Brent- Friend from Richmond who works as a utility arborist for the power company.
Spend about 4 hours in a coffee shop catching up on tracking miles and people I have met and helped me out along the way. Also trying to find a safe way to ride into Tennessee...
Talked to dozens of locals and called friends about the best way to get into Chattanooga TN.
It seems that there were really no solid roads that were going to feel safe unless I I wanted to go north and then cut back south on the other side of the smokies. Everyone had good information on the routes, it just came down to most of them being 4 lane highways with lots of trucks and traffic (highways with on/of cramps, riding on small shoulders with tons of rumble strips.
Last minute Thursday night, Margo called and said they were going to Bryson city over the weekend to paddle the Nantahala. So Stoked!!I chose to break up my route into two days and go have fun for the weekend!
The French broad river off the parkway.
Decided to climb up the parkway again and ride into Sylva NC and then to Bryson City on Friday.
More tough climbs, but not quite as bad as climbing my Mitchell. The views were amazing.
This section had a lot of tunnels. I went into this one thinking it would be short. It became pitch black and I couldn't see anything. I didn't know where the wall or opposite lane was, but wanted to get the hell out of it before a car came flying through.
I was better prepared for the next one. I listened to hear how long the tunnel was depending on the sound of a car passing through. Also this- 
The next tunnel seemed even longer. I flagged a car down and asked I'd thy could ride behind me with lights on. A much better option.
More climbing.. Amazing views...
Made it to the top! It was about 15miles all downhill to my destination.
I ended up staying in Sylva NC with another warm showers host, Ron Huff. There are so many things I could say about Ron. He was an awesome person and I talked with him for hours about all sorts of things.
He has been biking all his life (mostly bike racing when he was younger). He was a land surveyor and his company was CSA
(Think civil war!) and his logo had a compass. Notice which direction is missing. A true southerner. But he had so many good things to say about it that I had never knew (NOT AT ALL the 'possibly sometimes perceived' stereotypical southern pride sort of thing).
Ron collected and worked on Vintage bikes (mostly 1985 and earlier). He must of had hundreds of mostly vintage bikes in his shop.
He said land surveying has kept him really busy, but he was planning to open his shop up for business to the public when he had time.
Ron took me out to dinner with his wife, daughter and grandchildren after I arrived. He let me sleep in his shop that night and then picked me up the next morning for coffee and breakfast. Pointed out places where the movie 'deliverance'
was filmed on Main Street.
This was one of Ron's friends that came into the Shop before I left. He had just been attacked by a dog while riding. The twist of the story is that the dog jumped out of a moving vehicle and knocked him down hard. This was the damage. CRAZY.
That morning Ron showed me some better routes to get to Bryson city. It was awesome that he wanted to ride with me to the outskirts of town.
Thanks again Ron.
Friday was a short and sketchy ride into Bryson city. Large highways and not a lot of shoulders. Luckily it was only about 35 miles. Regardless-really happy I got to see this girl!
Margo, Katie and Penelope drove up late Friday night to paddle the Nantahala river for the weekend. Margo brought up my paddling gear, and I borrowed a boat from Jeff ( Jackson kayak rep- thanks again!) and we ran the upper on Saturday. So much fun.
Watched some people coming down the Cascades section on Sunday. Huge lines with lots of consequences
Crazy raft lines!
Saw a few of these too.
Anyways, had a great weekend. Loved every moment of it. But while everyone had to make their way back home to Richmond, I would continue to go West. Saying goodbye again was like leaving Richmond. Thanks again for all the help and amazing weekend.
(Penelope, Margo, myself, Jeff & Katie)
Since I was really uncomfortable with the roads, Jeff was really cool and gave me a ride through the mountains into Chattanooga Sunday night. 
Jeff dropped me off downtown and I found my way to stay with another warm showers host.
I had been in contact with Roger for a few days in Asheville trying to find a better bike route through the smokies. A super nice guy all around. He and his wofe provided me with a delicious dinner and a really comfy bed for the night.
Sat down and had a great chat with Roger and his wife. He is has completed a couple of small bike tours and is heading out to do one tomorrow! He is also planning to do the trans American route next year. His kids have been or are currently on college swim teams. Apparently they are awesome at it! His daughter is currently swimming for Cal. Fun fact: his daughter is roommates with Missy Franklin. Remember the swim star of the past summer Olympics?!
Roger suggested some great scenic routes across Tennessee and into Alabama. He took me out for coffee and breakfast.
It does get lonely riding by yourself a lot of times. Especially after a great weekend with friends from RIchmond. Its great to have people like Roger to talk to when you arrive into a new place and have no idea where I might bike to next. Good luck on your trip Roger and thanks again for all the help.
Now to spend the day exploring Chattanooga-Richmond's rival to best river city 2012.
