Aug 11

Aug 11 Vacation Ride - 9 Gaps

9 Gaps (North Georgia)

So in my previous post I mentioned a Hard Ride. This is it!

Today’s Ride: Hard Road Bike ride with Aimee

Back story, we are planning a very very hard ride early fall, around the time of 6 Gaps in Dahlonega GA. Prior to us attempting that ride, Aimee and I wanted to make sure we could possibly make the Fall ride. So in preparation we decided we would do a 9 Gap ride (name in homage to 6 Gap). One other note, we have 3 dogs (look at first post) and we needed to make sure we got home at least once during the ride to let them out.

The ride started near our house and followed the official 6 Gap ride from there, until we made it to Dahlonega, at which point we cut a “few” miles off the official ride and headed directly towards Neels Gap. Because we started near our house, the order of Gaps were: Hogpen, Wolfpen, Woody’s, Neels, Jacks Unicoi. After Unicoi and a stop for afore mentioned dogs, we repeated Hogpen, Jacks and Unicoi. I get tired just typing all those climbs much less riding them.

We did make one minor detour after climbing Jacks the second time, and that was to descend Jacks by way of Owl Creek. Owl Creek is such a great road, and it brings us to a convenient church water stop before our last climb of the day; back up Unicoi one more time.

The weather could not have been more perfect for a long ride. It started a little foggy in the early morning ascent of Hogpen. Temps on first climb of Hogpen were in the low 60’s. One thing i learned on this ride was how to manage my effort. I don’t have a power meter so I used my heart rate, which for me, meant keeping my heart rate below 155bpm at all times. I know if I go over 165bpm, i’ll burn my matches and 120 miles in the mountains wont happen.

Anyone wanting to do this ride should know that it isn’t hard to do unsupported (if you are in fair shape). What i mean by that, is there are plenty of water stops, store stops for refueling along the way.