Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
Possible Sequatchie Ride Mid October.
Guys,
In 2022 about six of us did some rides in the Sequatchie Valley, hoping to see leaf color. It was a very dry year so the leaves that did not burn in fires dropped in October, probably after just turning brown. Last year we had the ride to Cumberland, MD, around that time. This year I've decided to consider the Sequatchie again. You will note this ride is pretty much for retiree's or otherwise free weekdays.
Tennessee tourism has finally gotten on the cycle touring train with a slick website of suggested routes, in addition to their previously published Sequatchie routes. The one's with which I'm familiar look ok and I'll possibly do some in the future. However, for now I'm sticking with the 2022 routes we've already personally vetted. These are in this Ride with GPS collection
.
Attached is a proposed itinerary for Tuesday October 15- Sat October 19. For me, dates are flexible. The McMinnville
Tree City Best Western was liked by all 2022's participants and the desk clerk assures me they are even better now. To be able to cancel 24 hrs prior to arrival cost
$120/night as opposed to $100/night for non cancellable. Given that a hurricane drove us out last time, I'm going for the 24 hr prior price.
Please look this over and comment on your interest, possible other participants and any route suggestions. At this time all is up for change except we can't interfere with the RBS weekend of October 25th. Room and carpooling arrangements must wait to see participation.
Bruce
Sequatchie 2024
Day 1 Tuesday, Oct 15
Drive 2 1/2 hrs to Dunlap, TN. Park at Farmer’s Marker, just past First Baptist Church. 91 Walnut St, Dunlap, TN.
Cycle either 34 mi or 50 mile routes. Food and restrooms at mile 23 in Pikeville for 50 milers. Big meal at Cookie Jar Cafe at mile 42 for long riders and mile 26 short riders. A couple of Dollar Generals along route for both rides.
Drive 45 min to McMinnville Tree City Best Western, 809 Sparta Street, McMinnville, TN, phone 931-473-2159.
Day 2 Wed, Oct 16
Continental Breakfast at motel. 30 and 54 mile options. 30 mile route loops through Rock Island State Park and baby tree country. Lunch at mile 18, Renea’s Kitchen. 54 milers do loop up back side of Short Mountain, never particularly hard per 2022 riders. Option to tour Short Mountain Distillery, opens at 10 am, and places to eat at miles 31 and 38. Supper somewhere in McMinnville.
Day 3 Thurs, Oct 17
Breakfast at Motel. 30 and 49 mile options. Lunch for 30 miler at mile 18, Nick’s landing. 49 milers, after a long but mostly gentle climb into Spencer, Lunch at mile 20, Old Timer’s Cafe. Downhill bombers can test their mettle on the straight wide descent out of Spencer.
Day 4 Friday, Oct 18
This is an optional Day. I’d originally planned driving to Fall Creek Falls State Park, then doing a loop from the park, then driving home. That turned out to be a lot of driving, almost violating my rule of never spending more time in a car than on the bike. It’s an hour drive from McMinnville to Falls Creek Falls, in the wrong direction to get back to Hendersonville, making for a 2 ½ hr drive back to Hendersonville. I’ve added a 14 mile loop over Big Hill out of the delightful village of Gassaway that is on route home from McMinnville. Or can look at other routes out of McMinnville and drive home Saturday. In 2022 weather sent us home early so all these plans must be viewed as conditioned on circumstances that week. In 2022 we tried to time it to see the leaf color but missed it by 2 weeks. We could not have gone much sooner due to fires in the area.
