2003 Cherohala
Challenge Ride Report
by
Rick Sykes, Reprinted from
I
think maybe we were involved in one of the most well organized, safe rides with
the most beautiful country I have ever seen with unbelievable vistas from a
well-manicured Cherohala Skyway. This is by far the
hardest ride I have ever done with serious climbing beginning at mile 41 to 54
with news that we only had 30 more miles of much harder climbing until mile 83.
There were some brief respites in the climbs but basically we clawed our way up
to 5300 ft. The last eight miles included some of the longest steepest sections
with virtually no respite or leveling off. The temperature dropped somewhat as
we climbed and then the rain hit and it got cool enough to need extra clothing.
It was never uncomfortable however and the cooling rain was a pleasant change.
The advertised descent back to the town or Tellico Plains was 30 miles but
actually there were three more exhausting climbs during the descents. Oh, the descents . . . that is why climbing is so cool and what
makes the drive worth it. What goes up must come down. The roads were in tremendous
shape, mostly dry and clean with both big sweeping turns and sharp, banked
slingshots where you were able to sustain speeds in the high 30s to high 40s. I
also learned how incredibly stable my bike was as I took more and more risks
with it.
As
for the company on the ride I couldn’t have asked for anything more. As usual Mike (Lewis) and Eric (Hayes) were great and a Jot of fun
to ride with. Eric managed to ride strong with a 52/39 double. I
traveled to Sweetwater with Jarred Kinder, Team ExLax
U23 sensation, who was very entertaining and gracious for a young man going through
puberty and in the middle of a growth spurt. He rode very well and did a huge
amount of climbing out of the saddle, and was usually taking a nap or watching
TV at the SAGs waiting for us to catch-up. As for
Amanda (Hassner): We are not worthy. The new Team ExLax GC contender pounded the table on Saturday telling
the domestiques that she would control the pace, and did.
She was so far ahead of us we never saw her after leaving the high school
starting point. All of this after driving all night.
Her agent has begun new contract negotiations with the sponsor immediately
after her outstanding Cherohala ride.
This
is a century (actually 115 miles) that everyone should consider next year. It
had he best SAG support I have experienced - 4 or 5 vehicles patrolling the
riders up, and down the line throughout the day, and well stocked rest stops
with fairly knowledgeable volunteers and the right kind or vittles. This one
was on par and, I think, clearly more impressive than Harpeth,