Author: John Wilson

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Elites Saturday 3/27/21

Weather update. Not much change so ride at your own risk. I’m sure some hard cores will show up at 8:30

Dark Sky’s not being helpful. Right now showing light rain on and off most of the morning.

For those willing to brave it, here’s a shortened version of TB’s ride rolling at 8:30 from St. Elmo Food City. Climbs Nick-a-Jack but descends into Trenton, New England, Slygo and back Wauhatchie Pike 50 miles. Map included.

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TUESDAY NIGHT ETIQUETTE AND BEING GOOD CITIZENS

BUBBAS, some reminders to help us be good citizens during the Tuesday night ride:

  • We’ll move the start time back as we gain daylight in an effort to avoid climbing Hotwater during rush hour.  You’ll remember we switched the route to Hotwater a few years ago to give them more time and to avoid the more heavily traveled Mtn Rd.
  • Let’s be extra sensitive about never riding more than 2 abreast and doing what we can to help cars pass the groups.  When climbing or descending, let’s stay single file and as far to the right as possible.  There have been complaints about folks holding up traffic while descending as well – I understand some of you can go as fast as the traffic but just keep in mind the motorist’s perspective and move over and even slow down at many of the places they may pass (such as just after the switchback to the left near the top) and let ’em by.  If folks do get stuck behind you on the descent wave a thanks when you get to the bottom and they pass, it’s common curtesy. Along those lines, we should never pass cars going down or tailgate cars whether they are going slow on their own or because they are caught behind a cyclist – doing either of those is just bad form.
  • Keep your hands on your bars even when you have more than good reason to show one finger. Shake your head if you need to and leave it at that even if you get buzzed, cursed, etc.  I’ve seen hundreds of encounters between a cyclist and motorist yet not one when the motorist was convinced he/she was in the wrong so there’s really no need to engage them.
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A word from Boss

As expected, national cycling associations are now issuing guidance about Covid 19. Bubba will abide by that guidance (see link below) and will pause rides for the next week or two.   I expect some in the group will post rides and folks will likely show up for “standing” rides, but as a club we need to be proactive and abide by what folks such as USA Cycling recommend. (Bubba has enough problems making friends with motorists and the public in general so we don’t need to be a featured news story about how we spread the virus.)

For those who decide to post rides or show up for standing rides, a good strategy may be to break the group into smaller groups with some spacing between groups and perhaps some riding the course backwards. Some publications recommend  keeping smaller groups to the same folks each week to minimize cross-contamination risks since it appears folks may be contagious without having symptoms. Of course, everything I’ve seen encourages us to keep riding, just not in large groups. 

Keep in mind that a decision to be completely cavalier about the threat is not only a decision you make for yourself but also one that in essence you make for those you are in contact with such as your parents and other elderly folks.

Bubba will evaluate info as it becomes available. Our hope is that a week from now we learn all this was overblown, rides resume,  and my name is changed to “Chicken Little.”

https://www.usacycling.org/article/usa-cycling-statement-on-covid-19

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ELITE Saturday 3/27/21

Dark Sky’s not being helpful. Right now showing light rain on and off most of the morning.

For those willing to brave it, here’s a shortened version of TB’s ride rolling at 8:30 from St. Elmo Food Lion. Climbs Nick-a-Jack but descends into Trenton, New England, Slygo and back Wauhatchie Pike 50 miles. Map included.

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Sat. 3/14

Roll from Mikes (Chilhowee lot) @ 8:30.  Chase TB and then make a decision at Murphy Hollow. Can add miles at the end if desired.

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Sat. 3/7 David Meek Memorial Ride

Elites will roll from Suck Creek Cycle at 9am but our route will be the Suck/Back of Signal Route. We’ll cruise the Brow before descending the front of Signal Mtn. W Road currently is not safe for cyclists. 55 miles and 4,700 ft.

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Sat. 2/29 Sun. 3/1

Extra day this year to ride, but weather ain’t cooperating. We’ll join TB Saturday for a Riverview Hills ride for anyone wanting to brave the cold. Roll from Mike’s Hole in the Wall at 9:30. Sunday should be nicer so plan on a makeup ride rolling from Mike’s at 1:30pm. Route TBD.

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Sat. 2/15

Couple of options in the morning to combat the cold. One don’t ride, two roll from Mike’s Hole in the Wall at 10:30 and decide between the following:

  • Riverview Hills
  • Elite’s Cold Weather route (see map) that’s 54 miles but has multiple places to short if your Raynaud’s kicks in
  • TB route that heads south thru Chattanooga Valley, up 136 and back via Creek Rd. (see map)

Lunch/beer after ride at Mike’s

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Sat. 01/11 No Rain Contingency

Dark Sky now shows a break from rain from about 6am until 2pm for Saturday. As a contingency roll at 9am from Mike’s Hole in the Wall for the Saturday rain ride. That way if mother nature wags her finger you have multiple ways to bail. 46 miles as drawn up. Park behind Mike’s in the lot at the corner of W. Bell and Chilhowie St. Whoever shows up first is the leader and can modify route as they see fit.