Rode the "Dragon" today; on a bicycle

[Carl Guffey]

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">I have been having some crazier then normal thoughts over the last few weeks. The weather was perfect today. So I loaded up my road bike and took off to ride the "Dragon". I started on the North Carolina border and rode to Chilhowee Lake. There was still a little color and the vistas were magnificent. It got a little hairy in a couple of places with the leaves and the major piles of dry pine needles. Had there been much traffic It would have been difficult. What a great day.</font>

 

[kingcab]

WTG HAD TO BE A GREAT RIDE...

 

[catch 1]

Wow! I have never seen anyone ride the "Dragon" on a bicycle. I have ridden it several times on a motorcycle. Congratulations! I bet that was a great experience. I use to ride a road bicycle years ago. I think about trying it again but I keep putting it off thinking I'm too old. What about Cherohala Skyway next? Yea, I remember that beautiful view.

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">Cherohala is on my "bucket list". I will have to be in much better shape. Some of the climbs on the skyway are quite difficult. I used to camp, trout fish and pick huckleberriesup on Hooper's bald. When the only way in was to either walk, dirt bike, or jeep. The bald is at 5400 feet and most of the good starting points are below 2000. The climb out of Indian boundary is particularly nasty.</font>

 

[mjwendorf]

Man the days of the dragon and the skyway. Brings back some good memories. Riding the technical dragon then hitting the high speed sweepers on the skyway.
Some beautiful country for sure.

 

[fischnrod]

emoToast emoThumbsup emoThumbsup

 

[shadygradyd]

Ive done the cherohala challenge. Its a beast. 112 miles with close to 10k elevation gain. I used to ride a lot...

 

[ranman]

What kind of bike is that?

 

[jimwarden]

Nice job Carl! Bet the views were sweet today. It's scary thinking of leaves and pine needles under skinny tires. Small sandy gravel was always my nemesis on the 10 speed. Looks like you have three chain rings or is it just two?

 

[Carl Guffey]

ranman - 11/18/2013 3:51 PM What kind of bike is that?

</p>

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">A slightly modified Univega. It has a 34 tooth rear main cog and a 52 front main. A lot of low-end for climbing and some get up and went, when the time is right.</font></p>

 

[Carl Guffey]

jimwarden - 11/18/2013 4:14 PM Nice job Carl! Bet the views were sweet today. It's scary thinking of leaves and pine needles under skinny tires. Small sandy gravel was always my nemesis on the 10 speed. Looks like you have three chain rings or is it just two?

</p>

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">No, it is three, with a 9 rear. I have a lot of options when I need it. I have had it up to 42 mph and it will climb a goats face if you can keep the pedals turning.</font></p>

 

[Lucas]

That sounds awesome, but where do you put your tackle box, fishing pole, and beer cooler?

 

[derek81]

I've done the skyway and dragon several times on a motorcycle also but could not imagine on a bike. I'm way too fat for that lol

 

[Carl Guffey]

Lucas - 11/18/2013 6:13 PM That sounds awesome, but where do you put your tackle box, fishing pole, and beer cooler?

</p>

<font size="3" face="georgia,palatino">The beer cooler is the problem. But if you ride in the winter, my shirt will hold three and the water bottle carriers will get two more. Air temps 36 to 37 degrees gets them just about right. </font></p>

 

[Lucas]

emoLaugh emoLaugh

 

[ranman]

Nice. The frame looked like my LeMond is why I asked. It's a mix of carbon and Ti. Great ride. I did the Tellico river road a couple of years ago from Wildcat turn off to the NC state line and back. Going up was pretty challenging by the time I reached the top but man the payoff when I got to turn around and coast back down to the truck was awesome!

 

[takenoprisoners]

Thought I already commented on this, but apparently not. That's a crazy ride. Very crazy.