Originally Posted by
Badbird2000
End of this summer I am planning/trying to ride from Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome. It's 23 miles of climbing, it's all National Park road so I think the average is 5% grade. But, for a guy who grew up riding in Florida, it should be a lot of fun...
I had a lot of fun Thursday doing the descent from Clingman's Dome to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. One very hairy moment when a black bear on the left of the road ran across in front of me doing about 50 mph. I briefly locked up and missed him to the left by a foot or less.
But climbing it?? No way. Not my idea of fun. I enjoy long distances (127 is my best), short 20 to 50 mile rides going for a good average speed, and exploration type rides checking out new things. That's my cup of tea.I know there's plenty of riders that love climbing, but just not my thing.