Peak Appalachian Cyclists

What: 3 Gap Deja Vu

When: Saturday rolling out at 6:45 am

Where: Leaving from R-Ranch

Details: Plan to arrive at 6:30 am so we can be rolling out at 6:45 am at the latest. That way we will avoid most of the heat! We will ride 3 Gap clockwise (Woody, Wolfpen, Neel’s) and then spin it around at the “Home of the White Bat” and do it all again counter clockwise (Neel’s, Wolfpen, Woody). This ride will pack lots of climbing in 60 miles so show up ready to work. Like last week, each climb will have a purpose. Check out the Six Gap 2008 page for climb descriptions.

The week began with crazy weather on Tuesday and some got in a ride and others didn’t. Those who did ride on Tuesday had a good threshold, or bleed, ride for the week. Those who missed this ride ended up getting a threshold ride on Thursday night in Dahlonega. Leroy did a double and rode hard on Tuesday and Thursday night! Way to go!

We completed our first week of Six Gap training with a very successful gap ride on Saturday morning. We had a good turn out for this ride and it was nice to see a long chain of PAC kits cruising through the mountain roads. We started from the High School in Dahlonega and headed to the 3 Gap loop using the new start for Six Gap. I had forgotten how hilly Black Mountain road is and now know that this will add a new challenge to this year’s Six Gap Century. Our 3 climbs of the day were Neel’s Gap, Wolfpen Gap, and Woody’s Gap. The plan was to ride Neel’s very hard (threshold), stand from the perfect switchback on Wolfpen all the way to the top, smash the Valley road past Lake Winfield Scott, and then big ring Woody’s. This turned out to be a very good workout and the PAC crew handled it well. Everyone did a great job and stepped up to these challenges. The final distance for the loop was ~59 miles, so all of you who are planning to ride 3 Gap in September, be prepared for that distance.

Rest up and we’ll do it all again next week. Details will be posted on the Six Gap 2008 page.

What: Gap ride to prepare for Six Gap

Where: Leave from LCHS in Dahlonega

When: Saturday rolling out at 7:30 am.

Details: We will ride 3 Gap using the new roads for the beginning and ending of this year’s Six Gap route.  This ride will be approximately 50 miles.

Check out the Six Gap 2008 page for more details of this ride and for the Six Gap/Three Gap Training Plan details.

The PAC group had a great day of riding this Thursday. It started with Wendy and Parker taking on 3 Gap from R-ranch in Dahlonega Thursday morning. This was Wendy’s first time in the gaps in 2 years and Parker’s first time EVER! They overcame a few obstacles (dropped chain, missing turns, feet coming unclipped in curves) and ended up having a successful 3 Gap experience. You both should feel proud of your accomplishment!

The rest of the PAC group did the usual Thursday Night ride from the DAC in Dahlonega. The pace for the ride was probably as high as it’s ever been and Jan definitely won the “viking” award for her effort put forth to hang in! Way to represent for the females Jan!!! It was nice to see Susan out riding again and we hope she continues to join us. In all we had 7 riders (Bobby, Lee, Jan, John D, Mike, Susan, and Erin). We ended the day with our traditional Moe’s meal and like always, stayed and chatted until they practically kicked us out.

Six Gap Training starts this Saturday. Check out the Six Gap 2008 page for details.

Click on the link below for a great one page summary of tips for motorists and cyclists to co-exist on our highways.  Too bad this information isn’t more public because I think it would make it much safer for our cycling groups here in North Georgia.  Share this with as many people as you can so we can take action and get the word out!

Motorists and Cyclists