Drove the long way up to Ocoee, TN through Chattanooga which took us about 3 hours to arrive at Ocoee Whitewater Center. Definitely taking 411 next time which was about 45 minutes quicker on the way back.
Have another sinus/respiratory thing so I wasn't feeling my strongest plus my legs were begging for a break heading in to my 9th hour on a bike this week. I was so glad I brought my geared bike today. This will be the most hours I've put on a bike in a week, which is about 11 hours.
Hit the trail and immediately started climbing on Bear Paw loop. This was a good 10 minute sustained climb. So much for a warmup! The trails are fairly well-groomed and nothing overly technical. Next on to Chestnut loop which reminded me a lot of Tsali with plenty of single and doubletrack mixed in a big,beautiful forest. I couldn't tell it was 95 degrees outside because of the canopy. Everyone had told me to ride Thunder Rock Express and I can see why. It had some of the most fun downhill I've ever ridden with long, swoopy downhill berms and plent of curves. It was about a mile of straight downhill and definitely grin-inducing. Being a glutton for punishment, I climbed back up Thunder Rock. Ouchers.
More climbing on Chestnut, endless climbing it seemed. One thing's for sure, this season I have definitely earned my stripes on gravel road climbing between here, Pinhoti, and Pine Log. Opted not to go for West Fork since it said "Easy" on the map. I was in a time crunch to get back to the truck at predetermined time anyway.
No cell phone signal up there. Trail signage is better than average.
More and more climbing then decide to get on Quartz Loop. So I'm riding along then I see a black bear to my right about 50 yards away. There is a sign warning of black bears in the area but I didn't figure to actually see one. I left my camera in the truck too but I don't think I would've stayed to take snaps. The bear was probably 6 feet tall and it looked at me, stopping short. This was a poignant moment, somewhat fascinating and more than a little freaky. At this point I calmly turned my bike around and began pedaling the opposite direction. Adrenaline was flowing and I thought it was chasing me for a bit. Then I really began pedaling faster way out of there. This pretty much cut my ride short so I missed Quartz Loop and River View loop as I was anxious to see if Renee was alright. I didn't know she had met up with another biking couple and had rode with them.
Finished up the day with an hour ride on Brushy Creek further down from Ocoee. This was a relatively flat, flowing singletrack that was a nice way to end the day.
Tanasi was great but I wish I had gotten to ride all of it but I'll definitely be back.
Have another sinus/respiratory thing so I wasn't feeling my strongest plus my legs were begging for a break heading in to my 9th hour on a bike this week. I was so glad I brought my geared bike today. This will be the most hours I've put on a bike in a week, which is about 11 hours.
Hit the trail and immediately started climbing on Bear Paw loop. This was a good 10 minute sustained climb. So much for a warmup! The trails are fairly well-groomed and nothing overly technical. Next on to Chestnut loop which reminded me a lot of Tsali with plenty of single and doubletrack mixed in a big,beautiful forest. I couldn't tell it was 95 degrees outside because of the canopy. Everyone had told me to ride Thunder Rock Express and I can see why. It had some of the most fun downhill I've ever ridden with long, swoopy downhill berms and plent of curves. It was about a mile of straight downhill and definitely grin-inducing. Being a glutton for punishment, I climbed back up Thunder Rock. Ouchers.
More climbing on Chestnut, endless climbing it seemed. One thing's for sure, this season I have definitely earned my stripes on gravel road climbing between here, Pinhoti, and Pine Log. Opted not to go for West Fork since it said "Easy" on the map. I was in a time crunch to get back to the truck at predetermined time anyway.
No cell phone signal up there. Trail signage is better than average.
More and more climbing then decide to get on Quartz Loop. So I'm riding along then I see a black bear to my right about 50 yards away. There is a sign warning of black bears in the area but I didn't figure to actually see one. I left my camera in the truck too but I don't think I would've stayed to take snaps. The bear was probably 6 feet tall and it looked at me, stopping short. This was a poignant moment, somewhat fascinating and more than a little freaky. At this point I calmly turned my bike around and began pedaling the opposite direction. Adrenaline was flowing and I thought it was chasing me for a bit. Then I really began pedaling faster way out of there. This pretty much cut my ride short so I missed Quartz Loop and River View loop as I was anxious to see if Renee was alright. I didn't know she had met up with another biking couple and had rode with them.
Finished up the day with an hour ride on Brushy Creek further down from Ocoee. This was a relatively flat, flowing singletrack that was a nice way to end the day.
Tanasi was great but I wish I had gotten to ride all of it but I'll definitely be back.