The Elites will continue with the hot weather series by venturing over to Sequatchie Valley for something a little different. Roll from the little white church on E. Valley Rd. at 8:30 EDT (if you’re not sure where that is look at the map). We’ll climb Daus Mtn. (be prepared max’s out at 16%) take a right on 399/111 aka Barkertown Rd. (watch out for that dog) and then a right on Fredonia Rd. Only 40 miles but 3,500 feet of climbing.
Holiday Ride 7/4 & Sat. 7/6
Going a little shorter this Saturday given the heat and family activities that are probably on the calendar. Roll from the Soddy Ball Fields at 8:30 (starting that late because it’s a longer drive for some up there). Head north towards Dayton via Coulterville and Cranmore Cove. We’ll come back and tackle Cap Elsea to Lee Pike. Just under 50 miles. If you want more start at Falling Water for an additional 10 each way. That means rolling out probably 7:45.
Holiday ride rolls at 8:30 from Unum on 7/4.
Sat. 6/29
Elites will be staying away from Hwy 299 this weekend since Hwy 41 over the stair steps is closed until 7/4. Roll from the St Elmo Food City at 8:30 for a metric that will be a mixture of familiar and different. Climb 136, Humping Dog backwards and then through our new favorite stretch through Cloudland Canyon State Park. Down the mtn. on Nick-a-Jack and back on Burnt Mill (after doing the Fish Hook). Store stop at roughly mile 40.
Sat. 6/22
While some of us Bubba’s will be suffering in Boone, NC at the annual Blood Sweat & Gears the rest of you can suffer on this oldie but goodie. Roll from Falling Water Elementary at 8:30 and head north to climb Retro Hughes and descend Leggett and back to Falling Water. Smoke will be the ride leader so be nice. 58.8 miles and 3,100 ft. Strongmen can throw another climb up Hotwater if desired.
Sat. 6/15
Elites will roll from BubOne’s house at 8:30 this Saturday for BubOne’s Bluegrass Appreciation Ride Elite style. From Bub’s house we’ll head over the toe and out Creek Rd. where we’ll climb 136. At the top be ready for something new as we will turn left on Sunset Dr. and sneak into Cloudland Canyon State Park from a rarely used back entrance. Bub has assured me it’s all legit. From there we’ll do part of Humping Dog, to Lulu Lake Rd, and down Nick-a-Jack on the nice new pavement. 52 miles. Bring your swimming trunks and favorite beverages for post ride swim in Bub and Sweetie’s cement pond. Bub’s address is 1546 Burnt Mill Rd, Flintstone, GA.
Sat. 8/17
Roll at 8:00 from the Aldi on Signal Mtn Rd (yes, old timers, the old Kmart). We’ll head north for a climb up Retro, HON (ouch!), the 10 longest miles across Mowbry, down Montlake and back. REGROUP AT THE SWITCHBACK TO THE LEFT WHERE IT FLATTENS OUT ON TOP SO WE CAN ROLL THE 10 MILES ACROSS THE RETRO ROLLERS TOGETHER – TAKES FOREVER IF WE’RE SPREAD OUT. 70 miles, 4200 feet. (Stop fussing, it’s the easiest I could make it with a climb up Retro from the KMart.) If you don’t want that much pain, jump on in falling water which shaves it to a more manageable 50 miles. Rolling the dice that the water is still on at the store on Retro, otherwise we’ll be in trouble with the first water stop not being until we finish the longest 10. Safe bet may be to carry 3 bottles. Post-ride refueling at Merv’s.
Sat 6/1
Bubba’s on vacation in Brevard. So if you’re not there you’re on your own this weekend.
Sat. 5/25
Elites will try to beat the heat with an 8:00 am roll out from the Battlefield visitors center. The Man in Black aka Cash aka Steve Blankenship is putting together a 55 miler with no climbs.
Monday will be the standard Holiday Ride rolling from Unum at 9:00 am see website for route, roughly 40 miles.
Sat. 5/18
Elites will be leading out TB Saturday for the Steady’s Stupid Saturday ride. Roll from the St. Elmo Food City at 8am. Course is over the Toe, out 299 (yes, regroup after the hill at the truck stop), over Ladd to South Pitt, and then up Jasper Highlands. Be sure to go to the gate and look for party favors. Back down, through Jasper, 299 back, with post-ride recovery at Zorro’s place unless we are too busy burning down Steady’s house. A metric and 4100 feet.
Shorter option is to start from Tiftonia (okay it only cuts off 6 miles). Be on Wauhatchie Pike by 8:15 or you might miss the train when it goes by.
5/25 and 5/27
Team Bubba heads to a more remote area this week in hopes of avoiding contact with civilized people. Roll Saturday from Falling Water at 8:30 for a trip up our old friend, Brayton Mtn. It’s a metric and only 3500 feet but it’ll feel like much much more. Post ride refueling at Merv’s. (Yes 3, we know.)
Roll Monday @ 9:00 from Unum for Holiday Ride. See map in rides list section of website.