stop will be available at mile ten. An op- tional “bailout” route shortening the ride to sixteen miles will be included as well.
Only in its 4th year, the annual Ruby Ride and Run in Franklin, NC - less than two hours north of Atlanta - is quickly becom- ing an early season “must ride” for road cy- clists who fancy spectacular scenery, great local food, and three ride routes of 24, 40, and 63 miles in some of Western Carolina’s most celebrated and historic mountain com- munities.
Set for Saturday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m., start- ing from the Franklin High School park- ing lot, the Ruby Ride takes its name from the area’s legacy as the “Gem Capital of the World.” In fact, mining for rubies and sap- phires began in the area in 1870 and no fewer than seven mines still operate in the county, not to mention numerous gem shops that offer a dazzling array of precious and semi- precious stones to suit any taste. Many of the gem mines parallel all the routes on this year’s ride.
The 24-mile ride will traverse the Burning- town community with 2,200 feet of rolling
The 40-mile ride has roughly 3,500 feet of climbing and will par- tially follow the 63- mile route and include even more memorable views. Two fully- stocked rest stops will be available on the route.
With 4,000 feet of climbing, the 63-mile route will take riders through the Cowee- West’s Mill Historic District that parallels the celebrated Little Tennessee River, one of the richest archaeological areas in the Southeast. This area contains habitation sites dating back to as early as 7,500 B.C. Cowee was the principal diplomatic and commercial center of the 18th century Middle Town Chero- kees and includes the ancient Cowee burial mound constructed in 600 A.D.
Two fully-stocked rest stops will be available on the 63-mile route. SAG vehicles and/or motorcycles will be on the road to assist riders with any needs. A delicious post-ride meal featuring local cuisine will be waiting for rid- ers on their return.
The cycling epicenter for both local and vis- iting riders is Smoky Mountain Bicycles www.wi x . com/ma - done6/smbi located in downtown Frank- lin. Owners Dave and Pam Forshee lead group rides every Wednes- day at 5:30 p.m., from March through Octo- ber and help organize weekend rides for visit- ing cyclists. Their shop
hills complete with mountain backdrops and striking scenery. A Cherokee village called Ti- kaleyasuni, closely meaning “place where they were burned,” once stood at Burningtown Creek. Historians believe the community is near a location where a forest fire occurred. For cyclists on this route, a fully-stocked rest
42 May 2012
offers full-service repairs, cycling apparel and products, a great selection of bikes for sale or rent, and proper advice on the best places for either road or mountain biking. What’s more, the shop sits next to the Little Ten- nessee River Greenway, a five-mile, 13-foot wide, hiking and bicycling trail.
FREEWHEELIN’
For cyclists who want to experience a state- side version of the Tour de France, the Frank- lin area is recognized for some of the most challenging climbs to be found anywhere. These include Standing Indian (5500 feet) with its exhilarating descent down Wind- ing Stair, Wayah Bald (5385 feet), and Buck Creek leading to nearby Highlands, NC (4100 feet), to name a few. The spectacu- lar return descent on the gorge road from Highlands back to Franklin is well worth the initial climb. These and numerous other climbs, many less daunting, dot the Franklin area and are easily accessible and well-paved. Best of all, they are practically car and truck free. Smoky Mountain Bicycles has all the information you’ll need for any route that beckons.
Once off the bike, cyclists can find count- less activities in Franklin from gem mining to hiking to world-class entertainment at the new Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. The town offers a large selection of places to stay and dine such as cabins/cottages, bed-and- breakfasts, and numerous motels – all at reasonable prices. The Franklin Chamber has a popular web- site
www.franklin-chamber.com that covers all the bases.
You can register for the Ruby Ride at www.
active.com. More detailed information and directions can be found at
www.theruby-
ride.com or by calling Smoky Mountain Bicycles at 828-369-2881 or via email at
s.bicycles@
morrisbb.net. Cost for the ride is $30.00 if registered before May 1, 2012 and $40.00 thereafter. It includes the fully- stocked rest stops, a t-shirt for early regis- trants, and the post-ride meal, with all pro- ceeds going to local charities.
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