Tag: adventure

Foothills Parkway Smoky Mountains 🚴‍♀️

by Rick Roop

Just outside of Maryville, Tn near Gatlinburg there is a picturesque place for cyclists to sight see, relax, ride a road bicycle, and to get a very serious workout while doing so. 🏔 Scenery, solitude, and a breath of fresh air can be found within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park🌳 and the famous Foothills Parkway!

I started riding the foothills parkway about four years ago. Maybe it was five years ago 🤔 It’s possible to lose count especially when having so much fun and touring in the Smokies on a road bicycle.

Specialized Tarmac

I have experienced great results every time that I go, and as a result I want to go back at least once a year.

At the top

I start just outside the parkway in Walland, Tn a small community located near Maryville, and about 6 miles away from Townsend, It’s here where I usually park near the fire station on river road then ride about a half mile to the start of my destination 🌳 the parkway

There’s not as much traffic here like I have seen at other stops located within in the smokies park. Not much litter, smoggy smoke, or honking horns. No drag strip or go carts to be had here at the foothills parkway.

🥵

I have gone through long stretches of highway at the foothills without seeing or hearing anyone. I have often wondered is anyone here or have they shut the place down? What if I needed help who would be available to stop 🛑 and help me back to civilization. Who could assist me with food or water 💧 maybe a possible snack.

Sag Wagon

I love being outdoors and seeing nature at its best. There are plentiful plants at the foothills parkway, and I enjoy taking photos of plants every time that I go.

Daisies

There are numerous pull overs for a chance to break from hill climbing, and fast downhill riding. All I have to do is exit find a nice spot and have lunch.

After riding the foothills parkway from Walland to Wears valley and back I get really hungry seeing that I cycled 31 miles with a elevation climb of 3,812 feet!

Way up here

If you like getting away from the busy highway and traffic jams. Try the foothills parkway in the GSMNP🌳

Climbing the mountain 🏔

by Rick Roop

Climbing a mountain can be a monumental task that requires a lot of thought, energy, and preparation. The highest peak ahead is somewhat daunting and frightful. Apprehensive feelings could detour some from attempting to climb the mountain. Sometimes the decision to delay is more acceptable than completion. Putting off my goals for development is a strenuous decision, seeing that it’s a easy choice. However, The rewards of weight loss and fitness is simple and relative to climbing. The investment of victory is worthwhile!

At the top

First up is the survey of the mountain from the bottom. Looking up is usually how we judge. Elevation and distance is important. This determines how hard this is going to be and what is my pain experience during the run 🏃‍♂️ or perhaps a meal adjustment 🍔

Next, it’s the mental preparation, I think of the best outcome despite the obstacles of indifference. The repeated chants spoken inside our inner thoughts tells our human psychology yes you can instead of repeated declination. Exercises of approval and disapproval is now a part of the process. Now you have two choices. Whether to wait or to accept the challenge of climbing the mountain ⛰. That’s my Delma ☺️

My first thought of riding the afore mentioned hill was one of trepidation 😞

I had vivid memories of not being able to complete my first century ride a few years ago. I can remember it very well. It was like yesterday that I signed up for the historic long ride. It was my first attempt to ride a 100 miles at the tour de cure in Knoxville, Tn. I thought that I was promptly prepared to ride for 100 miles in honor of my dad. All ready to go with a photo of my dad in my jersey pocket, I thought it would be a complete fastest ride ever!

Century Ride

After reaching the 82 mile mark I found myself in a friendly neighborhood yard with unbelievable cramps that caused me to quit and to be be rescued by the SAG wagon!

I was so distraught and discouraged about giving up. Some sadness while riding in the SAG wagon. But, I overheard the SAG support say over radio communication that he had nothing to be fretful for it’s a very long ride.

I did not give up after that day. I continued my quest for my first century ride, and was successful at the tour de tellico with my dad’s memory on my bike.

Sometimes the mountain gets you. Most times you’ll get the mountain if you’ll continue to! Happy weight loss and fitness 😀