Category: Bubba Elite

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in November.  Start times could change during the week of the ride for forecast colder or warmer conditions.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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November 7 – Start at 9 am from the (now closed) Food City in St. Elmo to climb Sand Mountain via Murphy Hollow.   This route includes the  rollers on McKaig Road.  Store stop in the heart of Trenton at the Mapco at mile 27.
47 miles and 2,800 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51059172 

November 14 – Ride from Red Bank Elementary at 9 am  for a clock-wise loop up to Soddy and back.  Store stop at the Circle K at mile 25.  The ride will split in Soddy so that those wanting more can climb Hot Water Road.
49 miles, 2,500 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53153791

November 21 –  Start from the paved parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church at 9 am to ride to Sale Creek.  Store stop at the Country Mart at Mile 27.
49 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51962277

Friday, November 27 – Morning Holiday Ride.  Something like the map below.  Details TBD.
41 miles, 2,400 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/57772631

November 28 –  Thanksgiving means the official start of  the winter riding season with shorter rides .  We’ll start from the old Food City in St Elmo at 9 am to take US-41 to Haletown and return via GA-299 and Murphy Hollow.  Those wanting to reduce the ride by 5 miles, can stay on 299 and to avoid the Murphy Hollow – Creek Road loop.
41 miles and 2800 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/57772892

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December 5 – Start  at Red Bank Elementary to climb Mountain Road.  Time TBD.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in October.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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October 3 – The Cycle Sequatchie fall ride.  There are 50 and 80 mile road options and 40 and 64 mile gravel options.
See: https://www.cyclesequatchie.com/

October 10 – Some call it the “drain-pipe cannon” ride which you’ll see at the ride’s peak elevation.  Start at 9 am from the paved parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church  for a loop north.  Store stop at the Dollar General in Sale Creek at mile 33.  Those wanting more can climb Hotwater Road on the way home.
50 miles and 2,600 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50119282

October 17 – While it seems like this favorite surfaces every few weeks, we haven’t done the Chattanooga Valley ride to Captain Wood road since May.  Start at 9 am from the old Food City in St. Elmo.  Store stop at mile 40.  Map shows return via Burnt Mill — but we’ll stay on Old Chattanooga Valley to avoid the dogs.
53 miles and 2,700 feel of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49895195

October 24 – It’s time for the Fall ride down the Tennessee River Gorge on Mullins Cove Road.  Start at 9 am from the grass parking lot across from River Drifters on Suck Creek Road. We used to call this a gravel ride, but with all the road improvements it’s now more of  a road bike ride — with a few rough spots. The map shows the turn at “goat’s bridge”.  However, the last few time’s we’ve done it, the large majority of riders have gone the extra 3 miles to turn around at TN 27. Also, the option to return by riding up Sequatchie Valley and over Suck Creek Mountain.  There are no stores in this neck of the woods.
40 miles and 2,330 feet of climbing. (Seems short, but your body will tell you otherwise.)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50284294

October 31 – Another October tradition is the Halloween season “Freddy” ride.  Elites will start from Powell’s Cross Roads at 9 am. to ride to Dunlap and climb Fredonia mountain.  Park in front of the Town Hall that’s right at the cross-roads. Store stop in Palmer at mile 39.
Update to avoid bridge: Even though we’ve walked over the under-construction bridge this past summer,  the new map below takes us on Stone Cave Road to go on the west side of Dunlap and avoids it entirely.  About 1 mile longer than our normal route.
57 miles with 3,900 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/57740132   new map !

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November 7 – Start in St. Elmo to climb Sand Mountain via Murphy Hollow.  Return Creek Road. Time TBD.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in September.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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September 5 – Start from Red Bank Elementary at 8:30 am to ride to Soddy.  We make the turn to head back south at Highwater Road. Store stop at the Circle K at mile 25.
49 miles and 2,500 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53153791

September 7 – HOLIDAY RIDE.  We will be joining TB .  See their post.

September 12 – Ride start changed to Red Bank Elementary at 9 am.

September 19 – We’ll start from Ridgeland High School at 9 am to ride to Lafayette.   Park in the large parking lot on the  south side of the school.   Store stop at the Circle-K at about mile 31 in Lafayette.  The map below has been updated since this route got good reviews when we last did it in June. The map now shows us starting by looping over to McFarland rather than tackling the climb up Turner Ridge Road.
58 miles and 2,800 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51519294

September 26 –  We’ll start at 9 am from the old Food City in St. Elmo to ride up Lookout Valley to climb Lookout Mountain on 136.  Store stop near Plumb Nelly at about mile 23.  Return by descending Nick-a-Jack Road.
45 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54475101

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October 3 – The Cycle Sequatchie fall ride.  There are 50 and 80 mile road options and 40 and 64 mile gravel options.  Registration closes September 28. See: https://www.cyclesequatchie.com/

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in August.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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August 1 – UPDATE:  Looks like a sprinkle or two but nothing major until mid-day.   Roll at 8:30 unless weather man changes his mind again.  We’ll  start from the old Food City in St. Elmo at 8:30 am to ride up  Chattanooga Valley to Mountain Cove Farms and return via Hog Jowl Road.  Water stop at the end of the valley at mile 30.
63 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing (with no mountain climbs).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50191382

August 8 – Roll from the old Food City in St. Elmo at 8:30 am to ride to New England and back via Murphy Hollow.  No store stops planned.
43 Miles, 2,300 feet and no climbs.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53153955

August 15 – Tour de Mowbray. Start from the paved parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church at 8:30 am to climb Retro Hughes Road and ride around the top of Mowbray Mountain.  Store stop at the Dollar General in Lewis Chapel at mile 32.
49 miles and 3,250 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50474830

August 22 – Start at 8:30 am  from the Patten Community Center in Tiftonia to ride the length of Creek Road through Lookout Valley. We’ll ride the rollers on McKaig Road  before a store stop in Trenton at mile 30. Climbs Sand Mountain.
53 miles and 3,200 feed of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56335506

August 29 – It been almost a year since we started from the Battlefield. Roll at 8:30 am from the Park HQ to do a big loop around Chickamauga.  Store stop at mile 28.
50 miles, 2,400 feet with no climbs.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56336136

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Thursday, August  20 – WEEKDAY SPECIAL –  Sandblaster Gravel Ride.  We’ll hope for better weather this time.  Start from the Dollar General in Rising Fawn at 9 am.   The out-and-back climb up Lookout Mountain on Newsome Gap Road near the end of the ride is optional.
39 miles and 2800 feet (without Newsome Gap).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55077733

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September 1 – Traditional holiday ride.  36 miles and 2000 feet of climbing. Details TBD.

September 6 -Start in Red Back to ride to Soddy. Time TBD.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in July.  We’re going to start a little earlier this month to avoid a bit of the mid-day sun.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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Happy 4th of July – We’ll start with Team Bubba from BubOne’s house on Burnt Mill Rd at 8:30 am.  We’re going out and back on Cash Canyon Road as the first leg of our ride, and they’re starting with a climb up Raccoon Mountain. Our ride will split at the bottom of Elder Mountain and continue on up Elder for those wanting to do the long ride.  See the Team Bubba post for more info on the festivities at Bub’s.
Long Route: 42 miles with 3,300 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55697064
Short Route: 34 miles and 2,400 feet of climbing
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55892459

July 11 -Start from the paved parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church at 8:30 am to ride to Sale Creek.  Store stop at the Country Mart at Mile 27.
49 miles with 2,500 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51962277

July 18 –  Sam-I-Am is hosting a lake party for Bubba at his in-laws (3922 Windward Lane ) in Sale Creek.  Elites will roll with Team Bubba at 9 am and follow their route until we get to Leggett where we’ll head down the mountain.  We can park on the streets around the party house — but no parking in the cul-de-sac or near driveways so that we don’t block anybody in.  The Team Bubba post this week will provide details of the planned festivities.
37 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing.  Mountain climb on Brayton Mtn Road.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56175684

July 25 – Start at 8:30 am from the gravel parking lot at the sculpture gardens on Polk Street to ride from Montague Park.   Store stop in Rock Springs at mile 28.
49 miles and 2,500 feet of climbing.
This is a new map that avoids the bridge that’s out on Wilson Road.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56107342

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August 1 – St. Elmo to Mountain Cove Farms. Time TBD.
63 miles and 3000 feet of climbing.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in June.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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June 6 – Roll at 9 am from the old Food City in St. Elmo for the long-awaited climb up Lookout Mountain on Nick-A-Jack Road.  Store stop at about mile 24 near Plum Nelly.  Return via Lookout  Valley.
47 miles and 3,100 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53610459

June 13 – The Sequatchie 24 Ultra and 75/150 mile race.  Registration deadline is June 8.
https://www.bikereg.com/73895 

June 20 – We’ll start from Ridgeland High School at 9 am to ride to Lafayette.   Park in the large parking lot on the  south side of the school.   Store stop at the Circle-K at mile 28 in Lafayette.
54 miles and 2,700 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51519294

June 27 – Roll at 9 am from Red Bank Elementary on Mountain Creek Road to climb Mountain Road up Mowbray Mountain.  Store stop at about mile 29 at the Circle-K in Soddy.
50 miles and 3,100 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54124469

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Thursday, July 2 – WEEKDAY SPECIAL –  Ocoee Gravel Ride.  Start at 9 am from the Cookson Creek Church near Camp Ocoee.  28 miles.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51510208

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July 4 – We’ll keep it fun and a little shorter so everyone can celebrate with family.  Plans are to roll from BubOne’s house to ride Cash Canyon road. Time TBD.
42 miles and 3,300 feed of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55697064

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in May.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

Update for May 30 (7 am) – It’s a “go” even though the weather remains unsettled.  We’ll meet at the old Food City in St. Elmo as planned at 9 am.  Details below.  Route could change to the North based on conditions to the South at 9.

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May 2 -Start at 9 am at the (now closed) Food City in St. Elmo to climb Sand Mountain via Murphy Hollow.   This route includes the  rollers on McKaig Road.  Store stop in the heart of Trenton at the Mapco at mile 27.
47 miles and 2,800 feet. Climb Sand Mountain.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51059172

May 9 – Ride from Red Bank Elementary at 9 am  for a clock-wise loop up to Soddy and back.  Store stop at the Circle K at mile 25.  The ride will split in Soddy so that those wanting more can climb Hot Water Road.
49 miles, 2,500 feet.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53153791

May 16 – It was rained out in April so it’s back on the calendar so that Boss can get some PRs for his new Strava subscription. Start from the old Chapel Hill Methodist Church at 9 am to ride to Pikeville and back.  Store stop at the Co-op at mile 23 to converse with the natives.
55 miles and 2,800 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51058690

May 23 – Start at 9 am from the paved parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church  for a loop north.  Store stop in Sale Creek at mile 33.  Those wanting more can climb Hotwater Road on the way home.
50 miles, 2,600 feet.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50119282

May 25 – Holiday Ride.  We’ll start with Team Bubba at 9 am from Bub One’s house on Burnt Mill Road.  We’ll follow the TB posted route with the option to short it near the end and avoid the last hill climb on Dry Valley.

May 30 – It’s been 3 months, so time for a favorite. Roll from the Food City parking lot in St. Elmo at 9 am to ride down Chattanooga Valley to Captain Wood Road.  Store stop at mile 40.
53 miles, 2,700 feet with no climbs.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49895195

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For those of you that were expecting to climb Nickajack on May 2, we’re going to get Nickajack on ride list for June — for sure.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in April.   The start time may change during the week of the ride for forecast colder or warmer conditions.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

Update for April 25 – It looks like the bulk of the morning rain may be passing by to the south.  Those wanting to give it a try can make a last minute decision based on an individual assessment of the radar.   Route changed to our go-to rain course, the Hills of North Chat.  See details below.

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April 4 – Roll at 9 am from the grass parking area across from River Drifters on Suck Creek Road to ride out-and-back in the Tennessee River Gorge to “Goat’s Bridge” on Mullin’s Cove Road.  It’s asphalt all the way and easily manageable on a road bike, but a gravel bike works best for the several patches of rough road.   Seems short, but it’s harder than you think.  Option to return via East Valley Road and Suck Creek Mountain.
40 miles and 2,300 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50284294 

April 11 – Here’s an old favorite that we haven’t done in over a year.  We’ll start at 9 am from the Food City in St. Elmo to ride up Lookout Valley to climb Lookout Mountain on 136.  Store stop near Plumb Nelly at about mile 23.  Return by descending Nickajack Road.
45 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54475101

April 18 – Tour de Mowbray. Start from the paved parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church at 9 am to climb Retro Hughes Road and ride around the top of Mowbray Mountain.  Store stop at the Dollar General in Lewis Chapel at mile 32.
49 miles and 3,250 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50474830

April 25 – Hills of North Chat.  Roll at 9 am from the back corner of the parking lot of Whole Foods off Manufacturer’s Road.  Ride split is at about mile 15.
Hills Loop:  ~20 miles.  (no map, but easy navigation from split to car)
Full Ride: 45.7 miles and 3,300 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49109366

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May 2 – Are you ready to climb Nickajack?  Start from the Food City in St. Elmo. Time TBD.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in  March.   The start time may change during the week of the ride for forecast colder or warmer conditions.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

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March 7 – Start at Red Bank Elementary on Mountain Creek Road at 9 am to climb Mountain Road and descend Hot Water Road.  Store stop at the top of Mowbray Mountain (for fast-climbers) at mile 23 followed by a short restroom and water break at the ball fields in Soddy.
50 miles and 3,200 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54124469

March 14 – Roll from the Patten Community Center off of Kelly’s Ferry Road at 9 am to ride up Lookout Valley to Trenton to climb Sand Mountain on GA 136.   Return via Morganville Ridge.   Those wanting a little more (~ 3 miles and a 300 ft climb over the toe of Lookout) can  start at the Food City in St. Elmo.
51 miles and 2,900 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54240528

March 21 – We’ll  start at the Food City in St. Elmo at 9 am to ride up  Chattanooga Valley to Mountain Cove Farms and return via Hog Jowl Road.  Water stop at the end of the valley at mile 30.
63 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing (with no mountain climbs).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50191382

March 28 – Given the weather, we’ll be riding the hills of North Chatt with an optional loop up to Falling Water.  Roll at 11 am from the back corner of the parking lot of Whole Foods off Manufacturer’s Road.  Ride split is at about mile 15.
Hills Loop:  ~20 miles.  (no map, but easy navigation from split to car)
Full Ride: 45.7 miles and 3,300 feet of climbing.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49109366

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April 4 – Start at River Drifters on Suck Creek Road to ride out-and-back in the Tennessee River Gorge to “Goat’s Bridge” on Mullin’s Cove Road.  Asphalt all the way and easily manageable on a road bike , but a gravel bike works best for the patches of rough road.   Seems short, but it’s harder than you think.  Option to return via East Valley Road and Suck Creek Mountain.  40 miles.  Time TBD.

Here are the Elite rides for Saturdays in  February.   The start time may change during the week of the ride for forecast colder or warmer conditions.  Watch this site early on the Saturday of the ride for weather related cancelations and updates.

Update for February 28 — Forecast temperature will support a 9:30 roll time with high 60s by the time we get back to our cars.

Have you set your training resolutions for 2026?
February 28 is the early registration deadline for The Sequatchie 24 on June 13/14.
https://www.cyclesequatchie.com/ultra

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February 7 – Ride canceled due to cool temps.

February 14 -Start at 10 am from the gravel parking lot at the sculpture gardens on Polk Street to ride from Montague Park.   Store stop in Rock Springs at mile 28.
48 miles and 2,300 feet. No climbs.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49761679

February  21 – Roll from the Food City parking lot in St. Elmo at 9:30 am to ride down Chattanooga Valley to Captain Wood Road.  Store stop at mile 40.
53 miles, 2,700 feet with no climbs.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49895195

February 28 -Roll from the parking lot across from the Falling Water Baptist Church at 9:30 am.  Store stop in Sale Creek at mile 33.  Those wanting more can climb Hotwater Road on the way home.
50 miles, 2,600 feet. No climbs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50119282

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March 7 – Start at Red Bank Elementary to climb Mountain Road.  50 miles. Time TBD.