- The registration fee cost seems to be higher than some past rallies. Why?
- Should I expect cold weather in east Tennessee the first week of October?
- The start times are later than what we have experienced at other rallies. Why?
- We are concerned about the rides being too challenging / hilly? Do you have reasonably flat rides in east Tennessee?
- Where is Kingsport located?
- How can I make arrangements for golf?
Contact us to request information or to answer any question not addressed above.
Explore where frontiersmen like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone once lived. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Tennessee valley. Allow your senses to embrace the sights and sounds of our musical and storytelling heritages. Walk the streets of the oldest town in Tennessee. Enjoy world-class theatre at Virginia’s only professional theater. Tee it up on championship golf course at their finest. Catch a glimpse of history as you experience the beauty of the colors of an east Tennessee autumn and enjoy the hospitality of a Marriott property rated number one for customer satisfaction in the United States.
Mark your calendar and register now for a great weekend of cycling, sightseeing and eating.
1. The registration fee cost seems to be higher than some past rallies. Why?
Meadow View Resort is a world class hotel and conference center. A continental breakfast is not included in their room rate. Instead the rally registration fee includes a welcoming reception on Friday, full breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday, lunch on Saturday and the Saturday evening banquet. The registration fee covers eight full meals for each team.
Other amenities provided by the conference center include:
- Lobby bar and gathering area
- Secure indoor parking area for our bicycles
- Tennis
- Golf
- Swimming
The cost is marginally higher than some past rallies but when comparing the value of what you will receive to the cost, we believe you will get much more than get your money's worth. Check this link to learn more about the award winning Marriot property. http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4023288.search?query=meadowview
2. Should I expect cold weather in east Tennessee the first week of October?
Unfortunately we can not guarantee the weather. We remember some pretty cool temperatures in Charlotte and some rain in Clemson. However we can tell you that Kingsport averages for October 1 are:
- The average high is 78
- The average low is 48
- The record high is 90
- The record low is 32
Comparing actual highs and lows on October 1, 2004 in Kingsport with other cities in the southeast:
- Kingsport 80/52
- Charlotte 80/58
- Greensboro 75/63
- Birmingham 84/55
- Atlanta 81/55
- Richmond 76/63
What you should expect is very warm, pleasant and dry autumn days with temperatures very comparable to other places in the southeast.
3. The start times are later than what we have experienced at other rallies. Why?
The initial planned start times on 10:00 am were set to give everyone plenty of time to enjoy the full breakfast without rushing. Based on the feedback we have received, the start times HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO 9:00 AM each day. We have also arranged for a late checkout on Sunday to give more time for the ride. The routes will be very clearly marked so you may choose to leave with the mass start at 9:00 am or if you prefer a more leisurely day you may choose to leave later. Some may choose to leave even earlier in the day so they have more time to enjoy the resort. Our goal is to provide as much flexibility as possible so teams can construct their own agendas and experience as much of east Tennessee as they choose.
4.We are concerned about the rides being too challenging / hilly? Do you have reasonably flat rides in east Tennessee?
Kingsport is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains but not in the mountains. We have views of the mountains but the rides will be through rolling to flat valleys. Maybe the below profiles will give a better idea of what to expect.
Option 1: Friday Afternoon September 30
There will also be a 46 mile option available on Friday that follows much of the same terrain.
Primary Ride: Saturday October 1
You can expect rolling rides on all three days that are very similar to both Charlotte and Clemson. There are no serious mountain climbs but the rides are challenging enough to enjoy and have a feeling of accomplishment.
All of the rides are through beautiful farmland on very lightly trafficked roads.
Kingsport is in the northeastern corner of Tennessee and is served by Interstates 81, 40 and 26. Drive times to Kingsport from the following cities are:
- Knoxville, TN – 1.5 hours
- Atlanta, GA – 5 hours
- Greensboro, NC – 3.5 hours
- Charlotte, NC – 4 hours
- Columbia, SC – 4 hours
- Birmingham, AL – 5.5 hours
- Richmond, VA – 5.5 hours
By the way there are only two Kingsport's in North America. Ours is located in Tennessee and the other is in Nova Scotia. It is hard to get those two confused!
6. How can I make arrangements for golf?
Cattails is an outstanding golf track that can be enjoyed by all levels of players. For those interested in a round of golf at the end of your ride on Saturday or Sunday, contact the golf shop for a tee time.
http://marriott.com/explore/golf/courseInformation.mi?marshaCode=TRICC
