Blue Ridge Parkway Epic Tour

[Misandal]

Last week, beginning on Monday, I participated in my first-ever tour. We began near Waynesboro, Virginia at Mile Marker 0 on the Blue Ridge Parkway; we ended Friday in Cherokee, North Carolina after 474.5 miles, 49,660' of elevation gain, and I had 35 hours, 55 minutes in the saddle. Woohoo!

The tour was through Black Bear Adventures, and if anyone has a desire to challenge themselves, I definitely recommend this one. It was great, well supported, wonderful people.

[Tri Girl]

I've heard great things about both that ride, and that tour company. Did you camp out the whole time? Do you have any pictures that you'd like to share with us?
Congrats on a HUGE accomplishment. I can't believe all the climbing. Wow! I'm sure every foot climbed was worth it for all the stunning beauty of the parkway.

[Misandal]

Well, we had about 3-1/2 days of rain so I don't have as many pics as I'd like. I'm just starting to get pictures from some of the others on the tour, so I should have some to post tomorrow.

Because of the rain and fog, the views were muted, to say the least. But when we did get to see, it was awesome!

No, we did no camping! If my days were going to be so hard, my nights were going to be comfortable! With Black Bear Adventures, we were really catered to and they made sure we had good accommodations.

[PamNY]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I know that area and wish I had the ability to bike it. I'd love to see pictures; even in rain and fog, those mountains are lovely.

Pam

[JaneE]

Yes! We need pictures!

Your tour sounds perfectly wonderful. I dream of stuff like this!

[Misandal]

I realize today that I must have been more tired than I thought yesterday because I really didn't tell much at all about the adventure, I merely said I did it.

Here was the breakdown by day:
Monday 85.70 miles, 8910' in 6:23
Tuesday 89.44 miles, 8286' in 6:36
Wednesday 111.43 miles, 10,825' in 8:13
Thursday 102.15 miles, 11,071' in 8:01
Friday 85.78 miles, 10,568' in 6:40

Monday was gorgeous, perfect weather and a great way to start things off. Tuesday it rained most of the day but was fairly clear. Wednesday it rained all day and the fog was thick as soup! You couldn't see anything - we'd come to an overlook and see nothing but white. Thursday it rained until the afternoon, but then we had periods of clearing and got to enjoy some of the beautiful views. Friday started overcast, foggy and misty but got mostly clear so we ended in beautiful conditions as we descended into Cherokee.

I'm going to attach a couple pictures I took from my phone. They're not great quality, but I'll try to post some good ones from my fellow tourers later today. The first pic is Mile Marker 0 at the beginning of the Parkway. The second is atop Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, with Scott from Illinois (the elevation marker says 6578'). The third is our view from the lunch stop on Friday. The final picture is me at the final marker on the Parkway, Mile Marker 469.

[Misandal]

Here's a couple more...one is the group pic at the beginning (I'm in the middle), and the second is at the highest point of the Parkway, and you can see how foggy it was! And this was not the foggy day!

[Misandal]

Here are some awesome views I just got from one of the guys who had a "real" camera.

[JaneE]

Very beautiful! Hope to be able to go there sometime.

[wildhawk]

Now that’s an EPIC adventure!! I am in awe and totally amazed at your accomplishment - and with rain no less!!! You Rock! I grew up in Virginia and spent lots of time on the Blue Ridge Parkway and have driven the entire length of it. I cannot imagine the thrill of cycling that much of it!! Beautiful pics too - you definately have something to be proud of!! And I am just trying to get a century under my belt - you rode that practically every day, and with some serious elevations - whoohoo!!

[Misandal]

Thanks! It really was incredible. I look at those numbers and I can't believe I did it, either.

But you know, my "cycling life" started back in 2003 training for a century with Team in Training, so there's no telling where your bicycle will take you if you keep at it.

This particular adventure came my way because my training partner is turning 50 next month and this was how he wanted to commemorate it. It sounded like something I'd like to try, so here we are.

[Tri Girl]

Wow. Gorgeous scenery, even with all the rain and fog. Simply amazing!!! Congrats, again!!!!

[spindizzy]

What a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone with your training partner. Beauiful photos and what a ride. You rock!

[Misandal]

Thanks everybody!

When I took my bike to the shop last week for a thorough cleaning after all the rain, the mechanic found that my fork was cracked. Can you believe it? I've only had it for 4 months and never rode in conditions that would explain that happening. It must have just been defective.

So after riding so much in 5 days, I haven't been able to ride since! I'm waiting for Trek to find a replacement fork that matches my paint job. I miss my pretty Madone!

[Misandal]

Trek has sent my replacement fork! Yea!!!