The routes leave Bakersville and snake through Loafers Glory and Red Hill.
The century splits from the metric and heads toward Tipton Hill, the rivers, Spivey Gap, Erwin, TN.
The metric has moderately short hills to Buladean, about 17 miles.
In Buladean the hills become moderate and the road opens into a beautiful valley.
The Roan "High Knob" can be seen in the distance.
After Buladean, there are 2 miles or so of light hills before you come to the
2 mile Iron Mountain Climb.
Leaving Buladean leaves Roan in the background.
After Descending 5 miles down Iron Mountain the ride turns onto 173 another favorable terrain.
Simmerly Creek is a fast road.
The "Century" route joins the "Metric" here in Limestone Cove.
The Century riders will have 58 miles at this point.
The Metric riders have about 23 miles in.
After a fast ride down Simmerly Creek (173) there are a few miles of hills before the
Tweetsie Railroad Grade.
The RR Grade.
One of the prettiest roads ever.
After entering Roan Mountain, TN (3000 ft. -34 miles metric, 74 miles century),
there are 12 miles to Carvers Gap (5512 ft.).
The last 7 miles are unrelenting.
New the "Gap" the views become incredible.
From Carvers Gap there are only 13 miles to barbecue, veggie burgers, and a shower.
About 12 miles of that 13 are downhill.
After descending 9 miles or so the route has a small bump called Punkin' Patch to roll over.
Here you have yet another view of our "Roan".
The first SAG stop for the century is 30 miles out at Spivey Gap.
The second is at Limestone Cove, 58 miles.
The third is 70 miles on the Railroad Grade.
The fourth is at Burbank, 79 miles.
The fifth and last is atop Carvers Gap, 87 miles.
The first SAG stop for the metric century is
Limestone Cove,23 miles out.
The second is on the Railroad Grade, 34 miles.
The third is at Burbank, 43 miles out.
The fourth and last is at Carvers Gap.
The quarter century (26 miles) leaves the center of town and climbs over
Punkin' Patch.
This is just a mile and a half climb before descending to a flat stretch
through Glen Aire.
The real climb will be past Glen Aire and will last over 6 miles.
13 miles up and 13 miles down.
Total Climbing for the Metric should be about 5900 accumulative feet from
altimeters.
Total Climbing for the Century should be about 8000 accumulative feet from
altimeters.
The larger circumference is the century.
The smaller right loop is the metric.
Be prepared for wintry weather even at
the height of summer.
Necessities for riding the Roan may be
arm warmers and vest.
If it's not cold and wet on Roan Mountain, just hang around a bit.
1-828-688-6102
jimbev@mitchell.main.nc.us
E-mail Michael
