Mountains of Misery

Are you ready to climb?

The Mountains of Misery ride takes place Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (the last weekend in May).  There are 2 route options:

  • The Challenge Century is 104 miles, with 10,000′ of climbing.
  • The Double Metric Century is 200 kilometers or 125 miles, with over 13,000′ of climbing.

Don’t worry — or maybe, worry — both routes finish with the 5 kilometer, Category 1 climb up Salt Pond Mountain to Mountain Lake Resort, with an average grade of 11.9%, and sections up to 16%!

You will receive detailed maps and cue sheets with your registration packet.

Special Ride Features

The post-ride BBQ at the finish area is the perfect place to recover, refuel, and relax, and cheer on the remaining finishers.

To help ease your pain, massage therapist Bob Carter will be at the finish area, offering post-ride massages for $1/minute.

Starting Procedure

For 2009 we will probably have a completely new starting procedure. Check back for details.

Important!

Please arrive early! Be considerate — we cannot have late arrivals driving through everyone else’s start.

The shoulder of Route 42 will be closed by VDOT. Please do not park on the shoulder of the road. Volunteers will be directing you to park at the Rec Center, and the overflow lot at the Newport Ballfield, just a quarter mile further down the road. There is plenty of parking at these locations.

Only ride finishers will receive a T-shirt!

No personal SAG vehicles are allowed.

Again, this is not a race! All traffic laws, signals, and signs must be obeyed.

Because of time considerations, there is a 4:30pm cut-off time at the Newport Rec Center, before the final climb to Mountain Lake. No rider may proceed past this point after 4:30pm!

The finish line closes at 6:00pm. There will be no shuttle off the mountain after this. Riders who arrive after 6:00pm must find their own transportation.

You will receive detailed maps and cue sheets with your registration packet.

Gearing

Every year we get questions about gearing. A few points:

  • If you are at all unsure of your ability to climb steep grades for long distances, use a triple. Compact doubles (34-50, etc.) are a good solution too.
  • If you insist on using a standard double (39-53), put the biggest gear on the back that you can. Even fit, professional racers would use a 25t gear in the back. Flatlanders beware!
  • The final climb to Mountain Lake Resort is a lot harder with over 100 miles on your legs already.

Consider this fair warning!

Driving Directions

The ride starts at the Newport Recreation Center in Newport, VA, just west of Blacksburg. From Blacksburg, drive 5-8 miles on US-460 W, turn right at the VA-42 exit to Newport (past large double yellow caution signs, gas station on corner), then drive 0.8 miles to the Newport Recreation Center. Park in the field at the Rec. Center. Additional parking is available a quarter mile further on VA-42, at the Newport ballfield and picnic area.

See our Directions page for more detailed directions and maps.

Again, please don’t be late! We cannot have late arrivals driving through everyone else’s start.