• Riders will depart from Bessie Smith Cultural Center and immediately be treated to the sights and sounds of beautiful downtown Chattanooga and the surround landscape. The first 9 miles of the day will provide a great opportunity to get in your groove as you travel rolling and flat roads beside the Tennessee River.

• At mile 9.1 riders will reach the first true challenge of the route, Suck Creek. Contrary to the name, most riders will find this to be a fun test as they make their way up the 5.5-mile climb that averages a manageable grade of 5%. As you make your way up, be sure to catch views to the right of South Suck Creek cascading down to the Tennessee River you left behind only a few miles ago.

• After conquering Suck Creek riders will be provided with an opportunity for recovery and a shot of adrenaline as they plunge down into the Sequatchie Valley on a fast 4.1 mile descent. Upon safely reaching the bottom of the descent riders will reach the small town of Powell’s Crossing and the first rest stop of the day at mile 19.7. Be sure to refuel and resupply here, the day is still young.

• The next 16 miles offer up fast flat and rolling roads on the floor of the Sequatchie Valley. Use this time to relax, enjoy the views, and prepare for your next big climb of the day. As you enter the town of Sequatchie you will notice the rising wall of Sequatchie Mountain to your right. Yes, you are about to climb that! What this climb lacks in length (only 1.9 miles) it more than makes up for in steepness. With an average grade of 10.4% this climb will test even the most skilled climbers.

• After you have conquered Sequatchie Mtn. be sure to stop at the second rest stop of the day located at Sequatchie Baptist Church. Refueled and refreshed rides will enjoy the 3.5 mile descent into Japser, TN and the flatter roads on the way back to the Tennessee River. Be sure to offer some words of encouragement to riders making their way towards Sequatchie Mtn. as you pass by.

• The last rest stop of the day is by far the most scenic. Located at Marion County Park riders will have a chance to take a brief rest on the banks of the Tennessee River. The final 21 miles of the day feature short rolling hills and a run into Miller Park with 360 degree views of the Chattanooga Skyline and the surrounding mountains. As you see the 1KM to go marker, start your final kick to the finish, roll across the red carpet, and you’ve made it! Time to celebrate!

*Please note: Our Gran course has two KOM/QOM segments and two Speed zone segments. KOM/QOM awards for our Gran riders are determined by the total combined times on Suck Creek and Sequatchie Mountain. Speed zone awards are determined by total combined times on Sequatchie Valley and Tennessee River Segments. All other awards are determined by gun time from the start line to the timing finish line.

• Riders will depart from Bessie Smith Cultural Center and immediately be treated to the sights and sounds of beautiful downtown Chattanooga and the surround landscape. The first 9 miles of the day will provide a great opportunity to get in your groove as you travel rolling and flat roads beside the Tennessee River.

• At mile 9.1 riders will reach the biggest test of the day, Suck Creek. Contrary to the name, most riders will find this to be a fun test as they make their way up the 5.5-mile climb that averages a manageable grade of 5%. As you make your way up, be sure to catch views to the right of South Suck Creek cascading down to the Tennessee River you left behind only a few miles ago.

• After conquering Suck Creek riders will be provided with an opportunity for recovery and a shot of adrenaline as they plunge down into the Sequatchie Valley on a fast 4.1 mile descent. Upon safely reaching the bottom of the descent riders will reach the small town of Powell’s Crossing and the first rest stop of the day at mile 19.7. Be sure to refuel and resupply here, the day is still young.

• The next 14 miles offer up fast flat and rolling roads on the floor of the Sequatchie Valley. At mile 29.8 Medio riders will say “see you at the finish” to their Gran counterparts as they stay to the left to travel back toward the Tennessee River.

• The last rest stop of the day is by far the most scenic. Located at Marion County Park riders will have a chance to take a brief rest on the banks of the Tennessee River. The final 21 miles of the day feature short rolling hills and a run into Miller Park with 360 degree views of the Chattanooga Skyline and the surrounding mountains. As you see the 1KM to go marker, start your final kick to the finish, roll across the red carpet, and you’ve made it! Time to celebrate!

*Please note: Our Medio course has one KOM/QOM segment and two Speed zone segments. KOM/QOM awards for our Medio riders are determined by the total combined time on the Suck Creek climb. Speed zone awards are determined by total combined times on Sequatchie Valley and Tennessee River Segments. All other awards are determined by gun time from the start line to the timing finish line.

• Riders will depart from Bessie Smith Cultural Center and immediately be treated to the sights and sounds of beautiful downtown Chattanooga and the surround landscape. Piccolo riders will ride the first 3.5 miles of the course with Gran and Medio riders and then make a left to take on their main challenge of the day, Pineville Road. Don’t let the short nature of this climb fool you as the average grade is a leg burning 10.4%!

• After riders have put their stamp on the Pineville Road Climb, they will continue downhill toward the rest stop located at Brown’s Ferry Trail Head. Take a chance to recover and refuel here and get ready for the final stretch back into downtown Chattanooga. After enjoying more city sights and views of the Tennessee River, rider will reach the 1KM to go marker. Time to start the final finishing kick and roll across the red carpet. You’ve made it! Time to celebrate!

• There are no awards given out for top finishers on this course, but we will raffle off a few prizes for all Piccolo finishers (must be present at the Awards Ceremony to win).