Touring the Blue Ridge Parkway (the hard way)

[beccaB]

We picked out a small stretch of the parkway to ride, a little out and back, setting out to do 20-30 miles altogether. We are flatlanders after all. This time we did the stretch between Devils Courthouse and Mount Pisgah. It was easier going south to north. That 4 mile climb in the looking Glass Rock area was BRUTAL! One day I will master that without walking any of it! According to my husband's Garmin, we only walked a mile of it. I started to have a stomach cramp and then it felt like my legs wouldn't work. So,while family members of mine were taking a leisurely stroll at the Biltmore estate, my husband and I were having our A***s handed to us! It was worth it though, because yesterday our home ride was 47 miles and it felt like about 25. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

[Oneriver]

We picked out a small stretch of the parkway to ride, a little out and back, setting out to do 20-30 miles altogether. We are flatlanders after all. This time we did the stretch between Devils Courthouse and Mount Pisgah. It was easier going south to north. That 4 mile climb in the looking Glass Rock area was BRUTAL! One day I will master that without walking any of it! According to my husband's Garmin, we only walked a mile of it. I started to have a stomach cramp and then it felt like my legs wouldn't work. So,while family members of mine were taking a leisurely stroll at the Biltmore estate, my husband and I were having our A***s handed to us! It was worth it though, because yesterday our home ride was 47 miles and it felt like about 25. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

Oh my gosh Becca. I did that exact stretch over Memorial Day Weekend. We started at Devils Courthouse and were going to ride 20 out and 20 back. When I reached 40 mph going downhill I knew I was in big trouble. :-) My friend and I both ride doubles... if that gives you any indication of the pain I was about to experience? My friend (also a woman) is an awesome climber and she fared better than I. Anyway, that 4 mile climb was the hardest thing I have ever done. We stopped about every 1/2 to 1 mile... but we didn't walk. :-) My friend was great. She rode behind me maybe the last mile... encouraging me. Riding back through the tunnel was wierd. It was soooo dark. Anyway riding the Blue Ridge Parkway means you can double whatever mileage you rode. And you know what... it nearly killed me, but did make me stronger. Did I tell you we did this on a double? P.S. I actually want to try it again - someday. :-)

[beccaB]

Yeah, someday I'm goin' back to show that mountain who's boss! I'm going to train specifically for it. hill repeats..hill repeats..

[Oneriver]

Yeah, someday I'm goin' back to show that mountain who's boss! I'm going to train specifically for it. hill repeats..hill repeats..

Yes!!! The mountain will not win. :-)

[Biciclista]

40mph on a single? THAT is a steep hill. you guys are amazing.

[beccaB]

not a single, if that's a single speed. We are not tough enough for that! My husband, the one who will allow himself to go that fast (I'm too much of a sissy) has a trek road bike, used, I don't know what variety. Mine is a trek 7.7fx.

[Oneriver]

40mph on a single? THAT is a steep hill. you guys are amazing.

Ours were actually compacts, not doubles. But no way a single. Just thinking about that makes me cry. :-)