2007 Tour de Georgia Trip

The Tour de Georgia is on and Highland Adventures will take you there again. The schedule is a bit different than in years past and so we'll take advantage of the Tour coming to Tennessee with a stop in Chattanooga for the Stage 4 Time Trial up Lookout Mountain on Thursday, April 19, before heading down to the epic finish on top of Brasstown Bald on Friday, April 20.

Trip Details:
Thursday April 19:
We'll head out of town early and drive to Chickamauga GA. You can ride your bike to wherever you'd like on the course to watch the individual time trial that will be decisive in the final GC for the Tour. After the stage, we'll drive on to the North Georgia mountain town of Blairsville for the night. Ride mileage: 0-30 miles. Your choice.

Friday April 20:
We'll take a nice ride through Georgia's Blue Ridge mountains ending on Brasstown Bald for the spectacular finish atop Georgia's tallest mountain. This stage of the race has decided the winner of the Tour for the past 3 years and promises to do so again this year. Last year, it's estimated that there were 30,000 spectators on the mountain to watch Floyd Landis finish off the Tour. This year, the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team and Levi Leipheimer will be in attendance and looking to add to their already stellar year. They just won the Paris-Nice stage race and Leipheimer won the Tour of California for them in February. So this should be an epic day of pro bicycle racing. After the stage we'll ride back down to Blairsville for the night. Ride Mileage: 15 miles, mostly uphill, to Brasstown Bald and up, if you wish. (This is the steepest, hardest climb I've ever done, folks. Be prepared to suffer.) Ride 15 miles back to Blairsville, mostly (but not all) downhill.

Saturday April 21:
If there's interest, we'll take a nice ride in the morning before driving back to Knoxville and your own beds.

Total cost for this supported tour is $250. $40 single supplement (if you want a whole room for yourself). This includes transportation from Knoxville for you, your luggage and your bike, lunch on the road Thursday and Friday and hotel lodgings. All other meals are your responsibility. There are quite a few restaurants in Blairsville, but bear in mind, it is a dry county. Any alcoholic beverages you desire should be brought with you. We will have cooler space if you need it.

A $50 deposit is due by April 1st. To reserve your spot, send a check to:
Highland Adventures Guide Service
2411 Woodson Dr
Knoxville TN 37920

Contact: John Baker
jtbroad@hotmail.com
(865) 310-8151


 

2006 Tour de Georgia Trip


April 21-23

The 2006 Tour de Georgia is On! And Highland Adventures will take you there. We'll leave from Knoxville TN on the morning of Friday April 21 and drive down to the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. We'll ride up to Woody Gap and watch the peloton ride past twice. Last year, Woody Gap was a mob scene with all the big name pros who made the Tour such a huge success. We'll have lunch there and then ride on to Blairsville GA for the night. The next day we'll watch the stage start in downtown Blairsville, then ride up Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia and the site of the penultimate climbing stage of the Tour. Last year, over 30,000 people lined the road to watch Tom Danielson take the queen stage ahead of Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Bobby Julich and Floyd Landis. In doing so, he also took the yellow jersey and held it till the end. The staqe finish at Brasstown Bald is becoming a legend now and it's sure to be an epic battle to the top. And you'll be there to see it. We'll spend another night in Blairsville and head back to Knoxville on Sunday.

Ride Details:

Friday April 21:
Ride 25 miles from Morganton to Woody Gap (these are tough Mountain miles. Lots of climbing. Eat your Wheaties). There will be a shorter ride option available if you desire. Approximately 20 miles from Woody Gap to Blairsville. You can ride in the van from Woody Gap if you'd like.

Saturday April 23:
Ride 15 miles, mostly uphill, to Brasstown Bald and up, if you wish. This is the steepest, hardest climb I've ever done, folks. Be prepared to suffer.
Watch the finish on Brasstown Bald (the deciding climb of the Tour)
Ride 15 miles back to Blairsville, mostly downhill. If you want more miles, we're in the middle of the mountains. Knock yourself out (not literally, please!), but you will be without van support. 

Sunday April 24:
We'll head back to Knoxville after breakfast. We should be home by 3 PM

Total cost for this supported tour is $200. $40 single supplement (if you want a whole room for yourself). This includes transportation from Knoxville for you and your bike, lunch on the road Friday and Saturday and hotel lodgings. Dinners and Breakfasts are your responsibility. There are quite a few restaurants in Blairsville, but bear in mind, it is a dry county. Any alcoholic beverages you desire should be brought with you. We will have cooler space if you need it.
A $50 deposit is due by April 1st. To reserve your spot,  send a check to:
Highland Adventures Guide Service
2411 Woodson Dr
Knoxville TN 37920

Contact: John Baker
jtbroad@hotmail.com
(865) 609-8282

 

 

 

 

Tour De Georgia
April 22-24, 2005

Well, the only way to describe the Tour de Georgia trip was "epic". Our group of 14 started out in nice warm, sunny conditions, but before we could even make it up to Woody Gap, the sky let loose. The folks in the front of our group got hailed on and they said it really hurt! The rest of us got a thorough soaking and then the temperature started dropping. By the time the peloton got onto Woody Gap, we were all shivering uncontrollably. Luckily we had the van and warm dry clothes to see us through. As bad as the weather was, the atmosphere was wonderful. The crowds were happy and huge. I can only imagine what the racers had to ride through. The next day on Brasstown Bald was really, REALLY cold. I have heard some reports that it was in the 20's if you count in the wind chill factor. But the crowds were massive on the mountain. There were thousands of people lining the entire climb up to the top. As cold as we were, the anticipation of the race kept us warm. It was quite a contrast to the same time last year,  when it was sunny and in the 90's. Thanks to all the riders who came with us this year. We'll be going again next year. Here are some pictures.

HAGS

Appalachian Cycling Events and Tours
Phone (865) 609-8282
Email jtbroad@hotmail.com
http://www.highland-adventures.com

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

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Blue Ridge
Parkway Trip

August 9-12, 2007

This will be our 5th trip to the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. It is, seriously, one of the most breathtaking pieces of road you will ever ride! It's also one of the more challenging rides you'll take. The trip will leave Knoxville on August 9th and return on August 12th. We will drive to Blowing Rock on Thursday night and start riding on Friday morning. Here are the day-by-day details:

Day One (August 10):
45 miles from Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland. A short day that serves as a warm up for what's to come. 4000 feet of climbing.

Day Two (August 11):
This is the big day. 77 miles from Little Switzerland to the top of Mt. Pisgah. This ride includes two major climbs. The first is over 2000 feet and 20 miles, followed by a screaming descent down to Asheville and then another grueling 2860 foot/18 mile climb to the top of Mt. Pisgah. 8900+ feet of climbing. Eat your Wheaties that day, folks!

Day Three (August 12):
60 miles from Mt. Pisgah to Cherokee. There's some climbing left to be done (6000 feet), but not quite like yesterday. The big reward comes after the climb to Richland Balsam (the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6053 feet) when you descend for 4033 feet into Cherokee. The guidebook "Bicycling the Blue Ridge" describes this section of the Parkway as "a cyclist's dream". We'll swing on the rope swing into the Oconaluftee River and then you can stock up on fake indian souvenirs in Cherokee before we load up and drive back to Knoxville and the warmth of your own bed.

Your price includes:
Transportation
Lodging (we will stay in small family run hotels)
Lunch & snacks everyday
Dinner on night #1
Breakfast on day #2
Luggage Transport
SAG Support

You provide:
All breakfasts and dinners unless noted above (there are restaurants at every hotel)
Your bike
Strong legs

Cost per rider: $400.00
Single supplement $200.00
Reserve your space today.
$200 deposit due July 17, 2007

Contact:
John Baker
jtbroad@hotmail.com
(865) 310-8151


 

Blue Ridge
Parkway Trip

August 10-13, 2006

This will be our 4th trip to the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. It is, seriously, one of the most breathtaking pieces of road you will ever ride! It's also one of the more challenging rides you'll take. The trip will leave Knoxville on August 10th and return on August 13th. We will drive to Blowing Rock on Thursday night and start riding on Friday morning.  Here are the day-by-day details:

Day One (August 11): 45 miles from Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland. A short day that serves as a warm up for what's to come. 4000 feet of climbing.

Day Two (August 12): This is the big day. 77 miles from Little Switzerland to the top of Mt. Pisgah. This ride includes two major climbs. The first is over 2000 feet and 20 miles, followed by a screaming descent down to Asheville and then another grueling 2860 foot/18 mile climb to the top of Mt. Pisgah. 8900+ feet of climbing. Eat your Wheaties that day, folks!

Day Three (August 13): 60 miles from Mt. Pisgah to Cherokee. There's some climbing left to be done (6000 feet), but not quite like yesterday. The big reward comes after the climb to Richland Balsam (the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6053 feet) when you descend for 4033 feet into Cherokee. The guidebook "Bicycling the Blue Ridge" describes this section of the Parkway as "a cyclist's dream". We'll swing on the rope swing into the Oconaluftee River and then you can stock up on fake indian souvenirs in Cherokee before we load up and drive back to Knoxville and the warmth of your own bed.

Your price includes:
Transportation
Lodging (we will stay in small family run hotels)
Lunch & snacks everyday
Dinner on night #1
Breakfast on day #2
Luggage Transport
SAG Support

You provide:
All breakfasts and dinners unless noted above (there are restaurants at every hotel)
Your bike
Strong legs

Cost per rider: $400.00
Single supplement $200.00
Reserve your space today.
$200 deposit due July 13, 2006

Contact:
John Baker
jtbroad@hotmail.com
(865) 609-8282


 

Highland Adventures First Annual East Tennessee Cyclo-cross Classic Morningside Park, Knoxville TN, January 25, 2003
"Better than the trainer" for Sharp
By Tarik Saleh

 

The first annual East Tennessee Cyclocross Classic occured January 25th in Knoxville, Tennessee. Promoter John Baker and course designer Tarik Saleh set up a rigorous course in the bowl-like confines of Morningside Park in the downtown area. The course featured a triple barrier, one stair laden run-up and another long steep run-up. East Tennessee did its best to channel Belgium for the race. The difficult course was made more so by 3 inches of snow and one of the coldest weeks in recent memory. A winter sun slowly raised the temperature over the course of the races creating slick mud patches to go with the ice and snow.
Pedals, brakes, shoes and stays all clogged with a rock hard aggregrate of ice, mud, snow and grass. All the ingredients for a cross epic were in place. A good time was had by most.

Seven riders lined up for the A race at 11 am. At the whistle Tarik Saleh (Kelly Bikes) took the hole shot and led the field through the icy starting stretch and over the first set of barriers. Indiana resident, Benjamin Sharp (Go Mart), in town for some "warm weather" training, took charge shortly after the first set of barriers and smoothly powered away to a crushing victory. In an ominous warning to roadies everywhere, Sharp was quoted, "This sure beats riding on the trainer". Scott Younker (Southern Cycling Operations), resplendent in orange goggles and full face covering used his running skills to maintain a gap over the rest of the field and take a strong second. After a brief and spirited back and forth, Bobby Whittaker powered away from the one-speeding Saleh for the
final podium position. Local trials standout Andy Listes used his bike handling skills to dash to fifth place over Steve Bacon (sco) and Ryan Bolt, both of whom found all
the running a bit distasteful.

The B's and Women's race started at 12:15. Gary Chambers (Southern Cycling Operations) pedaled his single speed to the hole shot and a big gap over a strong group of chasers from the Cedar Bluff Cycling team. The ice and snow slowly gave over to mud as the B race progressed. The B's and women faced myriad challenges shifting and clipping in due to the humorously large clots of crud covering their bikes. As the B race sorted out, Chambers, Max Trent and Michael Weber (both of CBC) were involved in a 3 way battle for the lead. Numerous crashes on an off-camber descent constantly changed the face of the race. Toward the end of the race, Trent powered to victory by dealing with the tough
conditions the best. Chambers followed him in for second, with Weber taking third. CBC riders also placed 4th and 6th for a great team showing, especially as most
of the CBC riders were juniors.

The women's race featured strong teamwork between Jennifer Weaver and Lauren Launen. Again, due to crashes and clogged bikes the lead changed a number of times. In the end Weaver gutted out the victory followed by Launen in second and Daisy Knippen in third.

Thanks to the following people and businesses for their help in putting the race on. Tarik Saleh, Curt Roberts, Jason White, donutmeister Alan Rigby,
Rachel Raimondas, Lee Marchalonis, Ryan Bolt, Andy Listes, Jim Rivers, the Bike Zoo, Label Industries, The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department (Joe Walsh, Angela Robbins), Marianne Farmer - Red Bull.

Results
Men A 1 Benjamin Sharp(Go Mart)
2 Scott Younker (SCO)
3 Robert Whitaker
4 Tarik Saleh (Kelly Bicycles)
5 Andy Listes
6 Steve Bacon (SCO)
7 Ryan Bolt Women 1 Jennifer Weaver
2 Lauren Launen
3 Daisy Knippen Men B 1 Max Trent
2 Gary Chambers (SCO)
3 Michael Weber (CBC)
4 Jay Defoe
5 Wallace Judy
6 Jeffrey Cunningham (CBC)
7 David Lane (SCO)

 

9-22-2002: 3rd Annual Mt. Larry a bit damp

We had 10 brave riders this past Sunday for the 3rd Annual Mt. Larry Metric Century. I'm not sure if I've ever seen rain quite as hard as some of the precipitation these hearty cyclists rode through. The strange thing is, in between the rain squalls, the route was still beautiful. If we can ever get a day with good weather for this ride, it should be a knockout. Thanks to the following folks for their stellar efforts to make the soggy riders comfortable and safe: Wally Pressley/Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Carla Basille, Chris Hurt, Shop Rite Grocery, Jay Nevans, Lake City Police Department, Anderson County Sheriffs Office, Morgan County Sheriffs Office, Oliver Springs Police Department. No thanks to area meteorologists.

10-21-00 2nd Annual 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth Mountain Bike Race

Troutman takes the solo division...again Nearly a hundred riders came to the hills of beautiful Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge TN to ride for 12 straight hours. Click the link below for complete results of the 2000 edition of the Hill of Truth.

12 Hours of the Hill of Truth Results Page

 

9-10-00 The Mt. Larry Metric Century

Sunday September 10th, 2000, Our first event goes off without a hitch. Thanks to the 28 riders who came out and rode this beautiful route with us. Everybody seemed to have good spirits and strong legs for the assault on Mt. Larry. The weather looked a little threatening at first but cleared off by 11 or so. We're making this an annual event, and next year we'll add both shorter and longer options for a 25 mile fun ride and a full century. Until then, we're setting our sites on the 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth (see above) Thanks also to: Volunteers- Leslie Baker, Kathy Montgomery, Stacey Rivers, Kent Bailey, Wally Presley- Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Jim Shetterly- Lake City Chief of Police, Tim Sharp-Mayor of Lake City, Jean Hayton- Lake City, City Hall, Anderson and Morgan County Sherriff's Departments, Oliver Springs Police Department, Life Development Center, Jay Nevans, Bike Zoo, Cedar Bluff Cycles and the Smoky Mountain Wheelmen for their help making this event the success that it was. We couldn't have done it without you. Grazie