SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 4th Annual Thursday Tandem Challenge: In addition to organized rides on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that offer a variety of route options, we once again are offering a special Thursday Tandem Challenge before the official start of the rally. This event IS NOT part of the Tennessee Tandem Rally. Futher details to be posted soon. Friday, June 6th   Rally Check in Times: 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Other times / locations TBA Friday's Ride to Metcalf Bottoms Friday's group rides will be remote starts from Heritage High School, about a 15 minute drive from the host hotel. Note: Directions to the school are printed at the top of the Friday route sheet. Please use your odometer and go by the mileage on the driving directions while driving to the remote start. Some roads with the same name intersect at different locations and it can be confusing. Remote start ride times are 9:00am and 1:00 p.m. Riders Meetings will be held 15 minutes prior to each ride start at Heritage High School Ride Description: As in the past, this year we are offering three different options for Friday's road ride. The basic ride is the fabulous 37-mile School House Gap ride into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is an out and back than can be shortened to create a 25-mile route with less climbing, our second ride length option. Please keep in mind that over 10 million people visit the park each year, so expect some traffic on the road to the "Y" in the road at Metcalf Bottoms and ride accordingly. Finally, and back by popular demand will be Tim's favorite ride: the Metcalf Bottoms loop. A truly challenging and exhilerating ride for those who've never done it before, and still a stout climb for those who have. There's about 1500' of climbing in 46 miles including 2 major climbs: one switchback climb with about 15% grade and a .25 mile climb that is around 20%. Both of these climbs are followed by wide-open descents that are well worth the effort, or the walk. The ride through the park is very scenic. We don't recommend riding this one in the afternoon due to the tourist traffic. Dinner: Friday night's dinner is on your own and there are restaurants near the hotel. Friday night social: A dessert social will be held beginning at 7:00 p.m. and directions will be provided in your registration package.   Saturday, June 7th   Rally Check in Times: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Saturday's Rides: Remote start riders meet in front of the hotel at 8:00 a.m. for Rider's Meeting. Shorter options are remote starts from Heritage High School, the same location used for Friday's remote start... about a 15 minute drive from the host hotel. Map/directions to remote start provided in registration packets.   Long Option riders meet in front of hotel for Rider's Meeting at 8:15 a.m. with ride start at 8:30 a.m.. Long option riders depart from hotel parking lot.   Ride Description: All told, Saturday's routes offer cumulative ride distances ranging from 30 to 90 miles with lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the Greenway trail in Maryville. 55-Mile Long Route Option: The long route will be one of the best you've ever ridden: a 55-mile journey to Sevier County and the Mountain communities of Dupont and Dripping Springs as we work our way back to Maryville for lunch. Those with the legs for it will be rewarded with the best rural foothills riding in the state of Tennessee. Remember there are no sags at the rally so if you decide to ride the 55 miler you will need to make sure you have the legs and equipment to get you to lunch. There are several stores along the route where you can get some refreshments and once again this year Greg Rowe owner of Little River Trading Company/Cycology Bicycles will be fixing PB+J sandwiches and other assorted goodies at a rest stop on Ellejoy Road. 31-Mile Remote Start Option: If you aren't accustomed to riding long distances over moderately hilly terrain or you want to avoid some small city traffic you should consider the 31 mile option led by our good friends, Tracey and Cathy Trumbull, that begins with a remote start at Heritage High School. The remote start will allow you to ride the Dupont and Dripping Springs sections (highly recommended) with the long riders. Remote start riders should meet in front of the hotel at 8:00 AM for a brief rider's meeting before driving to the remote start. Short Route From Hotel: There is also a short 3-mile route from the hotel for those who are looking for a leisurely start to their day of riding. Lunch: Lunch will be served at Pearson's Springs Pavilion on the Greenway trail in Maryville. As has been the tradition at TTR, there will be live music. Post Lunch Ride Options: Short: Hang out and relax for a while and then take the 3-mile trek back to the hotel and hit the pool and then meet up with other teams in the Hospitality Suite for snacks and lively conversation. Long: For those still looking for extra miles we will offer a 24-mile ride option for the afternoon as a finale before the pool and snacks back at the hotel. Dinner: Saturday night's dinner will be held once again at in the private, upstairs room at the fabulous Sullivan's Restaurant in downtown Maryville Social begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.   Sunday, June 8th   Riders meeting: Remote start riders meet in front of the hotel at 8:00 a.m. for Rider's Meeting. Map/directions to remote start at Louisville Point Park provided at Rider's Meeting.   Long Option riders meet in front of hotel for Rider's Meeting at 8:15 a.m. with ride start at 8:30 a.m.. Long option riders depart from hotel parking lot and should expect some traffic for the first and last few miles of the long route and ride accordingly.. Ride Description: Today's rides will tour the lovely communities of Friendsville and Louisville. This route includes the "Llama Loop" and Light Pink road named after the pink marble quarried there. There will be two ride distances of approximately 25 (remote start) and 37 miles. Check out time at the hotel is 1:00 PM. Please call the front desk if you need a later checkout. For more info contact: Tim and Sharon Patterson Email: tim@tennesseetandems.com. Day time phone: (865) 809-2476 Evening phone: (865) 983-9126 before 10 P Best when viewed at 1024 x 768 Using Microsoft Internet Explorer Some photos shamelessly stolen from Team Hunter; thanks David & Christen for documenting our lives.   Copyright © 1998 - 2008 by Mark Phillip Livingood. All rights reserved.  Page Updated: