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METRIC CENTURY - 62 MILES
The metric route for 2006 event begins at Finley Stadium in downtown Chattanooga on the south side. It turns left at 4th Street and crosses the Tennessee River by the Ogiati Bridge on the exit/entrance ramp lane of Hwy 27. It takes the next exit off the bridge onto Manufacturers Rd and then turns left onto Cherokee Blvd. Do not cross on the highway at any time other than the actual event. (The above cue sheet has you going by the Tennessee Aquarium and crossing the river on the Walnut Street Bridge, a historic landmark restored as a pedestrian bridge. This is the more scenic and enjoyable route but for the actual challenge with the mass start and the police escort, the highway bridge is more practical. The Walnut St Bridge exits onto a busy road. Turn left here. Work your way thru this busy area; it clears out soon. Stay right on Cherokee Blvd at the fork.) Work your way over to Signal Mountain Road by going through the tunnel. Just ride steady through the tunnel (don't attempt to use the sidewalk - it is too narrow to walk or ride a bike on.) Signal Mountain Road is very busy so be careful. Just before starting up Signal Mountain (we actually miss one mountain) take Suck Creek Road to the left. It follows the river for about 5 miles then starts up Suck Creek Mountain. This climb is relatively gentle but very long, so take it easy. The ride down is fun, but usually cold as it is still early in the day. There will be a sag stop at the bottom at Powell's Crossroads. Private sags will not be allowed along this portion of the route. Either leave well before the riders and get across the mountain before they start or we will provide alternate route information. After you get off the mountain, you just coast on in to Powell's Crossroads. The first sag stop will be here. Turn left here and keep going until you see the sign to Ketner's Mill. Follow the signs to the mill. This mill is still operational and a neat place to look around. It is also the site of a large craft fair each year. From Ketner's Mill, follow the markings to Marion County Park and the next sag stop. Now is the time for a decision. From here, you cross the Tennessee River via the "Blue Bridge". Shortly after turning right after the bridge, the metric riders turn left onto TN134 just before crossing the interstate. The 100 milers continue straight toward Sand Mountain. TN134 becomes GA299. Continue on this until it runs into US 11. There will be a sag stop shortly before US11. Go left on US11 for a short distance then turn right on Old Wauhatchie Pike. Follow Old Wauhatchie Pike until you come to US 11 again. Continue around the foot of Lookout Mountain (just think, you could be going over it) to Broad Street and a short trip back to Finley Stadium and Pizza.
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