Today started with a choice; kind of like real life. We could cycle 47 miles on route US 23 directly from Wise to Gate City and put up with the traffic and lack of a shoulder or we could cycle 39 miles on country roads. We chose the country roads. The first few miles out of Wise we had a nice downhill and averaged 25 mph. In the town of Norton we got on route 619 which turned into a climb of 2,000 feet over 4 miles. Yes, that was one steep climb. Once we got to the top of “Knob Hill” we looked forward to a wonderful and long down hill. However, the asphalt road ended and we had to traverse down a steep gravel road. While that may not have been so bad, a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening started and the gravel turned to mud and then the mud turned into a river. We were “white water biking” as our brake pads deteriorated and our rims got to hot to touch.
Surviving that down hill, we arrived at a smooth asphalt road where we were cycling at 20 mph for about 7 miles. Eventually we had to climb 3 more hills (all 10% grades) but with adequate shoulders and minimal traffic.
Arriving in Gate City we had a quick descent but came to a quick stop as town folks lined the road to cheer us. They thought that we were the winners in the Clinch Mountain Challenge Bike Race. After declining the trophies, we explained that we were just bicycle tourist. However, we did accept some offered bananas.
Despite being soaked to the bone we were cheered to be in Gate City as they celebrated the 5th annual Clinch Mountain Music Festival. We spent the afternoon listening to numerous country groups (including Papa Joe Smiddy and the Scott County Boys), talking to locals, eating excellent food (and getting rained on several more times). The bike shop provided us new brake pads and Tom and Martha offered to put us up for the night. We were amazed that the town was focused on the music festival and yet took time to greet us and make us feel welcome. Check out the link to our photos and watch the video of some of the performers. The older gentleman, Carl Wooten, danced (called Flat Footin’)during many of the songs and than befriended Joe after pulling his bike backwards when Joe tried to go forward.
Since Gate City did not have lodging we had to cycle to Kingsport, TN to our hotel. If we had not had guaranteed reservations we would have accepted the offer to stay in Gate City.
Daily Map
Photos and Video
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