Road Cycling - Saturdays Ride

Here is a pic from Saturdays ride out behind my house. This is the view from one of the overlooks on Chilhowee Mountain. This is really not a Mountain but a smaller ridge in the foothills of the Smokeys. The climb up here from where the parkway starts is only 11 miles. My house is down there in the valley below.

Here is a view looking over the other side towards the Smokeys...

Here's one more of my trusty steed waiting patiently for the next section. The ride down is a blast. On this day, like most others on the weekends, a lot of motorcyclists tour this area. As I left the top for the ride back down, a group of 5 bikers caught up with me. They were couples on Japanese cruisers. The first three overtook me and settled into line as we picked up speed. The last two were a little farther back so I took my place in line. Just to see how long I could stay there. :D The three in front were checking their mirrors and smiling as the other two fell into line behind me. After a few miles we came to section that levels off so I sat up. My new friends behind me pulled along side. The one guy and his wife are really smiling and he yells over "FORTY FIVE"... I smiled back and waved as they motored on away from me. If I could only do that on the flats....

God, I really need to move; you have no idea how breathtaking those pics look to someone who lives in the flats! (Chicago)

I'll try to post some when the leaves turn in a few months. It's really pretty with all the colors.

I too was out riding in the hills this weekend. I started in Sperryville, VA and climbed up to Thorton Gap on Skyline drive. It's a seven mile slog that just doesn't let up. BUT, upon my return I was just joking with this guy in a mini van and said, "Race ya to the bottom?" He won but I was able to keep up in the curves. I just love those long decents!

Can't wait to get back into the hills.

Sean

God, I really need to move; you have no idea how breathtaking those pics look to someone who lives in the flats! (Chicago)

I'll share a moving truck with you!

Nice. Its been a long time since I have been in that part of the country. So lush and green! Thanks for sharing!

Nice terraine khackney

looks familiar too...

Nice. Its been a long time since I have been in that part of the country. So lush and green! Thanks for sharing!

I was checking out your pics from the wheatfield ride. It looked like a great ride unless the winds were up. I've decided I like hills more than headwinds. I spent some time in Wolf Creek Montana several years ago. Really, really pretty country up near the continental divide. I would love to go back again. :)