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| Join us on June 21, 2008 for the 9th Annual Cherohala
Challenge. No Rider Limit - but Early Registration closes June 8, 2008 |
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| Register online at Active.com | Click for Printable Registration Form | |||||||||||||
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CONTACT INFORMATION |
cherohala@smwbike.org | |||||||||||||
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Back
FOR 2008: |
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THE Challenge: 115-Miles The Dragon: US129 with its famous 318 curves in 11 miles. 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 115-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. |
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Metric
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 detailed 62-mile route profile. Click for Cue Sheet |
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| Ride the
Valley: 50 miles New last year, this popular 50-mile route winds along scenic, low traffic, shady back roads. The course is fairly rolling with a few fast, flat stretches. Rest stops will be at miles 20 and 38. Total elevation gain is 3,400 ft." |
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| EXPERIENCE LEVEL | Sections of the 115-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 115-mile route. Extended sections at 9% grade are common on the 115 and 62 mile routes. Choose your gearing accordingly!! This is NOT a race, PLEASE ride safely! |
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| 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! |
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SPONSORS
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| REGISTRATION |
Online registration (www.active.com) closes at midnight PDT on June 16; all mailed registrations must be received by June 17.A list of registrants will be posted on our website: www.smwbike.org. This list will be updated regularly. |
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| ON-SITE REGISTRATION |
Friday, June 20 (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) Note: No refunds after June 8, 2008 |
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| FEES: |
Early Registration $40 On or before June 8 Late Registration $50 June 9 – 16 All mailed registrations must be received by June 17!! On-site Registration $55
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| PERKS |
All riders will receive a high quality T-shirt. (Registrations received after June 10 may not get requested size.) Fee also includes some cool stuff in your registration bag, time clock, fully stocked rest stops, SAG support, post-ride showers (bring your own soap and towel), post-ride meal (with vegetarian option), and the friendliest volunteers you’ll ever meet. Riders will be
supplied with
Hammer Nutrition Gels, and powder for rest stops. |
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| RIDE REQUIREMENTS |
All riders must
sign a ride waiver |
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| DIRECTIONS |
All routes start and finish at Tellico Plains High
School. Cherohala Skyway Visitors Center – From Hwy 68 turn on Hwy 165. Visitors Center is 1/4 mile on the left.![[ Yahoo! Maps ]](http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/mp/gr/mplogo.gif){kind=small} Directions to Tellico Plains HS Highway 68 & Bank St Tellico Plains TN |
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PRE-RIDE PACKET PICK-UP |
On Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00, 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. |
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RIDE
DAY SCHEDULE June 21, 2008 |
6:00 - 7:15 AM | On-Site Registration & Packet pick-up | ||||||||||||
| 7:30 AM | 115- Mile Challenge and 50-mile Valley ride start | |||||||||||||
| 7:45 AM | 62-mile Metric Challenge Starts | |||||||||||||
| 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Post Ride Meal in
School Cafeteria (No Cleats Please!) |
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| 6:00 PM | School Closes | |||||||||||||
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ACCOMMODATIONS, Tennessee (Click
for North Carolina)
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–
Etowah
Etowah, TN (17 miles from the Skyway). Several special package rates are also available for
lodging and Rail Adventure trips. See Hiwassee River Rail Adventure
info under Local Area Activities. Magnuson Hotel -- Sweetwater – Special Rate $62.10/night, including breakfast bar. Call toll free 800-647-3529 Mountain View Rentals – Once Upon a Time Wilderness Adventures Hostel Hosts Ed and Arlene Decker offer rentals along with many other adventures. The hostel features a full kitchen stocked with plates, pots/pans, and utensils so guests can prepare their own meals Call (865) 856-7262 Website: www.onceuponatimeadventures.com A new option for riders this year, the Lodge at Tellico is located on Highway 68 just 1/2 mile north of town (ride to the event site!). Amenities include in-room hot tubs, fireplaces, microwave oven and refrigerator. Some rooms have sofa beds and can accommodate 4 people. Group rates available. www.lodgeattellico.com or call for more information. 423-253-2506 For additional hotels, camping cabins and B&Bs, |
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LODGING IN ROBBINSVILLE, NC
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Tapoco
Lodge Resort 14981 Tapoco Road Robbinsville, North Carolina 828-498-2435 or toll free 800-822-5083 Tapoco Lodge Resort is your Smoky Mountain Country vacation solution... whether you're looking for a peaceful, relaxing escape or exciting outdoor adventure. Tapoco Lodge Resort offers a variety of accommodation and amenities included cabin rooms, lodge rooms, swimming pool, tennis courts, trails, recreation room, group facilities, and dinning room. Located 15 miles north of Robbinsville, North Carolina in the lush mountains of the Nantahala National Forest. www.tapocolodge.com Snowbird Mountain Lodge |
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| LOCAL AREA 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
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| WHAT'S IT LIKE? | Click here to read what other riders have said about the Challenge in prior years. | |||||||||||||
| PHOTOGRAPHY | Official Cherohala
Challenge Photographer - Killboy Killboy is once again our event potographer. A high resolution photo will cost $7 and will be emailed directly to you. You can view and purchase photos online at www.killboy.com . We expect photos to be posted by June 20 (maybe sooner). Check out Killboy's photos from the previous Challenge. Click on the thumbnails below. For additional photos |
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