Egads
09-11-2010, 12:10
Bikepacking
Phreak & I just finished cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway section from Okanaluftee visitors center to Blowing Rock in 4 days. Pretty awesome ride. ~17,780 feet of climbs, 189 mi with side trips, 13.1 mph avg, 44.3 mph max on the racer (2 sport was faster but had no computer), dropped 1.8 lbs (disappointment - was hoping for 4 lbs)
He rode a 2 sport with rack bag, handlebar bag, and backpack. Heavy bike but enough gears to climb a 30% grade. Bike hauled ass on the descents.
I rode a carbon fiber racer with saddlebag & backpack. Gearing 52/42 - 25/11. The CF racer out climbed the 2 sport bike due to weight advantage
Lessons Learned:
1. Ride on weekdays when the traffic is light
2. The weather (temps) is awesome the week after Labor Day
3. Hotels & Inns discounted their rooms the week after Labor Day
4. Start early every day to maximize recovery for next day. We were done with our rides by lunchtime every day except the first day when we rode 62 mi from the GSMNP visitors center to Pisgah Inn. This section had over 8500 ft of climbs up to 7% grade
5. Leave the camping gear behind. We dropped food, stoves, extra clothing at the Pisgah Inn. Hotels & Inns are close enough to each other to ride w/o the gear.
6. Be sure to pack wind shirts & light hats for the descents
7. I carried 155 oz of water on our first day. It was not enough. We were wise to cache water at the 1/3 & 2/3 points
8. Keep the effort in the aerobic zone 3. There are 18 mile climbs
9. Eat often. Gu is a wonder food to keep you energized for the climbs
10. Try to keep the weight off the back. Our first day had ~20# packs & sore backs. Our last day had ~10# packs and was much better
11. Don't forget the rear red blinkies & head lights. There are scores of long dark tunnels.
Phreak & I just finished cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway section from Okanaluftee visitors center to Blowing Rock in 4 days. Pretty awesome ride. ~17,780 feet of climbs, 189 mi with side trips, 13.1 mph avg, 44.3 mph max on the racer (2 sport was faster but had no computer), dropped 1.8 lbs (disappointment - was hoping for 4 lbs)
He rode a 2 sport with rack bag, handlebar bag, and backpack. Heavy bike but enough gears to climb a 30% grade. Bike hauled ass on the descents.
I rode a carbon fiber racer with saddlebag & backpack. Gearing 52/42 - 25/11. The CF racer out climbed the 2 sport bike due to weight advantage
Lessons Learned:
1. Ride on weekdays when the traffic is light
2. The weather (temps) is awesome the week after Labor Day
3. Hotels & Inns discounted their rooms the week after Labor Day
4. Start early every day to maximize recovery for next day. We were done with our rides by lunchtime every day except the first day when we rode 62 mi from the GSMNP visitors center to Pisgah Inn. This section had over 8500 ft of climbs up to 7% grade
5. Leave the camping gear behind. We dropped food, stoves, extra clothing at the Pisgah Inn. Hotels & Inns are close enough to each other to ride w/o the gear.
6. Be sure to pack wind shirts & light hats for the descents
7. I carried 155 oz of water on our first day. It was not enough. We were wise to cache water at the 1/3 & 2/3 points
8. Keep the effort in the aerobic zone 3. There are 18 mile climbs
9. Eat often. Gu is a wonder food to keep you energized for the climbs
10. Try to keep the weight off the back. Our first day had ~20# packs & sore backs. Our last day had ~10# packs and was much better
11. Don't forget the rear red blinkies & head lights. There are scores of long dark tunnels.