Hey Everyone,
Next weekend, I’ll be driving from the Philly area to Austin, TX (www.enduranceranch.com). I will probably stop in Roanoke, VA on Friday night and then head south down I-81, weather permitting.
I’d like to stop for a ride on Saturday along the way. I was looking at the Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, TN. Does anyone know if the road is open/ridable in the winter?
If the weather is not so good, I was thinking of heading further south into Alabama or Mississippi. Does anyone have any good cycling routes to follow in this region?
Thanks,
I live in Nashville and I know the weather here Saturday is supposed to be around low teens maybe even down into single digits…this is supposed to be the coldest week of the year in the southeast…with that being said it was supposed to snow two or three inches today and we just got a dusting so who the hell knows…
6 Gaps Century or 3 Gaps Fifty in Dahlonega (North GA). Brutal but beautiful rides. It will be freezing though.
Just to clarify, I’m going next Saturday, not tomorrow. 6-gap would be great, but it’s pretty far east of where I’m headed (going to Austin). I’ll be on I-81 most likely through Tennessee.
I looked up the average January weather for Tellico Plains, TN. It says average high - 46, low - 26. I would suspect Alabama would be a little warmer still.
Also, I don’t expect this to be a “warm” ride. However, it would be nice to find a dry place without snow, or at least some back roads that are still maintained.
Right now its about 23 degrees in Mississippi but still better than most of the temps around the country. Natchez trace is nice but if your looking for hills come see me in Vicksburg and ride the National Military Park. Its right on I-20 headed to texas.
Thanks for the referral to Vicksburg, MS. It is right on the way, unfortunately it will probably be dark by the time I get that far west. Maybe I could stop there on the way back.
That was an excellent call on the National Military Park in Vicksburg. I stopped there on the way back from Austin. That was definitely one of the coolest rides I’ve done. It was really cool to ride the loop around all those monuments. The loop is constantly going up, down, and turning, which always makes things more interesting. I’m surprised this isn’t a more popular place to ride in that region. I’d call it a must ride for anyone in that area.
Thanks again,
Lots of good riding in the Chattanooga area. Check out the maps at:
http://www.chattbike.com/maps_cues/mapscues.htm
Many of those rides go by my house. I would recommend the 3state3mountain metric route, the suck/signal route, or mowbray mtn.
I am not sure exactly what you are looking for, but I can give you some more tips if you need them, will also be riding on saturday. Looks like the snow has been pushed off til Sunday, so you will get a good ride, probably mid 30s in the valley, upper 20s on top of the mountains. I wouldn’t believe those 40s numbers on weather.com for a second, they are always off by 5 degrees or so.
Most of those rides will be somewhat marked from the various rides that use those roads, if you take a cue sheet with you and keep track of your mileage you should be fine.
Cherohala Skyway is a great ride, was clear a couple of weeks ago when I went through, but it really just depends on how the next few days go. Not a ton of stores on that ride, be prepared to be self supported if you are doing a longer ride.
Feel free to email me if you are going to do a ride in the Chattanooga area, I will be glad to give you some local knowledge.
bicyclerep@gmail.com
I’m already back from my trip. I actually did Vicksburg one day and Cherohala the next day. You are right about weather.com being way off in that region. They predicted a high of 45F in Tellico Plains. It was colder than that at the bottom and there was pretty major snow at points above ~3500 feet. It’s a good ride nevertheless.
Glad you enjoy the Park in Vicksburg that’s pretty much our weekly tuesday ride…As well as run. Great place to train.
Great link. I will be living in Chattanooga soon.
Check out the calendar on the website as well. They are a pretty welcoming group. Most of the rides are more of a conversational pace, it is a riding based club, not a racing based one, and I really enjoy their rides. There are several more race oriented groups in the area as well if you are interested in that.
If you need any local advice on the area feel free to send me a message. Most of the good riding is best accessed from the North Chattanooga/Red Bank area, which is also where the majority of the cycling community lives, but Chattanooga is still a small enough city that not matter where you live you aren’t that far from any other part of the city.
Great link. I will be living in Chattanooga soon.
Hope you’re arrived in Chattanooga by now. Wanted to give you a hearty welcome and point you to the local Triathlon club.
www.chattanoogatriathlonclub.org
As of 5/13/10 we are 200 members strong!
If I can help at all, please let me know.
Ed Rusk
edrusk@bellsouth.net
treasurer: Chattanooga Triathlon Club
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the hearty welcome. Just closed on the house yesterday and movers arrived today. I’m just arriving as we closed on the SC house on Monday. Husband works for Volkswagen and has been living in Chattanooga and Germany hotels since November.
I will look into the tri club and looking forward to meeting all.
If you’re up for a ride this weekend come join me on the tour de cure Saturday. Call me at 580-2437 if you’re in town already.