RIDE NAME: April Century (100 Miles)
RIDE LEADERS: Dawn Barr, dcbarr@live.com, 828-845-2201 and Bud Whitmeyer, bud@whitmeyerconsulting.com, 919-605-5457
• 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: Tuesday, April 16, 9:00 AM
RIDE START LOCATION: Dula Springs Plaza, at the corner of N Main Street and Dula Springs Rd in Weaverville
RWGPS LINK: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46128686
RSVP: Register Here
RIDE DESCRIPTON: Continuing our Dozen Centuries in 2024, we'll be riding Tuesday, April 16th from Weaverville. The weather looks promising for Tuesday - 60° at the start with highs reaching the upper 70s.
For our April Century Ride, our route joins some commonly ridden roads north of Weaverville with the Jack's Creek 50 route. Overall, it is fairly flat for western NC but you will need to climb the Paint Fork Wall at around mile 24. The total elevation is 5,064 ft. We'll have 3 rest stops - Prices Creek Store, #1 (27mi) and #3 (79mi), and Red Hill Store, #2 (61mi).
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 15ish 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: Restrooms and water are available.
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.