Ride This Weekend!

Hi everyone,
 
It looks like we’ll have 2 groups:  one from Knoxville and one from Chattanooga.  The ride is still leaving on the morning of Saturday, March 14.  The ride will be vehicle supported.  The cars will carry our camping gear and snacks on the way to Nashville, and they’ll carry us home on the evening of March 17 (Tuesday) when we’re done lobbying.
 
The Knoxville group will leave from Cedar Bluff Cycles and the Chattanooga group will probably leave from the Bi Lo on Dayton where the group ride starts.  On the evening of the 14th, the two groups will meet up at Fall Creek Falls State Park.  That will be a 90 mile ride for the Knox-villains, and anywhere from 65 to 80 miles for the Chattanoogans (depending on Sam Silvey’s route choice).
 
On day 2 (Sunday, March 15), we’ll all ride together to Franklin, TN.  This will be an even century.
 
(BTW, the Mountain Justice Summer spring break in Harriman is over on the 15th, so all you-uns that are doing that should come on over to Franklin with us!)
 
On Monday morning, some Nashville folks will join us in Franklin and we’ll all have breakfast together before we have lobby training with Dawn Coppick of LEAF and perhaps a lobbyist from the Sierra Club.  This is an important part of the trip, because saying the wrong thing to the wrong legislator can do more harm than good.  If you want to go for a spin in the afternoon, feel free.
 
Finally, on Tuesday morning we will ride together with a group of Nashville cyclists to the State House.  We’ll have appointments with the various legislators, and we’ll make our case.  This is going to be a close vote, and what we do could make all the difference.  After we’re done, we can all have some dinner and hop in the cars to be shuttled back to our respective homes.
 
Here’s what you need to bring:

  • Tent and sleeping bag.  (if you don’t have a tent, let me know.  You can probably share with someone else.  If you have extra capacity in your tent, let me know that, too!)
  • A couple of bucks for camping.  We will probably be shelling out about $2 each to camp at fall creek falls state park.
  • Some more cash to chip in for dinner and breakfast.  We’ll do a simple spaghetti grocery buy for a couple of dinners, and we’ll send someone on a bagel/coffee run for breakfast.  No more than 10 or 15 bucks apiece.
  • Snacks for riding.  Whatever you like.  Carry as much as you want in your pockets and leave the rest in the car.  We’ll break for lunch somewhere along the way each day.
  • 2 sets of cycling clothes (besides the one you’re wearing) and enough clothes to get you by in the evenings.  Try to keep the bulk down; space will be limited in the vehicles.
  • A musical instrument, if you are so inclined.
  • The belief that a few passionate people really can make a difference.

 
PLEASE RSVP to me as soon as you can to let me know whether you’ll be riding, or if you’re interested in participating in some other way.  It is definitely not necessary to ride in order to be a part of this!

Thanks,
-sam

seldomseensam [at] gmail.com

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Directions from Nashville:  Take 65 South to 840, then go east on 840.  Take exit 34 (Peytonsville – Trinity Road).  Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and go underneath the interstate.  Take the first left (Peytonsville Road).  Go ½ mile and look for 4734 Peytonsville Road on the right.
 
Directions from Knoxville or Chattanooga:  From either 24 or 40, get on 840 West.  Take exit 34 (Peytonsville – Trinity Road).  Turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto Peytonsville-Trinity road, then make an immediate left onto Peytonsville Road.  Go ½ mile, and look for 4734 Peytonsville Road on the right.