Elites will roll with TB from Mike’s at 10:00 and chase them up to the Soddy Ball Fields where we’ll turn and head south. Shortens the route by about 7 miles. See map for details.
TB 12/17
Thermometer sticks on around 40 tomorrow so roll from Mike’s at 10:00 for Bubba’s Winter Warmer. Lots of ways to short this one and we’ll pull the plug and head back to Mike’s when our toes get cold. (Yes, Pump, I’ll probably take my electric blanket in.) No climb on the route but we pass several as we head north on familiar roads for those who want to peel off. Linkon’s roads less traveled on the way back to keep our minds off our toes. 57 miles (if our toes last), 3100 feet, and easy to get it to a metric by a lap at the Bend. BASE PACE unless you want to get screamed at.
Sat. 12/10 Wilbur Chimney Rides
Roll with TB at Rock City Starbucks for Wilbur’s Christmas Chimney Ride. Depart at 9:00 am but come early and stay late. As always several Elite Options. Pick your poison but stick around for good stories at the fire place.
1. full route of 48 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31591376
2. omit Humping Dog Loop – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41576685
3. left on Ascalon – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41576652
4. left on Durham Rd. – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41576674
TB 12/10
The weatherman has cleared Wilbur’s sleigh for takeoff so someone tell Cindy-Lou Who to hide the Christmas tree! (Her parents better hide the roast beast and their TV too.) Get there early to share a cup of Jo with Bubba and lie about all you accomplished in 2022.
WILBUR’S CHRISTMAS CHIMNEY RIDE v13.0
(someone turn that # upside down please)
Roll Saturday December 10 at 9:00 from the Rock City StarBucks.
Sat/Sun 12/3&4
CHECK THE TB WEBSITE POST IN THE MORNING FOR UPDATED TAKEOFF TIME. – MAY SLIDE IT TO 12:30 IF RAIN GETS OUT EARLY OR MAY HAVE TO SLIDE IT BACK IF THE RAIN STICKS AROUND.
Roll Sat with TB at 1:00 from the St Elmo Food City aka Steady’s campground. Couple of places to short the route is option 1 to bypass the first climb and stay on HWY 41, and option 2 is to bypass Murphy Hollow and stay on 299. Map is for option 1
Sunday is the penultimate chicken cross race at BeezleBubb’s (1546 Burnt Mill Rd. Flintstone GA 30725). Racin’ starts around 3:30 but heckling starts before then! Don’t forget to make a contribution to the chicken cross fund – not only does this take lots of Bub’s time but also involves lots of expense particularly when we factor in the cost of the chickens that get run over.
TB Sat/Sun 12/3&4
UPDATE (Sat @ 10:00): LOOKS LIKE ONE MORE BAND OF RAIN COMING THROUGH SO FINGERS CROSSED THE ROADS ARE DRY BY 1:00. ROLL AT 1:00.
Roll Sat at 1:00 from the St Elmo Food City aka Steady’s campground. CHECK THE WEBSITE IN THE MORNING FOR UPDATED TAKEOFF TIME – MAY SLIDE IT TO 12:30 IF RAIN GETS OUT EARLY OR MAY HAVE TO SLIDE IT BACK IF THE RAIN STICKS AROUND. We’ll pare back the route so folks can get home to decorate the tree. Head over the toe, up Elder then down Raccoon (don’t go to top), then the Cummings Speedway (regroup at Cummings before the starting flag is dropped and regroup again at the store on the left at the bottom of the stairs). 299 to Murphy and then decisions must be made. Main route is left on Slygo back to 299 for 46 miles, 3500 feet. Go right on Slygo and wind around to the Creek Rd/foot of Burkhalter and that should get you in the metric range. For those with less time I believe staying on 299 instead of making the Murphy turn may shave a few miles. Post ride we’ll gather at Tailgate to enjoy the festivities on Main so make sure you invite Mrs. BubbaClaus to join us. (Yes, a Hail Mary to keep Bubba out of the dog house for riding Sat afternoon.) Here’s the map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41541578
Sunday is the penultimate chicken cross race at BeezleBubb’s (1546 Burnt Mill Rd. Flintstone GA 30725). (I know, I know, “penultimate” is a big word but my New Year’s resolution is to expand my vocabulary beyond 4-letter words!) Racin’ starts around 3:30 but heckling starts before then! Don’t forget to make a contribution to the chicken cross fund – not only does this take lots of Bub’s time but also involves lots of expense particularly when we factor in the cost of the chickens that get run over.
Bubba Thanksgiving
Assuming the weatherman is wrong, here’s what’s on the menu at Bubba’s place:
Friday roll @ 9:00 from the St Elmo Food City for the holiday route. Lots of ways to short this one for those with less time. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36208471
Saturday roll @ 9:00 again from the St Elmo Food City for the Grinder Memorial Route. (Hard to believe it’s been 3 years since we lost our friend.) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41413167
Sunday it’s everyone’s favorite again this week – BeezleBub Chicken Cross at 3:00. 1546 Burnt Mill Rd Flintstone GA 30725
Sat. 11/19
Option 1, chase TB from Mike’s Hole in the wall at 10:30 for the 45 mile route. Climb Mtn Rd, down Mowbry, and return.
Option 2, meet Dean Poi at the Tennessee Riverwalk Wheland Foundry Trailhead parking area (1503 Middle St. 37408) behind Crust Pizza at 10:00am for a Fat Boy pace ride south through Flintstone to Chickamauga and return. Advertised as less than 3 hours.
TB 11/19-11/20
Frigid early Saturday so roll from Mike’s Hole @ 10:30 Saturday (hopefully close to 40 by then). Head north for a climb up Mtn Rd. Descend Montlake and head back for 45 miles, 3000 feet, and back to Mike’s by around 1:00. Descend Hotwater, head a bit farther north on Back Valley before making the turn, and it should get you a metric. Here’s the map with the Montlake descent (don’t be confused since the map is titled “Sunday Makeup” – it’s the Sat ride this time). https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40134954
Sunday On Signal riders will add some adventure this week by working in a gravel segment. Roll Sunday from Walden Town Hall @ 1:00 (earlier than the usual 2:00 start). We’ll do a road loop and then hit some sweet single track that ties into the main dirt road going to Edwards Point. At the Point decisions must be made – if the leaves aren’t bad one option will be turn right to tie into the jeep roads that wind around and come out near the soccer fields. Other, shorter, option is to ride back up and out the main dirt road. Count on 1.5 – 3.0 hours depending on whether we do the jeep road option at the Point and how many times I get us lost.
TB 11/12 and 11/13
So I expect most of you are riding with your imaginary friends on zwift, but if you want to get outside a couple of us are rolling at 1:00 Saturday from Whole Foods for some base miles at the bend. (We aren’t your friends either but at least the air will be fresh.)
Sunday roll @1:00 from the old Pizza Hut across from Merv’s at the foot of Signal. Typical Sunday makeup ride. Here’s the map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37902038