Preparing with more climbing…
Sorry, I’ve been away from the blog for a bit. I guess I just needed a break. But now I’m back and coming off a great weekend. It was beatiful weather in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I was up early for some climbing Saturday morning. I climbed Beech Mountain first, which tops out at a little over 5,000 feet. I’ve talked about this one before. 
Many of you may remember it as the mountain Lance was training on when he decided to makes his comeback from cancer. From Beech Mountain, I pedaled over Hwy 194 to Valle Crucis. It’s a really nice ride… here’s a picture I took on the way as the morning fog hadn’t quite burned off.
It’s a nice gradual climb. I also climbed Sugar Mountain. I wanted to test my legs at different power outputs and push myself to see how I was feeling since my last good climbing in West Virginia for the Cheat Mountain Challenge.
The report: I felt pretty good… healthy and solid. 
My next Mountain Century Ride is Bridge to Bridge on September 21st. I’m looking forward to the fun. Unfortunately, this year it won’t be able to end at the top of Grandfather Mountain. They have construction going on at the top so it will have to end in the Meadows below at the front gate. Oh well, there will still be plenty of climbing in this 20th anniversary of the event.
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Comments
WILL — Sorry, I should have explained better. The hairpin picture includes equipment that’s headed to the top of Grandfather Mountain for the construction going on there. Unfortunately, because it’s a private road and park… bikes are only allowed on the road one time a year and that’s for the “Bridge to Bridge” ride. But the construction takes away that one chance this year.
How early in the morning are your rides? Thats a solid picture of you on the blog’s header on the left. I’m been kinda aero before, but I dont think my knees have ever hit my arms ! 
Uh-oh–I think Beech Mountain is calling me! Of course, I can’t come down until we can rip up Grandfather Mountain and be true heroes!
JEFF — Thanks Jeff… is it a great ride… I’ll miss it this year.
RON — I’m at work in the morning. I usually ride mid-afternoon on the weekdays. But I ride early on the weekends… usually around 6:30 in the morning… or as soon as there is enough light. As for the picture on my header… this will be your challenge to figure out why my knee was that high and hitting my arm. Engineering? Physics? Balance? What could it be?
SPROCKETBOY — Yes… it’s a shame we can only ride up Grandfather during the Bridge to Bridge ride. Oh well, mark September ‘09 on your calendar. Beech is fun too… plenty of other climbs around there besides Grandfather… ones we enjoy anytime (except in winter).
Good luck Donald at Bridge to Bridge. Dude you’ve putting in some serious work in the mountains. Cool pics too.
ROB — Thanks! Hope all is well with you. I’m sure you’re may hit a personal best with all your training time.
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Well done!
great hairpin shot! (too much traffic though?)