What a difference a year can make. Last year cold rain greeted us 4 out of the 6 days of the camp - which made it tough on everyone. This year is was 87 degrees when we checked into the cabin at 11:00am today along with clear blue skies and a light wind. Today's ride started on time at 4:00pm (late start for those driving in today) and on paper is the easiest ride of the week - an out and back 40 mile course to the base of Brasstown Bald and back. There was the optional climb up Brasstown Bald for those up to it. The ride leaves downtown Helen and immediately starts climbing peaking out at 15% grade at the top of an 8 mile climb. A quick 5 mile decent follows then another long slow climb to the base of Brasstown Bald (site of stage finish at the Tour of Georgia). Superwoman Andrea Myers joined her husband Scott and Kurt Molter for the extra 2.6 mile climb (Brasstown peaks out at 25% grades). The rest of us turned back and enjoyed the 6 mile decent to the base of Unicoi before climbing back up another 5 miles then enjoying the 8 miles downhill back into Helen. Curt Haywood, Mark Lemmon, Tom Lebuhn and myself stopped at a local park and soaked our legs in the icy cold Chattahoochee River for 10 minutes - Mark swears it will be the key to getting through the week. Total ride time 2hr 26min for 39.6 miles. Does that give you an idea of the terrain down here? Next up 80+ miles and 8 major climbs of more than 5 miles each (after 3k in the pool).
I'll be Twitting from the ride with pictures the rest of the week.
Bring it!
HFP Man
About Me
- hfpman
- Shannon has always had a passion for racing ever since his very first “biathlon” in 1987 while in high school. While attending The Ohio State University in 1989 Shannon created Health and Fitness Promotions, which would later become HFP Racing. For more than 20 years Shannon has been a hands-on race director while simultaneously fueling his passion for racing. Don’t be surprised on race morning to catch Shannon covered in sweat and his shoes covered in orange paint as he tirelessly finishes up last minute race details while preparing himself to jump into the race and join the fun.