One night during this past summer's cross country ride-it could have been in Manitowoc, WI-, I had decided that another dinner buffet was more than I could take and as it happened, Ralph Antolino (a fellow rider) was in a similar frame of mind. So, Ralph and I headed off to take nourishment at a Friday's or Applebee's or some such place. We had a nice leisurely dinner, during which the subject of "what's next" came up. I really hadn't given it a lot of thought, but somehow, the words "Six Gaps" came to mind and without thinking about what I might be getting myself into, I blurted out those words. Ralph locked onto them with the intensity of one of Michael Vick's pit bulls, and before the check was paid, plans were being laid down for Ralph to join me in riding the September, 2007 edition of the fabled Six Gaps Century in Dahlonega, GA.
Oh Ralph, I thought, you must realize that I was just making conversation. Why on earth would I be willing do such a notoriously cruel ride? A century ride with nearly 11,000' of climbing over six mountain passes in the southern Appalachians-well that just wouldn't be prudent. Think back to our days climbing Teton Pass, Continental Divide or Mt Rushmore- none of those days were 100 miles and they all had under 6,000' of climbing and I was in better shape then and I was whining like a little girl with a bee sting when I did those. You think I'm going to do Six Gaps? That was just the Diet Coke talking, my friend.
Well, a few weeks passed and Ralph let me know that he couldn't come to Georgia for Six Gaps (thank you Lord), but that he could be in town in two days and suggested that we do three of the six gaps. To make a long story short, my efforts to steer us to a lovely, sane ride around the lakes were pooh-pooh'ed- Ralph was locking onto Three Gaps.
And so, yesterday, Ralph flew his plane into Habersham County airport, complete with his custom built, carbon fiber Parlee bicycle (code name: "Mariah"). Following a picture perfect landing , he taxied up to my truck and climbed out of the plane wearing the Monex race kit that we often saw him in this summer. Clean shaven, looking fit as ever and wearing his signature ear-to-ear smile, Ralph had arrived and quickly let it be known that he was in no mood for a "lovely lake route"- he wanted something with an edge, something that would make Bicycling's list of the Top 100 Climbs in America. In short- Ralph wanted HOGPEN. (In fact, Hogpen Gap is one of the climbs in "Six Gaps" and is one of the climbs that Bicycling includes in it's top 100. As an aside, Neels Gap is also included in the "Top 100" and in the Six Gaps Century.)
Fast forward to Helen, GA-4:00PM on Wednesday, August 29, 2007. Ralph and I set out to ride Three Gaps-first Hogpen, then Jacks, followed by Unicoi, a 41 mile ride with 4,500 vertical feet of climbing. The skies were partly cloudy, the temperature pegged at a sultry 94 degrees and the humidity was off the charts. After consulting with a trucker in Helen on where we were,
we set off- our spirits high and each of us ready for a "first". In very short order, the climb started and we pressed on the pedals for an hour and a half, ascending Hogpen (2,000' vertical, pitches up to 15% and about 10 miles in total) along the Richard Russell Scenic Byway. The road is aptly named as the scenery, when I could manage to look up, was spectacular. 
Huge views were there for the taking as we'd occasionally be treated to long looks out across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hogpen is a brute and a leg breaker- but it's a wonderful experience.At the very top of Hogpen we stopped for a photo op and found that the spot at which we'd stopped was also where the Appalachian trail crosses the road and we could easily see where the trail picked up and then quickly disappeared into the forest. We learned that this stretch of trail (we were about 25 miles from the start of the trail), which runs along the Tennessee Valley Divide- a ridge similar to the Continental Divide- is some of the toughest hiking (perhaps "climbing" is a better description??) to be had on the entire system.
With Hogpen now written into our personal history books (and half of the day's climbing completed), I sensed that a weight had been lifted. The tone of the ride became more high spirited and though we were rained on (poured on is more like it), the following descent and the two remaining gaps seemed to fly by. The scenery continued to dazzle us, the temperature moderated mightily, the road surface was superb and the traffic was light and polite. The ride had become, in Ralph's own words- "Gah-Gah".
We finished our final climb, Unicoi Gap, at 7:30 PM, again crossing the Appalachian Trail. By now, we were quickly losing our daylight and of course both of us had bike tail lights- safely tucked away at home. At this point every car that passed us had its headlights on and we were on an unknown road with at least 10 miles to go. It was time to tuck and roll. The final miles were an E Ticket ride- a howling descent all the way into Helen. Endless switchbacks and just the right amount of downward pitch allowed us to make short work of the final miles and in about 20 minutes we'd finished the ride, pulling up to my truck as twilight settled in on Helen. Yeah baby... that's what we're talking about.
We made the short drive to The Frame's Green Acres where Ralph and I were treated to a fine dinner of grilled salmon, wild rice with toasted almonds, baked asparagus and a tomato/cucumber salsa fresh from Sherry's garden. The three of us stayed up 'til after midnight telling stories of all sorts until finally someone had sense enough to declare it was bedtime. It was a fine day indeed.
This morning we awoke to clear skies. After a nice breakfast, Ralph checked the weather and then we listened in as he filed a flight plan to Asheville, NC where he was planning to visit a client later this morning. Following "load",
refueling and a safety inspection, Ralph carefully wound his way out onto the runway. At about 9:00AM, it was "wheels up" 
and I briefly watched him climb up, turn left twice and then fly directly over the air field. I thought I saw him tip his wings as he flew past, but that could have been him trying to get one last look at Hogpen. I'll have to ask him when he comes back to ride the other three.Ralph, I can't tell you how much Sherry and I enjoyed having you visit us. I often need to be pushed into trying new things (like Hogpen) and you were just the guy to get me to try it. You are always welcome back at Green Acres. Look forward to riding with you again......
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