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The century ride is a 105-mile majestic and very challenging route. It is an epic adventure that starts from Sylva and goes to Dillsboro and then towards Cherokee via several rural roads. You travel through downtown Cherokee and on to the Blue Ridge Parkway. You travel on the Parkway for many miles that includes several long climbs and high summits. There are a few short tunnels from Cherokee and the Lickstone Overlook (5820’). You descend from there to Soco Gap (4340’). After that is a long climb up to Waterrock Knob (5820’). From there is a very long descent down to Balsam Gap (3350’), which is one of the greatest descent you will ever ride. From there you climb to Richland Balsam (highest point on the Parkway Motor Road at 6053’). There is one long tunnel on the ascent to Richland Balsam. From there you descend down to NC215 and then across Charleys Creek. Continue from there to NC281. Turn off NC281 onto NC107. After a few miles you turn right onto Old Cullowhee Road. You pass behind Western Carolina University and continue for a few more miles. Turn right on NC107 and immediately left on South River Rd to Webster. Turn right on Webster Road and immediately left on North River Road. After a few miles turn right on Yellowbird Branch and do a short climb (the last one!). Turn right on Savannah Drive, crest the hill, and only a short distance back to downtown Sylva. Merge onto Main Street, turn left on Grindstaff Cove Road, and right onto Railroad Street. Bring fresh legs and a good attitude for this ride.
2007 Century Cue Sheet (PDF)
Click on thumbnail below to see a higher resolution image
2008 Total Riders:
Century
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2-D View
Metric
Route Profile
Google Earth Route