So, I believe the last time I posted on this blog was in Asheville, over a week ago (10 days to be exact). I’m terribly sorry, and I will try to keep the posts flowing more regularly in the future. Unfortunately, most nights I have not had internet access, and when I do, there is usually much that needs to be done (inasmuch as internet is more present in significant places). So…a lot has transpired since my last post — plenty of building, mountains, and a nasty crash. I’ll try to fill in the cracks.
Tuesday, June 3th
Build day in Asheville
I was glad to recuperate to some extent from the Blue Ridge Parkway while staining some molding.
Wednesday, June 4th
Asheville to Gatlinburg: 90 miles
The most eventful day of our trip thus far, and also the hardest. Our ride had a total of 17,000 feet of climbing. It was exciting, though, because it took us out of Asheville, and we climbed to 5,000 feet twice, dropping back to 2,000 in between. The second climb, in the Smoky Mountains National Park, was particularly rewarding — it was long and hard, but we got to cross the state line at the top and had a 15 mile downhill into Gatlinburg. I, however, had the unfortunate luck of crashing at the very top of the downhill — a car came over the yellow line, I skidded out, and my tire exploded. I hit the road really fast, so I have some mean abrasions. I also screwed up my bike and had to ride in the van for the rest of the ride. However, I was lucky, and I didn’t get injured enough to prevent me from biking the next day. Apparently, missing 15 miles of downhill for a crash does not take away from the achievement of biking all the way across the country. I was still bummed, though.
Thursday, June 5th
Gatlinburg to Maryville: 40 miles
Cole, amazingly, helped me true my wheel back to a tolerably rideable condition, and I did some painful things to clean my wounds. Result: I was able to ride into Maryville. My knee was the worst, but it was mostly superficial, so it didn’t really hurt (more than it just hurt in general) to bike. Luckily, it was a short ride, though. We arrived in a bike shop, and the owner was able to fix up my ride. My rear wheel was pretty badly out of true, and my back brake was shot. Between that and a new helmet (my old one was cracked), I spent about $120 bike maintenance.
Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th
Build Days in Maryville: Days to rest and recuperate from hard riding (and crashing) while staying in college dorms. It’s like a vacation!
Sunday, June 8th
Maryville to Sweetwater: 37 miles
I accomplished this ride in a paceline with Samuel and Travis, and we finished in under two hours. So we arrived at 11 am at our host site, which was a National Guard Armory — sadly, without air conditioning. The first of seven straight days of riding.
Monday, June 9th
Sweetwater to Dunlap: 85 miles
We crossed the Tennessee River and rode up a fairly significant mountain ridge before ending up at the (air-conditioned) National Guard Armory there. All in all, an extremely hard day.
Tuesday, June 10th
Dunlap to Sewanee: 42 miles
Dawes Mountain Road was in the first few miles of the trip, and it was epic. Over a thousand feet of climbing in only a few miles — at a 12% grade. Parts were so steep that I was on my lowest gear, standing up, and wishing I could quit or something. Fortunately, I made it to the top. We camped out on the campus of the University of the South, by a lake. Dinner was at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, which was a sort of religious gated community of vacation homes. One of the members had a daughter in Bike and Build a few years ago.
Wednesday, June 11th
Sewanee to Pulaski: 90 miles
An eventful day: I was sweep, and the first half of the day was great. We rode the first few miles in a large group with locals, and then Suze and I chilled in a coffee shop. We went to the historic Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, where by a quirk of fate, they can’t sell their product (Jack Daniel’s is manufactured in a dry county). Later in the afternoon, Suze got involved in an accident with a car (left-turning car didn’t see her). Luckily, she was okay, though the car and the bike got beaten up. I had to finish the sweep day without my partner — it was sad. But I’m glad she was okay.
We stayed in dorms that evening and had dinner at the mayor’s house. He was awesome, and the evening, all in all, was great. And then I crashed, early.
Thursday, June 12th
Pulaski to Adamsville: 95 miles
Another high-mileage day. But the route was glorious — we rode for miles on TN 203, which had new pavement and no cars. And it was fast. Even with the freak downpour at mile 80, it was a great day.
Friday, June 13th
Adamsville to Bolivar: 37 miles
A short day, and a needed one. We rode with some awesome speed today, and I got in and took a nap. Only one more day till Memphis, a day off, and the Mississippi. Who’s excited? I am.
I’ll keep you updated.
