Chattanooga, TN
This week Bubba heads to Eton, GA, for a trip up and over Fort Mountain and back. Eton is about 50 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. The ride is worth the drive. Store Stops at New Hope Grocery (Mile 27.1), and if necessary, Kwik Shop (Mile 54.6). After party at El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant.
Getting out the gravel bike (even though it’s some sort of asphalt all the way and manageable on a road bike) for Mullen’s Cove Road. Roll from River Drifters on Suck Creek Road at 10 am to allow the temps to come up a little. We’ll turn around at ‘Goat’s Bridge’ and do it a second time. 41 miles.
April 12 @ 10 am, River Drifters
41 miles, 2,330 feet. No climbs.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50284294
Going long (long for Elites) this Saturday. Roll from the Food City in St. Elmo at 8:30 am for a ride to Cove Mountain Farms and back. We stop at the Cove at mile 30 for water. We’ll also check to see if anyone wants to stop at the store at mile 50.
April 5 @ 8:30 am, St. Elmo Food City
63 miles, 3,020 feet, no climbs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50191382
Roll from River Drifter’s at 8:30 for a trip up and over Signal, around the valley, and back via the back of Suck. Store stop at mile 37.4 and others.
Elites are headed north this Saturday to do our best to dodge North Georgia smoke and will roll from the parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church at 9 am. Store stop in Sale Creek at mile 33. There are multiple ways to short this ride for those wanting less — and there is the Hotwater Road climb at the end for those wanting more.
March 29 @ 9:00 am, Falling Water Baptist Church
50.4 miles, 2,560 feet, no climbs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50119282
Elites will roll at 9:30 am from the Patten Community Center (use the parking lot off Kelly’s Ferry Road) in Tiftonia for a 50-mile tour of Lookout Valley. Store stop at about mile 26 when we hit GA 136 west of Trenton. The later start is to let the temps come up a little.
March 22 @ 9:30 am, John A. Patten Community Center
49.5 Miles, 2, 170 feet, no climbs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49952690
Any Saturday is a good Saturday for a bike ride. But this Saturday is not looking like it’s earning any stars on your “Best Cycling Days Ever” chart.
The forecast predicts a washout. As of now, no ride is planned. If surprised by better than expected weather Saturday morning, we’ll update this post by 8 am.