The sights and sounds of the Cades Cove loop are best seen and enjoyed from the pace of bike riding. The great stillness and (sometimes) solitude are better enjoyed, and wildlife are less prone to being frightened away. Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles for the benefit of foot and bicycle traffic from sunrise until 10:00 a.m. every Saturday and Wednesday morning from mid-May to late September .

The wildlife come out in great numbers to feed on the lush grass and apple trees. Biking creates no problem, but motorists should restrict their speed to 10 miles per hour to see the does with fawn and the wild turkey that are abundant. During the Fall, care should be taken in the curves on the loop road, as the fallen leaves and heavy Park rainfall create slippery conditions.

Several bicyclists in the park are injured seriously enough each year to require medical attention. Take care to wear helmets and heed warning signs. Bikes are permitted on most park roads but prohibited on trails.

Bicycles may be rented for $3.25 per hour from the Cades Cove store (located near Cades Cove Campground). Summer hours are 9-5 (7-7 on Wednesday and Saturday bicycle days). Last rentals are at 4:30 p.m.

Wintertime Bike Riding

Early Fall is a traditionally excellent time to enjoy bicycle riding. The air is crisp and the colors of the trees often breathtaking. Riding at this time of year presents few problems. True, the early morning and evening hours can be somewhat chilled, but the simplest of preparations will cover any problems. However, as Fall progresses into early winter, the necessity for more elaborate preparation becomes obvious.

In general, there are two approaches to the wintertime riding question. The first--and all too common response--is to hang up the bicycle until warmer weather arrives. The second response--and the one I choose--is to modify your equipment and keep on riding. Personally, I have found the rewards to be well worth the trouble involved. Riding in the winter months rewards the biker with a unique view of the world. Familiar views are changed by the absence of leaves and the cold air is a tonic without equal. As a bonus you stay in shape so that the following spring can be enjoyed to it's full potential.

The first consideration in preparing for winter biking is the clothing of the cyclist. A critical phenomenon in this regard is the concept of "core body heat". This is the body heat generated by the body when exercising and is a major factor in selecting the proper clothing types. Because the body throws off large amounts of core body heat during the act of pedaling a bicycle it is quite easy to overdress. The amount of clothing needed to be comfortable at a walking pace will be excessive for bicycling at a moderate pace. Many cycling texts recommend the practice of dressing in layers of clothing that can be removed as the body warms up. This is a particularly good practice in the Southern Highlands area as you will want to stop and enjoy local scenery. When you stop, you'll need more clothing. Individual preferences may differ, but the following are items I have personally found to be useful.

1) Helmet: The Mountain Safety Research helmet is quite excellent for wintertime cycling (and can save your life). You may find that on especially-cold days that you will want to put a small piece of foam rubber in one or more of the front ventilation holes and possibly wear a knit cap under the helmet to protect the ears.
2) Glasses: Riding glasses can be worn to protect the eyes from tearing and falling leaves. Another benefit from wearing glasses is that a rear-view mirror (available at most bike shops) can easily be attached.
3) Face Mask: In very cold weather it may be more comfortable to wear a 3M sports mask to keep off the chill. These masks can usually be found at ski shops and bike shops.
4) Jacket: Easily the most critical single item of clothing, the jacket, should be selected with care. It should be a nylon windbreaker style, preferably of a bright color with reflective trim. Water proof models should be avoided, as these will
cause you to sweat. The front closure should be by a zipper, not snaps. And the jacket should be unlined so as to allow heat to escape readily.
5) Jersey: The jersey should be of 100% wool with long sleeves. Because the temperature varies so in the Southern Highlands, many riders have found that a short sleeved jersey can be worn if "arm warmers" are used on colder days. However, I have personally never had a great amount of success with
these. Since you will possibly be removing your jacket as you warm up, I would recommend a bright colored jersey.
6) Shoes: These are fleece lined winter riding shoes made especially for cycling. Unfortunately these are often too hot for the temperate weather of this region. Pedal covers are available that allow you to use ordinary cycling shoes or you can resort to the expedient of putting a plastic bag on the outside of your sock to protect the feet from the chill.

The bicycle itself is usually in less need of critical new items, but the equipment on the bicycle must be in top condition, as you are not going to want a breakdown 50 miles from home on a 0 degree day. Besides the general considerations of maintenance there are some elements that should be given special consideration. Among these are:

1) Carrying Rack: Because you will be wanting to remove part of your clothing as you warm up, a good carrying rack is a necessity. Personally I prefer the " Claude Butler "English pattern of rack, but most racks on the market today are serviceable for at least light loads.
2) Survival Kit: A good investment is a small backpackers survival kit containing first-aid items and spare bike parts and tools. While you will likely never need the kit, it could save you a lot of grief in the event of mishap.
In addition to the pleasures of winter-time cycling, but there are also some dangers to be pointed out as well. The prime danger is hypothermia, which is a general lowering of the body temperature caused by a combination of improper diet and improper clothing. Hypothermia affects your ability to reason and can cause you to keep on riding until you simply fall over and freeze to death. The earliest warning of it is that you start to react late to ordinary road hazards such as holes in the roadway. If this appears to be the case, then don't take a chance-stop riding at the first possible place and warm up.

Another danger is frostbite. Frostbite results from the extremities being inadequately protected. Obviously you will be wearing gloves, but there is a small area back of the glove and forward of the jacket sleeve that may become chilled to the point of frostbite. The ears and nose are other potential problem areas. If you don't have the proper clothing to protect the body and it turns cold suddenly, then stop riding frequently and massage blood into these areas.
Riding in cold weather is basically a matter of forethought and preparation for the climatic extremes in which you will be exercising. With relatively simple preparations you can easily extend the pleasures of bicycling to include the winter season.

Townsend Bike Path

This paved trail runs parallel to Hwy 321 for 3 miles in Townsend TN. The start and finish are clearly marked by signs. The bike path goes by the Townsend visitor center, restaurants, shops, and lodging. The path is open and scenic.

Smoky Mountain Biking Tours - P.O. Box 4056 Maryville, TN 37802-4056
(800) 746-7791