Metric Century Bicycle Tour


2009 will be the 26th year for this Tour!
Come and join us for a truly Fabulous 4th!
 

__________________________________

 

Effective July 6, 2008

To all that have ridden in this event for the past 20 plus years while I have been the Event Coordinator,  I would like to thank you for your participation and support of the Fabulous 4th 100k. 

At this time I am retiring from the position of Event Coordinator and have as of this year, officially turned this event over to the Thermal Belt Rotary Club of Tryon, NC. It has become one of their major events. 

All the funds that are raised from this great event will continue to go to youth and other worthwhile charitable organizations in this area. Please see the Rotary webpage (http://www.rotary.org) for more information about Rotary activities in the world.

I will still be around to assist in the maintenance of this web page until Rotary personnel are trained to take it over.

You will still see me for the starting of the event as well as riding lead motorcycle, so you have not seen the last of me for at least a little while! 

As you can see, there is a new format to this page and I hope that it will prove easier for you to find what you are looking for. 

I ask that you continue to spread the word about the Fabulous 4th 100k tour,  to come and ride in this great event;  as the Fabulous 4th 100k will only get better as the years wear on. 

Again, thank you for supporting this event over all of these years and putting up with me.

Robin Michael

 

Recommended Web Browsers

Opera v9 or Foxfire v3 both of which are free.

Screen size should be set to 1024 X 768 or higher

 

Welcome to the Foot Hills of
Western North Carolina

____________________________

Presented by the
Phantom Riders
and the
Thermal Belt Rotary Club of Tryon, NC

 

Fantastic
Bicycle
Tour

The Tour follows an especially beautiful route beginning and ending in Tryon, NC,
at the Harmon Field Complex..

It is not only a very scenic, but also a very fasssst course to ride.

Leaving the starting line, the route makes a quick run around Warrior Mountain Road, then back into and through Tryon. We continue down US-176 to the NC / SC State Line. From here, we branch off for a easy roller coaster ride through the beautiful Hunting Country area.  Lots of horse farms and we will also pass FENCE where the annual Steeplechase Races are held each year.

We then pass by the well known Red Fox Country Club. From here we go down to the peach country near the Cherokee Foothills Parkway or SC-11 and then return to take a tour through the town of Landrum SC. Passing by the Fire Station on the exit from town, we then move back into the lower Hunting Country Area.  Then after short jog up "little grunt hill #1",  we have arrived at the Lake Lanier entrance.  With a jog to Lanier Street we head up to Butter Street and out to Oak Grove Road in the "Dark Corners Area" in route towards Route 11 once again.

OK!   

Now that you have ridden out to Route #11, and gone along the base of the mountains that you are going to climb - there is this famous little climb up and over Callahan Mountain by the Camp Old Indian Boy Scout Reservation. We call this little hill "Big Grunt Hill #2"!  This one really does separate the men from the boys very fast.  You will normally find "Birds Eye Photo" located here snapping your picture with a running clock.  So SMILE for the camera ~ <:) !

After a little breather while you coast down by Camp Old Indian, you will arrive at the base of the Greenville Watershed and the Water Shed Dam. Water stop #4 is located here and you need to stop to tank up before you start the 10 or so miles to Saluda.  Remember that it is all up hill from this point till you get to the crest of Saluda, the highest point on the route.  

Now comes the long and progressively steeper climb through the fantastic, very cool Greenville Watershed.  SAG's are not allowed to stop and wait in the watershed.  They will ticket you for doing so. When you exit the watershed, you have one more little ~ short  ~ steep climb to the crest of Saluda and then a fast trip down into the historic little town of Saluda. By this time if you are not with the lead pack then you have been left in the dust, because you aren't going to catch up! ! ! 

When you enter Saluda on a down hill - remember that there is a right turn across the tracks in Saluda.  Please be ready for this. Now hold your breath as you zip down a very fast, winding five mile run down the Saluda Grade on US-176 back to the finish line.  Please be very careful on this descent and ride with in your limits.

REMEMBER that you have a LEFT TURN after you cross the Pacolet River Bridge to get to the finish line.  Go straight and you ride the course all over again  <:)  Hehehe.

For you high speed riders - the tour route is such that if you are not in the front pack by the time everyone gets to the crest of Saluda, then you do not have a ghost of a chance of over taking the leaders by the finish line. You have to make your move before you hit the Greenville Water Shed or by the time you get to water stop #5.

So that is the tour and is loved by all who ride it. 

It will truly be a
Fabulous
Fourth!

 

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR EVENT:

The tour route was laid out and organized by the Phantom Riders of Polk County, NC in 1983, with our first official ride in 1983. Since then has grown to become one of the most popular short tours in the Southeast. 

The course route has been changed a number of times for safety reasons. The first change was because of the traffic in and around Columbus, NC area since we started on the east side of Columbus, NC, with a 5k Race and fun run following.   The 4th of July celebrations committee requested at this time that we do a reroute of the event.  The second time for a change was to change the start / finish line location and moved out to the new Polk County High School.  This lasted 2 years and were forced to completely rework the route and to move to the Harmon Field Complex and the Tryon Middle School.  Now the last change was requested by Greenville County to eliminate the loop around Lake Lanier due to safety of both riders and vehicles since the roads are very narrow and they now have a festival at the lake on the 4th of July.

Who benefits from this event? 

After all expenses, what is left is donated by the Thermal Belt Rotary Club to among others:

  • The Scouting movement of Tryon, Columbus, and Landrum, with currently three  Boy Scout Troops being supported
  • Steps to Hope - a shelter for battered women and children - earmarked only to the kids.
  • The Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club and the Polk County Rescue Squad for making your ride as safe as we can.
  • Plus other groups that need a helping hand with the financial aspects of helping kids.
  • Scholarships and other Rotary Sponsored Endeavors.

 

Don't Forget The Columbus, NC
Fabulous 4th Celebration

Please do not forget to go to the City of Columbus on the other side of I-26.  They have a full celebration in progress, complete with a number of live bands,  gospel music at the fire department ~ rock and country on the main stage ~ Rides for the Kids ~ Food ~ BBQ ~ and arts & crafts to name just a few of the activities.

A 30 minute plus Fireworks Show starts at 9:45 and following that is a Live Concert with a great band playing.  This proves to be loads of fun for all.  Oh yes, did I mention all kinds of food - the good kind - junk food - and who knows what else!

See you there!

 

The Tour

All riders are welcome, but please note that this is
NOT
A USCF - SANCTIONED RACE EVENT.
North Carolina Laws Prohibit Racing without a costly State Permit.

 

Remember that the finish line closes at 3 PM,
with a SEVEN (7) HOUR TIME LIMIT (67 miles in 7 hours).

The reason for this time limit is that thunder storms and lightning
will normally start to build up starting around 1:30 and on in the watershed area,
These storms can be quite dangerous if you are in the watershed area.

Remember - Lightning Kills
 

 

All riders MUST be able to maintain an average speed of 10 mph for the entire length of the course.  The course has approximately 7862 vertical feet of cumulative climbing, including 10 long slow gentle climbs and three very steep (grunt!) hills.  Also, there are a number of long high speed down-hills where you can make up lost time on the climbs. Just take it easy going down these descents and have no accidents.  Don't forget the five mile descent from Saluda to the Finish Line.  This is very  F A S T  and there are several very dangerous places on this down-hill section.   If you are not familiar with this mountain, keep you speed under control.  Play it safe and live to tell about it !

All traffic regulations and laws must be observed.

Helmets are required and must be worn
for the entire length of the tour

All riders must ride to the right side of the road at all times.
All Riders must assist vehicles in passing you.

We use the USCF Center Line Rule and it is in effect for this event. Some of the roads are very narrow,  with lots of slow, with very sharp curves. Bad drivers always compound the problem.  IE: There are little old ladies who drive looking through the steering wheel and don't see bicycles as they are to small !  There are lots of people yakking on cell phones, munching on a Big Mac etc. Many of them drive as if they were half blind as well.  They just don't see bicycle riders very well at all!  Don't get caught left of center or you may not live to talk about it!

__________________________________

 

 

FABULOUS 4th 100k
REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Date:

On July 4th every year!

Yes, we ride ONLY on the day of the 4th of July!
This date never changes - just the day of the week!

Time:

8:00 AM Mass Start Time,
with fast riders in the front and slower rider to follow

Rain or Shine! 

Window start from 8:00 to 8:30 AM.

Place:

Harmon Field Grounds
You will be directed to the Parking Area.
This is on the NW end of the complex.

WATER and RESTROOMS are available.
 


RV's

RV'ers will have a special area to park your RV in.
Limited 15 amp hookup only. Power must be shared with all RV's.
No water or sewer hookups provided.
Best if you are completely self contained

CAR PARKING

Please follow the signs to the parking area.  The Rotary Staff will direct you to your parking area.  We can park about 600 cars here so you should be ok on finding a place to park.

Fees:

On July 4th
Registration
will open approximately
6:30 AM and closes at 8:30 AM.
Be early or be late to start!


Applications on line available from
April 1st on.

PRE-REGISTERED Fee = $30.00


After June 15th, the DATE stamped on
the envelope determines the late fee.

After JUNE 15th, the Entry Fee = $40.00


DO NOT mail applications in
after
June 25, 2009, Instead
Bring the Application with you.


Please make Checks Payable to:
Fabulous 4th 100K
 

Your Fee Includes
Your Rider Number
Custom Deluxe
DeFeet Cycle Socks

S - M - L - XL

Route Markers are all
painted on the road at all
intersections as shown below


Painted in Center Line Yellow
4 arrows + turn arrow.

 

5 Full Rest Stops.
Fully equipped with Medical, Water, Energy Drink, Food,
Port-a-jons for the gals and Emergency Communications

We have full HAM Radio Control for Motorcycle Escort
and all SAG Vehicles,  plus rolling Rescue on the entire course.

Lunch after the tour, open to all riders at no charge.

The River Dip

This is recommended to cool yourself off.
Plus, there is a special 8 foot deep swimming hole as well !
 

 

WARNING
THIS TOUR IS NOT RECOMMENDED
FOR FIRST TIME TOUR RIDERS.

Training is a must for this Tour.
Note this climbing chart below.
If you are not ready, then
your legs will know it!

 

Total Climbing of 7682.2 Vertical Feet in 68.3 miles.
This information was compiled from the Delorme Topo Maps.

 

Below are maps done in the DeLorme Topo Program.

PDF Road Map + Elevation Chart in Color

PDF Printable Road Map in B&W

PDF Printable Cue Sheet

__________________________________

 

Be Prepared for HIGH HEAT and HIGH HUMIDITY

For Example!

By the time you are about 2/3 way through the tour
or starting about 11:00 AM in the morning

the Temperature may be well over 90 degrees
and higher than 95% Humidity.

Heat Index will =
+105 degrees or better by around 12 noon
which is sort of liquid air

Please try to be in the water shed by noon
or at least water stop 4 or you will be out in the full sun Roasting !

__________________________________

 

All riders will be required to keep your own time for the tour.

There will be a clock showing the current time from the start of the tour.
This is really for those that do not have a cycle computer.
Using timing chips such as The Assaults do is to costly.

We do not attempt to score and place riders in this event, 
but we ask that someone tell us who the first 3 arrivals are
for both Men and Women. Under 18 male and female as well.

 

Remember that this is NOT A RACE  but rather a TOUR.
Treat it as a tour for the sake of the slower or beginner riders.

__________________________________

 

 Suggested Gearing

45 inch gear for Advanced ~ Seasoned Riders (CAT 4+)
At least a 35 inch gear for Tourist or Beginners.

 

Inch - Gears Explained

You don't understand this mess - your bike shop will !
Go see them and get the right gearing!

Here is the way to calculate the in-gear on a bicycle:

Divide the front chain ring teeth by the rear cog teeth and multiply by the wheel size. For convince on a road bike we use 27" for the wheel size, a mountain bike may use 26", or in the case of a small bike 20" tire, you would use 20".

Example:   39 front divide by 26 rear x 27 ( road bike ) = 40.5 inch-gear

If you multiply the in-gear by the constant (pie ) 3.1415 , you will get the distance traveled in inches, with one complete pedal revolution. The lower the in-gear, the shorter distance traveled per pedal revolution, but it is easier!

Example:  40.5 x 3.1415 = 127.23 inches (Bike travels with one complete pedal rev)

You can see by this that the smaller the in-gear the more mechanical advantage you have, but the bike speed or movement per pedal revolution drops.

Note: The wheel size is not a consideration when computing the distance traveled with one pedal revolution. It is only brought into consideration when calculating the in-gear.

The number 27" for a road bike is approximate since tire sizes vary and today's bikes use 700 C wheels. The change is so small most folks don't worry about it.

Incidentally, if you know the in-gear and the pedal revolutions, you can calculate the bike speed as follows.

In - Gear x Rev (RPM ) x Pie (3.1415) divide by 12, divide by 88 ( this gets you to MPH) equals speed in Miles per hour.  

Example going up Mitchell in a 40.5 in-gear at 60 rpm pedal speed: 40.5 x 60 x Pie ( 3.1415) divide by 12, divide by 88 = 7.22 MPH.

Yup!  This is a very confusing way of how to figure it out,
but guess what, your local bicycle shops know how to do it for you!

 

__________________________________

 

 

 

General Information on where to eat,
stay and how to get to the starting line.

 

 

Where to eat

 Here's where to find food before or after the event

Remember, The Fourth of July is a holiday.
Some the following stores may choose to be closed for the holiday.
But here is a listing of what is here!

* = Cash available from ATM's at this location

 

In Columbus, NC 

McDonald's
Burger King *
Texaco Hot Food Stop (super station) *
Waffle House
Wendy's
Calvert's Kitchen
KFC
Subway
Brick Pizzera Cafe
Cocula Mexican Grill
El Surento Mexican Restaurant

BI-LO Super Store *
Food Lion *
Pizza at the Exxon *

 

In Tryon, NC

Buck's Pizza
El Chile Rojo
Side Street Pizza
Elmo's Pub and Grill
Pine Crest Inn & Restaurant
Kyoto Japanese Steak House
China Dynasty
Simple Simon's  Sandwiches
& Ice Cream
Trade Street Cafe
The Dogwood Cafe

IGA food store *

 

In Landrum, SC

Subway
Bojangles
Burger King *
China Cafe
El Chile Rojo
Green Onion
Hare & Hound Pub
Hungry Fox
Lake Lanier Tea House
Twigs

Ingles Super Store *
BI-LO Super Store *

Where to stay

Warning
Riders report that this motel is
NOT recommended
Tryon Plaza Motel

There are a number of motels, inns and B&B's in this area.

CALL FOR PRICING BEFORE BOOKING A ROOM.
Pricing varies according to local special events.

The following are recommend and there may be additional new places opening since this list was posted:

  • Days Inn - 626 W. Mills St. - Columbus, NC 28722 - 828-894-8373 - 800-325-2525
  • Foxtrot Inn - PO Box 1561 - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-9706
  • Saluda Mountain Lodge - 1719 Holberts Cove Road, Saluda, NC 28773 - 828-749-4951
  • Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast - 1026 E. Lakeshore Drive - Landrum, SC 29356 - 864-457-5330
  • Mimosa Inn - One Mimosa Lane - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-7668
  • Melrose Inn - 55 Melrose Avenue - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-7014
  • The Orchard Inn - PO Box 725 - Saluda, NC 28773 - 828-749-5471 - 800-581-3800
  • Pine Crest Inn & Restaurant - 85 Pine Crest Lane - Tryon, NC 28782 -828-859-9135 - 800-633-3001
  • Stone Hedge Inn - PO Box 366 - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-9114 - 800-633-3800
  • Tryon Old South - 27 Markham Rd. - Tryon, NC 28782 - 828-859-6965 - 800-288-7966
  • Butterfly Creek Inn - 780 Smith Dairy Road, Columbus NC 28722 - 828-894-6393
  • Country Mouse Inn - 120 N Trade Avenue, Landrum SC 29356 - 864--457-4016

Silver Creek Campground
 410 Silver Creek Road
 Mill Spring, NC 28756
828.894.2331

Wilderness Cove Campground
3772 Green River Cove Road
Saluda, NC 28773
828.749.9100

Orchard Lake Campground
460 Orchard Lake Road
Saluda, NC 28773
828.749.3901

 

How To Get Here

To get to the starting line

From the North travel I-26 South to the US-74 Exit at the bottom of the long grade.  Take the exit and the next exit will be for NC-108 - Tryon / Columbus.  Exit and then there is a traffic circle.  Take the First EXIT west to Tryon and Proceed about 5 Miles west and turn onto Harmon Field Road and follow signs to the parking area.

From the South take I-85 to Spartanburg SC or I-26 from Columbia SC and travel North on I-26 to the Columbus NC Exit.  This exit has a traffic circle on either side of the over pass.  Go around the first and then exit WEST from the second on  NC-108.  Again about 5 miles to the parking area.

From the East take US-74 to the First Columbus NC Exit and get off turning LEFT onto NC-108. Proceed through Columbus and the two above traffic circles to the parking area.  The total distance is about 8 miles.

See the maps below .

 

__________________________________

Registration Form Section

 

Prior to June 15th, the registration fee is $30.00
and must be mailed in with a postmark of / by June 15.
After June 15th the registration fee is $40.00

__________________________________

 

AFTER JUNE 25
DO NOT MAIL THE REGISTRATION FORM IN.
US Postal will not guarantee arrival in time.

BRING IT WITH $40.00
TO REGISTRATION ON JULY 4th.

__________________________________

Registration will open at 6:30 on July 4th
for those that prefer not pre-register.

__________________________________

Applications will be back on line
starting April 1st, 2009

Please  PRINT  so we can read it.

Remember your sock size from the chart below

 

DeFeet's Shoe Size to Sock Size

Sock Size

Shoe size

  Men's Ladies EU
Small ---------- 6-8 36-39.5
Medium 7-9 8.5-10.5 40-42.5
Large 9.5-11.5 11-13 43-45.5
XL 12+ ---------- 46+

 

__________________________________

 

 


Your comments please
 


See comments so far


Update your email address
 

 

__________________________________

 

 

 

To order your Rider Photos - click here  

Please click on either link, OR, here is the actual address below

http://www.birdseyeview.net

His pictures are excellent.
This is what the picture will look like!

 


 

And let not forget our sponsors.

 

 Thermal Belt Rotary Club
of Tryon, North Carolina
Whom now spearheads this event

 

Link Medical, Inc.
who keeps our emergency
first aid kits ready to go.

Braggs Port-A-Jons
For all of the ladies
to use on the course!

Harmon Field Commission
for use of their facilities.

 

Bobs Electronics and Computer Repair
31 Depot Street, Tryon, NC

Polk County Rescue Squad
Who are ready to give aid when necessary anywhere on the Tour

Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club
Who provides all of the communications on the course and
Radio Dispatched SAG Pickups for riders either broken down or just plain quitting the event.

 

 

Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors  
Pretzel Maker
Gold Sponsors

Nature’s Storehouse

Wachovia Securities
Mendenhall Enterprises Jim and Jean Scott
Silver Sponsors
Judy Banks Duncan Chapman

Farm Bureau Insurance

Lingerfelter Landscaping
Medicap Pharmacy Macon Bank
Dr. Ray Meyers Keith’s Triathlon Shop
Tryon Rotary Club Bill Andersen
Reuben Greenberg Dallas Johann
Sponsors
Biltmore Winery Sue Watson/ Edward Jones
Tryon Federal Bank Frank Ortiz
Fun Specs Mountain Bank
Rick Dunn Construction Trade Street Café

And all of the Volunteers that help make this event happen.


 

Need to Contact Us
EMAIL TO
 

THE FABULOUS 4TH
THERMAL BELT ROTARY CLUB COMMITTEE

 


 

 

Riders visiting to date

Hit Counter
 


Webmaster ~  Robin

Revised: 08/14/2008