RIDE NAME: May Century (100 Miles)
RIDE LEADERS: Dawn Barr, dcbarr@live.com, 828-845-2201 and [Bud Whitmeyer, bud@whitmeyerconsulting.com, 919-605-5457] - Robert Allen is filling in for Bud
• Be sure to add my phone number if you are carrying a cell phone, in case you have an emergency or get separated from the group.
RIDE DATE AND TIME: Saturday, May 11, 9:00 AM
UPDATED RIDE START LOCATION: Etowah Ingles, 2400 Brevard Rd., Etowah, NC
RWGPS LINK: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46091155
RSVP: RSVP HERE - Updated Start: Etowah Ingles.
RIDE DESCRIPTON: Continuing our Dozen Centuries in 2024, we'll be riding Saturday, May 11th from Etowah Ingles. The weather looks promising for Saturday - with highs reaching the lower 70s.
For our May Century Ride, our route will start at Etowah Ingles, loop up through Fletcher then Hendersonville. Then down to Brevard and Rosman, before returning to Etowah Park. We have four rest stops available on the route: 23mi – Black Bear Coffee, Fletcher, 43mi – Trailside Brewing, Hendersonville, 60mi – Triangle Stop, 79mi – Exxon Station, Rosman.
Route details:
103.4 miles
5,679 ft elevation - 2 hills: Terry's Gap (26mi) and Evans Rd (50mi)
55 Mile Short Option: At mile 54, you can turn on Etowah School Rd, and return to Etowah Park for a 55 mile ride.
We're planning for two groups. The goal is for each group to stay together. Although if you start out in the faster group, you can always drop back to the slower group.
C+ Pace - Dawn will lead this group at an average 14-15 mph pace.
B Pace - Bud will lead this group at an average 17-18 mph pace.
This is a DROP Ride because we'll need to keep to a tight schedule to finish by 5pm (especially if you're riding with Dawn). Always ensure you have the route and are fully self-sufficient to complete the ride on your own and have the ride leader's cell number. There is no SAG, other than what you arrange for yourself.
PARKING CONSIDERATIONS: Because Etowah Park is busy this Saturday, we will park and start at Etowah Ingles. Park close to the road, not the front door.
HYDRATION, NOURISHMENT AND AVAILABILITY OF RESTROOMS: We'll stop for restrooms, water, and snacks along the route (see Ride Description above).
EQUIPMENT: Helmets and water bottles are mandatory. Have the route on your bike computer, phone, or printed cue sheet. Front facing headlights and rear blinking lights are highly recommended for this ride and required on the Blue Ridge Parkway unless appropriate reflectors are attached. Your bike must be equipped with the necessary lights or reflectors in accordance with applicable North Carolina and federal law and statutes governing bicycles. You should be fully self-sufficient for repair of flat tires or small mechanical issues.
NOTE: All rides leave promptly at the time stated. Give yourself enough time (at least fifteen minutes) to get your bike unloaded and all geared up!
WEATHER: Please remember if the weather looks "iffy" or gets bad before the start date and time, then the ride leaders may not be there and you will be riding on your own. We will try to send out an email if that happens, but Western NC is a very large area and some places could be sunshine and other places bad weather.