Up and Down a Mountain

Headed out Sunday afternoon for a rather ambitious bike ride - up and over Suck Creek Mountain. The weather was perfect. Sunny and comfortable with low humidity and virtually no wind. Two friends were "coaching" me up the mountain, the first one I had ever biked up. I'd say we managed to make it to the top in about 40 minutes, but that would really mean I made it up in that length of time. Steve and David are MUCH more experienced and stronger riders who could have easily left me in a cloud of dust. But they didn't. They hung back enough to keep encouraging me. Once at the top, the route down the backside is even longer than the front, but it's a lot more fun. Steve took off like a rocket, bombing down in the lead. David followed Steve and I followed David. Top speed was about 39 mph. It was AWESOME! The ride back was very scenic through parts of the Sequatchie Valley to Mullins Cove Road. Well before we hit Mullens Cove Road, I realized this was going to be a 50 mile ride. I have biked River Canyon Road on my mountain bike from the other direction about 12 miles towards Marion County before and knew that by car that distance was less than halfway. The road is bumpy, hilly and "doggy" at times. But the scenery makes up for it. I'd like to try this again sometime in early November if the weather is right. The first weekend in November is usually peak fall color. Here's a look at the map if anyone is actually reading this: