Talked to my buddy who was describing the roads around Helen. He did all the climbs and descents, including Brasstown, on a tri bike and survived. Another triathlete friend who has also ridden in Helen several times said the descents are as dangerous as you want to make them. I’m a wimp on descents to begin with, so I’ll be riding the brakes. I’ll have fresh pads on the bike and will pack an extra set of pads to change out midway through the week.
Mark and/or others,
How does the Six Gap Century in Georgia compare with the Blood, Sweat, and Gears century ride in NC?
And how quickly does the event fill up?
I’m having hip surgery in 4 weeks, will be on crutches 4-6 weeks and then easing back in to the training. Having an epic century ride late September would be something nice to help with the rehab motivation.
Thanks in advance.
I seem to remember Caesar Grajales going under 5 hours for the 6-Gap ride about 4 or 5 years ago. He’s the Jittery Joe’s rider that won the Brasstown Bald stage after breaking away Horner, Lance, and I think Jens Voigt at “the wall” on Brasstown. Awesome stage. Caesar had freakin’ wings that day. And it helped that none of the others cared if he won–Horner was still a domestic rider with something to prove (that’s the story OLN was pushing) and Lance was marking Jens.
Talked to my buddy who was describing the roads around Helen. He did all the climbs and descents, including Brasstown, on a tri bike and survived. Another triathlete friend who has also ridden in Helen several times said the descents are as dangerous as you want to make them. I’m a wimp on descents to begin with, so I’ll be riding the brakes. I’ll have fresh pads on the bike and will pack an extra set of pads to change out midway through the week.
I think you could definitely do all the climbs- if you really wanted to. I personally would stay away from Hogpen and Brasstown- no reason to climb/descend those on your Tri bike- with forward and less stable (esp) descending geometry- esp if you are wimp on descents. Plus- I’m not sure how strong you are- but you would want some really, really low gearing for the steepest section of Hogpen and basically a triple for Brasstown. There are lots of nice valley riding sections, too. Have fun!
Mark and/or others,
How does the Six Gap Century in Georgia compare with the Blood, Sweat, and Gears century ride in NC?
And how quickly does the event fill up?
I’m having hip surgery in 4 weeks, will be on crutches 4-6 weeks and then easing back in to the training. Having an epic century ride late September would be something nice to help with the rehab motivation.
Thanks in advance.
It has filled up many times in the past- but they keep expanding the rider limit AND last year there was a huge gasoline crunch in Atlanta for the month of September- so many people did not have gas, and hence it did not fill up. You would be safe signing up 6 weeks out. It is truly an epic ride- lots and lots of riders (about 2500)- great support, etc. I have never done the NC century- but- have done the six gap century about 8 or 9 times. They have a 30, 56, and 105 mile options (they redesigned the century- and it went from 97 to 105 miles in 2008)- so you could have a goal, one way or the other. The difficulty is sort of how hard you make it- assuming you have the endurance in the first place. People take anywhere from 5 to 10 hours to do the century. It is my favorite ride every year, the most challenging ride every year, and it feels like I’ve done a 1/2 IM when I’m done (but I really try to push it, complete it in a little over 5 hrs, and stop less than about 2 minutes the entire time- to bottle refill). The descriptions and maps in the thread above might help comparing it to your NC century.
Got back from Helen yesterday and survived on a tri bike. Rode M & Tu when the weather was sunny and warm. Did the Unicoi, Jack’s and Hogpen Gap loop followed by a ride to the top of Brasstown via Unicoi on M. Survived the Brasstown climb on a 39-26 (650 wheels), but it was one pedal stroke at a time on the steepest section. I got a ride down in a car.
Did Neels, Wolfpen and Woody’s on Tu. Starting getting a cold on Wed and bailed in the rain. HFP Man descended the steeper side of Hogpen yesterday on his tri bike in the fog.
Loved the roads. My goal next year is to do the six gaps and Brasstown in a single ride.
The highlight of the week was probably unexpected free burgers at the top of Neel’s Gap.
See photos here: http://twitter.com/hfpracing
Glad you survived. Awesome riding there, huh! This was my 2nd year in a row of almost 350 miles during training camp down there. We have been lucky so far with excellent weather.
Thanks. I wanted to get 300 miles in for the week, but my old body can’t handle back to back hard days like it used to, at least at my current fitness level. Was jealous to see that my buddies did a 3 hr trail run today in the rain .
Will likely focus on getting in the one long ride next year.
A couple of friends were talking yesterday about trying to find good roads in the Cumberland Mts of southern KY to reduce the driving time, but I don’t think they’re going to find roads that are close to those surrounding Helen.
nice- come back for six gap century in the fall… 104 miles- and fastest guys are a little over 5 hrs- for an avg speed of 20 mph.
nice- come back for six gap century in the fall… 104 miles- and fastest guys are a little over 5 hrs- for an avg speed of 20 mph.
Very impressive average for those guys. I may sign up for the six gap next year if I don’t come back next spring. Thanks for the advice. It helped several members of our group.