If you like fast, the CRAM (Memorial Day Saturday) and Sunrise (Labor Day Saturday) Centuries start near Clarksville, TN and loop through southern Kentucky. It runs through Amish farm country. The draw here is the flatness of the course. Both are great for setting your fastest-ever Century time (especially the Labor Day ride, due to less wind). The course record for 100 miles, set in the organized elite peloton, is around three hours and forty minutes.

One on my list is in east Tennessee at Tellico Plains -- the Cherohala Challenge on June 8 this year. It takes in the famous Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. Two national forests and over 10,000 feet of climbing in 117 miles. Beautiful scenery on a world-famous stretch of convoluted road (318 curves in one 11 mile stretch).