Event FAQs
Here is a list of common questions that we have heard about our event. If you have any questions that are not covered in this FAQ, please feel free to email the event directors at director@blueridgeextreme.com
- Is Lodging at Wintergreen still available?
- I'm planning to bring my family. How do I get access for them to the Out of Bounds Adventure Center and the Adventure Dome?
- For those of us lodging at the Wintergreen Resort, how do you suggest we arrive to the event start area?
- If I’m driving to the event on Sunday morning before the start, where should I park?
- Can I bike down the mountain from my parked car at the Wintergreen Resort to the start area in the morning? If I park near the start area at the bottom, will I be allowed to bike down to it after finishing at the top?
- How long does it take to drive the 7 miles from the Wintergreen Resort to the start area?
- Where will the packet-pickup be held, what days, what times?
- Can I register the morning of the event, before the ride?
- Is the climb up to the Wintergreen Resort the same one mentioned in Bicycling Magazine a couple years back as one the most difficult climbs in Virginia?
- I didn’t order a BRE jersey when I registered but would still like one. Can I still order one?
- I ordered a jersey in my online registration. When will I receive it?
- Will you be posting finish time results?
- Will there be photographers on the course?
- What kind of gearing do you recommend?
- How many riders are you expecting and is there a rider cutoff?
- How will the routes be marked?
- What is your refund/cancellation policy?
- Will you have medical support on the courses
- Are there any particularly tricky areas on the routes that you can warn us about ahead of time?
- What’s the typical weather during the event?
- Can I bring my iPod along?
- Are helmets required?
- Are there any special rules while riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
- The old BRE course was a tough one. What can I expect out of this
Is Lodging at Wintergreen still available?
- Most of Wintergreen's one bedroom condos have been reserved, however there are still a number of larger, multi-room condos available for the weekend. Each condo has multiple individual bedrooms, but share central common living space. If you are interested in connecting with other riders to share lodging, please leave a message in the Wintergreen Condo Share on our discussion board.
- Wintergreen has provided a special rate for the Out of Bounds Adventure Center and the Adventure Dome of $15.00 per person for the entire day. Admission tickets can be purchased at the registration/ packet pick-up area in the Wintergreen lobby on SAturday, August 23 and at the start area on Sunday, August 24.
- You should arrive to the shuttle area between 6am and 7:15am if you wish to make the 8am start time at the bottom of the mountain. The shuttles will transport you and your bike from the mountain top to the start area at the bottom. The exact location of the shuttle area will be made available at a later date, or will be explained in your packet information.
If I’m driving to the event on Sunday morning before the start, where should I park?
- Parking will be available near the start area in a large adjacent field. Parking attendants will direct you to the appropriate location on Sunday morning before the start.
- Due to the extreme gradient of the descent down from the Wintergreen Resort as well as other hazards such as increased event traffic and potential morning fog, you must either drive down to the start area, or take the shuttle. You will not be allowed to bike down the mountain.
How long does it take to drive the 7 miles from the Wintergreen Resort to the start area?
- This should take about 20 minutes in good weather. The descent is slow due to the extreme downhill gradient, switchbacks, and occasional morning fog.
Where will the packet-pickup be held, what days, what times?
- Packet-pickup will be available on Saturday in the lobby of the Wintergreen Resort from 2pm to 8pm, and Sunday morning at the start area from 6am to 7am.
Can I register the morning of the event, before the ride?
- Yes, although we highly suggested you register online at BikeReg by August 10 help us out and save yourself $10.
- You betcha.
I didn’t order a BRE jersey when I registered but would still like one. Can I still order one?
- Yes, but due to production deadlines and the time it takes to create a new run of jerseys, the date has already passed to preorder a jersey and have it be available on event day. There will possibly be some on hand for sale on event day, although it will be most likely that a new batch of jerseys will neeed to be ordered based on requests made at the registration table at the end of the day. Jerseys ordered on event day will be processed and mailed to the address of the purchaser.
I ordered a jersey in my online registration. When will I receive it?
- You’ll receive it at the packet-pickup.
Will you be posting finish time results?
- Yes. However, please keep in mind though that this is NOT a race and will require every ride to behave responsibly and safely.
Will there be photographers on the course?
- Yes. At least one photographer will be taking pictures at various locations around the course. After the event, information will be provided indicating where riders can go to obtain personal copies of these images.
What kind of gearing do you recommend?
- We suggest you bring a triple if possible, or a double with a 27 rear cassette. If you can find higher gearing, better for you!
How many riders are you expecting and is there a rider cutoff?
- Around 300 riders should participate in our new, challenging course this year and this won’t require a rider cutoff.
How will the routes be marked?
- The course will be clearly marked with directional signs and possibly painted markings on the pavement. Additionally, volunteer flaggers will be positioned at various locatiosn throughout the course, particularly in areas where there is a risk of riders accidentally getting off course.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
- Only cancellations prior to August will be refunded.
Will you have medical support on the courses?
- Yes, area Fire & Rescue units will be out on the routes should a medical situation arise and can be notified quickly by one of the many HAM radio operators who will be patrolling the course and providing communication.
Are there any particularly tricky areas on the routes that you can warn us about ahead of time?
- Most definitely! There are several significant descents on all routes and you should respect their dangers. These descents often include switchbacks and steep gradients so please use good judgement.
What’s the typical weather during the event?
- Summer time in central Virginia can be rather warm. Typical valley temperatures (below the Blue Ridge Parkway) should be in the 70’s to 90’s. Riding at the higher elevation of the Blue Ridge Parkway will provide cool relief good for 5 to 10 degrees.
- For you and everyone else’s safety, please do not bring an iPod or other similar device. For this course, you’ll need all your senses focused on the challenges ahead.
- Most definitely. All riders must wear a helmet. Any rider not wearing one will be disassociated from this and future events.
Are there any special rules while riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
- The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Park and should be treated as such. Additionally, riders must ALWAYS ride single file there and are only allowed two abreast when passing. The park speed limit is 45 mph.
The old BRE course was a tough one. What can I expect out of this one?
- Expect the new BRE to rock your world!
