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Rides & Events

Weekly Group Rides

SMW Annual Events

  • Fall Century - October 10, 2009

Enjoy the fall foilage with ride options of 25, 62, and 100 miles. The ride features quiet country roads, rest stops, cue sheets, painted routes, sag and mechanical support, and a post-ride meal. Registration now open.

  • Cherohala Challenge - June 20, 2009

An epic 115-mile ride with 9,000+ feet of climbing on both the Cherohala Skyway (a National Scenic Byway) and the infamous "Dragon.” A metric 62-mile century and 50-mile valley ride also available.

 

Other Centuries & Events

 

 

 

Photos by Volunteers at the 2008 Challenge

See bottom for professional photos by Killboy. More pictures by volunteers. More Event Photos Here
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Thanks Everyone for Making the 10th Annual Cherohala Challenge a Success!

Results to be posted soon.

Original pre-ride information below

IMPORTANT NOTE: We have EXTENDED THE EARLY REGISTRATION deadline untilJune 8th, and have extended the on-line registration to midnight June 18th p.s.t.!!! Click here for additional registration information.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Cue sheets added for the 116 and 50 mile rides. See below.

Proceeds from this year's Cherohala Challenge will benefit the family of David Meek, the cyclist who was recently killed in Chattanooga during an early-morning accident.

In addition to the 116-mile Challenge and the 62-mile Metric Challenge, the popular “Ride the Valley” 50-mile route will again be an option for those who prefer wonderful scenery along gently rolling terrain.

Contact cherohala@smwbike.org for more information.

imageTHE Challenge: 116-Miles

  • The Dragon: US129 with its famous 318 curves in 11 miles. Can you slay the dragon?
  • Cherohala Skyway: a road with the highest average elevation of any road its length east of the Mississippi.
  • These legendry ribbons of pavement are joined by scenic, rolling, country roads in Tennessee and North Carolina and together create an unforgettable epic ride.
  • The 116-mile loop begins/ends in Tellico Plains at an elevation of 900 feet. The route twists through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests and climbs to 5,300 feet with over 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Enjoy some long descents after reaching the top, but before you coast into town, you will contend with "the sawteeth", over a dozen 0.5-1 mile rollers.
  • Click here for elevation profile.
  • NEW! Click here for cue sheet.

imageMetric Challenge: 62-Miles

  • This route has 6,000 feet of climbing out the Skyway to the highest point (5,300 ft) and then returning the same route. Do your hill intervals because you will enjoy the "sawteeth" in both directions. Who said a metric ride had to be easy?  
  • Click here for elevation profile.

Ride the Valley: 50-Miles

Experience Level

  • Sections of the 116-mile and metric routes are technical and fast. Much of each route is in remote areas.
  • All participants should be confident bike handlers. Have a few centuries under your belt before tackling the 116-mile route.
  • Extended sections at 9% grade are common on the 116 and 62 mile routes. Choose your gearing accordingly!!
  • This is NOT a race, PLEASE ride safely!

Weather

  • It can be as much as 20 degrees cooler in the mountaintops. Dress accordingly and be prepared for variable weather conditions.  It can be hot and sunny in the valley, and afternoon rain showers can make it cooler at the top.
  • This ride is held rain or shine!

Registration

Fees

  • Early Registration is $40 (On or before June 8)
  • Late Registration is $50 (June 9 – 20th)

Yes, we will have day-of-registration but riders registering after June 8th will not be eligable for a free 10th Anniversary Edition T-Shirt.

Perks

  • Free 10th Anniversary Edition T-Shirt made by Head-on-the-Wall Productions
  • We welcome Hammer Nutrition as our Sponsor for the third straight year providing sports drinks for our Rest Stops and Hammer Gel to help us hammer on
  • Riders will also enjoy the post ride chow fest cooked up by Big Fatty's Catering Kitchen of Knoxville,TN!!!

Ride Requirements

  • All riders must sign a ride waiver
  • Riders under 18 must have a signed parental waiver
  • Riders under 16 must be accompanied by parent or adult guardian
  • All riders must wear an ANSI or SNELL approved helmet at all times during the ride

Directions to Start Location

Pre-Ride Packet Pick-Up

  • Friday, June 19 (4:00 pm – 7:00 pm) - On Friday night from 4:00 to 7:00, the Tellico Plains Chamber of Commerce will host our pre-ride packet pick-up at the Visitors Center. Come join other riders for refreshments and friendly conversation. Mechanics from a local bike shop will be there to do last-minute bike adjustments and will have those often forgotten items you may need for the ride.
  • Saturday June 20 (5:30 am – 6:45 am)
  • This section will be updated as details are worked out. Check back periodically.

Ride Day Schedule - June 20, 2009

  • 5:30 - 6:45 am, On-site check-in and packet pick-up
  • 7:00 am, 116-mile Challenge starts
  • 7:30 am, 62-mile Metric Challenge starts
  • 7:45 am, 50-mile Valley Ride starts
  • 11:30 am - 5:30 PM, Post-ride feast at event HQ
  • 6:00 pm, Event wrap-up

What's it like?

  • Click here to read what other riders have said about the Challenge in prior years.

2008 Ride Results

Accommodations

Local Activities

  • The Monroe County Tourism Council has numerous activities for family members not riding in the event. For information call toll free 800-245- 5428 or visit them at www.monroecounty.com.
  • The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association has information on the numerous natural and cultural resources of McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties. For more information visit www.tennesseeoverhill.com For non-riding family members and friends, the Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a walking tour of the history of Tellico Plains.
  • The Hiwassee River Rail Adventure (www.tvrail.com/hiwassee )
  • The Hiwassee River Rails Adventure trains are again set to depart with an expanded schedule! In addition, with further improvements made to the railroad, the trip has been lengthened to include riding to the top of the Great Hiwassee Loop. At the top you'll be passing over a bridge 62 feet above the tracks on which you've just traveled as the rails negotiate a spiraling formation. The Loop track has been known by many names, Great Hiwassee Loop, Bald Mountain Loop, and Hook & Eye to name a few, but you'll call it amazing! See the website for schedule and other details.

Photography

  • Official Cherohala Challenge Photographer - Killboy
  • Our event photographer, Killboy, will have multiple photographers posted along the tail of the Dragon, at the summit of the Skyway, and at the finish line to document your journey. High resolution photos will be available with prices starting at $6. You can view and purchase photos online at www.killboy.com.
  • Check out Killboy's photos from the previous Challenge. Click on the thumbnails below.
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Do you have comments, ideas, or suggestions on the web site? Give us your feedback.

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