Just a few shots of lush forest, cool running streams and the inner-sanctum I call Mecca. Tremont is a hidden jewel within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you have the opportunity to visit – do so. Click on the photo to see a 1250 pixel width version. Enjoy.

Yes. I did it. In spite of a sustained howling wind of 25mph, I visited the Institute at Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park twice today. The total trek was 85 miles. Since I road the route by myself, “group ride math” would re-calculate the ride to 121 miles. As the BGE said, “that’s a long way in the car!” Right on.

Interestingly, the ride to Tremont was easier today because of the wind. Normally the slight-increase in road elevation makes you work a little. Today I was cruising at 28 on Highway 321 … moving fast enough that cars actually stayed in the other lane. The return leg toward home wasn’t so lovely. The same howling wind was in my face the entire time. Rather than enjoying the ’slight down hill’ ride from Tremont to the house (except for a couple rollers), the wind made the trek HARD!

T-1: The arrival home was interesting on many levels. First, I was halfway home even though I was at home. Umm. Second, normally I take the needed fuel with me – and returning home allowed me to roll a little lighter. Prior to leaving for T1, I had made my lunch. So – I grabbed the sandwich, protein bar, two bottles, dry clothes and a fresh attitude.  I knew the wind was going to encourage bigger gears and mentally worked very hard to resist. But I couldn’t. I mean, when you can big-ring it traveling toward Tremont and scoot along at 28, 29 and even 30mph — without (!) a peloton paving the way — you had best enjoy it. 

T-2: The first leg of T2 (my arrival at Tremont) was exciting. What an accomplishment and what a thrill to capture another photo of my personal mecca. Funny, the moment I crossed the bridge as I turned around to return home I grimaced at the thought of the wind. And yes, it was still howling. I just did my best and actually took the bike path through Townsend rather than riding on the road. It was easier to stroll – versus struggle to crank out painful mph numbers.

When I returned home the second time, I was whooped. Stiff legs. Coughing. Shoulders dropped. Fuzzy. Aching. The flat tire I had earlier in the day (while at Tremont on the first leg) wasn’t even on my mind. All I could think about was a 30 minute hot shower and FOOD! I drank a Coke and my blood sugar came up quickly. This along with the food (double helping of chicken, green beans, asparagus, pretzels, sports drink and several hunks of chocolate) helped.

At some point I’m doing a T3. I’d like to take it slower, but I envision a threepeat before the race season is underway. Peace. 

Wow. While attending a conference at UTK, during lunch, I sat beside the PR director at Tremont: Meredith Goins. As PR Director and Development Director, she has her hands ultra-full. With a Master’s of Information Science she is armed with the right tools to help take Tremont to the next level. (As long as the traffic to the site doesn’t get out of hand.) More about the luncheon and our talk later – but it was really kewl meeting her. Meredith was aware of this blog – and we both enjoyed a hearty laugh about it.

Tomorrow, I’m set for the ride I call “double-T” –  twice to Tremont and back home for a total of 85 miles. I’ll see the sign (herein) twice. Ride-on. Ride-on.

The regional photographer, Dutch Roth, snapped many, many photos of the National Park and specifically Tremont. Today’s photo is wonderful in that it captures the spirit of the mountains while under a blanket of snow. The black and white format gives this photo a richness rarely seen in mainstream photography. Particularly because of the simplicity and sheer scenic emersion of the forest. It’s truly a great photo. Enjoy.

PS. The Duchess is my TT bike and she absolutely loves the trek to Tremont. Sorry for that confusion.

The weather was brisk at 10AM today.

Yet, I saddled up — — all suited up and went for a bike ride. “There goes that nut” is certainly the commentary shared by several cars passing me along the way. To those fat, morbidly obese people I have a simple message: find a diet, stop smoking, eat healthy, don’t drink so damn much and get out and see the world. Funny how people discount their “symptoms” as “the way it is” — and firmly believe their “symptoms” have nothing to do with their lifestyle. I could go on here — but I’ll refrain.

Ok then. The very thing I enjoy most is seeing the world. Today I saw four hours and 80 miles of my local area called Blount County. Nicely done except for the dogs who obviously reflect their owners’ attitude toward people in general. Other than that it was cold. A National Park Ranger stopped and chatted some while I was in Tremont. She was very nice and talkative. This interaction made the ride even better. Why? When the poe-poe say something other than “put your hands on the wheel,” it’s a good thing.

The mecca of my world has a video today. Outta here.

Knit > a. trans. To tie in or with a knot; to tie, fasten, bind, attach, join, by or as by knotting. With cogn. obj. to knit a knot. arch. and dial. Dating back to c1000 (!) – many balls of yarn ago. 2. trans. {dag}a. To knot string in open meshes so as to form (a net); to net. Obs. Daing to 1290.

Ok – knit a stitch or purl something – it’s timeless and important.

Thank goodness for my new hats.

I recently heard some good news from my distant aunt that she does not have cancer – yeah. But in the elation, she lost interest (I think) in the book, “Every second counts,” by Lance Armstrong. I had hoped she would read it – but I’m not sure if that’s on the short list. In any case, it’s a worthy read – if you’re the reading type.

The (soon to be) attached photo is terrific – as it gives you the fluid motion of what the Tour looks like in a single frame. The motion and weaving is snake-like, and while beautiful, it is ultra dangerous in the rear of the pack. I know – I’ve been on the back of a large train of riders and the motion is exaggerated as if the front is whipping its tail.

In the Edgar Soto last year – on the last day of the four-day race – I was in the lead group but in the back of a 40 person field. As we were approaching the final climb of the day the front surged wildly and the “tail” whipped around corners – with riders veering off line … close to the edges of the road and one another. Oncoming traffic doesn’t stop and if you’re riding the yellow line it’s easy to be hurled into a car at 35mph. On the last corner before we turned up the climb, gravel made the middle of the road somewhat dangerous … and in a corner even more so. Naturally the pack flared to each side and several riders touched wheels. This sent 8 guys to the ground. I had to basically stop my bike in order to keep from going down. Catching the guys ahead was impossible at that point. Why? If I “time trailed” and caught on – I’d be in the red zone going up a 2 mile climb. My day was done.

Lessons are sometimes hard to stomach. However, a lesson learned that didn’t include road rash is one I’ll take every day. Peace out –

It was a great year on several levels. I’m thankful for so much – mostly because it was a year of good health and safety.

The year rang in with a big bang at the girlfriend’s house — with the kids — and we keep rocking from there. While I didn’t take a “formal” vacation during the year, I did take time out to travel to races and to South Carolina for a long weekend. I visited my dad – and mom – and was in Arkansas three times this year but didn’t see my family who live there.

I put 37,000 miles on my car, 12,349 miles on my bicycle(s), and flew several times for business with untold miles. What else? I should have counted the Sam Adams beers I consumed (ha!). The numbers are really funny – especially when you think about a full year. Numbers can take you just about anywhere. Nuf said.

I visited Tremont today and enjoyed my journey through Townsend into and out of the National Park. The photo and movie are just down from the Institute’s office. Happy New Year.

Leaving home I noticed the Foothills were a little darker than those over Townsend. The clouds spelled rain but I didn’t hesitate, I pulled out and keep moving. Good thing. If I had waited I would have stayed inside and ridden the trainer. Heck I was in such a hurry to get to Tremont that I took my sandwich and ate while I rode the bike.

I’ve attached (can you believe it?) a photo of Tremont that I took today when I stopped for a snack. The ride over was brisk and damp. Mostly I saw a beautiful gray colored sky with the mountains strong and outspoken. The thought of visiting my personal mecca seemed like a nice “from me – to me” gift today.

The road on the way to Tremont (just off the Parkway to Cades Cove) is like a private street, following the creek the entire distance. I road without my iPod and really soaked up the sounds as much as the sites. Ok – so when I left Tremont it was lightly snowing – then I felt the unmistakable sting of sleet. Yep – it started sleeting. Burr. That meant one thing, it was going to rain and I needed to tempo-ride back home. At that point I put it on the big ring and cranked. I don’t mind cold. But I do not like cold and wet. There’s no fun in cold and wet.

The other photo is an ‘out-building’ taken at Tremont. There were several woodcutting devices in the vicinity and logg-ege as well. Looks like firewood a-plenty.

Best get on with Sammy-Sam here and enjoy Christmas with Amy and the kids – Petter and Mary Grace.

Happy Holidays.

I intended on visiting Mecca (aka The Institute at Tremont) twice today. The original plan was to travel to Tremont – home again – then back to Tremont – then home again. 84 miles in all. I arrived home after the first trip and elected to call it a day.

I suspect the week’s work pace took a lot out of me mentally and thus physically. I’ll ride the same route tomorrow if it’s not raining.  No worries – I miscalculated the mileage for the weeks of Base 1. I need to ride 200 miles in Base 1 – so a 40 or 50 mile Saturday and the same for Sunday are all that’s required. In Base 2 and 3 the mileage will increase.

Ahh, that felt better.

The photo for today was taken looking toward the bridge – but up in the air toward the mountains. Mecca felt great today.