Most of us woke up on Day 3 with some very sore and tired legs.  We were in for another 65 mile slugfest.  As you can see by the profiles below these are not just normal rolling miles we are used to in middle Tennessee.  However, we got lucky and the sun shown brightly on us and the temps were perfect.  The loop included the Suck Creek climb again only this time a right turn at the bottom towards the backside of Signal Mt.

As we rolled back through downtown Chattanooga we got plenty of strange looks.  Before I knew it we were already at the base of Suck.  Whoosh!  Clarke shoots by jamming the big ring.  The rest of us stayed together for the first 10 minutes or so and then everyone settled into their own pace...some faster than others.  My legs were toast!  I’m a big guy and climbing is not my cup of tea.  I did enjoy the view of the others attacking each other on the way to the top.  Ronnie (from the SAG van) was nice enough to come back and ride beside me for a while.  He informed me that yes, Clarke was still in the big ring and I wasn’t as far back from the others as it looks.  Nice!

Over the top and down the other side we turned right into the valley.  The next 11 miles consisted of Clarke and Freeman constantly attacking while the rest of us rotated in an effort to bring them back.  We settled in to a nice 30mph chase.  Once we caught them I was hurting and begged the guys to chill before the next climb.  “Piano, Piano!  Tranquillo!”  Nope, Freeman went again...and then Clarke.  Here we go again.  We turned and started the long 5 mile climb up Signal Mt.  Everyone else was still feeling good (at least I thought they were as they left me) and I mumbled to myself, “Now I’m done!”  30 minutes later I found the top.  A short stop to refuel and stretch and we were off again. 

The team was together on the top of the mountain as the crosswinds gave no mercy to those of us who could not feel our legs.  It was every man for himself on the top as there was a constant rotating paceline with the occasional attack and serge.  Somehow I stayed in contact and we headed back down the other side of the mountain to the city limits.

We all made it back home safely.  That night, the six of us that stuck around were treated to an awesome dinner at Tony’s Pasta Shop filled with laughter, good times, and free food...thanks to the generosity of Amy Moss.

Thanks to the guys for a great weekend and huge props to Noah, Jeremy, and Ronnie at River City Bicycles for supporting us each day.  White House...NEXT!!!

-- Thad 4/19/09