Yesterday I got up at 5am to leave with some friends for a fun day of organized bike riding.(My last very long ride before IM Germany) The plan of the day was to ride the 115 mile Cherohala Challenge in Tellico Plains, TN. I knew that the area was very scenic, and had heard good things about the ride, but really did not know too many details about it. As we signed in at small high school, about 400 other people were gathered there in various stages of readiness. The ride left right around 8am, but apparently some riders had left already as early as 7am because of the challenging course. I can’t believe no one had told me about the 9000 feet of climbing. 
The first 44 miles were on nice rolling terrain and just as we were approaching the first longer climb, the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap in North Carolina, we were greeted by rain. (For those who don’t know, the Tail of the Dragon is a mecca for motorcycle riders from around the country as this road (US129) winds through 318 curves in 11 miles.) The climb was steady and relatively easy, but the descent on the other side was quite tricky because of the wet roads and some very fast motorbikes which came whizzing past us and towards us. On that descent we also came past the dam made famous in the movie the Fugitive. At mile 58 we started the approximately 14 mile “approach climb” to the Cherohala Skyway, and by now the sun had come out and steam came up from the wet roads. Nothing nicer than a little steam bath as you are getting ready to climb, and while the roads weren’t steep, they were relentless (about 1100feet). At mile 72 we entered the Cherohala Skyway and this road rises about 3400 feet in the next 19 miles. By now, every one was spread out all over the road and I passed lots of individual riders struggling in the ever hotter temperatures. About 7 miles from the top I briefly stopped for my second sag stop and continued on excited about the prospect of the 25 mile downhill waiting for me as a reward. At one point I wondered whether the climbing would ever end, but eventually I got to 5400 feet of altitude and readied myself for a long “coast” down the hill. What I did not know was that there were plenty of “short” climbs in between the stretches of descending and those were quite tough. Basically,there still was plenty of work to do and coasting was not really an option on a good portion of those last miles. At mile 110 we came past a bridge where teenagers were diving into a creek and I almost pulled over to join them, but decided against it as I was really ready to finally get off the bike and have a coke and some real food. Eventually the school came into my sight again and by the time I signed in, the event clock read 6:59:30. Yikes. I then wondered what it would be like to run 26.2 miles now and was absolutely convinced that it would be a very, very long walk.
But i must say this event is awesome and I highly recommend it. Check out the Smoky Mountain Wheelman site at www.smwbike.org for more info.
Cheers,
Herbert
Litespeed/QR
Herbert,
Ooh - I am soooo envious! Being from Houston, I am really jealous of the fact that you guys have such incredible scenery/roads available right out your back door! Last year the wife and I road tripped out to Chatanooga to visit some friends from Georgia on a couple of occasions - Cant tell you how much fun it was to get out on the bike and do a quick little “hill” climb on the scenic (front?) side of Lookout mountain as a afternoon spring thunderstorm/fog rolled in half way up the climb on the Firday afternoon before the '03, 3-State/3-Mountain Challenge. The women opted for the metric century in order to save up for Sunday’s ride while us men “raced” the 100 mile course finishing in just over 5 hours (we hung with the lead group until the last climb up the backside of Lookout - oiy!). That afternoon we headed South to Anniston, Al. for Sunday’s Cheaha Classic and decided to take it “easy”, finishing the long course with the wives in 6.75 hours). A couple months later and we got to follow that up with an unofficial summer “training” camp that included the Cherohola Ride (5:45)! Fortunately, although we were not able to swing a TDF vacation this year, we will once again be particpating in another unofficial summer “training” camp with a week long stay with friends at the Maggie Valley Resort near Asheville, NC! On the way back, we plan on making a stop in Georgia for a trip up Brasstown Bald and maybe another visit to Chatanooga!
Michael,
We truly have some amazing riding routes right here around Chattanooga, and feel quite lucky because of it. It is so excellent around here that we don’t really have to drive anywhere to ride, but sometimes of course it is fun to experience something new.
Be sure to let me know when you are in Chattanooga next and maybe we can go for a ride.
Plus of course you are welcome to see how our bikes are handcrafted here.
Cheers
Herbert
Litespeed/QR
This is beyond my fitness level for now, but I have heard so much about this ride that I thought it was worth posting in case anyone is interested. I believe Wednesday is the last day to signup. I know the area well from camping and mountain biking… definetely one of the most scenic rides in the US.