GTD '24 was originally set to take place in Michigan but after running the numbers ($) I decided that Tennessee was a better option since it is a days drive and I have contacts all across the state.
I loaded my bike and gear and set out for East Tennessee. Steve and Gwen would be hosting me before I started pedaling. It's always great to see them and an extra special treat was have Deb and Brad join us for a carbo loading pasta dinner at Olive Garden.
Day 1
Steve decided he would ride 15 miles out with me and then return home. It was awesome to have that company at the start of the ride. We stopped at a Dollar General for a snack and then said goodbye.
My destination for the day was Dandridge. I rode through beautiful countryside all day and seemed to climb hill after hill all day except when in town. I stopped in Greeneville for lunch, a slice of pizza is my go to if possible. I also enjoy a Protein drink and an Electrolyte drink as well.
I had been in contact with Ron, a great friend from our Kingsport Youth Ministry Days. I anticipated seeing him Day 2 but he had a meeting not too far from Dandridge so I would actually see him later this day.
I had a photo op at a cool covered bridge deep in the coutryside, my East Tennessee friends hadn't been to that bridge so they were curious as to its whereabouts. I wasn't exactly sure where I was but I provided enough info for them to figure it out.
At one point it was getting warm so I pulled over just past a country home, leaned my bike up against their tree and took off some of my cold weather gear. I also snacked and took in more fluids.
When I got to Morristown I passed the Hampton Inn I originally planned to stay at but after some change of plans I decided on Dandridge instead, bad decision! I was at 65 miles for the day and really tired due to all the climbing I had done. I was in contact with Ron and he was on his way to find me.
After sharing my location with him several times we finally connected, it was great to see him. He followed me in to Dandridge and up the hill to the hotel as I pushed my bike, my legs had had enough. I cleaned up then he and Luke took me out for a Mexican dinner, it was awesome!
It was so great to catch up with those two and then get settled in for the night. This day was a little too big for Day 1, I am hoping for less elevation tomorrow so my legs can recover some.
Day 2
Before Ron left the night before he had shared with me what he thought would be the best route out of Dandridge. It was early and overcast as I set out. My legs were not happy as I had a slight upgrade leaving town then a very challenging uphill heading out into the countryside. Once I got to the top of the climb the view was amazing and the road leveled out as I rode through some beautiful countryside.
That all came to stop when I hit the highway that would take me info Knoxville. It was a four lane highway with a wide shoulder so traffic was not a big issue but trash was. I was happy to be on my Salsa with larger tires that were not bothered by all the trash.
As I was making my way to Knoxville I spotted a Dunkin so I stopped for an iced coffee and some food. I got to chat with a young man who was very involved in his local church, he was excited for my ride and the funds I would raise for Outreach. I finally got info Knoxville and though it was busy it was fun to ride downtown. I searched for a Starbucks and located one at a downtown hotel. I enjoyed relaxing for a bit outside with an iced coffee and a lunch sandwich. As much as I enjoyed the downtime I knew I had to make time in order to make it to the far west side of Knoxville by late afternoon.
After tackling some hills in downtown I got onto one of their City Trails. Just as I did it started to rain. Fortunately there was a shelter so I pulled over and sat for a bit. The rain let up so I continued on this very scenic trail that wasn't very far from the bustling downtown. As I was riding I got a text from Ron asking where I was and that I should be aware that a bad storm was coming into Knoxville from the west. I checked my weather app radar and saw that it was coming my way fast. I quickly found a trail exit and it led me to a shopping center where I took refuge just before the heavens opened up. It was a bad storm and I was stuck there for quite awhile.
Fortunately I was held up outside a bike shop so I was able to replenish my energy supplies. All the climbing I did this day and the day before had used up my energy gels.
It took awhile but the storm was finally passing me by. By this time I knew that my original destination for this day was out of reach so I found a hotel not too far from where I was and I booked a room. I had been in touch with CCH Alum Mike about meeting up for dinner, I let him know that I had a change of plans and was actually closer to where he lived. This worked out great. I checked in, cleaned up and then went to the lobby to meet Mike. He treated me to an awesome dinner, it was great to see him and catch up. It was fun to think back to his Campus House days and they guys/gals that he was close to.
It was Mike who sold me the bike that I used ride across the US and down the east coast, it was a great bike and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I rode that bike till one day the frame broke. I wasn't too upset though after running the numbers and guesstimating that I had put approximately 40+ thousand miles on that bike. Old Blue was a good ride for a long time.
After dinner I started to make a plan for the next day. Since this day was cut short and I was on a tight schedule I knew I would have to make up some miles some how. I decided to give Ron a call and see if he might be free in the morning to transport me 40 miles west of where I was. It just so happened that his commitment for the next morning had been cancelled so he was free to help me out. Knowing this I slept much better, what a blessing!
Day 3
After breakfast Ron arrived and we loaded up my bike and headed west to Crab Orchard on I 40. It was raining but the radar showed that we would pass through the rain by the time we got to Crab Orchard. The radar was spot on. We got off on the Crab Orchard exit and pulled into a Convenience Store/Gas Station. We unloaded my bike, chatted about the best Route for the ride to Cookeville and I set off.
It was damp and overcast so I stayed comfortable throughout the ride. There were a lot of ups and downs once again and a lot of evidence that the storm from the day before came ripping through the area. Lots of branches down and even some trees had come down. I was pleasantly pleased to discover the Long Road Cafe in the small town of, it was awesome! It provided the fuel needed to continue to conquer the hills.
The road was a 2 lane road with a good shoulder so even though it was busy there were no issues. Continued evidence of the severity of the storm the day before was the parade of Power Company Trucks heading south to help repair power lines.
As I got into Monterey I saw a DQ so I treated me to an afternoon blizzard. This was a much welcomed treat after climbing so many hills to get there. I took some time to examine the Route from Monterey to Cookeville and I saw that most of my climbing was done for the day. I actually had some good downhill heading into Cookeville! In Cookeville the roads became busy and there were a few ups and downs on the way to my hotel. The climb up to the hotel was quite the challenge, especially since they had spread some dirt on the surface due to damage caused by the storm. Even so, I made it.
Per routine I chatted with Celeste and my mom before cleaning up and heading to dinner across the street. After dinner I popped into the Starbucks that was just down from my hotel to do some reading, catching up and scouting out the next day's Route. After that it was time to call it a night. This day was a good rebound day after the troubles of the day before created by the storm.
Day 4
Starbucks opened early so I was blessed to enjoy an iced coffee and a breakfast sandwich before setting my sights on Murfreesboro. Once out of Cookeville I was back in the countryside all the way to Murfreesboro. One great blessing was in Baxter. I stopped to take some pictures in downtown and a young man began to ask about my ride. I shared with him that I was raising funds for UFCCH Outreach. He got excited about that because he was in the final stages of preparation and an Outreach right there in downtown Baxter. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash and handed it to me. He didn't even know how much it was and was not concerned about the amount. I thanked him and pedaled off. Awhile later when I stopped to refuel I was curious as to how much he had given me, it was $100! What a blessing!
The day in the countryside was once again a lot of ups and downs with an elevation gain of over 3000 feet. Murfreesboro was busy and offered a lot of services. I was excited to find a Sports Nutrition shop, I needed to restock by Energy Gel supply. The Gel I got in Knoxville was terrible so I longed for some chocolate GU. I made sure to stock up for the hills ahead.
A final blessing was dinner with Josh and his wife. It was an awesome meal and time of catching up. Just lived in Gainesville and quite awhile before moving to Tennessee. He would join us for various UFCCH Activities and Gator Games. It was a great way to finish out Day 4!
