Cup-N-Cone, Apex NC 7/25/09 Bike Ride

Apex roads are smooth and gentle but this ride does not go through Apex. If the route has not changed since last year, then any route over 30 miles goes over the steepest hill in the area. I believe some skaters got to 40+ mph going down that thing last year. Also, keep in mind that, although, Green Level Church Rd. and Lewter Shop Rd. were repaved earlier this year, they have been made into a pretty coarse gatorback (not that they were much better before they repaved them). This would make it about 5 miles of gatorback each way (for 10 miles total). It is a great event and besides the gatorback all roads are really great but keep in mind that it may challenge some... That said, I will be there :-)

I don't think there is a road coming in from the right. I was referring to Lystra Rd., which is fairly safe as far as traffic goes - no major intersections, no stop signs at the bottom of a downhill, etc. It's just a 3.29 miles hill with 381 feet of climb (116 feet per mile).

Really?! That's a huge hill for not being in the mountains! So you go *up* it? Or is that the really fast downhill Mark mentioned? I think the longest downhill I've even done is just over one mile. Either way, sounds like something I'd like to do.

I know, I've said it before and had to bail... But I really am planning on doing Cup & Cone. This may be my first time for this particular event (I think I've always had conflicts in the past.) Here's the event page: http://www.mseventsnc.com/ Registration is limited to 750... Not sure if that's been an issue in the past. I'd like to do th full 67-mile route if anyone is interested in a moderate (maybe 11-12 mph) pace. If I can't get any takers, I'll probably do the 48-miler... - SM -