Quote Originally Posted by 7rider View Post
Can a bunch of reasonably fit cyclists honestly do this and live to tell the tale??
Yes. If your definition of reasonably fit matches mine That is, able to ride the distance without elevation and can pace themselves up sustained grades.

I rode the BRP from Blowing Rock to Cherokee. We only did 60 mile days (my normal ride distance at the time) and we did do Mt. Mitchell. Not only lived to tell the tale, but want to go back and do the whole thing.

So...gradients? Try 5-8% not 4-6%. The BRP is exempt from the 4-6% gradient ruling of federal roadways. So, put on that 29 in the rear or the 8% stretches will hurt. That said, you're not looking at 10 mile hills, but 2-4 miles and then a rest. Oh, and the road to Mt. Mitchell has 10-11% in spots, but once you reach the restaurant, the rest of the climb is shallow.

Traffic? We went in fall color and didn't have problems except around Asheville. There, the BRP is used by commuters and it got a little busy. Most cars gave us room. There was an occasional close pass, but alas, that's every ride I ever ride. Because of the tunnels, we always had rear lights on.

Fog, however, was an issue. We cancelled one day of riding because the fog was so thick you couldn't see the other side of the parking lot. For safety reasons we all shuttled.

What else? It was an extraordinary trip and I really do want to do the whole thing some day....

My pictures....
http://www.cassandrathorn.com/PhotoRoot/2007/2007BRNC/