FINI

We made it.  The 60 mile closing leg today included a climb to Balsam Gap at 6035ft, the highest point on the Parkway.   We descend a couple of thousand feet and then add back two more climbs of about 7 miles and 4 miles respectively before we  enjoy an incredible descent to mile marker 469, the end of the Parkway.

We have logged over 470 miles and climbed over 48,000 feet.   We will blog one last time tomorrow with our lessons learned and some additional stats, just for our own fun.   But tonight, we are celebrating the conclusion of our tour and tomorrow we celebrate our leaders 50th birthday.   Thanks for reading.  This has been great fun.

RB2, Ralph, The Deisel and the SAG team.

The road to Pisgah

The road to Pisgah Mountain on our penultimate day was to be both challenging with some large climbs but also offset with a long fast downhill into Asheville.  However, we were added a few more challenges for the day. 

We left Little Switzerland and started our uphill climb toward Mount Mitchell where we planned to have lunch.  On an early ascent, a pair of turkeys galloped across our path.  The butterflies were dive-bombing us as we slowly made our way up the mountains.  It was another beautiful morning.

After enjoying our lunch, it was time head down our descent to Asheville.   Unfortunately, the road was under construction.  As we dealt with that and weaved around cars, Kelly went to shift to the large ring, the chain broke and snapped his rear derailleur.  He reported that mechanical parts were flying everywhere.   Candidly, he was fortunate it did not flip him right in front of the traffic.  When asked for a response, Kelly muttered somethling like "*#$%&*@!".  Thankfully his helmet did not crack as it bounced off the side of the mountain. 

Our SAG team rounded him up and got him to a bike shop in Asheville where they did a great job of getting bike fixed and back on the road in time for him to finish the ride.   The finish, of course, is a climb of 2500 ft to Pisgah Inn. So to summarize Kelly's;  Start with hard climb - break bike - $$$bike shop -- end with hard climb.    Actually, we are grateful that all is back in order and we get to finish our ride today into Cherokee.

We are feeling good and ready to get started today.

SUPER SAG TEAM

As you can imagine, we are having a great time.   However, none of this could remotely be possible without our SAG team taking complete care of us.   Wade and Mary Lipham have been incredibly generous by volunteering take care of us this week.  They have seen to our every need and more.  They have kept us fully supplied (Caps and Skinners for everyone),  hauled our gear, kept us fueled, washed our clothes, and nursed our aches and ailments.    You often hear the phrase "we could not have done it without them", but is has never been more true.

It has been great fun to have them with us on the tour.  Candidly, that gray Isuzu is one of the more welcome sites we see as we clear a 2 mile climb on the way to a SAG stop.  We know rest is ahead. 

In addition to the SAG, we will have a CD full of photos of our trip, courtesy of the SAG team.  That will turn out to be terrific, since we intended to take a lot of pictures along the way, but we more often became concerned with getting from point A to point B.

Mr and Mrs. Lipham (or mom and dad).   Thanks.   We truly appreciate you.

Noahs Ark

We left the hotel this morning at about 9:30 am.   We rode about 1.7 miles back to the parkway and saw the animals all lined up 2 by 2.  We knew at that point it was going to be a long, wet day.  It started raining on us from near the beginning of the ride and then the sun came our when we sat for dinner.   We got soaked.   The wind gusts were incredible and the predictions were up to 30MPH.   We are not sure how high they got at the peaks.  However, during one coasting downhill run, we hit a gust that dropped us to 9MPH.   

Regardless of the weather, we are grateful for the short 47 mile run today.   It was a splendid trip.  Kelly lead us with strong pulls up some good long climbs.   The wet downhill runs on the rainslick surface with rain pelting you in the face at 35MPH were "epic".  (We have been wanting to fit in that word and today was as good of a day as any.)  

Along the way today we continued to see great views.   Early in the ride we came upon Lake Price with a beautiful mountain backdrop that demanded a photo.  One particularly spectacular scene was over Lincove Viaduct  where the storm clouds swept the mountains and the view turned you back onto the roads that we had just traversed.   At one point when we were finishing a descent and into a solid cruising pace, two deer sprang from a meadow and "raced" along side us out in a open pasture.   The deer won.  For lunch, we took a side tour of about 3 miles to Linville Falls and we took a quick hike out to the falls for photos.   Definitely worth the detour, the falls were beautiful.

We surpassed the 300 mile mark today and stopped at 335 miles at our evening resting spot, Little Switzerland.   An early end at 3:30pm, allowed us to get dried off and down to the ice cream shop before they closed at 5pm.   After just relaxing for a while and enjoying dinner with our SAG team, we have a thrilling night of cards lined up.   We plan to retire early tonight as tomorrow has some of the "best" climbs of the week.  As I write, we are already calculating all climbs tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading.   We are all feeling good at the moment.  Certainly the miles and

hours in the saddle are starting to accumulate, but we are all doing well.

Little Switzerland

This morning we have slept in a bit...because we could.   It is a relatively short day into a place called Little Switzerland.  We start out with a big climb and then a rolling descent into another big climb then into what looks like a downhill that will be great fun.  We end the day of a short 47 miler with a final climb.  We are looking forward to a quick run of it.   There are added dimensions that we are facing today.   Wind and Rain. The absolutely beautiful clear skies that we have enjoyed the first 4 days appear to be gone and it looks like we are getting wet today.   Funny how a little rain will make you instantly appreciate and yearn for the sunshine. 
By the way, Kelly won the card game last night.   He always does.

Halfway Stats and More

We are a bit past the halfway point:

• 292 miles
• 20,909 feet of climbing
• Top Speed : 41mph
• Avg Speed : 13mph
• Avg Climbing Speed: 7mph

Things we learned

• Up = Boo
• Down = Yeah, then Boo
• Aquaphor works great
• The precise locations of "sit bones"
• Photos do not do the ride justice
• 65 miles is a good day
• 85 miles is not
• Geological Surveys lied....these climbs are greater than 6%

• Pack less
• Take your time and enjoy the view
• 13 miles up hill is a long way -- save your fuel
• Legs hurt, then go numb, then hurt again.
• Drafting behind Brian is good
• Drafting behind Boyd is not
• Kelly can out-ride us all

Two More Days

Apparently if you do not get on the blog every night, you lose those that follow.  My apologies, last night was a bit harsh, and we had no Internet, or phones, or.....  

Bluffs Lodge

Last night we stayed on the Parkway at the Bluffs Lodge after solid day of riding.   We covered another 65 miles that day since we left Floyd, VA.  We really did have a blast today, however, my cycling position was often regulated to the rear.   Some of the descent we had heightened all of our senses, to say the least.   The finishing views were some of the best we have seen all week as the sun was setting in across the valleys.

Tonight we are staying in Boone, NC at the Alpen Lodge, yes I spelled it right.  A 60 mile day with a few solid climbs and corresponding descents.   We all have recovered from various aches and ailments, rebuilding our confidence.   After a thrilling night of laundry and dinner, we are headed to our first card game of the week.  Probably, the first night any of us have actually felt like doing anything but recovery procedures and sleep. 

So far it is everything we expected it to be, and a bit more.  

Day Two

Day Two --

We start the morning having breakfast by the lake in Peak of Otter.  We are all feeling better after a nights sleep.  Today is only 80 miles and we have a couple of big climbs, but nothing like yesterday. 

First section is rolling, for the most part and we lose some altitude.  The rolling hills and pasture land that we pass is exceptionally scenic and the weather is clear, calm and starts in the high 60s.  I guess you could say, it is a perfect day for riding.

The morning ride has no hard climbs and the rolling work is welcome.  Really the scenery is spectacular.   From the rolling pastures dotted with homestead and juts of boulders to the cascading blue hues at each of the overlooks.  We each comment that "this is more like it".   We go from just trying to get from point A to point B and begin to enjoy the ride, notating milestones along the way.

As we amble about the road, we meet up with a man who is 60 years old and just built his bike.   It is outfitted with a leathers brooks cycling seat.....it only takes about 1000 miles to break-in.   Ouch.  It turns out, we leapfrog each other all day. 

Just before lunch, we descend into Roanoke and cross the Roanoke river.   It is beautiful to glance over the edge as we pass and see the water cascade over rocks and small falls.   We continue on and meet our SAG for lunch at mile 125.  We are feeling great, which is good, because we have to start another climb.

This climb is not as bad and we finish feeling strong, relatively speaking.   According to our notes, it is just 30 miles to go to our finish and they look to be relatively rolling hills.   Ooops, we miscalculated.   We are running our of fuel and the "rollers" are more steep than we anticipate.  We meet up with our SAG again for a break.   Fortunatetly, our strength comes back and we finish the final 20 in fine form.   We are cruising into mile 165 when, just for kicks apparently, there is one final steep climb.   With the end in site, we power up it and head into Floyd, Va for a night of rest and pizza.   (note: if you are ever in Floyd, stay at the Floyd Hotel, it may be the only option, but regardless it is a neat little place).

Ok, I promise to take longer tomorrow (tonight) and add some good pictures.  

Who invited Earl, Ralph and the Bear?

Ok, we are doubling up on the BLOG today because we did not get one yesterday.   I would tell you that is because we did not have internet access at Peaks of Otter, our first night resting place.  However, it would have made no difference at all, I was not capable of inputting the update.

We start the beautiful morning from the estate that is the Davis residence.  We depart a little after the targeted time to head to Charlottesville and to start our journey.  When we get there, apparently the remnants of Hurricane Earl decided that he was coming along for the ride.   The wind gust were incredible that day.  Nevertheless we are excited, take our parkway entrance photo and get underway.  

Everyone is feeling good to start the day, except yours truly.  I had not felt well the last couple of days, but nothing serious.   Unfortunately, I from the first pedal stroke, I am sick to my stomach and it only worsens during the ride.  I cannot keep any food or supplements down and have to make repeated stops.  At one point on mile 30 I decide I had enough.  However, my riding mates are just as hard headed as I am and they are determined to wait on me.   The only problem is that I am burning 4000K calories or so and not taking in anything.   Nevertheless, with the assistance of our SAG drivers (my mother and father) and Brian and Kelly, we soldier on.  I want to talk about how glorious this first day was, simply put, I was miserable.

The ride itself is as beautiful as anticipated (photos to come later).  So I am told, I did not look up much of the day.  It is one thing to see the parkway as you zoom by in a car, it is quite another as you slog along on a bicycle. 

I wish I could tell you that we finished the day  on a high as we glide into Peaks of Otter, some 85 miles from the start.  However, that is not to be.   Our finishing climb that day was an unrelenting 13 miles at a 6.5 grade, a gain of over 3000 feet climb.   Halfway up that climb, some strange, merciless bear jumped on our backs get a hitch up the mountain.   When we finished, we had all had enough that day.  No worries, just 6 more days to go.

The Tour of the Old Man

The title explains it all.   And for those less initiated to "babelfish" the blog title, it is same phrase in French.  Thus, we embark on our Tour de Vieil Homme.  (Tour of the Old Man).   Hence forth known simply as "The Tour", with proper deference, of course, to the only slightly more well known cycling tours.  Our GC rider, Kelly Davis, is turning 50 years old and to "celebrate", two old domestiques (Brian Jackson and myself) are escorting him through the Blue Ridge Parkway on bicycles.  Saturday, September 4th, we embark on 470 miles of incredible views of the famous parkway.  All from the comfort of a narrow wedge of a bicycle seat.   My initial plan is to give quick daily updates on our adventure and progress, including the descriptions of the majesty of the mountains as well as all the aches and pains that must be endured.  Which is to say, that this may be my one and only update....time will tell.

As with most celebrated Tours, we have designated jerseys for each discipline.  You may recognize them as they have been copied by some foreign country cycling race.   (Litigation is pending.)  In our case, we have predetermined the winner prior to the event because....well, it our tour and we can do whatever we want.  Our Yellow Jersey has, of course, been awarded to Kelly Davis, as this event is in honor of him and yes, he is our "Overall Leader".   Besides, its his birthday and we did not get him anything else.   Brian Jackson has been awarded the Green Jersey as the points leader, which typically is earned by the best sprinter.   The sprinters are usually the bigger boys, and he certainly qualifies.   I have earned the (or more specifically awarded to myself) the Polka Dot jersey as the "King of the Mountains".    This jersey is typically won by the smallest of riders, as it is hard to haul 200lbs up a mountain.   Hence, I qualify for that.   (Someone also mentioned that the polka dots also speak to my effeminate tendencies.....but that is just mean, man.)

Regardless of our predestined awards, we have spent the last year preparing for the ride and making plans on how hard we must train to be able to conquer the required distance and climbs, only to underwhelm ourselves with our actual results.   Nevertheless, we are all stronger on our bikes than we were a year ago.  Even so, the reality of the pending ride is now upon us and we are simultaneously excited and apprehensive.  (editor note:  I fake apprehension to make my partners feel better).   Our first day is 83 miles of mostly climbing that ends at the Peaks of Otter.   In itself, that is not bad.   Been there, done that...as they say.   However, we then have to get up and do it again....and again....and again....and (OK you get the picture).  By day five they may have to employ threats of death and dismemberment to get me back in the saddle. 

Who am I kidding.  I cannot wait for this to start.  We are all done with the training and the taunts.  We are packed with enough tools, spare parts, fuel supplements and of course salve to get us from Virginia to Cherokee, NC.   The bikes are tuned and the logistics are set.   All that is left to do now is to get to the Parkway, get on our bikes, put our heads down and start pedaling and pedaling and pedaling.....culminating in the celebratory cigars on Mr Davis' birthday at the southern terminus.   Candidly, the only thing I am worried about is that Brian and Kelly may slow me down.   Let the Tour begin......