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Post by dobovedo on Mar 13, 2010 3:17:46 GMT -5
Forecast is still iffy, but I'm gonna try and do this on Saturday afternoon. I'll be riding from home, and will aim for 1PM @ MM. Moderate pace... I'd like to get a solid effort in, but I'm carrying a few extra winter pounds. (OK, more than a few!)
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Post by dobovedo on Mar 13, 2010 17:10:00 GMT -5
Well.. I didn't quite make it up to Waterock. I got rained on pretty good going up to Balsam from the railroad tracks until just before the Wall. It had cleared off by the time I reached the post office, so I headed up on the parkway. Things were going fine - even had some peeks of sun - but then it started snowing at about 4700'. Kind of a mix of snow/sleet. I kept going because it wasn't sticking. Made it to whatever that overlook is at 5050' when it started to stick, so I snapped some photos and headed back down. What I didn't know when I was coming up was that the temp was dropping rapidly and I'd end up having to descend more than 2000' to get out of the sleet. I was halfway down 74 from Balsam to Sylva before it switched back, and then I got poured on all the way back into town. The last six miles to my house was nice though. Had I worn glove liners and heavier booties I woulda been fine. Didn't lose any digits though - nothing a half hour hot shower couldn't fix. That was as close as I'll come to admitting it's not Spring yet.  |
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Post by godzulla on Mar 13, 2010 17:32:06 GMT -5
Great report. I used to ride in that crap alot up to a few years ago. It seems I got fluffy recently when it comes to cold and wet. It's been so crappy up here in Ohio I probably would have done it with you if I was there.
Carry on
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Post by dobovedo on Mar 13, 2010 18:46:22 GMT -5
Great report. I used to ride in that crap alot up to a few years ago. It seems I got fluffy recently when it comes to cold and wet. It's been so crappy up here in Ohio I probably would have done it with you if I was there. Where in Ohio? I moved here from Piqua (Dayton area) last July. Was up there the first week of March and got in quite a bit of riding. It was cold, but no rain the whole week and the roads were clear (if you don't mind all the residual grit/gravel/salt). |
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Post by godzulla on Mar 14, 2010 21:42:48 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear your from Piqua. Just kidding...sort of I remember stopping there to fuel up heading north a few times. I'm from Cincinnati. We will be down there in your area in 10 days and counting. Hope the weather holds. Here is one of our routes www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/tuckasegee/843126861728666601Not sure which day we are doing what or when. If it works out and I can get an interweb signal (which I doubt) I'll post something. Any snow left up at Richland Balsam?? |
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Post by dobovedo on Mar 15, 2010 11:52:50 GMT -5
Waterrock/Richland-Balsam: The roads had been plowed when I was up there Saturday afternoon because the park service is getting the treefalls and debris cleared. But there's been snow up in the higher elevations the past two days. No idea how much. I also wouldn't be surprised if there was more this week.
Cincinnati/Piqua: I graduated from UC and lived there for 10 years. The move to Piqua was due to a business opportunity for my (now) ex. Other than a cool bakery, a cool sports bar/restaurant and a cool MUP, I share your opinion. ;D
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