Ride Description:Second coldest starting temperature of the year and ridden at a very brisk pace, maybe to keep warm? Crossed the 3000 mile mark for the year.Route Description:Extended variation on the evening loop. See: http://bike.stephen-johnson.net/2007/10/in-blink-of-eye.htmlRoute:http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=5740Profile:
Cue Sheet:
http://veloroutes.org/cuesheets/5740.html
Ride Details:Distance: 33.5, Climb: 2154, Time: 1:53:43, Average: 17.9 Weather:Temp: 32-38, Wind: Calm, Clouds: Clear, Humidity: 88-83%
Ride Description:Cloudy, somewhat windy day, at an easy pace.Route Description:Often ridden as a quick evening loop. See: http://bike.stephen-johnson.net/2007/10/in-blink-of-eye.htmlRoute:http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=5919Profile:
Cue Sheet:
http://veloroutes.org/cuesheets/5919.html
Ride Details:Distance: 25.35, Climb: 1448, Time: 1:39:17, Average: 15.4Weather:Temp: 64-66, Wind: SSW 10.4, Clouds: Mostly Cloudy, Humidity: 38-42%
Ride Description:Five riders braved the chilly 37 degree air and rolled out of the VM parking lot shortly after 08:00. A moderate pace was broken only be a couple of stops to troubleshoot skipping chains and answer the call of nature.
We were all happy to emerge from the shadows and warm up a bit after the cold start. We really got warmed up on a short loop up Lead Mine Valley Ridge: thanks to one sandbagger (who shall remain nameless) in the group. Short and steep, 27% grade according to one rider's Garmin Edge 305.
The climb on Bell over Blue Springs Ridge, is an attention getter, but looks worse that it is. Especially after the previous climb. The pace picked up as we headed south before slowing as we turned onto Apison Pike toward Collegedale.
Route Description:Heads east on Tallant to Old Alabama. Turn left and north on Old Alabama staying west of Pine Hill Ridge. Turn right on Parks which turns into Candies Creek just after crossing Pine Hill Ridge. Candies Creek intersects Tunnel Hill and continues north in Black Fox Valley. A right turn on Powell and then Blue Springs Church tees into Blue Springs Road.
A very gradual upgrade on Blue Springs delivers you to the foot of Lead Mine Ridge at Eleanor Road. Downshift and climb to the water tower and then decend, turning right on Bryant for the final decent back to Blue Springs. Double back on Blue Springs and turn left on Bell for the climb over Blue Springs Ridge.
Hang a right on TN60 ride this flat, and sometimes busy road, and turn left on Red Hill Valley. This section rolls through beautiful farmland and after several miles makes a left turn on Poteet. Poteet tees into Johnson where you make a right. Watch for the dogs on the right just before the intersection.
Johnson returns you to TN60 for a quick left and then right on Weatherly Switch. Climb over Lebanon Valley Ridge and turn left on Wesleyan then then right on Apison Pike for the final stretch in to Collegedale. Route:http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=5559Profile:
Ride Details:
Distance: 26.7, Climb: 1802, Time: 1:32:25, Average: 17.5
Weather:
Temp: 37-51, Wind: SW 3.5, Clouds: Clear, Humidity: 86-56%
Ride Description:Five riders left the VM parking lot promptly at 17:30. This was our last after work group ride of the season due to the time change this coming weekend. The weather was beautiful, but a chill was in the air when riding through the shadows.This is a more hilly route then we often ride, but nice for a change. There were no mishaps to report. A few attacks from dogs kept us alert and the fire engine belching black exhaust made us remember how lucky we are to be able to ride where we don't encounter that very often.We rode a little faster than a leisurely pace to ensure we got back before sunset. Goodbye evening rides. Here's looking forward to next year!Route Description:Climbs south out of Collegedale on University Drive staying east of White Oak Mountain before descending gently on East Brainerd through Rhinehart Valley nearly to the Georgia state line.London Lane heads east and parallels the Georgia state line skirting Baker Ridge and climbing through Jones Ridge.The short distance on McGee Road includes another short, but steep, climb up the southern end of Pine Hill Ridge. The climbing continues on Red Clay Road up Whites Cut Ridge just after passing under the railroad.Lead Mine Valley and Weatherly Switch roll through Dry Valley and Maroon Valley keeping west of Lead Mine Ridge.Lebanon Valley Road then climbs out of Maroon Valley and over Lebanon Ridge. Tunnel Hill rolls for a short distance before the turn onto California, which includes another climb, descent and climb to Candies Creek Road.The rest of the route stays east of Pine Hill ridge before turning on Apison Pike, crossing Pine Hill Ridge and descending into Collegedale.Route:http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=5471Profile:
Cue Sheet:
http://veloroutes.org/cuesheets/5471.htmlRide Details:
Distance: 26.7, Climb: 1802, Time: 1:32:25, Average: 17.5
Weather:
Temp: 72-65, Wind: NNE 17, Clouds: Partly Cloudy, Humidity: 50-60%
Ride Description:
Eleven, yep you read that right, of us headed out from the VM just after 08:00. It didn't take some in the group long to realize that they'd over dressed and we stopped for a shedding session. Actually predicting what to wear is somewhat a hit-and-miss, you know, like a weatherman.
A few miles North up Ooltewah-Georgetown we were "serenaded" by someone in their maroon PT Cruiser hell-bent to get to church (judging by their apparel) and not at all amused by eleven bicycles slowing them down. Hopefully the sermon was on patience!
After a quick jaunt designed to avoid TN Highway 60 traffic and a feed stop, we headed south on White Oak Valley and it was ON! A strong tailwind coupled with some (not all) strong legs had us rolling along at 25-30 mph.
The group fractured for several miles and regrouped at Harrison Pike and then it was "deja vu all over again". We got together again in McDonald and dialed it back for the rest of the ride into Collegedale.
Route Description:
This route heads north out of Collegedale/Ooltewah on the western flank of White Oak Mountain.
At Georgetown it heads east for a short distance and then south, staying west of Mt. Zion Ridge.
After crossing TN HWY 60 it follows White Oak Valley for several miles and ends up in McDonald, all the time staying east of White Oak Mountain.
Finally it skirts Grindstone Mountain before ending at the starting point.
Note: This is usually a fast loop.
Route:
http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=5326
Profile:
Cue Sheet:
http://veloroutes.org/cuesheets/5326.htmlRide Details:
Distance: 43.3, Climb: 2574, Time: 2:17:00, Average: 19.0
Weather:
Temp: 52-62, Wind: NNE 17, Clouds: Scattered, Humidity: 56%
Ride Description:
Six of us met at the VM and rolled out just after 08:00. Most were wearing arm warmers, leg warmers, full finger gloves, and the odd vest here and there. One person, who shall remain nameless, showed up in shorts, short sleeve jersey, and fingerless gloves. Manly or just insane, was the subject of discussion.
In the Apison area we met up with a group of three from the Westview Elementary Sunday ride and rode for several miles with them before we headed to Cohutta.
The group split into two groups of three for much of the ride with the jack rabbits up front and the tortoises in the back. We later regrouped near the end of the ride.
One topic of discussion was the Larry Schwartz Year-Rounder Century Challenge and whether any of us were up to trying it. Guess we have until December 20 to make up our minds.
Thanks for a great, safe ride!
Route Description:
This route heads Southeast from Collegedale, TN to Cohutta, GA crossing several ridges in the process, including the Tennessee Valley Divide.
South from Cohutta, it's mainly rollers into Varnell where you get to tackle the climb on GA 2 heading West. It's just under one mile in length and is the second time this ride crosses the Tennessee Valley Divide.
Head North on the rollers of Stewart and others to Apison Pike where it's about six miles back into Collegedale.
Route:
http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=4841
Profile:
Ride Details:
Distance: 33.5, Climb: 1934, Time: 1:56:05, Average: 17.7
Weather:
Temp: 51-56, Wind: Calm, Clouds: Clear, Humidity: 86%-75%
Description:
We've been waiting for this beautiful weather for months. The only way this ride could have been better would be no wind, but hey, wind builds character, or something like that!
County Line Grocery was the meeting point for three riders. The ride got underway at 14:00. Another of the usual, climb the hills, ride the valleys that's the norm in this area.
Freddy was happy to see us as we passed by on our way to Red Clay State Park and Cohutta, GA.
All in all great ride with several spirited discussions and did I mention, a great day for riding?
Route:
http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=4829
Profile:
Ride Details:
Distance: 24.4, Climb: 1494, Time: 1:28:30, Average: 17.1
Weather:
Temp: 72, Wind: NNE @ 9 mph, Clouds: Partly Cloudy, Humidity: 30%
Description:
Seven of us met at the Village Market parking lot at 17:30. This route crosses a few ridges between the valleys that run North to South around here. Over all a pleasant route that is often ridden in the evening with slight variations.
Relatively non-eventful ride until we were Northbound on Stewart. A group of three riders had passed us on Smith Chapel as we slowed to answer the call of nature. Stewart is mostly straight and rolling. The prospect of chasing down the riders was too much to resist hammering for awhile, and we took the bait. We were moving along at a good clip 25+ and easily caught and passed our target!
Shortly after passing them one rider in our group touched the rear wheel of another rider with his front wheel and that's when the excitement began. Said rider was down, HARD, in the blink of an eye. The pavement really did a number on his legs, arms, and hands. It's really difficult seeing a fellow rider, and friend, in such pain.
We were able to contact his wife. While one of our group waited with the downed rider for the arrival of his wife the rest of us left in order to beat nightfall arriving after sunset.
Best wishes to our friend for a speedy recovery!
Route:
http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=4794
Profile:
Cue Sheet:
http://veloroutes.org/cuesheets/4794.html
Ride Details:
Distance: 26.7, Climb: 1411, Time: 1:35:51, Average: 17.3
Weather:
Temp: 74, Wind: Calm, Clouds: Clear, Humidity: 20%
Description:
Four of us left the Village Market parking lot just after 08:00. This route climbs a couple of ridges on the way out and back. The rest is mostly rollers in the valleys.
Numerous Wild Turkey were seen on Brock Road. Old Alabama, in Bradley County, is newly paved and a pleasure to ride. Finally, what would a ride be without visiting with "Freddy", the donkey, at Leadmine Valley and Lebanon Valley Church!
Route:
http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=4728
Profile:
Ride Details:
Distance: 33.6, Climb: 1950, Time: 1:58:12, Average: 17.4
Weather:
Temp: 72, Wind: Calm, Clouds: Clear, Humidity: 83%
