56.24 miles, 4:17 hours, 13.11 average
Another gorgeous clear cool day. We are loving this weather. After 10 miles of warm up along homes and fields out of Winchester TN, we tackled the 2 mile 11% grade. Our strong legs and iron lungs took us to the top of the Cumberland Plateau. Bill awaited us to document the climb.
We were able to peek through some residence's yards to see the view back down into the valley below. Several small towns and residences dotted the plateau as well as a wildlife management area. We wondered about the trailheads to the "Walls of Jericho." That 4 mile hike would not be ours to do.
Another historic moment occurred crossing the Alabama state line. That's 7 states out of the 8 for our eastern adventure.
After 35 miles we cruised down the other side of the plateau into the Scottsboro area and back on the shores of the very long and winding Tennessee River that we first crossed four days and many miles ago. In Scottsboro we met Bill at the town square to once again put the cars on the roof of the car. A four-land divided highway with not an inch of shoulder took us several miles to our motel.
From there after a quick change of clothes we headed to the North Alabama Highland Games and Festival. Each year the Tennessee Valley Scottish Society meets for a gathering with various clans sharing information, vendors booth, food (Haggis and Scotch Eggs were sold out by the time we arrived), music, dancing and athletic events. Most of the activities were over by the time we arrived, but we were able to meet Bruce who Martha had been in email contact with for valuable routing information. That was a very special occasion. The last several day's routes had been recommended by Bruce as well as other cyclists' routes in Kentucky and places yet to come.
Bruce and his friend, Dave, who were manning the Clan Irwin booth joined us for an Italian dinner for more route consulting and conversation.
Another gorgeous clear cool day. We are loving this weather. After 10 miles of warm up along homes and fields out of Winchester TN, we tackled the 2 mile 11% grade. Our strong legs and iron lungs took us to the top of the Cumberland Plateau. Bill awaited us to document the climb.
We were able to peek through some residence's yards to see the view back down into the valley below. Several small towns and residences dotted the plateau as well as a wildlife management area. We wondered about the trailheads to the "Walls of Jericho." That 4 mile hike would not be ours to do.
Another historic moment occurred crossing the Alabama state line. That's 7 states out of the 8 for our eastern adventure.
After 35 miles we cruised down the other side of the plateau into the Scottsboro area and back on the shores of the very long and winding Tennessee River that we first crossed four days and many miles ago. In Scottsboro we met Bill at the town square to once again put the cars on the roof of the car. A four-land divided highway with not an inch of shoulder took us several miles to our motel.
From there after a quick change of clothes we headed to the North Alabama Highland Games and Festival. Each year the Tennessee Valley Scottish Society meets for a gathering with various clans sharing information, vendors booth, food (Haggis and Scotch Eggs were sold out by the time we arrived), music, dancing and athletic events. Most of the activities were over by the time we arrived, but we were able to meet Bruce who Martha had been in email contact with for valuable routing information. That was a very special occasion. The last several day's routes had been recommended by Bruce as well as other cyclists' routes in Kentucky and places yet to come.
Bruce and his friend, Dave, who were manning the Clan Irwin booth joined us for an Italian dinner for more route consulting and conversation.
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