To the Mountains

Tomorrow, we’ll go up to Dahlonega for a ride around the “Original” Triple Gap route.

Why the “Original”?  Way back in the dawn of time, around about the 10^th or 12^th day after the creation, some folks up in North Georgia organized a century and half century ride.  The thought it would be good to have the ride start and finish in the town of Dahlonega.  They did it that way, and it was good.

In those days no one envisioned that the ride would grow to bring thousands of riders to the event.  In fact, there was some thought that not that many people would be attracted to the idea of doing all that climbing, and that they would be fortunate indeed if even 100 riders showed up.  Boy were they ever underestimating the power of a challenging ride to draw riders.  (May others please take note:  A really challenging route, coupled with good organization and support, will bring a huge return!)

Back to the story.  In those Days of Old, the Six Gap Century and Triple Gap 50 started and finished right in the center of Dahlonega.  This original route involved a 16 mile rolling “approach climb” through some of the more delightful cycling country in the world.  In more recent years, in order to accommodate many many more riders, the route has been altered, the approach section deleted.  In this writer’s humble opinion much of value has been lost.

Tomorrow, we will return to that original route.  We’ll leave from the very heart of Dahlonega, and we will have a delightful ride.

There is a cue sheet available on the South Side Cycling Club website, on the documents page.  I’ll have a few copies of the cue at the start of the ride.  Details are below.

We’ll ride the traditional “south triple,” with a start/finish in Dahlonega.  We’ll do this one with one bit of a difference.  Find your parking where you will, but ride to the Courthouse Square.  We’ll use the Square as a Rally Point for the start and finish.  Meet at the Gold Museum at the southeast corner of the square.  (Please use courtesy and common sense in selecting your parking spot.  Do it legally.)  We’ll do the traditional approach to Neels Gap, up Rockhouse Rd, and Porter Springs.  There’s a possibility of a stop at the top of Neels Gap (mile 22), but I prefer to “roll” this summit.  We have another possible store stop in Suches (mile 37).  After descending Woody Gap, we’ll take the old “back way” into Dahlonega.  It’s a lot nicer, and less traffic.

            Where:  Dahlonega, GA.  Court Square.

            Date:  Thursday, 4 August

            Time:  0900 A.M.  (Sharp!)

            Distance/Pace:  Approx 53 miles, with re-group options

Requirements/Conditions: Helmets are required, road bikes strongly

recommended.  We’ll go rain or shine.

            Suggestion:  Mount your climbing gears!