from Coastin' November 2003 ...

 

Highlander Cycle Tour Sept 13th, 2003 (NY)

                                          vs.

Bridge to Bridge Sept 21st, 2003 (NC)

I had the opportunity to ride in these events on back to back weekends this past September. Here’s how they stack up. Personal notes: I weighed 180 lbs, & my bike had a 52x42x30 triple crank-set & a 12x25 cassette. This was my first ride in the Highlander, & 7th consecutive in Bridge. - John Price

 

Highlander Points Bridge to Bridge Points
Location Start/finish: South Bristol Ski Station, upstate New York. Good parking, facilities. 8 Start: Lenoir Mall, Lenoir, NC – good parking, facilities

Finish: Grandfather Mtn– with ideal spot for spectators to watch & cheer

 8
Distance 102 miles –enough is enough! 10 102 miles – ditto 10
Time Required 7 hours, 3 minutes-with hills from the very beginning, there’s no drafting! 10 6 hours, 7 minutes – most riders get lots of help drafting in the first 55 miles 8
Climbing 9600’ cumulative-barely an edge 9 9580’ cumulative-both per Avocet 8
Severity of Gradients Two long gradients at 20% & 4mph, lots of people walking, brutal. 10 Only real problem is last 1/2 mile up Grandfather Mtn, but it’s at the end. 6
Cost $25 Very reasonable, benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation 9 $45 A bit pricey, but typical 7
Participation & atmosphere amongst riders 300+, but since there’s no mass start, and 3 route options, you’re never in a

big group. I’m partial to mass-starts!

 4 850, & with the mass start, there’s a 200 member peloton for 55 miles, with numerous smaller groups, too. 10
Perks Post-ride meal of baked chicken, potatoes, trimmings.

Bottle of wine or grape juice from local graperies, specially labeled & bottled for the event.

Door prizes-I won a set of Look pedals!

Long-sleeved t-shirt

 10 Patch for finishers,

Nice t-shirt

Chance to walk on famous mile-high swinging bridge atop Grandfather Mtn.

 5
Unique Feature On the Bopple Rd climb (1 mile at 18-22 %) they paint your name on the road, just like in the Tour de France! 8 Only day of the year the privately held Grandfather Mtn allows cyclists to ride up the mtn. 8
Scenery Lake Canandaiga, Finger Lakes region of New York, gorgeous farm-land 6 Blue Ridge Mtns, Linn Cove Viaduct on Parkway, curvy 221, Grandfather Mtn – 5300’ 10
Max speed 52.0 mph – Seneca Rd. Include the combination of chip & seal pavement, & signs warning of deer! 10 45.0 mph descent on Blue Ridge Parkway to Price Lake. Not real fast, but lasts 2 miles 7
Aid Stations Well stocked, nice people, ample #. 9 I’ve never stopped at one, but they always hand up cups of drinks. 9
Logistical Support

 

 As there are no large packs, nothing really extraordinary required 3

 

 Awesome! Intersections are controlled all the way-at least for the front groups.

Plus shuttle service up & down the mtn.

 10

 
Total Points: 106 106
And the final results yield a tie. Hey, what did you expect? I want to be invited back to both in 2004!