We started out last to leave, as always. More fog this morning. We passed over the Tennessee River, it was framed with fog on either end, and it misted off of water. The first checkpoint Keith, Alex, and I pulled out onto the road. We had passed everyone again. Being in the front is a good feeling, even though this is not a race (and I don't think I want to keep doing). We made it to the next stop with Larry posting it. Some others pulled in as we left.
We started to climb up Old Copper Road gradually up through a valley. This is TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) country. We passed by a dam holding back an enormous lake. We stopped and got a good picture. As we snaked up into the valley, a river started to form next to us. There were riverboats and kayaks in the rapids below. It was very neat to have the river on our right as we snaked up through the valley. They release the water from the dams to control the water flow. This was the Ocoee recreation area. We missed the next stop, as it was not yet set up. The stop would have been nice; it was at a cool waterfall where rafters started out their ride through the rapids. Above this were the rapids (no water flowing) where the 1996 Olympics were held.
After the climbing, we passed through a dirty forgettable copper mine town with multiple awful slanted railroad crossings. Slanted railroad crossings are very dangerous because a bicycle wheel can get caught and a rider can go down (I watched three people go down in Kansas). This was our entry point into Georgia. Kudzu, a prolific groundcover brought over from Japan, but has gotten out of control, coated the sides and ditches along many roads.
More climbing up to lunch. We had to wait for the pasta to finish cooking, so we filled up with sandwiches. The follow pack was pulling in as we left. Alex pulled us up some longer hills. We were climbing and descending constantly. We were in a beautiful country here. We passed two locals riding red Cannondales while climbing a longer stretch.
The last stop was at an abandoned store doubling as someone's vegetable stand and cat refuge. There were six or seven lazing around, yawning, munching on a bowl of food. Looks like we have a cat lady here.
One more climb up to the head of the Appalachian Trail and a spectacular view. After a picture stop, we started a great descent. There was lots of traffic, in particular motorcycles. Since it was Sunday, this automatically makes everyone in so much more of a rush. Hey bonehead - it's Sunday - what is the rush? Sheesh. Anyway, we made it down the hill in one piece. Pulled into the small town of Dahlonega. It is on the historical register. We went to a nice restaurant called Wylie's and found out no beer on Sunday! Had a pretty good dinner (good biscuits) anyway.
Into South Carolina tomorrow, only three days left till we hit the Atlantic.
Sunday, October 1, 2000
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