Ride Accross Tennessee (RAT) 250K Ride Report - Jeff Bauer

Ride Across Tennessee (RAT) 250K Ride Report
September 15, 2007
By Jeff Bauer

The 2007 Ride Across Tennessee (RAT) was probably the best since I've been riding it. Toward this time of the year, especially after Paris-Brest-Paris, all of the training pressure is off so we can simply enjoy the ride for its own sake. About a dozen riders showed up, including one recumbent. In contrast to earlier RATs, last Saturday's ride started out at a balmy 55F. Cool enough for vests and arm warmers, but much nicer than the near-freezing temps we've experienced when the ride was scheduled in October.

RAT is unique in that it's strictly a one-way route from north to south. This makes the logistics more complicated -- dropping off riders and bikes at the Kentucky border in Clarksville, then picking them up on the Alabama state line. However this inconvenience is ameliorated by the typical northern tailwind that usually accompanies us. This year the wind was exceptionally strong and constant throughout the ride.

No less than five PBP anciens showed up at RAT, including Chris Gaughan from Ohio, so we had a good mix of long distance riders. Robert Hendry joined us for the first 50 miles then turned back at the Burns control to fight a headwind back to Clarksville. Nobody wanted to join him?

At Hohenwald (mile 106), we all regrouped at the Subway for lunch. For the next 7 miles we fought a harsh crosswind, then turned south onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. The last 44 miles was great fun, with Chris and I trading off to see how fast we could push up our average, frequently taking pulls in the 27-28 mph range. Having a goal of finishing the ride before 5 pm, we crossed the Alabama state line with Bill Glass and George Hiscox at 4:49.

Every rider except the recumbent (who got off course) finished RAT.

Note that you do not have to be an ultra cyclist to ride the RAT. Anyone who's finished a 100 mile century can probably complete this ride. It's a great way to closeout your riding season and includes bragging rights.