Mountains of Misery 2011 from Erik Nuenighoff on Vimeo.

Mountains of Misery registration is now closed.  We have reached our capacity.  If you were unable to register and would still like a chance to ride you can email kelly@triadventure.com to get onto the wait list.  As the ride draws closer and registered riders cannot ride, we are happy to transfer their  opening to you in the order we received your names.

Order you 2012 Mountains of Misery Jersey

The date for MOM 2012 is Sunday May 27. 

Registration fee for 2012 is $75, late registration price is $105. 

Wilderness Road Ride (Saturday May 26, 2012) has no rider limit — register in advance at the FCA Endurance site, or in person at the event.

Are you ready to climb?

East Coasters’ Mountains of Misery ride takes place Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (May 27, 2012).  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 to Mountain Lake, with an average grade of 11.9%, and sections up to 16%!

Century elevation profile - click for a larger image

Double Metric Century elevation profile - click for a larger image

You will receive a detailed map and cue sheet 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 is a lot harder with over 100 miles on your legs already.

Consider this fair warning!

Special Ride Features

Tricycle Studios will be the official photographer for Mountains of Misery.  This year the photographer will be at the finish.  We are hoping that capturing this accomplishment in your life will make for a great keepsake.  So, remember as you grind up those last few miles, you want to be on your bike at the finish!!  Smiles are optional!!

The post-ride BBQ at the finish area is the perfect place to recover, refuel, and relax, and cheer on the other riders as they finish.

To help ease your pain, massage therapists will be at the finish area, offering post-ride massages.

The Inn at Virginia Tech will be hosting a pasta dinner from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. The cost is $20.00 per person and you can sign up when you register, or if you decide after you register that you want to attend contact kelly@triadventure.com to reserve your spot no later than May 11.

Packet pick-up will be available on May 26 at the Inn at Virginia Tech 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on ride day at the Newport Recreation Center beginning at 6 a.m.

Driving Directions

The ride starts at the Newport Recreation Center in Newport, just west of Blacksburg. See our Directions page for more detailed directions, and maps, or download our directions sheet.

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

Important note for all riders from the Directors

Important Rider Information – New Information for 2011 – Please Read

Participants must collect his / her own event materials. Photo ID is required in order to collect event materials. NO ID = NO EVENT.

The ride starts at 7:00 AM sharp. Be considerate — we cannot have late arrivals driving through everyone else’s start. Please arrive early!

We will repeat the starting procedure from 2011, where riders will be released in waves separated by FIVE minutes. Your finish time will be adjusted accordingly.

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 down the road. There is plenty of parking at these locations.

See our Directions page for detailed driving directions, or download our directions sheet (PDF).

No personal SAG vehicles are allowed.  If we discover you have a personal SAG vehicle, your finish time will not be recorded or posted, and you will not receive the famous Finisher’s Shirt!

Only ride finishers will receive the famous Finishers Shirt!

Mountains of Misery 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 6:30pm. Riders who don’t think they can finish by 6:30pm should quit at Newport.

There is no parking at the finish area for riders, family members, or spectators. Please park in Newport, and use the shuttles to get to the finish area.