Kevin Burnette and I arrived on Saturday at about 12;30pm in Blairsville, Ga and figured out that we should have ample time to do the 25 mile or so ride to Unicoi Gap before the peloton would get there. Upon exiting the car we realized rather quickly that we’d be in for a “cold delight” as temps were barely in the mid 40s and we knew that we’d be gaining some altitude on our ride aswell. After bundling up with all the stuff we had we decided to ride rather mellow so we would not get too sweaty and then even more so cold. The road to Unicoi Gap took us actually first over Brasstown Bald (but not the final ascent bit) and very soon we were quite happy that we had decided to ride in versus driving the car closer. The traffic was really crazy and people were parking their cars everywhere. Some cars were shure to not get out later even if they had 4wheel drive, because they really had been parking stupid. But that should not really be our problem, at least it seemed that way. We got to Unicoi Gap about 20 minutes before the fields earliest arrival and found that climb in comparison to our Chattanooga climbs very easy with a good section of it could be done in a big ring. We ran into a few people I knew and we chatted awhile as we awaited the field which was taking its time to come by us. They actually ran on the latest possible scenario and by that time (about an hour total wait) we were pretty cold. It was very exciting though when they came by and you could already see that some guys were barely hanging on. We had also the “luck” to have a " fan runner" standing near us who indeed started to run along with each group of racers which came by. Kevin and I contemplated tripping him, but we decided that might endanger the field and might not be so nice. 
After the broom vehicle came by, Kevin and I descended Unicoi Gap to head back to Brasstown Bald with a throng of other cyclists who had the same idea. Just before we got to the road which turned off to Brasstown, we passed two guys who in turn passed us back immediately. Shortly there after we heard the second guy ask his buddy in the lead to slow down as he could not ride so hard, and we then proceeded to pass them. Within no time the lead guy came back to us as he apparently decided to rather ride with us versus his friend. Nice.
He stayed with us as we ascended Brasstown and until we all had to get off our bikes just before the final section of the climb. There were lots of spectators everywhere now and we decided to position ourselves about 3km from the finish at a relatively steep section. About 30 minutes later the field roared past us again, this time the field was down to about 15 in hot pursuit of Zabriskie who was a few seconds up still. My little buddy Saul Raisin still looked good in that elite field and that made me completely giddy. He eventually finished 8th on the stage and 13th overall.
By now the stragglers looked completely wasted and I felt bad for all of them. What a monsterous effort though for all these guys. Once the broom wagon was gone we descended back down and now had to deal with everyone trying to escape the mountain. It was actually quite dangerous as cars were pulling out of their precarious parking spots and pedestrians were crossing the road without looking left or right. We eventually made it back to Blairsville and had logged a total of 65 miles and 3 climbs. A fantastic way to watch this Queen stage. Right where we had parked our car was an all you can eat Pizza place for $3.99 and we stuffed our starving bellies before we drove back to Chattanooga. All the way a great day though and below are some pics. Maybe next year with a ST group?
Cheers,
Herbert
Kevin Burnette and the author on the crest of Unicoi Gap
The frontpack of about 35 riders pushes hard over Unicoi Gap
Kevin B and I have just arrived at Brasstown Bald and we pose for a pic as my Ghisallo is sadly looking on
The front pack is about to start the last 3km of the Brasstown Bald climb and the frozen author is already cheering wildly because it also keeps him warm.
Danielson and Armstrong pushing the pace hard
Kevin B is ready to do more climbing himself after all this inspiration
Are those just plain-ole Open Pros on your bike Herbert? Not making fun of you, I took my Ksyriums off and train with my Open Pros because they are so bullet-proof and comfortable.