RIDE NAME: Etowah-Edneyville Metric, 64.8 mi, 4,245'
RIDE LEADER: Dawn Barr, dcbarr@live.com, 828-845-2201
• 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: Sunday, March 3, 10:00AM
RIDE START LOCATION: Etowah Park, 447 Etowah School Rd, Etowah, NC
RWGPS LINK: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45734424
RSVP: RSVP Here
RIDE DESCRIPTON: We'll ride from Etowah Park in a big clockwise loop through Mills River (rest stop at Ingles), over Terry's Gap (the largest climb on this route), through the apple orchards and Edneyville (rest stop at Griffins Grocery). Then we head to Flat Rock (rest stop at Flat Rock Bakery) and return to Etowah via Kanuga Lake Rd. With 4,245 feet of elevation, this is a moderately hilly ride.
C+/B- Pace: average 14-17 mph - a conversational pace, with opportunities for skill and endurance development
- The advertised pace is the average over entire ride, not including stops. Expect to go slower uphill, faster downhill and slightly faster on straight, level ground.
- Estimate your preferred pace based on how strong you will feel at the end of the distance.
- Understand your physical conditioning and limitations on the day of the ride. If you have not ridden for two months, drop down a level. Same if you are experiencing pain or tiredness even before your ride. Remember that what pace you rode at during the summer does not translate to the winter.
- Don’t try to start out faster than the advertised pace; save your energy.
Although I will be riding at a 14-15 mph pace, I'm sure there will be others who will ride faster. I hope we can ride together in multiple small groups (depending on how many riders participate). This is a DROP Ride. 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.
Helmets are mandatory. Obey all traffic signs, signals & laws.
PARKING CONSIDERATIONS: Plenty of parking at Etowah Park.
HYDRATION, NOURISHMENT AND AVAILABILITY OF RESTROOMS: At the start, restrooms are available at Etowah Park. Restrooms water at Mills River Ingles, Griffins Grocery, and Flat Rock Bakery along the route.
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.