RELIANCE Routes | Tennessee Gravel

OPTIONS

Riders will have three route options both Saturday and Sunday. The longest option each day is the official race route. Please note that you must complete both race routes in order to be eligible for the podium awards and to be ranked in the two-day overall standings.

AWARDS

Everyone who completes both days of riding will be presented with a finisher award on Sunday regardless of distance or time thanks to the generosity of Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga. Village VW also generously sponsored our podium awards and cash prizes for the race routes, which will be presented on Sunday for the lowest overall cumulative time for both days (1st, 2nd & 3rd) for the following categories: Men's Open, Women's Open, Men's Masters (45+), Women's Masters (45+), Single Speed. The first place winners in each category will also receive free entry to next year's event so that they can defend their titles!

TIMING

All routes will be timed with results posted for each distance. All riders must STOP at the timing table at the finish line each day to ensure that their time is properly noted. In addition, all riders doing the long route on Sunday must STOP and check in at the aid station at the top of Buck Bald to verify that they didn't skip the climb.

NAVIGATION

The routes will NOT be marked. It is therefore imperative that you download the routes before you arrive at the event by clicking on the maps below. If you're planning to ride the race route each day, please also download the medium distance routes in case you miss the cut-off time or need to bail out due to a mechanical or tired legs.

SATURDAY

25 Miles | 2,900 Feet of Climbing | 70% Gravel

Although the distance is relatively short, this route packs a punch, with plenty of climbing & descending on the Powerhouse climb and Lost Creek Road. It also provides the perfect introduction to the beauty of the Cherokee National Forest! An aid station with nutrition & hydration will be available at mile 11. Click below for a downloadable map.

45 Miles | 5,900 Feet of Climbing | 85% Gravel

This route takes the 25-mile route and adds the 7-mile Smith Mtn climb and the 6-mile Kimsey Mtn Hwy descent. A hardtail mountain bike is recommended for this route due to the steep and bumpy conditions on Smith Mountain Road. Although this route is not the full race distance, it should not be taken lightly. This is a serious challenge with some rocky roads in the middle section of the route. An aid station with nutrition & hydration will be available at mile 11 and mile 33. Click below for a downloadable map. Watch for the left turn onto Smith Mtn at mile 12. Also watch for the right turn onto Piney Flats around mile 26. They're both easy to miss!

65 Miles | 8,900 Feet of Climbing | 90% Gravel

Saturday's race route follows the 45-mile route and adds a beautiful but challenging 10-mile climb up McFarland Road along with the infamous Smith Mtn descent. Expect plenty of rocky, rutted-out roads on the upper elevations of this route. A hardtail mountain bike is recommended due to the steep and bumpy conditions on both McFarland and Smith Mountain. An aid station with nutrition & hydration will be available at mile 11, mile 33 and mile 53. Riders must reach the aid station at mile 33 by 12:30 (7.5 mph avg) or they will be directed to finish using the 45-mile route. No exceptions. Click below for a downloadable map. Watch for the left turn onto Smith Mtn at mile 12. Also watch for the right turn onto Piney Flats around mile 26. They're both easy to miss!

SUNDAY

26 Miles | 3,000 Feet of Climbing | 50% Gravel

Like Saturday's short route, this 26-miler is much tougher than it sounds, with a hard 3-mile climb up Kimsey Mtn Hwy early in the ride followed by a series of short, steep climbs & descents on the Piney Flats section. An aid station with nutrition & hydration will be available at mile 13. Click below for a downloadable map. Watch for the left turn onto Piney Flats around mile 9. It's easy to miss!

60 Miles | 6,300 Feet of Climbing | 60% Gravel

Sunday's race route follows the 35-mile route to the top of Kimsey Mountain Hwy, but rather than dropping down Smith Mountain, racers will continue another mile before taking on the challenging McFarland/Ditney descent. This is a chunky rutted-out road so please go slow and use extra caution. After making it past that challenge, you'll enjoy some smooth pavement before dipping into North Carolina and climbing up Unicoi Gap. (Please note that we had to go around Buck Bald this year due to a landslide on the climb leading up to it.) Other than McFarland/Ditney (miles 16-22), this route is perfect for a gravel bike. Aid stations with nutrition & hydration will be available at mile 16 and at the top of Unicoi Gap at mile 39. Riders must reach the aid station at mile 16 by 10:00 (8 mph avg) or they will be directed to finish using the 35-mile route. No exceptions. Riders must also check in at the Unicoi Gap aid station or be disqualified. Click below for a downloadable map. Watch for the left turn onto McFarland around mile 17. Also watch for the left turn onto Cooper Hollow Road around mile 40 and the right turn to stay on Fingerboard around mile 48. They are all easy to miss!