gave new meaning to close calls as they literally played chicken with one another to pass us. Just a few miles into our jaunt, we flew down a smooth descent for approximately a mile. At the bottom of the descent, there was an intersection and a bridge. We slowed from our 30+ speed and cautiously crossed the intersection. The joints were the bridge met the road were raised a couple of inches and each of used different approaches to cross it from bunny hops to simply slowing. A mile or so up the road we stopped for a restroom break. Upon our departure, Bryan discovered his approach of crossing the bridge was not entirely successful and we had our first and only flat of the trip.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
Soon after the ascent began. We stopped at the first overlook and took a few pictures.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
From that point forward, the theme was climb, rest, picture, climb. Along the way we ran into a sign the road was closed ahead. After approximately 13 miles and a short decent, we rode around a barrier and had the road to ourselves. From that point on the mission was simply to climb to the clouds. Contrary to the signs, the road was completely clear. As we climbed to the clouds the temperature began to drop. Likely due the time as much as the altitude. However, it was only 47 degrees when we left so, even a slight temperature drop was significant. Approx. 9 miles later we finally reached the cloud cover.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
After a unanimous decision to turn back we began our decent. It was then we realized just how much climbing we had done. The miles simply flew by as we raced down at 35+ mph. This time as a group, unlike the day before. Our route took us through the decaying tunnel we had passed through on the way up. This is where I experienced tunnel vision for the first time. I felt like I was going to lose my balance as my eyes focused on the light the awaited at the end of the tunnel. The return to the point at which we entered the parkway seemed to be racing towards us and after two huge descents, we were 1/2 of the way back. At this point, we were near the first descent and Tom informed us that he was struggling on the climbs. At this point fingers and toes were completely numb from the drop in temperature and 9 + miles of racing into the wind. Once we reached the exit, Tom pressed hard through the city traffic and detour to get back to our hotel and the sweet relief of the hotel's warmth. Or ride amounted to approx. 45 miles. Again, we huddled around the fireplace and took showers to warm our frozen bits and pieces. I thought the day prior's shower felt great but, it was nothing in comparison to this one. It was once again time for our nightly recover meal and beverages and we called a cab to bring us to a local micro brewery that also served pizza. Our cab picked us up, piloted by Bobby, the comedian, cad driver who entertained us with bad jokes and a smoker's cough until we reached our destination. Turns out we may a fantastic choice and we ended up at what must have been the best micro brew and pizza place in town. Not only was the beer wonderful but, the pizza was made from scratch. As we destroyed a Caribbean and Greek pizza and must have sampled every dark beer in the house. Using Michigan sample size glasses of course. That being a pint.
(Cold Mountain)
We were up again at 8am and raced down to the hotel’s buffet breakfast. This was no normal, half *ss buffet. It was a full layout, eggs, sausage, potatoes, yogurt, waffles, etc. This was the real deal. After a few trips to the buffet, we were ready to plan the day. Though there were some complaints from the group, I felt amazing and was ready to ride. Trusty weather.com, which had been failing us all weekend stating it was not raining as it down poured, stated that the temperature would be near its 50 degree high as earlier as 11. So, we geared up and were off by 10am to the start of the legendary Cold Mountain climb.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
The weather was windy and chilly but, the gloomy cloud cover that had blocked out the sun the previous two days had disappeared. I actually needed sunglasses. Tom had sung praises about Cold Mount but, I had no idea what I was in for. The ride out to the legendary 10 mile climb was about 9 miles. I was a pleasant, scenic ride along a river with little to no traffic. The view was breath taking but, dotted with what can only be described as shacks, old cars, yards filled with tied up hounds and trash. Our spirits were high as we began the ascent.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
I had survived the previous two days with my lowest gearing being 42-25. After the past hours of climbing, I was confident I was ready to take whatever Cold Mountain was going to throw at me. After all, it was only 10 miles to the top right? I even commented how the climb seemed easier than the last two days as I dropped back and snapped a few pictures
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
As the road’s curves turned to switchbacks, the grade became much steeper. Michael and I started to pull away from Tom and Brian and the pace seemed to instantly turn serious. I decided that I was ready to take whatever Michael was planning to dish out. Soon after I began to question my confidence in my gear. Or lack of it. I was ready to eat my words concerning not requiring lower gearing. Michael and I powered up the first few miles. The wind started to pick up after about mile 4. It was then I realized we were going all the way to the top. No waiting to regroup today. As we climbed I’d move along side Michael as we reached the relief of the straights but, fall just behind as then incline increased in the turns of the switch back. By mile 6, I was out of gear and I was force to get off the saddle and mash each time Michael would downshift and I began to fall behind. The rest of the climb was a battle of will. I struggled to stay on Michael’s wheel. The final two switchbacks were a true test. Relief came as we reached the bridge and our turn to get on the Blueridge Parkway. Michael and I decided that though we had not reached the highest point of the climb, it would be best to wait and regroup before moving on. We were lucky that the section of the parkway we were about to ride was again closed. So, we had the next 10 miles to ourselves. The views at the beginning were tremendous.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
As we ventured forward, the road was littered with debris. Apparently, the road was closed for just cause. The trees had been topped due to what we later were told to be an ice storm. It looked like a tornado came through or a bomb went off. The road was so quiet and desolate, we even ran across a bobcat.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
Besides debris, our closed section of the parkway was filled with wonderful views, ice covered rocks, snow and the occasional chunk of ice in the road. The descents in the section were commonly followed by a short up hill that could easily be climbed given the 30+ mph we would pick up on the downhill just before it. We reached then end of our private section of the parkway and took advantage of a photo opportunity as Tom and Michael convinced a friendly sightseer to fill up their water bottles.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
As we reached the end of our parkway, my bike was really suffering the abuse of the climbs and rain. The left shifter was locking up on and off and my cables were clearly stretched to the max so, shifting was very poor. I was happy that the Frankendale had made it as far as it had without issue and hopeful it would complete the trip. Next was essentially the reverse of our ascent. A road winding down the mountain side, then a peaceful ride to the beginning of the ride.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
Near the top, my front tire actually began to skid as I crossed a crack in the blacktop and I decided that I’d take a conservative approach on the way down. The group waited for me at the bottom of the steep winding fall to the base of the mountain. We regrouped and road the remainder of the return to the vehicle. Apparently, we were still descending as we easily maintained 27+ mph after forming a pace line as Michael towed us home. In the end, our ride ended up totaling just over 44 miles. Definitely, the best all around ride of the trip and quite possibly my favorite ever.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Subway for some much needed nourishment. After cleaning up, we headed back into Asheville and another local micro brewery. The beer was equally enjoyable as the night before and I experience sweet potato fries for the first time. I would have never guessed they would be so delicious.
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| From Precision Adventures - March 2010 Edition |
(Return Trip Home)
In the sake of time, I’ll keep the trip home commentary short. We left just after 6am for the 12 hour drive home. At least 9 of which end up being in the rain. We rotated drivers and kept ourselves busy telling tales and favorite events of the trip and using a stop watch to time mile markers to determine our speed. We arrived safe and sound in Canton. Narrowly, escaping a traffic jam on 275.
Can't wait til next year.
Quote of the trip:
"Y'all talk so fast, you make me feel stupid." - Random, Asheville Local
Nice work Adam, fun ride, fun read.
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