We had our first long hard ride with a good portion of the group this year. 87 miles with over 8,000 feet of climbing. If I am saying this correctly we just completed 3 hump in NC, which includes sauertown(spelling) Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain. I have been training in Georgia for climbs this year in the Gaps or Dahlonega GA ( for those of you who don't know what the gaps are). I was looking back at one of my post in 2011 and apparently we did two of the 3 humps and I said that these climbs are much harder and intense than the 3 gaps in GA. This past Saturday I said again that the 3 mountain climbs in NC were tougher, so tougher they are, NC wins. My Bro was in Georgia in early January this year and he did three gap( hungover) and finished them quite easily. We do ride for beer, so for David to have had a huge amount of beer the night before should not be a surprise. Again it is obvious, 3 hump is more challenging than 3 gap.
In comparing 3 gap and 3 hump, 3 gap is only 50 miles versus the 87 miles for 3 hump. 3 gap is about 4300 feet of climbing and 3 hump was 8,000 feet of climbing. Now am I comparing apples to oranges or possible bike to bike for I have a different bike now that I rode in NC two years ago. The full 6 gap ride which consist of 100 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing is more difficult than the 3 hump ride hands down. However, the big question is which course is more difficult and challenging, 6 gap century or BSG century. This most likely will soon be discovered by the end of September for I will have finished both rides by that time.
I have not completed 6 gap in one full day like I have done with BSG (x2) and soon to be 3 this year. I am hoping ( well not really) to complete Assault to Mount Mitchell, BSG, and 6 gap century this year so I can compare which of these three rides is more difficult and more challenging. As of now, I think Hogpen Mountain (6 gap) is more challenging than Snake Mountain (BSG) which are the toughest climbs on each ride. I have a fear that MT. Mitchell ( thought I would throw that into the mix) may be the largest animal of all three and it is only 2 freaking weeks away. Happy riding and training to all of you. I look forward to the finish line of each of these rides so we can drink a few tall ones and have shots of patron to celebrate our success and hear the stories. No whining allowed my fellow beer riding buds.
Picture from the Top of Hogpen on April 28th, 2013. I have slaughtered the Pig and I am ready to Kill the Snake in NC again. MT. Mitchell I have no comment for I just don't want to fight this one.
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