Another Mountain Challenge…
This weekend I’ll be in Snowshoe, West Virginia for the Cheat Mountain Challenge. It will be my first time at this event thanks to Leslie at Travels With a Tin Donkey. He suggested the ride as it’s not too far for me to drive. Heck… he’s driving all the way down from Ottawa for it. I look forward to meeting Leslie and his riding buddies. I just hope to keep up with them. For those of you who read Sprocketboy’s blog and/or Will’s blog at Cycling Challenge… you’ll know Leslie, Will and others just finished up the Tour d’Enfer. Yes, the “Tour from Hell”… climbing some of the most famous Cols in France. How do you think they’ll do in the small mountains off West Virginia? Well, I’m going to call them the Climbing Monsters. So here’s what we face… 105 miles with 10,000 plus feet of climbing. Click on the profile chart below for the details:
Should be lots of fun! There will be a full post-ride report and pictures… unless they’re influenced by a high carb post-ride recovery drink.
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Wait–is this the ride I signed up for? Well, I guess it has to be epic to be worth 13 hours in the car to get there! It is a truly spectacular route and the elevation gains are not much different from the Alps–I am looking at that climb from 55-65 miles on the course. It is very peaceful but just keeps rising up and up, followed by the wonderful West Virigina Scenic Highway. The descent, ending at around the 75 mile mark is where I have reached my highest speed on a bike: 90 km/h, or around 56 mph. I am using a compact this time and I weigh a lot less so I am not sure how fast I will be. At least the small cog is an 11!
Of the other climbs, the one up Back Mountain Road near the start is pretty easy and the final one up to Snowshoe is absolutely brutal. The total climbing for the day is slightly more than I was doing in the Alps but the difference is that it is divided up between five climbs instead of two. And there is no restaurant at the top of each climb…
I have ridden nearly every century ride reachable from Washington, DC and this is one of the very best. Great people, great organization, great scenery, great climbing: let’s hope for great weather too! Everyone should ride this at least once.
SPROCKETBOY– What a great review! It makes me want to ride it again and I haven’t even finished the first one yet. Maybe next year we can get more fellow bloggers on board to join in the pilgrimage. I’m sure Will would hop a flight over. I mean really… you’re driving 13 hours. That’s true cycling dedication. I’m so looking forward to this ride and the fun.
I’m sure that you’ll crush the five hills. From Sprocketboy’s account of the ride, it’s the last one that will start to get the acid building up. If it was me, I think the lactic would be boiling after the first one.
Have a great time and keep the rubber side down.
IAN– Thanks for the vote of confidence. 
That final climb is up to the top of the ski resort Snowshoe. I wish I had some screaming fans there to give me a little push on the saddle… I just may need it. I wonder what the gradient is like?
CHRIS– I’m wondering if it’s worse than the last one. At least there are a few breaks on the 55 mile climb but the finish looks like I’ll be calling for help!
Wishing all of you a GREAT ride! Make Ottawa proud Leslie!!
Have fun Donald and I’m really looking forward to hearing all about it!
LAUREL– Thanks! I’m sure it will be a great ride and a great time. It sounds to me like “The Lost Boys” will definitely make it fun.
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I can’t wait for the report from the ride. The elevation profile looks like it’s going to be hell. I’m sure that you will tear it up though. Have fun, and good luck!!