We planned to go up and do the Ceasar's Head loop counterclockwise, but got lost on the way becase we couldn't see where we were going or our familiar landmarks. After about 15 miles of going in circles, we got back on track with the route and started up the climb known as Bob's Place. There we were surpirsed to see snow on the roadside after climbing only 600 feet. Once we reached the Continental Divide, at over 3,000 feet, there was a ton of snow - probably 6-7 inches in the shade. As we dropped into North Carolina, the air was cold. Luckily, we had a break from the cold when we got down in the valley near Rosman.
There was a section on East 4 that was so steep and has wicked switchbacks and close to a 20 percent grade. Well, Bryan didn't see it up ahead in the fog, and sprinted into the bottom of if like it were a rolling hill. He was in for a suprise! Otherwise, he did really well yesterday, he held his own pace; and Andy was markedly stronger than last year and able to hang tough even at the end of a monster ride like that; and Jeff was hammering. It was a good time, the descent on the front side of Caesar's Head was nuts! Six and half miles, sneaking switchbacks, the road covered in sand. It was still a sweet descent that kept going and going, top to bottom it probably descends 2,500 feet. At the bottom, we stocked up on cookies, muffins, and coffee; we burned so many calories up to that point, from riding in the cold and doing the Blue Mountain climbs.
Due to our taking too long of a route on the way out and still committing to what was a really long ride made for 120 miles for Bryan and I, and close to 130 miles for the suckers who are staying on the other side of the bridge that is out and has a detour route around it.
To quote Bryan, he says "that ride was epic! I got nervous when they started talking about eight hours. I mean, I know I can suck it up and survive through seven hours, but when they said eight, I was like 'oh man.'"
This is all part of the big adventure and why we come back to Clemson each year; having a great group to ride with makes the miles go by and lets us laugh even when we get lost.
Having fun in Clemson,
JB
Labels: Epic Adventures, The Elements, Training
posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 9:45 AM 
