Hi, GCC,

I'm riding again at 50 mile 3 Gap in Dahlonega this year on Sunday 24 Sept...you heavy hitters know it as 6 Gap~ 100 miles. I was 8th across the line of 450 riders in our shorter ride. The 1st place guy was less than 10 minutes ahead of me. If you saw the start...I was about halfway back in that huge field of ~ 1500 riders...he may have been less than 3-4 minutes ahead of me. We'll never know since the software &/or ankle timers did not work properly to give corrected elapsed time.

I went out and found a Madone 5.2 and started putting in foundation miles earlier focusing on climbing and TT...I spent a lot of time alone last year after the first major climb...roughly the 25 mile mark....I suddenly turned left and did two climbs by myself...except to pass v. weak riders. I spent the last 10 miles closing down the gap on 3 riders who only finished ~1 minute ahead of me. They could take turns pulling...I just chased...it hurt so good. I only averaged about 16.8 mph for the whole 50 miles...max speed just under 40 mph...climbing speed for those 20-30-40 minute climbs of the three big passes~8-12 mph.

But, I'm thinking...maybe someone (or two or three?) who also rides in my speed range is out there & is also thinking about doing 3 Gap...we could "team" up and paceline each other over the last two climbs and the intervening plateau. I'm thinking we could increase our climbing speed to 10-14 mph...and across the occasional "flat" areas crank up the speed to 20+ mph. However...in the last 2-3 miles...we agree...your on your own. May the best man or woman win...right?

FYI: With the newer Madone...I'm riding with a flat ground look down speed of ~ 20 mph...but in a large group I've been cruising comfortably at 22-23 mph. As I ramp up training...those speeds will rise. I'll be 51 in Sept. Unfortunately, if anyone is interested...we can't room...my wife and youngest daughter are going with me. We already have a room at the Comfort Inn-Dawsonville. Dahlonega hotels are already well booked. But, I do know a great place in Dawsonville that puts on a heckuva pre-ride spaghetti dinner.

Think about it...ask if you have questions...do an online search for the ride...it is on the GCC tour schedule.

Let me know if you are interested.

Bob Howland

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