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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1707.0. "Charlotte "Fall Century Extravaganza"" by SHALOT::ELLIS (John Lee Ellis - assembly required) Fri Aug 17 1990 12:05

    
    On Sunday 30 September, the Tarheel Cyclists of Charlotte will be
    putting on their "Fall Century Extravaganza" (as seen in at least
    one major magazine, probably Bicycling, on their ride-list).
    
    I only mention this because, in addition to 50 and 100-mile rides,
    there will be a Double Century (200 mile), which I have been
    volunteered to lead. :-)
    
    That's a nice time of year to come down here, so if any of you are
    planning to be in the area, and are attracted by a jaunt of this length
    into the wilds of NC/SC, please come - and send mail.
    
    -john
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1707.1fait accompli!SHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredSun Sep 30 1990 23:2149
    
    Just back from the successful completion of the Double Century
    division of the Tarheels Fall Century Extravaganza.  
    
    The Double started at 5:08am with a 26-mile tour of Charlotte's
    better neighborhoods - the collonades and luxus lawns *almost*
    visible from the street lighting... then, as the first dim light
    of day showed us a stolid overcast, we donned our Foster Grants
    and headed south, into the wilds and backwoods of South Carolina.
    
    The route touched three more county seats (Charlotte being the first) 
    - York, Chester, and Winnsboro - before bottoming out at Ridgeway SC,
    a dozen miles shy of Columbia, and perched atop one of a washboard
    series of punishing (I mean, delightful) ridges.  The next 50 miles 
    traversed those ridges, through woodlands unblemished by convenience stores
    or other signs of civilization.  The last 50 miles gradually regained
    those trappings (traffic, convenience stores, housing), as we sped
    in to a victorious neck-and-neck finish at dusk.
    
    The hidden drama was the weather: the overcast was an omen of a Gulf
    depression that was supposed to move up from Florida with inch-an-hour
    rainfall.  We got sprinkles southbound, and thought the game was up,
    but a cold front kept the torrents at bay, and we were treated to
    mild sun and 70's - in other words, vigorous, autumnal cycling!
    
    Things went according to clockwork, including the Secret Checkpoint
    outside Sharon SC, complete with checkpoint-guard-dog Buster, and
    Farmer Ed "ULTRIX" Kelly as the checkpoint official.
    
    The peloton did a remarkable job of staying together the entire
    route.  While crowd-control was a problem at first (a hint for
    next year's event!), things rapidly settled down as the sole
    rider (besides me) hit the road.  Yes, it is true: only one
    rider showed up, and he had driven 100 miles up from Columbia.
    Charlotteans and other locals wimped out (doubtless because of the
    weather forecast - it couldn't be my breath, could it??), while
    the Columbian and I had a great ride.  So there!
    
    Ok, no Charlotteans, but I was glad to have Woody along - full name
    Frank Graham III, UMCA, PBP'87, BMB'90, BAM'90, etc., etc., veteran.
    
    The route was designed to be rustic, quiet, and expansive; showing
    new terrain to Charlotteans, who don't usually venture southward that
    far.  Instead, we got within a dozen miles of the Woody's home town!
    
    To those who couldn't make it (with especial reference to JSMITH),
    better luck next year.  The BBQ and sausage biscuits will be waiting!
    
    -john
1707.2Charlotte in the 70's sounds like funGSFSWS::JSMITHChromed CannondaleMon Oct 01 1990 13:529
    	John,
    
    		Reading your report was almost as enjoyable
    	as actually being there.  Since my next double will
    	be my first (non-metric that is) I think I can use
    	another years worth of preparation.  Hopefully the
    	crowds won't be a problem when I do make my debut :)
    	
    					_Jerry