Tellico River Road Returns!

I am probably the wimp of the ride this year. John has agreed to ride "down" with me from Bald River Falls to the ranger's station. Where does everyone plan on parking? If we park at the falls can someone take John back up to get our vehicle? He can ride back up but I don't really want to stay by myself waiting for him.

I will give a definite answer by tomorrow night.
Mattvon

 

Mattvon, you aren't a wimp. But I'll bet you are underestimating yourself. It's not a particularly bad/hard ride up to the falls. Acutally it's a pretty nice ride and there are not too many hard pulls up to that point and even beyond. Just take your time and enjoy the scenery. There will be someone to ride along with you. You'll do fine and from the falls back down to the beginning is a really fun downhill.

 

Coasters...

There will be quite a few coasters. For those of you who are going to do that , I suggest you do the entire 18 mile descent. IF you go just from Bald River Falls it will be an extremely short ride. The ride down from the NC border is breathtaking and it is steep enough that you will literally coast for miles.

Since there are so many coasters, I think after we all meet, park at the first lot, you all should car pool in as few vehicles as you can while still hauling your bikes. After we are all done eating, I can pack everybody in the truck and haul y'all up to get your cars.

Keila and I are really looking forward to this ride. It should be quite thrilling on the tandem.

As to food, we are bringing our own complete meal and maybe a few extras.

Bill

 

Re: Coasters...

Parking lot??? I thought it was just a pull off???...and sitting by the river on the rock wall we did do, but I don't relish getting eat up by the mosquitoes again and I only meant that the tail gate should be used as a table type feature for holding ALL the food while everyone either brought chairs or sat on the wall again...

 

Coasters and Bikers

Looks like a great turnout. Our handcyclists friends may show up. Perhaps 2 handcyclists and a recumbent rider that we didn't know about that rides with them.

Rob will drive my truck full of coaster bikes. We may need two vehicles to haul all of the 'coasters'

Coasters:

Rob Clayton, Debbie Clayton, Chris Clayton, Nick Clayton, Lindsey (Chris' girlfriend), Sally, Mattvon and John, Zack Gillette

Pedalers: AD, Jo, Keila, Bill, Mike, Sharon, Dave, Al, Tom (handcyclist), possibly another handcyclist and another recumbent rider.

Looks like the ROCKET group is starting to ride together again. A good showing if everybody comes out this weekend. A potential of 20 people.

 

Last year we had 16 riders, including a Daily Times reporter. Did we get any PR from the Daily Times?

The 18 miles uphill is an elevation increase of 1050 ft. This is a bit over half the rise in roughly the same distance as Whitetop Mountain on the VA Creeper Trail. IOW, it's not really all that steep.

Virtually no chance of rain on Saturday with temps in the mid-70s and 70% sunshine. An excellent forecast.

We need more riders taking along cameras. Yesterday's RANS Storm Troopers Ride was the first time that NOBODY had a camera, and we regretted it.

I'm curious about how much water is going over Bald River Falls now compared to last year's ride on Sept. 9. Be sure to get a group picture in front of the Falls again this year.

-- The Breeze

 

Dave,

They did a great 3 page article on us with lots of pics. I will bring a copy for you. As a result of the DT article, WBIR called us and we did a 'Live at Five' spot.

 

Right at a 1% average grade. Almost flat.

 

Re: Coasters...

Now I get eat up everywhere I go but I don't remember the bugs or mosquitos being bad last year. And as dry as it's been the only time I get ate up is when I stand outside here at home where there is NO standing water around anywhere. Just odd!: But avon makes a great bug spray I carry and it works really well for me.

 

Re: Coasters and Bikers

I won't be there but PLEASE take and post lots of pictures!!!

 

.....

 

I will have my camera Dave . It is easy to get action shots when I ride on the tandem. I'll have to have a little assistance in posting the pictures once I get back.

 

Re: Coasters...

New bug spray??? I know you could use their rose smelling lotion and that would do the trick. Bugs would avoid you like the plague. I'd like to get some of that stuff if possible...