As always, most rides are scaleable ...
* Note: Definition of Categorized Climbs
Category 4 - the easiest which is typically less than 2 km (1.24 mi) long and about 5% grade, or up to 5 km (3.1 mi) at a 2-3% grade.
Category 3 - can be as short as 1.5 km (.93mi) with a very steep grade, perhaps 10%; or as long as 10 km (6.2 mi) with a grade less than 5%.
Category 2 - can be as short as 5 km (3.1 mi) at 8%, or as long as 15 km (9.3 mi) at 4%.
Category 1 - can be anything from 8 km (5 mi) at 8% to 20 km (12.4 mi) at 5%.
Hors Categorie ("above category") rating is given to exceptionally tough climbs. This could be a Category 1 whose summit is also the finish of the stage, or one that is more than 10 km (6.2 mi) long with an average grade of at least 7.5%, or up to 25 km (15.5 mi) long at 6% or steeper
Category |
Easy |
Medium |
Hard |
Extreme |
Day Ride Length |
< 30 Miles |
30-50 Miles |
50-70 Miles |
> 70 Miles |
MaxGrade |
<5 % |
5-10 % |
10-15 % |
> 15 % |
Average Grade |
<4 % |
4-8 % |
8-12 % |
> 12% |
Difficulty |
< 50 |
50-100 |
100-150 |
> 150 |
Ride Climb |
< 2000 ft |
2000-4000 ft |
4000-5000 ft |
> 6000 ft |
Option 1: Drive to Asheville and Use as a Base |
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Click to see ride map |
Notional Miles | Ride Information Links |
Other Data from various sources |
Day 1: Drive to Asheville NC |
Drive from Tiverton to Asheville (14 Hours 896 miles) | ||
Day 2: Ride Mt Mitchell West |
66.5 Miles |
1. Mt Mitchell Climb - good discussion w/pictures
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Day 3: Ride Mt Mitchell Marion |
60.1 Miles |
Alternate up/back BRP (tunnels) |
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Day 4: Ride Paris Mountain Loops | 47.7 Miles | Mulitple passes over Paris Mountain outside Greenville South Carolina I think thsi ride is at about a 1:00 ride from Ashevile. |
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Day 5: Ride Tour of Georgia Loop | 44.2 Miles | The ride that Tom and I did in 2007 when we visited Tour of Georgia. Unicoi Gap, Hogpen Gap and Brasstown Bald. Is about 2:30 drive from Asheville. |
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Day 6: Ride Beech Mountain/ Roan Mountain Loop | 67.6 Miles | Beech Mountain was a finish spot for Tour DuPont. The big climb on this route is Roan Mountain. This ride starts at about a 1:30 drive from Asheville |
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Day 7: Blue Ridge Parkway, Mt Pisgah | 66 Miles | Blue Ridge Parkway form south of Asheville. Crosses Mt Pisgah, Wagon Road Gap, Graveyard Fields and peaks at Devil's Courthouse before returning back to Asheville. The ride is scaleable by starting further along or not going all the way to Devil's Courthouse |
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Day 8: Blue Ridge Parkway, Higest Point | 77 Miles | Ride out of Cherokee NC,Soco Gap, Balsam Gap, and stops at the Higest Point on Blue Ridge Parkway at 6053 feet. The ride can be shortened by starting further in. |
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Day 9: |
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Drive from Asheville to Tiverton (14 Hours) |
Other Rides: | |||
Day 7: Balsam Mountain | |||
Lake Logan | 45 Miles | ||
Climgmans Dome | |||
Spivey Mountain |
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