New Year's Day Ride to Mt. Mitchell ANYONE ? ?

[3fan4life]

I'm thinking about doing a ride to Mt. Mitchell tomorrow.

The thing is that I don't really want to do it by myself.

So the question is, Anyone want to come along ?

Currently, the BRP and Mt. Mitchell SP are open, it does look like the best access point will be NC 80.

I'm thinking about a noon meet up on either Marion, NC or Spruce Pine, NC. If anyone is interested chime in here.

I'm only a little familiar with this area so I'm open to suggestions as to where to meet and such. 

[DDT (12)]

Sorry, I can't make this one... I'd have been even more interested with a little more notice (I just read about it this morning), but now I don't really have the time to make a leisurely run up there, and I'm not in to Iron-Butting any longer.

I do really, really like spur of the moment, whim type rides, though, and this does have much appeal in spite of the brrrrr factor obviously involved (thanks to SmokinJoe, I now have Gerbigs!)! Alas, even though I am tempted to try it anyway, I also have another activity to attend... Oh well, perhaps next time...

I do hope you go ahead and make this one, even if you wind up doing it alone... And, a report on the ride would also be appreciated. All of us enjoy the freedom of the road and the exhilaration of unexpectedly throwing a leg over the saddle and heading out in search of adventure,  even when we can only read about the experiences of others. You are a for real rider, my friend, and I salute your whim-ness!!!

DDT

[3fan4life]

I apologize for such short notice.

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile.

This particular ride is totally dependent upon the weather so I waited until the weather forecast was as certain as a forecast can be.

As for the Gerbings,

From my house to Mt Mitchell and back is about a 600 mile roundtrip.

I wouldn't even be thinking about making this ride (this time of year) if I didn't have a complete set.

[3fan4life]

So NO-ONE wants to brave the cold and get in a good FROTY (First Ride Of The Year) ?

[3fan4life]

Looks like I'm riding tomorrow even if it is by myself.

The wife just told me that I couldn't stay home.  ???

[Mr Whiskey]

Wish I'd a caught this sooner Mark. We may still roll that way but it's only half that distance for us so we prob wont leave here till 'bout noon. Takin' the scenic route through Del Rio & Mars Hill. Prob run The Rattler on the way back. Ride safe Bro, see ya in the spring!

[3fan4life]

Made the ride to Mt Mitchell and back yesterday.

As crazy as it was it felt good to get in so many miles on New Years Day.

Made it to Marion, NC about 1:00 PM stopped to grab Food and Fuel before riding NC 80 up to the BRP.

The BRP was clear except for some small patches of ice in the tunnels.

The weather was good in the lower elevations but as I got near the summit of Mt Mitchell the wind began to pick up and the sky began to cloud up.

It didn't look too bad at first:

 


It didn't take long for conditions to deteriorate though:



Not the worst that I've seen up there but this is one place that conditions can change fast.

When I left Marion, NC it was a nice feeling 48° F with plenty of sunshine.



The temp at the summit was 25° F with clouds and 30mph winds


With the clouds moving in and the temp dropping I didn't spend long up on the mountain.



It's amazing how much difference about 1,200' in elevation can make.


Whiskey had suggested a place for a photo op. I didn't find the exact location.
But, I did find a pretty good one:

 


13 hours and 543 miles after starting my ride I made it back home.

Again not bad for New Years Day.

If it hadn't been for the Gerbings it would've been a miserable day. Thanks to them I was comfortable for the entire ride. That's some of the best money that I have ever spent.

I recently purchased a cheap new flip face helmet with built in Bluetooth, it also performed well on yesterdays ride.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry Mark, I thought about it, but too far for this old man in the cold.

And I'm a football nut on New Years day.

[3fan4life]

Sorry Mark, I thought about it, but too far for this old man in the cold.

And I'm a football nut on New Years day.

It made for a long day.

This "Old Man" was ready to be off the bike by the time I got home.

The Gerbings prevented the cold from being an issue.

After awhile you're so comfortable that you tend to forget that it's even cold.

[beartooth]

Not the worst that I've seen up there but this is one place that conditions can change fast.

Back in September I went to Mt. Mitchell. On top at noon the temp changed....fog set in...wind blew.....mist came....I couldn't see through my glasses due to the sleet and I had frost on my chin strap when I got back to the bike. I think the temp dropped something like 30 degrees. The ground looked like snow had fallen.

[Mr Whiskey]

Sorry we didn't get over there with ya Bro. I love it in them mountains. Soon as the grandbaby gets  grow'd, we're movin', hahaha.
Great pic's as usual Brother!

[3fan4life]

Sorry we didn't get over there with ya Bro. I love it in them mountains. Soon as the grandbaby gets  grow'd, we're movin', hahaha.
Great pic's as usual Brother!

I think that I did see the place on the river that you were talking about.

But, I didn't have time for any more stops.

The next time that you and Sugar are planning a camping trip there give me a shout.

Ginger and I might come by if we can. 

[3fan4life]

Not the worst that I've seen up there but this is one place that conditions can change fast.

Back in September I went to Mt. Mitchell. On top at noon the temp changed....fog set in...wind blew.....mist came....I couldn't see through my glasses due to the sleet and I had frost on my chin strap when I got back to the bike. I think the temp dropped something like 30 degrees. The ground looked like snow had fallen.

It can go from good to bad up there quickly:





About the coldest that I have ever been on a bike was there in July 1985 or 86.

When I left Asheville that day it was 70° F and sunny.

On the mountain it was 30's and spitting snow.

I was only wearing t-shirt and jeans since it was a "warm" summer day.

I paid $25 for a sweatshirt in the gift shop and was glad to have it for the ride off the mountain.

[Jess from VA]

I paid $25 for a sweatshirt in the gift shop and was glad to have it for the ride off the mountain.

Exact thing happened to me on Skyline Drive (soon after I arrived here).  Ended up on top in a Tshirt freezing my azz off and paid $50 for an artsy-fartsy tourist Sweatshirt (only choice), which is still in the dresser, since I wouldn't be caught dead in the bathroom wearing the stupid thing.  

I always have extra gear in the bike now, including a baggy rain suit, which is not the height of fashion, but which has served me well in cold dry weather a number of times.  It has also been loaned to other riders and their passengers several times for cold (not wet).

[3fan4life]

I paid $25 for a sweatshirt in the gift shop and was glad to have it for the ride off the mountain.

Exact thing happened to me on Skyline Drive (soon after I arrived here).  Ended up on top in a Tshirt freezing my azz off and paid $50 for an artsy-fartsy tourist Sweatshirt (only choice), which is still in the dresser, since I wouldn't be caught dead in the bathroom wearing the stupid thing.  

I always have extra gear in the bike now, including a baggy rain suit, which is not the height of fashion, but which has served me well in cold dry weather a number of times.  It has also been loaned to other riders and their passengers several times for cold (not wet).

I carry extra gear with me now, but on that day I was riding one of these.............



I wore that sweatshirt until it was totally worn out.

$25 was a lot of money for a sweatshirt in the mid 80's.

[Jess from VA]

Come to think of it, I could wear mine too.  Inside out.   

[DDT (12)]

I bought a souvenir sweatshirt for my ex once upon a time in Nova Scotia... same reason, but I didn't tell her that right away... I even 'broke it in' for her, too. Hard to believe a woman would give up on a thoughtful guy like me, huh...

On balance, it's probably best I didn't attempt this ride after all... My time would certainly have been better spent on the road, though, than by cheering-on my favorite teams... and enduring a loss by every one of them! Hmmm, I could probably make even more money than the insurance companies are 'saving' me by betting against myself!

On the other hand, we had light rain off and on here all day yesterday and again today, with more of the same in the forecast for tomorrow... Three days in the same motel is certainly not a pleasant prospect, but neither is riding in rain with temps in the 40s and low 50s... Oh well... At least our politicians ain't in Washington right now, so no new taxes or rules being passed at the moment...

DDT (always looking for the silver lining...)