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First Annual Great Smoky Mountains Triathlon Club Road Bike Ride |
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September 9 was the day that the Great Smoky Mountain Triathlon Club put on it's first road bike half century ride. The day was beautiful, with a slight cloud cover and cool breeze. It's still dark and the first of the riders are here. I had people tell me that is was closer to Atlanta than they thought, and the directions to the Chatuge Dam were easy to follow. Music to my ears. That's the thing I always worry about the most is people having a hard time finding the Dam, or thinking it was closer and getting here late. Finally the sun is up and I didn't need a light to get people signed in and registered. The field of riders wasn't going to be big, but we did have a quality group. We got going at 8:10, almost on time and that would be the last time I saw the fastest riders of the pack. The ride starts of by going down a 2/10 mile hill at full blast, launching the rider down the road. The guy I was with said he liked the way the course began, but he wasn't sure what to expect for the next 49 miles. Our club is located in the Western NC and North Ga. mountains, so there are hill, but not as bad as some people might think. Actually, there is only a short 3 mile section of the course that has any real kind of hills. The rest of the course is just rolling. When we hit the first stop I finally saw some of the center pack, but the lead pack was no where to be seen. We had water, used the bathroom, then back on the road. We were on Tusquitee Rd at the foot of the mountains in the back of Clay County. I heard comments about how beautiful the course was, and the beautiful scenery. The traffic was at a minimum and really didn't figure into the ride at all. Our second stop was coming up, where we had water and power bars to munch on. Only 24 miles to go now and we were off again. Now the ride gets back to the Lake Chatuge and the road that goes around the lake. Our third stop was located in Jack Rabbit Campgrounds, home of the Dannon Jack Rabbit Duathlon held in the spring. I think I spent to much time there, because when I got back on the bike I was feeling stiff. The rest of the riders left me in the dust, but I wasn't going stop. This was the longest ride I will have done to date and I felt it. By thetime I had 7 miles to go and the best of the riders were already back at the Chatuge Dam taking a swim at the site of our triathlon races. I wish I could have been in the water with them. Swimming comes much easier for me than biking or running. After I got back we all headed for the Fieldstone Resort to eat lunch and really get a chance to meet and talk to each other. It's always interesting to find out who is competing with you. On this day we had some riders from Greenville SC that worked at the Michelin Tire Company, there were some folks that came in from Alabama that put on races in that area, there were a few folks from Ellijay Ga. that have a bike club and bike shop there, some riders came in from Knoxville Tn. and Atlanta Ga., and some local riders from Hayesville NC. All in all, a very diverse group and a fun ride. After lunch we all went our own way, but not before taking some mental notes from what people told me. I was asked several times if we could put a century ride together. The answer to that was a big yes. I know the course we could use, now it's just picking out a date in the spring to do it. We're planning 2 rides for 2001. The first will be in the early spring. Hopefully we'll be able to put on a 25, 50 & 100 mile course. The 2nd ride will be in the fall. I'll let you know the dates and distances for each one. Let me thank you all for coming to our first ride and I hope to see you all back next year. |
Check out the NEW Pontiac Aztek at the Jacky Jones Dealerships in Murphy, NC & Franklin NC |
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Located in Hiawassee Ga within 15 minutes of the starting line. Special Rates for Racers. Call 706-896-8884 |
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