Tennessee 600K Ride Report - Ian Flitcroft

TENNESSEE 600K RIDE REPORT
June 2nd & 3rd 2007
By Ian Flitcroft

I rode the TN 600km last weekend to complete what John Ende jokingly called a "Gentleman's 1200". Here's a short ride report. Jeff Bauer and Jeff Sammons also rode both the GA600 and the TN600. The TN600 started in McMinnville and traveled east for 200km through Dayton to Tellico Plains. The route then completed the 115 mile loop of the “Cherohala Challenge” course, returned to Tellico Plains, and then headed back to McMinnville. We had excellent riding conditions for June with cool cloudy weather until Sunday afternoon when the sun came out and the wind picked up from the west.

Fourteen riders left McMinnville at 4am central time and everyone rode together to the first control. There was then a scramble to leave the control ASAP, and consequently the group broke into two. Some familiar faces in the second group included John Ende, Jimmy Williams, and Caroline Atkins. The ride ascended to a plateau and then dropped steeply down some 2.5 miles (a tough climb on the way back) into Pikeville. Crossing a valley we climbed up Dayton mountain, with 6 miles along the top (where we regrouped into one large front group of 8 riders) and down into Dayton, after which the ride to Tellico Plains was relatively flat.

The first group leaving Tellico Plains was five strong and the riding was straightforward to the next control in Vonore. The route then turned SE and headed for the "Tail of the Dragon". This is one of the premier destinations in the US for motorcyclists and they were out in force. The climb up to Deal's Gap along the "Tail of the Dragon" is fun, but diminished by all the bikes and cars.

In Robbinsville, I stayed to eat and so rode up the Cherohala Skyway by myself. It reminded me of the climb up to the Blue Ridge parkway on highway 216 (?) on John Bryant's old 400km course - a very long, sustained climb, with each turn revealing even higher hills beyond. It was completely dark when I finally "summited" at 5,400 feet. I arrived with Tim Martin and found George Hiscox and Alex Meade waiting at the top. The SAG volunteer was also waiting with iced drinks although it was cool enough on top that we quickly chilled off in our sweaty clothes. The group was rather split up on the descent. A new SON powered E6 + Ixon LED + Petzl Duo halogen headlamp = 40 mph descending. A single LED = < 25 mph descending. And there was a lot of descending! There were also some annoying half mile rollers to negotiate just before the control in Tellico Plains.

Being second down the hill meant I had a choice of beds at the cabin resort, but that was moot as the other three all decided to ride straight through. So after a sleep I left with Jeff Bauer at dawn and rode with him through to Dayton. I then slogged my way up Dayton Mountain and the climb out of Pikeville and managed to crawl to the finish by mid afternoon. Thirteen of the fourteen starters finished, the lone DNF going off course on the way out. But given the generally favorable weather I don't think this course could be made harder without a rash of DNFs.

Cheers, Ian