Six Gap Georgia Training

Triathlon Forum
1

Hey Slowtwitchers,

Any of you reside in the Six Gap area or will be around there during the week of July 4? I’ll be up there through the week and looking to log some solid bike miles and sneak in some lake swims. Would love some company. Any training groups or group rides in that area?

Thanks all.

Robert

2

Robert:

I will be in Sewanee TN the weekend of the 4th (Turs - Mon) and would love to ride. How far away are we talking? I would be willing to drive an hour or so to meet.

Eric Wilson

3

Hey Eric

Thanks for the post. According to Yahoo maps, you are about 150 miles away from Six Gap. Oh well, perhaps the SEC rivalry would cause us to abuse each other anyway. I’m a Gator.

I’m assuming your moniker is in reference to good ‘ole fashion Bama football, by the way. One of my cycling buddies played 4 years under Bear Bryant. All American middle lineback Robyn Parkhouse. He’s in his 50s and can abuse anyone regardless of age. At 210, 6’-3" he climbs like a mountain goat. This guy’s pain threshhold is staggering, all according to him, attributable to Bear.

Robert

4

bump
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5

Which part of 6 gap will you be riding? I wont be joining you but I have logged many miles over those mountains and may suggest some routs.

6

Thanks Elund. I’ve ridden there a few times as my folks have a vacation home right smack in the middle of the gaps. Go left, climb Wolfpen: go right, Climb Hogpen (argh, I normally go left). I typically do the basic route of the Six Gap Century, usually 3 gaps at a time, and spin out around the trackrock canyon area. This time I may climb Brasstown Bald just for kicks since the Tour of GA did it. Any particular, different route you take that would be enjoyable?

7

I think there is a reason Six Gap does not include Brasstown Bald in this north Georgia ride. Its too damn hard. I do Six Gap every year I can, and its a great ride. I did Brasstown Bald the day Lance Armstrong and the TdG did it so that I could watch the race from the top of the climb. Even though its only 5km, its significantly steeper than Hogpen, Wolfpen, etc. I’m sure the other reason they don’t include that climb in the Six Gap ride is that you have to descent the same road other riders are climbing. (Potential safety issue.) Having said all that, I think Brasstown would be a great training ride for Six Gap. Good luck on your ride.

8

Robert, Brasstown Bald is short with avg gradient between 10 - 12%. However, there is about a 100 yard section that’s over 20%. My gradient gauge only goes to 20%. This section you will have to zig zag to get up unless you are a good climber. The other good section to climb is closed to bikes which leads up to the viewing tower at the top. So, you end up with about 2.5 miles of climbing. Some people over brake and blow out the tires coming down so be careful.

I usually start at Vogel State Park and go to the top of Jacks Gap(which is the begining of Brasstown Bald). Then I head back down Jacks and go up Hogpen Gap. Once at the top I go down toward Helen and refuel at the store next to the water tubing ride. Then I head back up the 7 mile climb of Hogpen and head back to Vogel.

Rex

9

RA,

Check out the St. Pete Mad Dogs website message board www.stpetemaddogs There is some people from St. Pete who are going up to six gaps for the 4th of Juky weekend and looking for some people to ride with.

10

I usually stay in Helen and do the middle 3. Start with Hogpen, ouch, then Jacks, then the one after jacks. Always a great workout.