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-   -   Riding the full length of Skyline Drive (https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=207423)

jiii 07-06-2017 06:39 AM

Riding the full length of Skyline Drive
 
If anyone has ridden the full 105 miles Skyline Drive, I'm hoping to pick your brain. Mainly, did you ride self-supported or with the assistance of some kind family members. Quickly scouting the route, it seems like the food/ water stops are far enough apart that it might be best to have my wife follow along.

Any suggestions on riding South to North or vice versa would be appreciated as well!

znfdl 07-06-2017 06:55 AM

If you stuff a third water bottle in a jersey pocket, you will be fine to ride it unsupported. I have ridden the drive many times while only carrying two water bottles, but it depends upon the temperature.

I always felt like riding South to North, was easier than North to South. You cannot go wrong riding in either direction.

makoti 07-06-2017 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znfdl (Post 2199235)
If you stuff a third water bottle in a jersey pocket, you will be fine to ride it unsupported. I have ridden the drive many times while only carrying two water bottles, but it depends upon the temperature.

I always felt like riding South to North, was easier than North to South. You cannot go wrong riding in either direction.

I agree with the direction. Once you hit Panorama, it's more down than up. You'll have Hogback as your big climb for the last stretch, about 25 from the finish. A great 6mile downhill (for the most part) to finish.
You should be able to do it alone. I usually do a 62 mile out/back from Front Royal to Panorama & don't need much more than a few powerbars. Two bottles takes me to a rest stop @ Panorama & then full ones get me back. The store at Elkwallow is seasonal, so be sure it's open if you're counting on it.
There are a few tunnels between Panorama & Sky Meadows. A light is helpful. Not sure if it's required.
Never done south of Sky, but the Drive is one of my favorite places to ride. Enjoy!

ultraman6970 07-06-2017 08:36 PM

I try to go every year but i suck so much that I can't do more than 3 hours at 5 mph or so... how long it takes to do the whole 105???

Hey makoti how long it takes you to do those 60 miles??? Thinking on going like in 2 weeks in a weekday to avoid traffic.

makoti 07-06-2017 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultraman6970 (Post 2199667)
I try to go every year but i suck so much that I can't do more than 3 hours at 5 mph or so... how long it takes to do the whole 105???

Hey makoti how long it takes you to do those 60 miles??? Thinking on going like in 2 weeks in a weekday to avoid traffic.

I usually average about 13-14mph, so a bit over 4hrs. I'm slowslowslow. Much faster on the way back because you do about 65% of your climbing on the way out.
Weekdays are really nice & you can easily park at the entrance, right before the ranger gate. I start at a park, not far away. Can't think of the name of it atm...

ultraman6970 07-06-2017 11:09 PM

Might be going with wifey like in 2 weeks... week day....

We, all the paceliners in the area we should go there one day, maybe a century or something, a lot of other roads in valley aswell...

nobuseri 07-07-2017 01:43 PM

If this event ever happens as a paceline group, I will do my best to make it. :beer:

makoti 07-07-2017 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobuseri (Post 2199974)
If this event ever happens as a paceline group, I will do my best to make it. :beer:

The beauty of Skyline is you can't get lost. Go until you're half-baked, then turn around.

nobuseri 07-07-2017 04:00 PM

Yeah, been there a few times. Would be a lot more interesting as a Paceline group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by makoti (Post 2200033)
The beauty of Skyline is you can't get lost. Go until you're half-baked, then turn around.


ultraman6970 07-07-2017 04:37 PM

Thats why this needs to be a weekday, less traffic... more room... and a couple of support cars because you never know.

dunnenrb 08-13-2017 10:41 PM

Not ready to do the full thing at the moment, but feel reassured after hearing the 13/14 avg above. Did a 20 mile out and back a couple of weeks ago after not riding for a while and averaged 11.7 and felt like crap about myself.


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