Nathan Key

The 21st riding of the annual Bridge to Bridge Incredible Cycling Challenge presented a new opponent for cycling enthusiasts: Mother Nature.

Cyclists attempting to complete the 100-plus-mile ride from downtown Lenoir to the top of Grandfather Mountain had to battle the elements as well as the winding, climbing course and each other to reach their ultimate destination Sunday.

The low-pressure system that has settled in over the western part of North Carolina brought a light, yet steady, cold rain that fell throughout much of the day, leading to slick roads and plenty of low-lying fog that made visibility tough on those trying to navigate Caldwell's curvy roads and the climb into Avery County to reach the Grandfather summit.

"The weather was less than optimal for the ride, but it didn't seem to diminish the spirit of the riders," said Deborah Ashley, Caldwell Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. "There were a lot of issues regarding the weather, particularly areas of heavy fog, but we didn't have any serious injuries or incidents."

Ashley said in 10 years of being associated with the annual ride, this one seemed to be the most difficult, simply because of the conditions that riders had to deal with as they made their climb toward Grandfather Mountain and MacRae Meadows, even more difficult than the one in 2004 in which riders braved frigid conditions in an event that was pushed back to November because of damage brought on by a pair of tropical storms that year.

"It was the hardest ride I've seen, and I've been involved 10 years," Ashley said. "Many of the riders also said it was the most difficult ride they had seen."

More than 600 riders registered for the ride, and Ashley indicated that approximately 200 of them decided not to carry through with the event once they saw what the weather was like Sunday prior to the staggered 10 and 11 a.m. starts from downtown Lenoir. Of the 400 or so who did try their luck, 274 made their way to the top of Grandfather Mountain, and another 25 cut their ride short at MacRae Meadows.

Of those not finishing, Ashley said several were picked up by friends or family members somewhere along the route.

The last rider to pass through the gate to Grandfather Mountain did so at 6:30 p.m., and the last rider to arrive at MacRae Meadows showed at 7:30 p.m.

Bruce Humphries of Gaffney, S.C., had the best overall time for the ride, finishing the course in 5 hours, 21 minutes, 39 seconds. His finish was nearly three minutes better than that of the next best time of 5:24.35 turned in by Steve Griffith of Boca Raton, Fla.

The top finisher from Caldwell County was Cecilio Cruz of Lenoir, who rode to the top of the mountain in 5:48.34, placing 14th overall.

Boone's Bridgette McLean was the first female rider to cross the finish line, turning in a time of 6:12.39. She was one of 10 women to make their way to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.

Melissa Eastman, ride director and project coordinator for the Chamber, said she did not hear any complaints from those people involved with the annual event, which serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce.

"We didn't have one negative comment from a rider," she said. "I was most impressed with the moods the riders were in. They were joking around and seemed to be in a good frame of mind despite the conditions. That impressed me because I was cold and wet."

So were the numerous volunteers, who still turned out and braved the elements to help pull off the Bridge to Bridge event.

"We had wonderful volunteers who stuck right with us," Ashley said. "They were soaked to the bone by 3 p.m. before the first rider arrived, but many of them still were there at 8:30 (p.m.) when we finally were ready to leave. We cannot express our appreciation for them enough.

"All in all, it was a success, despite the elements."

Top finishers

Bruce Humphries, 5:21.39

Steve Griffith, 5:24.35

Jay Cox, 5:27.25

Keith Gerarden, 5:32.22

Lucas Livermon, 5:34.33

Caldwell County's top finisher was Cecilio Cruz of Lenoir, who turned in a time of 5:48.34, good enough for 14th overall.