JonathanD said:
Hi, I live in Lexington, KY and want to take a small bike trip over spring break (March 11th-19th) but I don't know any good routes. I'm not a beginner, but I'm not an expert either. I would like to go from Lexington, KY and maybe end up in Georgia, but if someone knows a great trip (regardless of direction), please let me know. The plan is for me and a friend to bike, camp out, and maybe site-see from the 11th-18th, then we would like to end up maybe near a Greyhound station and ride back to Lexington. Thanks so much in advance for any help received. Also, we plan on doing 80-100 miles a day.
Jonathan, I live in Atlanta and have ridden many of the areas you may travel on a Lexington to GA route. Here are some things to consider:
1. Any route you plan that time of year will have wierd weather to contend with. Rain, snow, sleet, hail is possible in March through the Cumberland Plateau, Smokeys and Appalachians.
2. Yes it is hilly, serious SE USA hills.
3. ATL is 300 miles as the crow flies from Lexington, so it is likely with 7 days you could make it this far, assuming a convenient route.
4. If you want to experience an epic route, consider making your way towards Brasstown Bald GA and cover part of the Tour de Georgia route on an easterly path towards Gainesville, GA. Approach from Knoxville, TN, Murphy, NC and Blairsville, GA
5. The easiest path would be to parrallel I-75. It follows the "trough" between the plateu and the Smokeys/Appalachians. That brings you into GA via Chattanooga, TN, Dalton, GA.
6. I've ridden on top of the plateau from Cookeville, TN to Chattanoooga. The climb is epic, the views spectacular and there is a great camping facility at Fall Creek Falls, TN.
7. Check out the campsites in TN as that will likely determine some of your logistics:
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/parks/FallCreekFalls/
8. There are some good bike clubs and shops in Knoxville and Chattanooga that can help.
Also, here's a link to a site with many different rides/routes in GA:
http://www.sadlebred.com/gamaps.html
Here is the GA DOT site that has some marked routes through GA as well:
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/DOT/plan-prog/planning/projects/bicycle/maps/index.shtml
What are you planning on riding and how will you gear it?
Good luck
