*** BLUE RIDGE BREAKAWAY, Aug 17 ***

I added more info and bumped up to the top, this would be more challenging than the Savannah ride...

Gregg

Check it out ... http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com/



I'm gonna miss Savannah (again) because of work so am pondering the Blue Ridge ride instead in August.

4 routes available: century, metric-century, 40, and 24. The century looks VERY challanging witth some very steep climbs up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy ... but the reward when you hit the top is a 30+ mile ride along the ridge with some AWESOME scenery ... then its "all downhill from there" :-) Metric looks to be more reasonable, but is still hilly :-)

Any interest?

Kevin

The Blue Ridge Breakaway offers four routes, suitable for intermediate level riders to avid cyclists. All routes begin and end at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

SAG Stops are available to provide refreshments, first aid, and minor repairs. Rest areas with refreshments and facilities are conveniently located on all four routes.

Hawk - A 105 mile century ride that warms up through the farms of Jonathan Creek, winds through beautiful Fines Creek, then traverses the back roads and farm lands of the towns of Clyde and Canton. A gradual ascent past Sunburst Trout Farm and Lake Logan leads to a soaring climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Riders will then enjoy 32 breathtaking miles of long range mountain views on the Parkway before an equally exhilarating descent through Maggie Valley to Lake Junaluska.

The Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) regulations require the following: The bicycle operator must exhibit a white light or reflector visible at least 500 feet to the front and a red light or reflector visible at least 200 feet to the rear during periods of low visibility, between the hours of sunset and sunrise, or while traveling through a tunnel. Bicycles must be ridden single file except when passing or turning left and well to the right-hand side of the road. Around mile 80 there is a BLIND TUNNEL that will absolutely require a front light as riders will not be able to see which way is up when in the tunnel. Please purchase beforehand a front headlight prior to arriving for the ride. Vendors will have a limited number of these headlights.

Trout - A Metric Century (62.1 miles) that warms up through the farms of Jonathan Creek, then traverses the back roads and farm lands of the towns of Clyde and Canton. A gradual upstream climb past Sunburst Trout Farm to Lake Logan before the turnaround. Riders will backtrack to Lake Junaluska to complete this challenging out and back route.

Panther - A gorgeous ride through Panther Creek, Fines Creek and over Hyder Mountain. Riders will enjoy miles of river views and farmlands. Intermediate 40 mile Ride.

Rabbit Don't let the name fool you; this is not a warm and fuzzy beginner level ride. An intermediate level ride with several challenging mountain climbs. The Rabbit rolls through the farm lands of Jonathan Creek and Crabtree. The ride is marked by two moderate hill climbs over Coleman and Hyder Mountain before finishing with a scenic tour around Lake Junaluska.