Comments on: Climbing Hurts So Good!

By: Donald

Donald — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:19:20 +0000

Hi Claude,

I can tell you the average gradient for the parkway is 8%.
You can also go to this website–
www.gmap-pedometer.com
Zoom into North Carolina or Virginia depending on what part of the Parkway you want to ride. Use the tracker on the left of the page to start recording your route by placing way points with your mouse. You can then ckick on the “Topo” tab in the top right of the map window to see the contour lines. I hope this helps. If all else fails you can call (828) 271-4779. This is the Park headquarters in Asheville. Have a blast… it’s a beautiful ride. When are you planning to go?

By: Claude

Claude — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:56:06 +0000

Hi,

We’re from Quebec and we are planning to bike the Blue Ridge Pkwy in a few weeks. Do you know where we can get the contour lines to figure the gradients of the road day by day ?

Thank you for helping

By: Groover

Groover — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:46:25 +0000

I’m jealous. I’m not a very good climber but I like it. I miss the long steady climbs we used to tackle when we lived it Cairns - Gillies Ranges 19 km, Kuranda Ranges 16 km, Copperlode Dam 9 km.

Here in Brisbane we only have shorter steeper climbs of 1-6 km.

I’m planning to enter the Tour of Bright again this year - Victorian Alps - Mt Hotham - 33 km climb with up to 10% gradient!

By: djones

djones — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:49:55 +0000

Sprocketboy– again you know how to wrap up a great trip as explained by you so well… the whole “Meaning of Life” unfolds.

Jeff– I am fortunate here. Around my home there are some good smaller hills (rolling) to get your legs going but just 3 hours west and I hit those great climbs. I love it. I’m headed back over this weekend.

Arlyn– Thanks for visiting… I’ve added you to my blog roll. Maybe someday you can make the trip to the east coast for just a cycling vacation and include Blood, Sweat & Gears… or Bridge to Bridge!

Ian– I know how it is… I used to live in Florida near the east coast. Sure it’s great to ride along the ocean but the only real workout is when the sea breeze hits you head on (not easy). It’s nice to have the elevation here in NC.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:27:26 +0000

That looks amazing! I’m jealous you have some solid climbs close to where you live. I’ll take a 10 mile climb over a flat anyday.

By: Arlyn Asch

Arlyn Asch — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:09:26 +0000

Nice climbing! Wish I lived closer to Blood, Sweat & Gears.

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:46:52 +0000

Wow, I envy you. Now tear up those hills!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:24:54 +0000

I live in a hilly area, but we don’t have any climbs like that. I’d like to ride in the mountains someday.

By: Sprocketboy

Sprocketboy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:33:52 +0000

Donald, while you were enjoying the Blue Ridge Parkway at one end, I was up towards t’other. The weather around Roanoke, VA was excellent on Saturday and I had the chance to do some nice climbing near Roanoke Mountain. On Sunday I rode with a group from the Blue Ridge Cycling Club and we did a comfortable 50 mile/88 km ride, with around 2200 vertical feet. Great scenery and I felt good for what is for me an early season ride. I am starting to get enthused about the idea of an end-to-end Blue Ridger. And, Will, you are right about the names of US rides: I have done Blue Ridge Extreme, the Mountains of Misery, the Cheat Mountain Challenge and Mountain Mama (”Mama’s Gonna Whup Yo’ Ass!”). The Wintergreen Ascent sounds pretty mild, but is a 12 km time trial with grades of up to 17 percent and the clock is running the whole time. There is still the Hotter’n Hell Hundred and the California Death Ride to do in the future. But in Europe there is the Raid Pyreneean, probably the toughest of all and not named after a furry squeaking rodent.

After my ride on Saturday I had a Blanche de Chambly, and on Sunday a Creemore Springs Urbock, both imported from Canada for the occasion. And of course some serious Mexican food to replace those burned-off calories. Climbing, beer, enchiladas–the whole Meaning of Life unfolds.

By: Donald

Donald — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:41:59 +0000

WILL– I knew you would be excited about this. Although, I’m afraid it’s nothing compared to your climbing. Yeah… the names are good… there’s also the “Blue Ridge Brutal”. It’s another century in the mountains. The last 30 miles is the Brutal part.

CHRIS– There are times in the mountains when I’m wishing for flats. But there’s a great feeling of accomplishment once you’ve made the climb and that erases what you thought was painful.