veloblog: bicycling in Greensboro, NC and the surrounding area

Shannon Hills Ride - 36 miles

Saturday, the sun was shining brighter than earlier than we expected. And the wind was howling. Which made our 36 mile loop to Level Cross, Red Cross and back slightly more challenging than expected.

Recap: 2008 JDRF Ride to Cure in Death Valley

Now that I've had a few days to think about the Ride to Cure in Death Valley it's time for a recap. I'll skip the straight travelogue type account:

"Mile One. As I stared ahead into the unyielding desert, not knowing what was to come, it occurred to me that there was still an opportunity to turn back."

Nope, I'd like to impart a little more information that might be useful if you ever wake up one morning and say to yourself, "You know, riding 100+ miles across the hottest place in North America sounds like a hoot. Where do I sign up?"

Here's the first thing you should know: Finishing the JDRF Ride to Cure century in Death Valley is something that any reasonably well conditioned cyclist can achieve. Read on.

For reasons that you can probably imagine (and that I'll soon describe, if you're not into imagining), it's not a ride you want to take lightly.

The course itself is relatively simple -- it's an out and back ride that totals about 103 miles. Most of the terrain is flat or rolling, but the midpoint of the ride is marked by a six mile ascent, and since the turn point is at the top of the climb, a six mile descent. It is, in terms of the profile of the course, not a particularly big deal.

However, you're in the hottest place in N. America. The day we rode the temperature was somewhere north of 100 degrees F (104-105, according to several sources). There is no shade. Heat radiates off every surface, including the biggest radiator of all, the pavement.

The air is incredibly dry; humidity is perhaps 10%. Wind is a major factor; in 2007 the ride featured a headwind on the return leg that exceeded 30 mph. Further, the winds can change direction and gust without warning -- in short, make things miserable.

Once you leave the starting line, the oasis that is Furnace Creek, there are no towns along the course. No convenience stores, no place to fill water bottles, no signs of civilization that are normal parts of most century rides. You're dependent on the support system provided by the ride organizers.

Happily, the organizers do a superb job.

Now, here's the second thing you need to know: Once you sign up for the ride, you will hear many warnings about proper hydration. Take those warnings seriously.

Every year a few people end their ride on the receiving end of an IV (the record for IVs is owned by one unlucky dude who had to receive eight before he was released). You don't want to finish this way.

I drank copious amounts of water from the moment I landed in Las Vegas. By late Thursday I felt like I had a water bottle surgically attached to my hand. That much water felt like overkill. That much water was just right.

During the ride the goal is to drink two full bottles every 15-20 miles. I didn't quite achieve this early in the ride -- one to one and a half was more like it -- but by the afternoon two bottles per 15 miles seemed like almost enough. Throughout the ride I kept one bottle filled with water and orange-ginger Nuun for electrolyte replacement, and the other filled with an energy drink. I started with Hammer Heed, then switched to Cytomax as the temperatures rose.

When the temperature is 100+, and ice turns to warm water within 3-4 minutes, Heed tastes very, very bad. Cytomax is slightly more palatable (YMMV), but by the 70 mile mark the diet of warm liquid, whatever the flavor, began taking its toll on my stomach.

Food was less of a problem. I stuck to my usual choices -- bananas, Hammer Gel, the occasional peanut butter and jelly sandwich -- and never flirted with bonking, though (and this is for diabetics who are reading) the climb to Jubilee Pass caused the only noticeable dip in my bG.

Okay, here's tip #3: You will hear horror stories about Jubilee Pass. Don't freak out.

The road from Ashford Mill to Jubilee Pass rises from approximately sea level to 1,293 feet in elevation. The grade is about 5-5.5% for about five miles, with no flat or downhill sections. There is no shade. I was told to expect the climb to take an hour.

I'm no climber, but I'm happy to say I bettered that mark by a considerable amount of time. When the road turned upward I let the stronger riders go, resisted the temptation to hang with riders who were slowing, and rode at a pace that felt comfortable (I was moving steadily, but could talk to riders who I passed). I remembered to keep drinking, got out of the saddle to stretch my legs every mile or so, and hit the top of the climb feeling fresh. After a stop to eat a quick bite and snap some photos I headed back down the road to Ashford Mill.

Going down Jubilee Pass is, in some ways, worse than climbing it. The road surface is terrible. It's hard to distinguish road from soft, throw-you-over-the-bars shoulder. By the time I rolled into the checkpoint at Ashford I felt like I'd been resting my hands on a paint mixer.

Now it's time to head back to Furnace Creek. The fourth thing to keep in mind is that you should plan, at this point, to feel reasonably fresh.

This is important because as the valley floor becomes warmer the winds start to rise. Those winds could be minimal or they could be ripping. And you want to be ready for the worst case. After hearing the '07 tales of woe, I decided early on that I would ride very conservatively in case I had to deal with headwinds on the way home. Fortunately, really bad headwinds didn't materialize and we only had to contend with those of the less-than-ten-miles-per-hour variety.

From the saddle of a bike, the scenery in Death Valley is surreal and spectacular. Throughout the day the quality of light changes (most pleasant around 8 AM, when you're rolling along in relative comfort in arm and knee warmers, and totally harsh and disagreeable by early afternoon), and you have a stunning view of the Panamint Mountains. Between Badwater and Mormon Point the road winds along in a serpentine track around the mountains.

Heading in the opposite direction, from Mormon Point to Badwater, a certain amount of monotony can set in. You've logged about 70 miles so far, and with the road constantly disappearing around a series of sweeping curves, you always get the sense that Badwater, and the last checkpoint before arriving home, is just around the bend. That's a feeling you'll get to savor for far too long.

Reaching Badwater is a sign that the ride's almost done. There are 17 miles back to the Furnace Creek Ranch (HQ for the event), and even the hordes of Hummer-driving tourists aren't too much of a drag.

That last 17 miles is a gentle climb from -282 feet to sea level, followed by a one mile, 160 foot descent. There's a tough little climb about five miles out, but at that point you'll see the Hotel California (Furnace Creek Inn, and album cover photo subject) and you're close enough to smell the barn.

It's a ride I'd recommend anyone (if you're really hardcore consider the Death Valley Double Century or Furnace Creek 508) do at least once. And in my case it came with the added bonus of raising money for a good cause -- about $1.2 million among the 288 riders who participated.

Memorial Day Ride

I printed 50 cue sheets for the Memorial Day ride, handed them all out and left a few people wanting, so I'll call the turnout about 60 people. The ride was a repeat of last year's; the long route took riders from Hagan-Stone Park to Saxapahaw and back. Each of the three routes stopped at Homeland Creamery.

There was a moment of concern at the start when I learned that the bridge on Woody Mill Rd was out. A detour was suggested and announced to the group, and all was well.

I fell in with my usual crowd and made the trek to Saxapahaw. It's a hilly ride, and it didn't help that we faced a headwind most of the way back. Here's the detour-adjusted cue sheet (total mileage: 66.4):

L Hagen Stone Park Rd
X 421
R Liberty Rd
L Dona
L Monnett
R Coble Church Rd
L Phillipi Rd
L Hwy 62
R Alamance Ch Rd (SR 1005) STORE
BR W GSO/CH Rd (Kimesville goes left)
Just after stone dam
X NC 49
Just past Yesterday's Grill go:
L W GSO/CH Rd
L Snow Camp Rd STORE
R 2172 (Moores Chapel Rd)
L Church
X bridge and BR to STORE
TURN AROUND
R Moores Chap Cem Rd
L Snow Camp Rd
R W GSO/CH Rd
L S NC 49
R Timber Ridge Lake Rd
R Smithwood Rd
R Bowman Dairy Rd
===
Optional Detour to Homeland Creamery:
X Hwy 62, continue on NC3360
Stop @ Homeland Creamery
Return to 62, go R
R on Coble Church to rejoin route
===
L Coble Church Rd
X Hwy 62
L Watchtower Rd
L Monnett Rd
R Dona Rd
R Liberty Rd
L Hagan Stone Park Rd
R into HS Park

Saturday saddle test

Saturday's ride was all about covering some long, flat miles. Or so I said. Really, it was a chance for me to spend a few hours on an unfamiliar saddle, and have several folks along who could listen to me gripe if the experience wasn't good.

Early, rain fell, leading to a rash of calls and emails asking if the ride was on. It was.

By the time we left the parking lot of Christ Community Church on Air Harbor Rd, the temps (still chilly) were starting to climb and the sun was shining. Our route was simple:

Navigate to Hwy 150 north.
Ride until we got tired of going north.
Turn around and ride back.

Doing all of this netted us 53 miles, at an average of about 19 mph.

Oh yes, the new saddle. My Fizik Arione, which I've always thought of as a friend, was starting to annoy me in a variety of ways, comfort-wise. In the old days -- maybe 20 years ago -- the solution was simple: Cough up $20 bucks for a new saddle, and if you didn't like it, sell it to someone else for a small loss.

These days, $20 has inflated to $100+ -- and often much more -- making the buy, try and see if you like approach a bit riskier.

So, instead of shopping my way to a more comfortable solution, I decided to give the Competitive Cyclist saddle demo program a try. I went online, ordered a demo kit, and a few days later a hardshell case carrying 11 saddles was delivered to my door.

Saturday was my first day testing a different saddle. I'll get in another 60+ miles tomorrow in my quest to find the perfect seat. And after I wrap up the demo I'll post my impressions -- the good, the bad, etc.

A hill-filled Thursday Ride

Does your typical ride just not have enough hills to satisfy you? Try this, last night's Roaming Ride:

L Regional Rd
L Pleasant Ridge
X 68
R Cude Rd
L Ballard
R N. Bunker Hill
L Stafford Mill Rd
R Beeson
L 150
R Pepper
L Haw River Rd
R Pumpkin Ridge Rd
R Piney Grove
R Benefit Ch Rd
R Warren
R Haw River
L Linville
L 150
R Bunch
R NW School Rd
L Alcorn
R Edgefield
X 68
L Pleasant Ridge Rd
R Regional Rd

Or, for extra credit, do it backward. Technorati Tags: cycling, greenboro, hills

Greensboro to Virginia and back

Saturday's ride got off to an earlier start than usual, about 9 AM. We rolled out from Christ Community Church on Air Harbor Rd; our plan was to ride to the Virginia state line and back. "Deadwood's Two State Dead End Ride", we called it.

The first half of the ride covers familiar roads; Lake Brandt, Witty, and Hwy 65. There is a fair amount of climbing, though it's mostly gentle grades. Headwinds were the order of the day.

North of Bethany, we crossed the Dan River, passed the Shiloh Airport and started to wonder what we would find in VA.



Perhaps the governor, hanging out waiting for our arrival?



Rumor was Miss Virginia and Jerry Rice had been up all night, anticipating our arrival.

The border was our carrot, which made the increasing number and gradient of climbs a bit more bearable. After dropping down a 12% grade on Snead (and noting that we'd have to climb it on the way back) we started into a series of short grinders. Lots of dogs watched our slow progress, and a few stepped out into the street to greet us.

After hitting Garrett we started looking for the VA border. After a bit of hunting around we settled on a place: The end of Craig Rd. No governor or Miss Virginia; just a sign noting the end of state maintenance. Good enough.

The return was no easier. We split into three groups, and cruised back at a steady but hardly hammering pace. The wind seemed to have turned into our faces, too.

Start to finish, we ended up with 71.1 miles. Here's the cue sheet:

L Air Harbor
R Lake Brandt
R Witty
R Hwy 65
L Crowder Rd
L Settle Bridge Rd
L Priddy Loop
R Hwy 770
L Snead Rd
L Price Rd
R Center Meeting House Rd
L Garrett Rd
R on Craig Rd
Turn around, R Garrett
L Price
R Snead
R Hwy 770
L Priddy Loop (continue 1/2 mile on 770 to store)
R Settle Bridge Rd
R Crowder
L Hwy 65
L Witty
L Lake Brandt Rd
L Air Harbor

Jack's Creek

Our group's usual follow up to the Burnsville Metric is the Jack's Creek (PDF) loop. So we loaded up after breakfast this morning and headed over to the starting point, Blossman Gas on Hwy 19E. John L went fishing instead, so Susan, John P, Stuart, Jim and I rolled out at 9 AM.

Today's forecast called for an 80% chance of rain, but there was nothing but sunshine when we started. We cruised over the first couple of climbs, descended into the valley, and spent the next hour-plus cruising along the Toe and Cane Rivers. For the most part the roads are relatively flat and smooth. Other than a stop to change a flat (mine) we settled into a steady rhythm.

The sky got progressively cloudier and about 10 miles out a few drops fell. Nearby, John was getting slammed by a storm, and the non-cycling spouses were hiding out at the NuWray Inn. But, a few drops were all we got. We kept rolling up out of the valley, and down 19E to the parking lot.

Roaming Ride

The Roaming Ride continues. Tonight we rode out of Oka T. Hester Park.

The route:

L Vandalia
R Wiley-Davis
X Groometown -> Grandover Pkwy
L Vickery Chapel
R Kivett
L Riverdale
R Hwy 62
L Coltrane Mill
L Burnetts Chapel
R Drake
R Kivett
L Harris > Drummond > S Holden
L Bishop
R Groometown
R Wiley Davis
L Vandalia
R OTHP

26.6 miles. Plenty of hills. Perfect weather. Great ride.

The pack's getting faster while I'm getting older

Used to be that February rides were easy. Cruise for 25 miles or so and call it a day. But no more. Riders are getting stronger so rides are becoming longer and faster. Case in point: Saturday's 45 mile "Let's Piss Off Fred Ride." Why the LPOFR? I'll get back to that.

I don't warm up easily, so the first 15 miles or so are always a test. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt, everything hurts. And then I'm just fine. I can roll along in the bunch pretty easily, and climbing becomes much more fun. This start slow, finish (relatively) fast mode of mine seems to be a function of advancing age. But it meant that while the first hour of yesterdays ride was no fun at all, the last 2/3 was great.

As for the name of the LPOFR, it's because the ride passes Pleasant Garden town limit signs several times. The first time we did the ride Fred made the mistake of complaining about this; so now he has a ride named after him. Here's the route:

L Vandalia
R Wiley-Davis
X Groometown
L Vickery Chapel
R Kivett
L Riverdale
R Hwy 62
L Harlow
R Muddy Creek (Frazier?)
L Cedar Square
-> Coltrane Mill
X 62
L Old Randleman
R Steeplechase
-> Hunt
S on Hunt
L Kearns Hackett
L 22/Appomattox
R Hagan Stone Park Rd
L Tabernacle Church
R Neeley
L Talbot
R Alliance Church
L Ritters Lake
R Randleman
L Old Randleman
R Harris/Drummond
L Bishop
R Groometown
R Wiley Davis
-> OTH Park

Total distance is 44.8 miles.


Technorati Tags: cycling, greensboro, oka t hester park

Cue Sheet: Oak Ridge-Madison-Oak Ridge

Compliments of Dana Zipperer, a cue sheet with mileage details and a course profile:

Download OakRidge_Madison_41.pdf