Alisha participated in the 2006 edition of the Blue Ridge Brutal Century Challenge in Ashe County this past weekend. With a promise of 12,000ft+ of climbing, over 500 riders woke up early to face the pain and torment of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The large peleton rolled along together on the Parkway, until a small group broke off the front on one of the long climbs. Alisha followed persuit in a group of 5 riders.

The action kicked up a knotch at the infamous “Buffalo Hump”- the steepest climb of the day- around mile 65. Andy from Boone Bike and Alisha rode off after the Buffalo ascent and suffered through the next 30 miles, which contained the biggest climbs of the day.

In the closing miles a group caught Alisha and Andy. This was a welcome surprise according to Alisha, ”I was so happy to see a group of about 10 or more guys catch up to me and Andy. We had been cruising along over Three Top and 194, but two little climbers don’t zoom along so well on those rollers. It was a nice break to have some real motor power drag us along that last stretch to the finish.”  

Alisha stopped the clock just over 4 hours, 50 minutes… she was the first female of the day to complete the ride.

Ashe Civic Center welcomed tired riders with food and live music after the long ride. As for Alisha, she went on a training run before she could do any relaxing as she is getting ready for the Duke Half Ironman on September 10th.