Any cyclists coming to MSSD?

[MDK]

I am planning to bring my road bike ("the stealth bomber") with me this year to MSSD to ride the hwy 28/129 loop from Fontana to deals gap, left down 129 to Cheoah dam and on to Robbinsville, left on 143 to 28 at Stecoah valley and back to the village. I haven't fully scouted this by bike but I did drive the route last year. It's got some climbing that will surely kick my butt but it's not Alp du Huez or Brasstown Bald. Looking over my map I'm guessing it about a 25-30 mi ride.:pleasantry:

If anyone wnts to join me I'm planning on heading out some time Saturday- when is up to you. If there is some interest but you want to do the short version of Paul's rally then we can ride in the afternoon, if your more up for a morning ride, that's cool as well. If it's just me, I'll probably ride in the AM to avoid some traffic and free up the afternoon.:lazy2:

As you can see I'm flexible with the schedule and kind of winging the whole plan so feel free to add any sugesstions:victory:

[MDK]

No one....hello??? (is this thng on?):meeting:

I see several have looked it over but so far no replies- if you're thinking about it feel free to make suggestions, etc.- I'd love some company.:yes4:

[BlimeyCabrio]

By the way... I just plotted this out in Google Maps - it's about 47 miles...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Fontana+Rd%2FNC-28&daddr=NC-28+to:robbinsville,+nc+to:35.438296,-83.812637&hl=en&geocode=FVy3HAIdpvkA-w%3BFZwmHQIdzn3_-g%3B%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=2&mrsp=3&sz=11&sll=35.395767,-83.825684&sspn=0.233408,0.539703&ie=UTF8&z=11

Note that there IS a shortcut (all paved) that you can take back over the ridge from Tapoco to Fontana - ends up being about 20 miles, with a nice little climb over the ridge...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Fontana+Rd%2FNC-28&daddr=NC-28+to:35.435079,-83.836842&hl=en&geocode=FVy3HAIdpvkA-w%3BFZwmHQIdzn3_-g%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=1&mrsp=2&sz=13&sll=35.451755,-83.86589&sspn=0.058312,0.134926&ie=UTF8&ll=35.445428,-83.865681&spn=0.058316,0.134926&z=13

Or you can do it the "other way" around, which is about 43 miles, takes the back way from Tapoco to Fontana, and avoids getting you SMUSHED by me going warp 4 down the Hellbender.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Fontana+Rd%2FNC-28&daddr=35.392409,-83.717194+to:Robbinsville,+NC+to:NC-1246&hl=en&geocode=FVy3HAIdpvkA-w%3B%3B%3BFQOyHAIdM78A-w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&sll=35.39625,-83.872105&sspn=0.233406,0.539703&ie=UTF8&z=11

[MDK]

Thanks Paul-wow I miss judged the distance pretty bad-I was using the scale from the map they have at Fontana and eye balling it.

I was wondering about that road along yellow creek-that might be a winner as I was a little worried about the traffic down 129 from Deals Gap.

[BlimeyCabrio]

I haven't driven Yellow Creek Road or whatever that is - but it's my understanding that it is paved - both ends are, for sure... This should be an interesting route - keeps you off the highway except for one stretch of 28, and that section is mostly wide and non-scary. Most of the lunatic driving happens going the other direction down 28....

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Fontana+Rd&daddr=NC-1242%2FUpper+Tuskeegee+to:NC-1242%2FYellow+Creek+Rd+to:35.44403,-83.904734+to:Fontana+Heights%2FNC-1246&hl=en&geocode=FZqwHAId7u0A-w%3BFQxUHAIdQHUC-w%3BFWJSHAIdCFEB-w%3B%3BFYabHAIdNtIA-w&mra=dme&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=3&sz=14&via=1,2&sll=35.435079,-83.909969&sspn=0.029162,0.067463&ie=UTF8&ll=35.423469,-83.810921&spn=0.116664,0.269852&z=12

This one is about 28 miles and should be really cool, little traffic, but a good amount of up and down....

[BlimeyCabrio]

Oops - that one has some gravel according to the county map:
http://dotw-xfer01.dot.state.nc.us/imgdot/DOTCountyMaps/PDFs/graha_plt01GIS-Tif800.pdf

Here's a re-route without the gravel - but longer - about 34 miles:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Fontana+Rd&daddr=NC-1242%2FUpper+Tuskeegee+to:NC-1242%2FYellow+Creek+Rd+to:35.441932,-83.937263+to:Fontana+Heights%2FNC-1246&hl=en&geocode=FZqwHAId7u0A-w%3BFQxUHAIdQHUC-w%3BFWJSHAIdCFEB-w%3B%3BFYabHAIdNtIA-w&mra=dme&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2&sll=35.416754,-83.841133&sspn=0.116674,0.269852&ie=UTF8&z=12

This section of 129 isn't too bad...

[wildcrazy442000]

Paul,
Scotty has assured me the Enterprise, I mean Blimey can do more than Warp 4. I am guessing the unloaded wheels don't leave the ground before at least Warp 6.

[MDK]

Thanks for the route planning Paul- you are the official unofficial DS of the team- which of course means you get to drive behind me (or us) and yell VENGA, VENGA! into a bullhorn.