Hot Doggett 100 offers tiny taste of Tour de France

As the Tour de France rages across Europe, cyclists in Western North Carolina can get a tiny taste of the chills and thrills of that extreme cycling here in the mountains.

The 10th annual Rotary Club of Madison County's Hot Doggett 100 ride starts and ends Saturday on the campus of Mars Hill University in Madison County, with riding options of the usual Doggett Mountain Challenge 100-mile and the Devils Fork Metric 62-mile ride, and the return of 60 km (37.2-mile) Big Laurel Grind.

Connie Molland, co-chair of the ride, said any of the ride distances will give cyclists a thrill through the mountains, with a little inspiration knowing that the world's greatest bike race — the 102nd Tour de France, which began Saturday in the Netherlands — is underway in Europe.

"The Tour de France is absolutely the biggest race that everyone knows about," Molland said. "We have some competitive people who participate and try to envision what it's like to race in the Tour de France. Some of our riders are that serious. Of course, we don't have the same crowds of thousands and thousands of people, no prizes, and no yellow jersey, but it is still exciting."

The Hot Doggett is actually not a race, but a ride, and while it might not ascend the Alps and the Dolomites, it does have lots of lung- and quad-burning climbs. There are three options for riders:

The Doggett Mountain Challenge is a 100-mile ride that has a cumulative elevation gain of 9,600 feet. The Devil's Fork Metric Century is 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, and has 6,500 feet of climbing. The newest ride, created last year, is the Big Laurel Grind, a 60K or 37.2 miles.

"We call it the Hot Doggett because of Doggett Mountain, and also, it's usually hot in July," Molland said. "We wanted to stay away from spring and fall when a lot of other rides happen, and also liked the idea that it is the same time as the Tour de France. It's a very tough course — we want people to know it's not for the faint of heart."

She said the ride draws between 300-400 people each year, from across the country, half of which are repeat customers who know what they're getting into. This year, more than half the riders are coming from outside Western North Carolina, she said.

Annette Kamm, a former professional cyclist who lives in Asheville, has done the Hot Doggett 100 several times in the past, but this year she will be riding the Metric Century.

"I don't feel like I have put in enough training for the 100 this year," she said. But she does give some advice for those attempting the 100-mile ride.

"Don't attack the first climb too hard. Pace yourself, and then once you're over Doggett, go as hard as you want. But that takes it out of your legs for Sams Gap," she said, although still enthusiastic about encouraging everyone to try one of the ride options. "Everybody in Madison County is amazing; the people who support us and the event promoters are fantastic."

Her husband, Chris Kamm, a former amateur racer who is now a full-time woodworker, said he's done the Doggett 100 three times and the metric twice and will do the Devil's Fork Metric again this weekend.

"It's a nice mid-summer event and it is nice to be out in certain sectors of Madison County and not have to worry about where to get a cold drink," Kamm said.

"The rest stops are great. At the top of Devil's Fork there's always a lady who has cream cheese-stuffed dates, and at top of Sam's Gap they always have watermelon on ice — it's very refreshing. We also like to do it because it's a great source of funds for Madison County Rotary Club."

He said these are not beginner rides. You need to have some conditioning and great gears on your bike.

"It's a hard ride, but they take very good care of you," he said.

Kamm also likes to feel the spirit of the Tour de France a continent and ocean away.

"It gives me more respect for what they do," he said of the riders. "When you ride over a climb like Doggett Mountain, and then you think of the riders in the Tour might be doing that two, three, four times, and they're racing. We're doing it for fun. We're not chasing the tyranny of the clock."

Carolyn Griser, 49, and her husband, Allen Griser, 52, of Hickory, are first-timers, but have heard all about the hills of Madison County.

"I always do a couple of bike races each year," said Carolyn Griser, a personal trainer. "This year, my husband and I found this one and he agreed to do it with me. We are going to do the Big Laurel. I'm not a big long distance rider but I love riding."

She also loves the Tour de France, and the idea of riding strenuous climbs knowing that 200 of the world's best riders are climbing the highest mountains in Europe.

"It gets you fired up and you try to be the best you can be," she said of the Tour. "I'm not a fast rider or a fast runner, but the Tour de France is inspiring."

On the 100-mile ride, cyclists can expect beautiful, rural scenes through Madison County, Molland said. Last year she asked riders to take selfies and was surprised to get so many. Riders weren't worried about stopping to take in the scenery and a few photos.

Leaving Mars Hill, there are little ups and downs, and then you get to Doggett Mountain, which is a steep climb. But there are eight rest stops, supplied with food and drink, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fruit.

"We get super high marks for our friendly volunteers at these locations," Molland said.

She said out of the three rides, the Doggett Mountain is the most popular — usually drawing half the field. The organizers try to cater to the riders' every need, with SAG (support and gear) vehicles supplied by Youngblood Bicycles, riding the course to provide assistance with flat tires or other problems, and the post-ride meal includes a vegan and vegetarian option, along with Buchi Kambucha, and the traditional hot dogs.

"This is a nice way to get out and ride on roads and not be afraid of not knowing where you are," she said. "And it is a great fund-raiser for the Rotary."

The club provides a four-year scholarship to a Madison County High School Senior each year based on need and accomplishments while in high school and provides two scholarships to the winners of an essay contest about Rotary's ethical principles called the Four Way Test. They provide dictionaries to every third-grader, and they adopt a family at holidays.

The International Rotary is trying to help eradicate polio, and also provides Shelter Boxes to families around the world hit by natural disasters, Molland said.

Want to ride?

The Rotary Club of Madison County's 10th annual Hot Doggett 100 and Devil's Fork 100K Metric Century bike rides start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Mars Hill University. Ride options include the Doggett Mountain Challenge 100-mile, the Devils Fork Metric 62-mile, and the 60K (37.5-mile) Big Laurel Grind.

Entry fee is $55 at www.active.com and $60 at on-site registration. Bike clubs – those with six or more riders will receive a rebate of $7 per rider. The Doggett Mountain Challenge 100-mile ride starts at 7:30 a.m., the Devil's Fork Metric Century (62 miles) starts at 8 a.m. and the 60K (37.5 miles) starts at 8:30 a.m. For more information visit www.HotDoggett100.org.

Some upcoming Western North Carolina bike rides:

• Velo Girl Rides Cycle to Farm: This tour of local farms by bicycle, presented by Ingles Markets, will start at 8 a.m. July 18 at Black Mountain Recreation Park. The 62-mile route visits farms for refreshments and purchasing locally grown items from beef to berries to honey. Entry fee is $85 for riders, $14 for meal for non-riders and $7 for meal for non-rider child. Visit http://CycleToFarm.org.

• Bakersville Fire & Rescue Roan Moan: The 20th annual century ride starts at 7 a.m. July 25 and the metric century ride starts at 8 a.m. in Bakersville. Entry fee is $50 at www.active.com. Both rides tour the old Tweetsie Railroad Grade and Doe River before the 7 mile "Moan" up and over Roan Mountain. For more details, visit http://bakersvillefireandrescue.org/roanmoan.htm.

• Blue Ridge Breakaway: The ride begins at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center off of I-40 and U.S. 23/74. A variety of routes specifically designed for riders of all skill levels, including a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Register at www.active.com or visit www.Blueridgebreakaway.com for more details.

• Gran Fondo National Championship Series Asheville: The race, to benefit nonprofit Friends of the Smokies, starts at 8 a.m. Aug. 30 at Pack Square Park downtown Asheville. There are three distances: Gran Route (110 miles), Medio Route (60 miles), Piccolo Route (30 miles). There are four timed sections in the Gran Route — the best combined time wins. Custom "Race Winner" jerseys for all Gran Route age group winners, plus cash purse and prizes for Gran Route winners. Early entry is $95 for the Gran Route, $75 for the Medio and $50 for the Piccolo. Prices increase 10 days before the event. Visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org and click on "Events."