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Sacred Summits 2005
About 70 cyclists mastered the mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway September 10th and 11th, 2005 on the second annual Sacred Summits Cycling Tour.
Participation was up about 40% from 2004, when flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Frances washed away large sections of the route, forcing the cancellation of end-of-ride festivities at Lake Logan.
In 2005, Sacred Summits riders finally got to enjoy the 11-mile descent from Devil's Courthouse to Lake Logan. Sunny skies and moderate temperatures greeted riders both days of the ride.
The route was a tough one:
78 miles with 7,362 feet of climbing Saturday
55 miles with 5,753 feet of climbing Sunday
About 100 of those miles were on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a road famed for its design in tune with the landscape. The 2005 Sacred Summits route offered more Parkway mileage than any non-commercial cycling event in North Carolina.
Saturday's route wound out of Spruce Pine toward the Black Mountain range, home of Mount Mitchell, Eastern America's highest peak. The route continued into the Craggy Mountains before taking a long descent into Asheville. Riders took a two-wheeled tour of the Biltmore Estate at the end of Saturday's route as they headed for the tent village at the edge of the estate.
Sunday, riders refueled with a hearty hot breakfast at Biltmore's Deerpark Restaurant, then pedaled back to the Parkway. After the route crossed the French Broad River, the "fun" began, as the route began a relentless series of climbs into the high mountains. Oaks and hickories gave way to balsams and firs as riders climbed to 5,600 feet above sea level for the second time in two days.
Riders were monitored by a contingent of SAG vehicles, EMS personnel and amateur radio operators, some of whom were on bikes. Everyone finished the ride successfully with no injuries beyond a skinned knee Sunday afternoon. Bike techs from Carolina Bikeworks in Morganton and Liberty Bicycles in Asheville kept wheels spinning throughout the ride.
The ride was filled with special moments:
With siren blaring, a Spruce Pine police cruiser led riders out of town from the starting line Saturday, with Blue Ridge Parkway "through-ride" record holder Chris Boone leading the pack up Altapass Highway.
Riders took a well deserved break Saturday at the home of Stewart and Gay Coleman in Biltmore Forest. The shady lawn surrounding their beautiful home was the perfect place to lounge. Bojangles and members of the Asheville Women's Cycling Team presented the luncheon. One-year-old Tommy Pinner was a big hit. He's not pedaling yet, but when he does, watch out!
The spin through Biltmore was truly special; road cyclists are normally not allowed on the scenic roads circling the Estate.
At the tent village Saturday night, Bo's Bluegrass Band entertained riders, volunteers and guests with a great mix of Western swing and bluegrass music. Tents were scattered along the edge of a cornfield. Listening to the crickets chirp, it was hard to believe that both George Vanderbilt's massive home and the cosmopolitan city of Asheville were just a mile or two away. The tent village quickly fell silent Saturday night as pooped pedalers hit the hay to rest up for a challenging ride on Sunday.
Lake Logan sparkled under a bright Carolina sun as riders glided into the valley Sunday. Each and every rider cruised to the finish line accompanied by ecstatic cheering, with a great cookout waiting.
Making a magical journey just that much more surreal were the three documentary filmmakers from UNC-TV. They even found a way to rig a camera to the back of a bike! (Whatever you do, people, don't wave or smile!) They were filming as part of a documentary on the relationship of spirit to land, a topic on many riders' minds as they passed through the spectacular and fragile landscapes of the Parkway.
The ride benefitted the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and environmental preservation efforts at Lake Logan. BRPF executive director Dr. Houck Medford was a motorcycle marshal on the ride; his wife, not to be outdone, pedaled the entire route. Lake Logan's naturalist, Glenn Barnett, nailed down hundreds of details to help riders feel at home at both Lake Logan and the overnight stop at Biltmore.
Ride director Judy Teele rode herd over a small army of volunteers, including volunteer coordinators Karin Kastetter and Beth Turner, logistics expert Kelly Russell, amateur radio coordinator David Houser, medical director Alice Salthouse, route planner Bruce Stahle, emergency services coordinator Jeff Morse and enthusiastic volunteers drawn from 30 Episcopal parishes from across western North Carolina.
Photos from the 2005 Sacred Summits Cycling Tour
Riders assembled near the old train station in downtown Spruce Pine to start the ride
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It was sunny and clear as riders entered the parkway near the Orchards at Altapass
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A jaunty crew
at the Little Switzerland rest stop
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Carolina Bikeworks and Liberty Bicycles bike techs kept those wheels spinnin'
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Smile, you're on Candid Camera!
George, one of the documentary filmmakers, hauled a camera behind his bike for part of the ride
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The tough climbing started
just past this rest stop
at Buck Creek Gap
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The light at the end of the tunnel was a welcome sight...some of those tunnels were long and dark!
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Each overlook sign had a higher elevation as the route snaked its way
toward the Black Mountains
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A rider nears the Mount Mitchell rest stop
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Climbing toward Craggy
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A paceline nears Craggy Gardens
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The dynamic duo
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Karin and company chillin' at the lovely home of Gay and Stewart Coleman
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Spinning down the smooth shady roads of Biltmore Estate
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Bruce Stahle lives in Asheville,
but this is not his house
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Friendly folks and a nice view awaited riders at Sunday's first rest stop
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A lone fir tells the tale...
you're not in the valley any more
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Think your bike was heavy?
Check out the loaded touring bike!
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Taking a break at Mt. Pisgah
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Cruisin' near Graveyard Fields
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It looked like the Black Forest as the ride neared its high point Sunday
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Devils Courthouse was the backdrop
for this scenic rest stop
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Official Sponsor
Sacred Summits Cycling Tour 2005
A BLESSING FOR THE BEGINNING OF
THE SACRED SUMMITS BICYCLE TOUR
- Michael Hudson
May the blessing of God be with you today: may you sense it in the road under your wheels, the wind in your faces, the air in your lungs, the strength in your legs, and the joy in your hearts.
May your bicycles be a blessing to you: tire and tube, chain and gear, pedal and brake.
May you discover as you ride or rest the blessing in those who travel with you, beside, behind, or ahead; and the blessing of those who give thought for your safety, your thirst, your hunger and shelter.
May blessing come to you through the beauty of these mountains: crag and peak, bald and hollow, creek, leaf, sun and cloud.
May these blessings rebound through you to all the people you meet and all the things you see.
And may we all unite in our prayers, blessings, and efforts, so that this particular part of creation might thrive, not just so we and our children can continue to enjoy it, but so that everything that lives, moves, and has its being in these sacred summits might forever be and grow in the joy and pleasure of God.
Amen
2005 Sacred Summits Riders
On behalf of the entire planning team, thanks for riding with us!
Your feedback is important as we plan next year's event.. Click here to e-mail your comments and suggestions about the Sacred Summits Cycling Tour.
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