TB 8/13

Roll Sat from Mike’s Hole (Chilhowie lot please) @ 8:00  for some old and some new. (If you like the early start buy me something; if you hate it blame JJ and Fly.)   Head south for the old with a climb up 136 Trenton side.   The new is a bit of an unconventional way of getting there because Bub wants some adventure in his life.   As Slicker says, “If you don’t know where we’re goin stay off the front before you crash us!”   On top we’ll hit the Hinkle/Lula Lake stretch and let’s try to stay together for a least a bit so no one shuts down their kidneys. Should be 20 degrees cooler than the last few weeks so hopefully Steady’s organs are safe.  A metric and 3800 feet but lots of stingers so it’ll feel like more.   Please be careful and courteous going down Ochs at the end.

Sat. 8/20

Elites will roll with TB at 8am from St. Elmo Food City but once over the toe will split and run their route in reverse. Creek Rd down to hang gliding airport and over the ridge at New England to Slygo, Murphy Hollow and back via the stair steps. If you really want you can climb Raccoon when you pass by, but that’s not how it’s mapped. 46 miles and 2,800 feet.

TB 8/6

TB heads north this week giving our neighbors a Bubba cameo as we go.   Roll from Falling Water @ 8:00 (stop whining – it’ll feel like 96 by 12:00, and this was a compromise since The Fly wanted to leave at like 5:30).    North on some favorites with a climb up Leggett and then down Retro.   REGROUP AT ALL THE NORMAL  PLACES INCLUDING STOP SIGNS, TOP OF LEGGETT, STORE ON RETRO, AND AT THE BOTTOM OF RETRO.  Careful going down – although the tarmac is sweet expect gravel with all the rain.   A metric and 3500 feet.

TB 7/30

We’ll stay south again this week and let our neighbors up north cool a bit longer although I’m not sure Bubba’s absence makes their hearts grow fonder.  Roll from the St Elmo Food City @ 8:00.  Toe, 299, Ladd, up Sand (good road), across the top, and down Slygo.  Regroup at all the normal places INCLUDING AT THE TOP OF THE BIG HILL AFTER THE TRUCK STOP, AT THE END OF 299, AFTER LADD BEFORE THE CLIMB, AT THE STORE ON THE LEFT AT THE TOP (REFUELING), AND AFTER THE DESCENT.   CAREFUL DESCENDING BECAUSE THOSE SWITCHBACKS MAY HAVE GRAVEL IN THEM AFTER ALL THE RAIN THIS WEEK.  A metric and 3800 feet.  Add the nature center loop or climb to Sanders for more up.

Sat. 7/30

Elites will start with TB from Food City in St. Elmo at 8am and chase them out to Haletown where they will turn left and we’ll turn right and return via the stair steps. Only 40 miles but if you want to you can add either the Raccoon climb or Lookout Mtn at the end to sufficiently kill yourself. Boss, don’t feel obligated to wait on Elites at the top of that hill…..

TB 7/23

Lots of folks out this Sat (Dalton race, etc.) so we’ll field a group of rag tag Bubbas and hit an old favorite:  136 from Mable side (haven’t done it in a while and it’s shady).   We’ll then try to shave a few degrees by staying on top and head back on Scenic to Covenant (ouch!).    Roll from Mike’s Hole at 8:00 – don’t blame me fuss at Fly!  (Actually a good call because temps brutal Sat.)    Usual regrouping places INCLUDING after the climb at the beginning of Scenic.   A metric and 4200 feet but it’ll feel like much more as we’ll hit Dry Valley on the way out.  Lots of ways to short it and if the temps are too bad we may take one.  Here’s the map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40272620

TB 7/16

Bubba hits the “old” 3-state metric this week.   Roll from Mike’s Hole @ 8:30.   (Please remember to use the Chilhowie St lot.)   We’ll get the climb out of the way early while it’s cooler with a trip up Suck, then East Valley and 299.   Plan to top bottles quickly as we regroup at the store after the Suck descent and again at the Bait Store.  It’s a metric and 3500 feet.  Those wanting less may cut the corner to the Bait Store (I believe that shaves 5-8 miles), and those wanting more may add the Nature Center climb to Scenic Hwy and even more by climbing Lookout to Sanders.   Here’s the map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38635604

TB 7/10 Sunday Makeup Ride

Sunday makeup ride rolls from Mike’s Hole at 1:30.   North for a climb up Mtn Rd.   Nothing sexy, just trying to get some up in.   (Sorta like Bubba’s wife said when she introduced him to her folks, “He ain’t much but he’s something.”)   Most folks rode today so count on a steady tempo BUT NOT A RACE.   45 miles.  3000 feet.   Lots of ways to short it or add on.   Here’s the map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40134954

Sat. 7/16

Elites will chase TB tomorrow. Same route except no Shellmound loop. Depart from Mike’s Hole in the Wall at 8:30. Brings it down to 56 miles.