[C4 Rides] [C4members] Mt. Mitchell Ride Plans

[Shawn]

For any first-timers, pay close attention to Matt's #7!!! 

52 deg on the mountain is cold enough. Add in sweat and wind chill on the way down and you will be miserable if you don't have something to buffer the wind. 

Have a great ride and be safe. 

Shawn




On Sep 12, 2013, at 12:29 PM, Matt Hartman <matt at fourmattech.com> wrote:

> Hi Folks,
> 
> Here are the plans for Mt Mitchell Saturday Sept 14.  Just remember, if you don't think you an do it, you probably can.
> 
> 1)  Please meet at Touchdown pizza between 6:30am and 6:45am so we can sort bikes and carpooling.  We depart at 7am.   If you show up at 7:00.01 you'll be seeing tail lights.
> 
> I'm trying to get a tally of who's going, so drop me a note and let me know if you are going, and how you plan to get there, drive yourself, or carpool from TDP
> 
> 2) Travel arrangements.  We will try to carpool as much as possible.  If you cannot stay or don't want to stay until everyone has finished, or stay to grab a bite to eat afterwards, please arrange your travel accordingly.  
> 
> 3) I will have 2 jugs with icewater, and a container of Gatorade powder for bottle refills.  I will also have a variety box of chips for everyone.  Everyone please bring a little something to share with everyone, bananas, cookies, newtons, etc.  
> 
> 4) We will shoot to arrive at 9:00 and be on the road as soon as everyone is ready.  Parking is always an unknown.  We start at the corner of HWY 70 and HWY 80, and there are 2 options.  The closed hotel across the intersection, and a warehouse on the left just after you turn on HWY 80.  Don't try to park at the shops on the corners.  The owners have been known to get testy.
> 
> 5) SAG will be provided in case you run into problems, and we will have main regroup points at the parkway, and at the top of the mountain.  Cell phone signal is spotty at best, and non-existent at worst, but bring one along just in case, but don't rely on it.
> 
> 6) Be sure to have a rear blinky light.  We will be going through 2 tunnels, and the Park service requires lights for cyclists.
> 
> 7) Please plan for cold temperatures.  The departure temp in Marion is forecast to be 57 at 9AM, and the top of the mountain is to be 52 degrees at noon.  At minimum, make sure you have arm warmers and a base layer.  My recommendation is to bring a wind     proof jacket, you'll be sweaty at the top and will be really chilled on the way down the mountain.  Just make sure you have something you can peel off on the way down because the finish temps are going to be in the mid 70's.
> 
> 8) Afterwards, we usually grab a sit-down bite to eat at the Fatz cafe on HWY 70 on the way out of town.   
> 
> 9) Arrival back home can be between 5 and 7 depending on how fast or slow everyone is.
> 
> Other notes:  Gearing recommendations for humans would be a compact crank 50/34 with a 28 tooth rear.  Make sure your brakes are     in good working order.  Bring electrolyte tablets in case of cramps.  Also, sunscreen and handy wipes for cleanup afterwards.  There is a snack bar and restrooms at the top, but nothing in between.   Route map can be found here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3338298
> 
> See you all Saturday!
> 
> -- 
> Matt Hartman
> 704-793-6739
> matt at fourmattech.com
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