2012 - Allegheny Mountains Loop (AML 400)

[al_maxey]

Yes on the Ridge Alternate, that is part of the course.  The deal with the Mountain Lake cutoff is that it's safer on the return trip, so everyone hits that on the way back, use the normal AML route on the way out. 

Here is the blurb from the AML Map:

Located on maps 1 and 2, it is recommended
to ride the 19.5-mile Mountain Lake Cutoff
only from north to south when returning
to Blacksburg. It is 5.5 miles shorter, and
includes a paved downhill in this direction.

[Payton MacDonald]

Well, my first attempt at the AML didn't go as I had planned.  Race report here if you're interested: http://paytonmacdonald.wordpress.com/

I only got to Marlinton before having to drop out, but I have a few tips for you guys and gals doing this later in the year:

1.) Most of the "towns" on the route are just a few houses with no services.  Plan carefully and take more food and water than you think you'll need, especially if it's hot out.

2.) Train on hills.  I didn't even get to the hard part and I had my backside handed to me on a platter.  I trained hard and on lots of hills, but I was still suffering.  They're relentless.  I repeat: train on hills.

3.) Exercise EXTREME caution on many of the roads on this route.  Many of them are windy and narrow and although there are few cars there are still some; when you’re descending a hill they are often coming up in the center of the road or even your side when coming around a corner.  And like everywhere in this country, all the drivers are busy playing with their "smart" phones and not paying attention to anything else.  Although it will be tempting to blast down the descents after suffering up the ascents, you will need to ride your brakes and stay to the far right to avoid a head-on collision with a car.  I'm especially concerned about the big group doing the Grand Depart in October.  Never ever ride side by side on those descents.  Be very, very careful.

Have fun, it's a gorgeous route.

[bikpdlr]

Here's a link to my blog with pictures, videos and beta from my first full ride of AML.  Kelly Klett and I set out with the intention of riding the route as hard as we could, but also to soak it up a little before the ride in October.

We pedalled the last two hours in a thunderstorm that dropped buckets of rain on us.  There was so much thunder and lightning, you'd think we were pedalling through a war zone.

Our official finishing time (we finished together) was 57 hours and 29 minutes...

http://thebikepedaler.blogspot.com/2012/05/allegheny-mountains-loop-may-2012.html

****************

Better luck next time to Payton MacDonald and Eric Metzgar...

****************

For anyone interested in pedalling AML, check out the write-ups from Tour Divide veterans Markley Anderson and Cricket Butler.  The links are listed earlier in this thread on page 1.  Those guys "hammered" the route in sub-freezing temps earlier this year in March.  Their blogs are great and "frozen water bottles" are certainly a possibility in October.

I agree with Payton MacDonald that climbing is a big part of this challenge. 

I also completely agree with Markley Anderson (on two points)...

1.  After you make the turn at Glady this becomes a whole different ride.  On Day 2 and Day 3, my eTrex recorded two back-to-back 12,000 foot days of climbing after Glady !!!

2.  The hardest climb (for me as well) was the gravel road just south of I-64 on the return leg to Blacksburg.  The second hardest (for me) was the Mountain Lake Cutoff (also on the return leg).  I should add that the climb up to "The Ridge" is killer as well, but the series of descents after you top out on that climb were so much fun...

My eTrex recorded 33,000+ feet of climbing for the entire route.

We did go off course to Trent's General Store in Bartow for "hot food".  They have a grill there and serve breakfast in the mornings and everything else for lunch and dinner.  Please note:  services are scarce from Bartow all the way to I-64 on the return leg !!!

I'm looking forward to the Grand Depart in October.  We have more than 30 riders on the start list at this point.  Fortunately, Virginia Tech DOES NOT have a home football game the weekend of the ride.  We can expect an ample supply of amenities and accomodations (pre- and post-ride).


Chris Tompkins
Danville, VA

[Payton MacDonald]

One thing I forgot to mention is that if any of you are planning on sleeping over in Marlinton (mile 140ish) you should check out the Old Clark Inn.  It's a cycle haven.  Nelson (the owner) is a cyclist and the place caters to our kind (as well as motorcyclists).  You can get a shared room for as low as $35.  It's clean and comfortable, etc.  Highly recommended.  Here's a link with info:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g59290-d538119-Reviews-or10-Old_Clark_Inn-Marlinton_West_Virginia.html#REVIEWS

[Andy74]

57 hours! you guys are animals
makes me realize i'll stick to touring

[al_maxey]

How was the route for stealth camping?  Can you bivvy pretty easily or do you need to plan for finding lodging, campgrounds, or camping on the GRT?

[Payton MacDonald]

Lots of camping opportunities.

[al_maxey]

I was planning to ride the upper end of the route this weekend, Dunmore to Glady and back down the Ridge Alternate but I think the storm damage has closed some parts.  I have heard that the GRT is blocked/closed in areas...not sure it will be worth the 4 hour drive to find closed trail.  Anybody know anything about the condition of the trails/towns out there?  I guess they got hit as hard as we did here in VA.

[ruthslp]

Im all for supporting the initiative too for what you are doing with the AML, but I have to agree with JHL. In that area in particular is awesome and as you saw he did post from his knack at scouting/routing some really cool off road alternatives. I'm a little sad that same exploratory passion doesn't seem to be much on a lot of posts in general for newish routes/ideas. keep it up JHL....in fact you need to stop posting all your hard (fun) work for free and publish a book

[rooster14]

i am planning on doing it!
oooh. also, is there a viable GPX file available for this route yet?

[bikpdlr]

i am planning on doing it!
oooh. also, is there a viable GPX file available for this route yet?

There is a link for the .gpx file on the blog page... http://alleghenymountainsloop.blogspot.com/

[keeb]

I'm planning on doing this ride in Oct. and I have a few questions:

Parking: Is there a good spot to park the car for a few days?
Water: Are there plenty of potable water sources along the way, or are people having to filter water?

[bikpdlr]

Keeb,

Because the route begins and ends at the Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel, technically, there is no long-term parking at the Start/Finish area.

There is parking just off campus about 3/4 of mile from the start on University City Blvd.  There is a 24-hour Kroger grocery store that would seem be a pretty safe bet.

You might also check with the local bike shops and hotels for other options.

There is water along the route, however, you should consider that from I-64 northbound up to Glady and back to I-64 (approx 240 miles of the route), options become much more scarce.

In particular, from Cass to Durbin and north to Glady and then southward to Bartow, your options will be very limited.  Many of the businesses in the towns I just mentioned pretty much close at dark, so keep that in mind as well.

Unless you come off route and head West to Bartow, the rest of the route southward through Mountain Grove and on to I-64 is very limited as well.

A suggestion might be to review all the services mentioned on the ACA maps and make a few phone calls to verify that local businesses are open and to determine their hours of operation.

Are you on the mailing list or start list?  Have you sent in an LOI yet?

We'll see you in October...


Chris Tompkins
Danville, VA

[jhl99]

RE:  Water

Keeb,

In particular, from Cass to Durbin and north to Glady and then southward to Bartow, your options will be very limited.

If you rely on city water (from a tap), then yes, the above is true.  Otherwise, the Greenbrier river is right along the route (flows S)....N to its headwaters and you cross a 'divide' into the Glady Fork watershed a little S of Glady (Glady Fork flows N).

[bikpdlr]

That's true... the river is there if you have a pump or would like to drink treated water.  Although the banks are steep and rocky, it is accessible in places and you will see many fisherman down in the river as well.

Here's what I meant by scarce... very limited "services" on-route

From I-64 northbound... approx. 4,000 feet climbing

Greenbrier River Trail (80 miles) - 5 potable water sources at state-maintained campsites on the trail (per GRT maps)
Cass, WV - State Park facility (may be closed)
Back Mountain Road (15 miles) - residential ONLY with streams
Durbin, WV (.5 miles off-route) - CASH ONLY grocery store
West Fork Trail (22 miles) - River ONLY
Glady, WV (on-route) - residential ONLY


From Glady southbound... approx. 12,000 feet climbing

Glady to Hwy 28 to Hwy 250 (25 miles) - Wilderness area with streams
Bartow, WV (off-route 3 miles) - Service stations (hours vary)
Bartow to I-64 (100 miles) - Mountain Grove (small store may be closed) and Lake Moomaw marina (may be closed)

[keeb]

Thank y'all for the good info.

[bikpdlr]

Keeb,

Are you starting on Oct 5th?

I just wanted to make sure i had you on the email list and start list.


Thanks,

Chris Tompkins
Danville, VA

[bikpdlr]

Trackleaders registration for AML is OPEN !!!

Register your own unit ($20) or rent one ($50) if you don't own one. (Rental charge includes event tracking)

Trackleaders has approx. 70 rental units available for the Oct 5th ride.

All rental units will be hand-delivered to riders at the start to avoid individual shipping fees.
 
Here's a link... http://trackleaders.com/allegheny-signup

Important notes from the blog...

• A SPOT device is necessary to validate start and finish times and adherence to the route.
• Finish times will be displayed in a separate listing labeled "unverified" when the efforts of challengers cannot be verified referencing Trackleaders, a SPOT share page or a GPS tracklog file.

Chris Tompkins
Danville, VA

[ruthslp]

hey i don't see any campgrounds that are really close to the start for this, so i guess i am going to be looking at a hotel for the night before and whichever night i get done. the ones close to the start are expensive and the cheaper ones are a little drive in the AM....is anyone else needing to use a hotel also that would like to share or something? i would rather get one with outside door access so we can come/go as we want with extra people and our bike stuff, etc.
or if anyone already has something i can pitch in on? thanks, ruth.

[seabrin]

Is anyone interested in grabbing breakfast and having a quick meet and greet before the 8:00 AM start? I couldn't find any greasy spoons that are open early, but there is a Panera that opens at 6:30 AM. It is located at 715 University City Blvd in front of the University Mall Shopping Center just off of 460. It's about half-a-mile from the Start. It's also close to a Kroger where I will probably park my car unless I can convince The Inn at Virginia Tech to let me park there.