This is a good thing as our sport could use a little diversity. I got talking to some of these guys while riding. They were all from a bike club out of Baltimore on an annual outing to Skyline Drive. These guys were all very strong and dropped me and my loaded like a stone on the next big climb. After Compton Gap, Skyline Drive continues it's steady climb along the Blue Ridge up to Hogback Overlook at 3385 feet.
All overlooks have signs describing the view and interesting features of the area.
Climbing Skyline Drive with a loaded bike is very doable on provided you have a triple chain ring. For most of the day, I plodded along at a steady 6 to 7 miles an hour. We descended over 900 feet to our lunch stop at Elkwallow Wayside. After lunch, we continued on to Thorton Gap. We waved to the some of the black cyclists who were taking a break on the roadside.