Conference noted::bicycle

    The Assault on Mt. Mitchell is certainly worth doing.  It's
    a century starting in Spartanburg SC (elev. about 400'?) to
    Marion NC (elev. about 2000'?) to the summit of Mt. Mitchell
    (elev. 6684').
    
    The Event: is well-run, despite seemingly exponential increases
    in turn-out each year.  Last year neared 2000 riders, up from
    several hundred a few years back.
    
    Tactics & Times: best times lately have been 5 to 5� hours,
    typically by out-of-state (e.g., Swedish national team) racers.
    If you want to finish in or near the first group, you must stay
    with the first pack and draft.  The safest place is in a pack
    a bit behind the front, with riders fast enough to be competent,
    but not all-out-desperados.  Too far back and you'll be dodging
    novices.  The ride is supported, so you don't really need personal
    support - try to limit your stops, especially on the big climb
    and in Marion... try to breeze right through Marion.
    
    The Route: the first 70 miles, to Marion, are rolling hills -
    the key is pacing yourself for the last 30 miles, which are
    almost constant strenuous climb.  It is not as back-breaking
    as you might have inferred - but a 5-hour century would be
    exhausting even on the flats.  (My time in 1986 was 6:55 and
    I was pretty satisfied.)
   
    Training:  Work on mountain climbs - that is, p-r-o-l-o-n-g-e-d
    climbing over moderately steep routes.  (I assume you'll have
    worked on general speed and strength anyway.)

    Weather:  Varies.  This is summer and it is in the mountains.
    Therefore you can expect withering heat (one year was near 90�
    even on the Parkway), icy chills (at the top), or fierce thunder-
    storms.  Or it can be just plain lovely.  Expect a climate change
    in ascending 6000 feet.  

    Lately there have been two start times - the traditional 6am
    and about 10am I think - for profi's who want to avoid some of
    the crowds.  But the penalty for 10am start is you won't beat
    the heat of the day.  You'll have to fight heat in the lowlands.
    So I'd start at 6am, and just try to stay up front.
    
    Details of the big climb (from Marion):  Mt. Mitchell is 29-30
    miles from Marion (or intersection of US70 and NC80).  The first
    4-5 miles are slightly uphill, then NC80 turns into steep switchbacks.
    Perservere, but don't overdo.  You'll hit the Blue Ridge Parkway
    at 16 miles from the summit.  You will continue to climb a couple
    of miles - so don't have set your hopes at an ease-off upon reaching
    the Parkway.  Then you will dip strongly a couple of miles.  Then
    climb, then I think one more briefer dip, to the intersection of
    the Parkway and the Mt. Mitchell road, NC128.  (The Parkway stretch
    is 11 miles; NC128 is 4.7 miles to the summit.)

    The steepest part of the whole ride (especially psychologically)
    is about 3/4 mile into NC128, for about 1� miles up to the entrance
    to Mt. Mitchell State Park.  This is *not* all that steep, but strenuous.
    I read one article in a Major Cycling Mag ("Bicycling"?) that put
    the grade at 33%.  That is hogwash.  The grade is about 14%, I'd
    estimate.  I've used a 52x24, so it can't be all that bad.  Just
    remember you'll get a respite about halfway up, at the park entrance
    and for almost a mile - it may seem like going downhill!  Then the
    last mile is again quite strenuous, almost as steep as the previous
    steep part, and maybe worse, psychologically - but you'll do ok
    if you've used the midway pause to refresh yourself (without stopping).
    
    The road is well-paved, smooth, and not dangerous, so that should
    be a relief.
         
    Good luck & have fun!  Maybe I'll see you!
    
    -john    

    Oh, forgot to mention: it is wonderful, wooded scenery. -j

    
    Sounds interesting, but only if I can get a T-shirt out of it!

< Note 964.0 by GLDOA::AUGHINBAUGH >
                     -< Mt. Mitchell Century Information >-


>    A group of us here in Indiana are planning to ride the Mt. Mitchell

  A group of us here in New Hampshire are thinking about doing this as well.  
(Ed are you listening?)  What's the date?

Kevin    

    RE: .-1
    
    The date is the first Sunday in June (that is, the first Sunday
    after Memorial Day).  Ed would be perfect for this - he is a glutton
    for punishment.
    
    RE: .-2
    
    You get a waterbottle, a t-shirt, and maybe a few other trinkets
    - I agree, that *is* the most important criterion for an event.
    
    :-)  -john

    
    As long as I get a T-shirt out of it...
    
    Anyone got the address for the Spartanburg freewheelers or entry
    forms?
    
    DS

    > Anyone got the address for the Spartanburg Freewheelers or entry
      forms?
    
    The address I have is:
    
    	Spartanburg Freewheelers
    	P.O. Box 6171
    	Spartanburg, S.C.  29304
    
    I requested entry forms about a week ago, but no reply as yet.

I've ridden quite a few centuries but they always start and finish at the same
point.  Your description sounds like you start in Spartanburg and finish on
Mount Mitchell.  If this is so how do they get 2000 riders back to Spartenburg
or do you have to worry about that?

Sounds like a pretty tough ride.

>    < Note 964.9 by WEA::BUCHANAN "Bat" >
>                      -< Double century, now ride back. >-

>I've ridden quite a few centuries but they always start and finish at the same
>point.  Your description sounds like you start in Spartanburg and finish on
>Mount Mitchell.  If this is so how do they get 2000 riders back to Spartenburg
>or do you have to worry about that?

    You can pay an extra $15 or so and they'll bus you and your bike
    back from the summit to Spartanburg.  In the past, your support
    person, if you had one, could meet you at the top, and then drive
    you back.  This is what I did.  I live in Charlotte and had no real
    need to go back to Spartanburg.  But they've limited support crews
    more and more each year, because of the congestion.  The worst part
    was that the support vehicles crowded the route the bikers used.
    There are very few alternatives (you can come up the Parkway from
    Asheville rather than Marion, but after that there's only one road
    to the summit - NC128).  It's nice, though, to have someone to cheer
    you at the summit.  The Spartanburg club will doubtless tell you
    what's permitted in the info they send.  By the way, there's parking
    for about 60 cars at the top (rough guess).

    As to the double century - it does seem a pity to get all the way
    up there, and not get the benefit (6000 feet of coasting).

    Assuming you've done the climb in under 7 hours, why not just zip
    down to Asheville (some of the best scenery on the Parkway is on
    that segment) and (re-)rendezvous there?  It's a thought.  If you
    retrace the Assault route, you'll just be plagued with congestion.

>Sounds like a pretty tough ride.

    Challenging, to be sure.

    Me? Glutton for punishment? WELL! I NEVER!
    
    Well, maybe.  I must admit talk about this is more interesting than
    that controversy over g**r in***s vs d*v*l*pm*nt vs r*t**s.  That
    was ALMOST enough to get me to throw away my deraileurs.
    
    Wait till you hear about the latest bruises.
    
    ed

    RE: .-3
    
    On second thought, the double-century idea could be really neat!
    I mean, an event that now gets 2000 riders per year is in danger
    of becoming ho-hum, unless your legs are tree-trunks and you're
    out for broke (under 5� hours).  A Mt. Mitchell double century
    would have novelty value, to say the least.
    
    All right, the mental gears (g**r i**hes unknown) are already
    turning on this one.  Here are some rough ideas:
    
    - next 30 miles after the summit should be the Parkway down
      to US70 (Asheville) - continuing on the parkway thereafter
      would just mean an endless-seeming climb;
    
    - where to get the last 70 miles?  could take US70 east, then
      I-40 over Swannanoa Gap... thereafter, I'm not sure - want
      to avoid too many strength sapping hills;

    - could get extra miles in before 6am (hint - at this time of
      year in SC, it gets light about 5:45am), but I'd rather be
      fresh for the first fast 70 miles;
    
    - would need some added clothing (at least windbreaker/tights)
      descending to Asheville - but you can really maintain speed
      on most of that stretch - that's good;
    
    - probably couldn't get UMCA NPC open mileage credit on the
      ride (because of the drafting during the Assault), but maybe 
      something could be worked out;

    - the second century would be highly contingent on the weather.
        
    Come on guys... help me out!  Anyone crazy enough to do this?
    
    -john

    There's no problem with drafting on NPC open rides.
    
    ed

    Have you gotten the stuff from Spartanburg yet?  What's the
    entry fee this year?  It has been $20.
    
    -john

    I have received nothing from the club in Spartanburg yet. 
    

    ...from "Crank Mail," official newsletter of the Charlotte NC cycling
    club, the Tarheel Cyclists:
    
    "Representatives of the Spartanburg Freewheelers met with officials
    of the Parkway and State Parks in Asheville on Thursday November 17th.
    To the club's disappointment, they were unwilling to negotiate
    the date of the next Annual Assault on Mt. Mitchell whatsoever.
    It was reported that the superintendent wanted to do away with
    the event altogether, but with the support of local park rangers,
    he was persuaded to permit the ride, only if the date was moved
    to before the Memorial Day weekend.
    
    "So it now stands.  The new date for the 14th Annual Assault on
    Mt. Mitchell is May 21, 1989.  Locations for registration, breakfast
    and the pre-ride party are unknown at this time.  
    
    "It was this Journal which hinted at this possible development several
    months ago.  NOW might be a good time to write notes to The Bicycle
    Program c/o The NC Department of Transportation, Raleigh and let
    them pile up on the Superintendent's desk.  Is he hoping that possible
    severe weather, this early in the year, may interfere with this
    classic event?  Or maybe he hasn't been on Mt. M. in May??
  
    "It amazes this observer that an event with national recognition,
    promoting both an Olympic sport and OUR state in a progressive way,
    should face this sort of opposition.
   
    "The Journal of British Cycling"   (Jim Chamberlin, Charlotte)
    
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    PS: Maybe some out-of-state write-ins would be persuasive, too.
    In 1988, with 2000 riders (an exponential increase), US Park Service
    rangers were posted at strategic spots along the Parkway to direct
    motor- and pedal-powered vehicles.  I got to observe the rangers
    - while this was a novelty to them, they took it in stride, and
    actually got into the spirit and had lots of fun.  You would too,
    if you spent hours directing hundreds of sweaty, vibro-costumed,
    and altitude-befuddled two-wheeler madmen up the final miles.
    
    Is there hope?
    
    Write in.  Help tip the balance.
    
    -john
    

< Note 964.16 by ATLAST::ELLIS "John Lee Ellis - assembly required" >
                          -< Mt. Mitchell in danger? >-

How 'bout a zipcode... help the US Mail deliver our pleas...

    Please publish the address. I will be happy to coordinate the Indiana
    effort. We should be able to give the "Super" a few more letters
    to open. I suggest we end each letter with a request for him to
    reply. What do you think?

    The address is:
    
    	The Bicycle Program
    	NC Department of Transportation
    	Division of Highways
    	Raleigh, NC 27611
    
    Theoretically, up to 4 agencies could be involved: the route goes
    over SC state roads, NC state roads, the Blue Ridge Parkway (a National
    Park - US Park Service, Department of Interior), and Mt. Mitchell
    State Park (NC Park Service).  But judging from the article I quoted,
    the NC DoT is the critical body.   -john

    ... and a few miles on US70 and US64 - but I don't think the
    US Department of Transportation is really concerned...
    
    -john

	If you could find a sympathetic politician (state rep or
	something) he (or she) might be able to apply some pressure.
	The DoT superintendant probably figures he runs the state
	and may just ignore letters unless someone else knows he's
	getting them.

	. . . or how about someone in the media (outside of the bike
	community) to make some noise?

	chris

    I have heard nothing from the Spartanburg Freewheelers. I am assuming
    this is because the ride is still in limbo. Does anyone know for
    sure if the difficulties with the Park System have been resovled?
    
    If their isn't going to be an "official ride", is anyone interested
    in putting together our own "unofficial" event?

    I've heard nothing, either.  I'm interested in participating
    in a do-it-yourself substitute event.  (Of course, I'm also
    still interested in the optional second 100-mile add-on.)
    
    Problem: if we do something for ourselves, we'll have to cater
    for the all-important T-shirts ourselves, in order to pull in
    major-league talent such as Ed F.
    
    -john

    Yesterday I spoke to the owner of a bike shop I frequent when I'm
    in the Greenville area. He informed me the ride is definitely on
    for the 21st of May.
     
    He said the Spartanburg Freewheelers are supposedly mailing applications
    this week. Hopefully, if they haven't lost my SASE, I should be
    receiving mine shortly. I will publish a note if and when I get
    the application so "yawl" (I think this is the way they spell it
    down South) will know they are available.
    
    Guess this solves the T-Shirt problem.
    
    

    Mt. Mitchell applications are now available. I received mine yesterday.
    See note 964.8 for the Spartanburg Freewheelers address if you need
    it. Other contacts:
    
    	Scott Hoffmann   803-583-3448   10:00 a.m. -  4:00 p.m.
    	Bill Decken	 803-576-4829	 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
    	Bruce Dell 	 803-583-1181	 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
    
    Ron Haldeman, Susan Notorangelo, and John Howard all plan to ride
    this year. A video tape of last year's assault is available from
    the club for $ 25.00/
    
    
    

    	Yes, I know, it's probably a typo, but that's the
    	kind of person I am.
    
    	I assume you meant Lon Haldeman.
    
    	Scott

    Lon Haldeman is correct. Excuse the typo and poor proofreading skills.
    I bet Susan is relieved too.
    

    Oh, I don't know... that would be a pretty good come-back for
    ol' Ron Haldeman after the Nixon years.  What I want to see is
    a Haldeman/Ehrlichmann tandem transcontinental crossing. :-)
    
    -j

    The Mt. Mitchell info sheet is glossy and full of, well, info.
    Also fairly wry at points:
    
     Regarding optional bus-transport back from Mt. Mitchell:
      "A certain number of bicycles fit on each bus, with a cargo
       van accompanying the bus with the remainder.  We checked and 
       they WILL NOT ALLOW you to put your support person in the cargo
       hold in order to secure a seat for your Colnago.  Sorry, we tried."

     Regarding sale of a video of the 1988 Assault:
      "For years you've probably been trying to prove to your friends
       that you are not normal because you are bicyclist. Now you can
       own the proof."

    Things look pretty encouraging for the ride.  I'm now thinking of
    doing the 2nd century of the 200-miler by retracing the route to
    Spartanburg, rather than over Asheville and I-40.  The runaway
    truck ramps on I-40 give me the creeps (in a car!).
    
    -john

    I'm just back from driving from Spartanburg, and today's ride
    went quite well.  It was sunny, warm but not hot, and people
    did well.  A member of my club, Charlie Gable, was shooting for 
    5:45, but made 5:21 on the climb, to put him in the top twenty.
    (The winner did it in 5:08, close to record.)
    
    It had been clammy and overcast lately here, highs in the chilly
    60's (in the Piedmont, ... colder in the mountains, snow on Mitchell).
    Saturday morning I rode up NC 80 to the Parkway, in time to catch
    the start of persistent rain... so it looked pretty grim - but by
    evening it was warm, even sultry, and sunny in Spartanburg.
    
    Some statistics:
    
    	63 degrees, 6:30am, Spartanburg (start of race, 1000')
        58 degrees, 12:57pm, Mt. Mitchell, 6684' - mild for Mitchell
	85 degrees, midday, Piedmont
        
    Personal:
    
    	6:30am - 12:57pm = 6:27 - Assault (to Mt. Mitchell, 102 miles)
	1:15pm -  8:01pm = 6:46 - return to Spartanburg, same route
        
    So the 200-miler did work out, and was quite pleasant, except for
    traversing Marion NC.  I'd thought about heading down to Asheville,
    as per an earlier Note, then US 74 and NC/SC 9, but both this route,
    and US 221 from Marion seemed more congested than prudent or pleasant.
    The county roads between Marion and Spartanburg are truly lovely
    and a lot of people turned out in the morning to wave and watch.
    
    The talk by Lon "Ron" Haldeman and his friend Susan Notorangelo
    was pretty good.  I especially liked Lon's reason for getting into
    long-distance biking: in the midwestern town where he grew up, there
    were no "real" bikers or bike clubs within 50 miles, so he just
    did distance.
    
    I'm told there were a couple of other people who intended to try
    for a 200-mile round-trip - if I find out their names, I'll post
    the details here... and speaking of that, who else did Mitchell?
    What are your stories?
    
    -john

    >	6:30am - 12:57pm = 6:27 - Assault (to Mt. Mitchell, 102 miles)
    >	1:15pm -  8:01pm = 6:46 - return to Spartanburg, same route
    
    So it took longer to go downhill?
    
    :^)
    
    ed
    

>                -< Must have been a tailwind for the Assault? >-
>   
>    So it took longer to go downhill?
	
    For me it did.  The grease had kind of worn off the chain by then,
    and that really slowed me down.  :-)
    
    Actually, there was a moderate-to-sizable tailwind going up,
    plus all that drafting!  (The 70 miles to Marion took me 3� hours,
    over hilly terrain, conserving energy.)  Also, on the way back I
    went pretty slowly down the mountain, since traffic was snarled
    up by the oncoming (ascending) riders - for example, Mitchell-to-
    Marion (30 miles, 4500' drop) took almost 2 hours!
            
    The other thing is I stopped a couple times to talk to people on
    the route, who asked about the race.  And, of course, the final
    thing is that the traffic lights in Spartanburg don't seem to be
    intelligent at all, or sensitive to traffic (cars, much less bikes).
    
    Enough excuses?  It was a bucolic trip back.  Recommended!
    
    -john    

    For some reason I have been unable to access the BICYCLE conference
    until now. That's too bad because I would have like to met those
    of you who did Mitchell. I probably couldn't have ridden too far
    with you, but it would have been nice to have made a new acquaintance.
    
    In response to John's query. I personally did the ride in 10:30.
    It was absolutely grueling for me at the end, but the personal growth
    of accomplishing the task will be a positive experience that will
    last a lifetime. I too thought the countryside to be some of the
    most beautiful I've ridden through and the people were most pleasant.
    
    I past a very bad accident on one of the bridges between Spartanburg
    and Marion. Does anyone know how the people involved made out?

    RE: .-1
    
    Glad you made the event, and made it to the top.  Congratulations!
    Very few people aren't used up by the time they get to the last
    stretch (NC128) ... myself included.
    
    (I theorize the degree-of-difficulty is a bowl (inverted bell)
    with respect to time - 5-6 hours is very difficult; so is 9-11 hours;
    7-8 hours is probably "easiest," if you have the condition to do it.)
    
    I spoke with a race organizer next day, and she said the seemingly
    seriously crashed person you saw had recovered pretty well.  She was
    quite reassuring.
    
    Would have been good to have arranged a get-together the night before.
    Next time, let's do it!
    
    -john