Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival in Tellico Plains
Arrive, settle in and explore historic Tellico Plains! Meet your guides for our orientation and cookout at the lodge pavillion.
We'll stay overnight at the Lodge at Tellico, a sprawling mountainside property overlooking Cherokee National Forest.
Overnight at Lodge at Tellico
Day 2: Tellico Plains Along Tellico River Road and Back (24-44 miles round trip)
We'll follow the Tellico River through a deep chasm on an asphalt forest service road deep into Cherokee National Forest. The first half is nearly entirely uphill, but it’s gradual--although it doesn’t feel so gradual on the sweeping downhill ride back. It’s an out and back, so you can turn around whenever you’d like. The full distance takes us almost to the North Carolina line. Whatever distance you ride, you’ll have the river as company the entire way as it tumbles down from the Smoky Mountains. An early highlight: Bald River Falls (12 miles) with an opportunity to hike. Turn around here, or continue to Green Cove Angler Store (7 miles) for snacks and a restroom break with an optional extension to the Tellico Trout Hatchery (1.5 miles) and further to the North Carolina State Line (3 miles). Return to Tellico Plains (22 miles from State Line). (Your guide will stay with those riding the farthest, and your support van and driver will wait at the base of the climb with snacks for anyone who rides down sooner.)
Overnight at Lodge at Tellico
Day 3: Tellico Farmland Loop (33 miles)
We'll ride through forest and farmland toward the Little Tennessee River stopping at Hidden Lake Campground and Resort. We'll continue to Tellico Community Farmers Market, a small Mennonite market with produce from local farmers. At Tellico Farm Cottage, meet the cows and farmers of this sixth generation farm. Return to Tellico Plains.
Picnic lunch along the route, and we'll enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant.
Overnight at Tellico Farmhouse Inn
Day 4: Tellico Plains to Tsali Notch Vineyard to Athens (34 miles)
Enjoy a leisurely back-country ramble to Tsali Notch Vineyard, a 202-acre muscadine grape vineyard. Named after an historic Cherokee leader, Tsali Notch vineyard specializes in muscadine grapes, grown on over 6,000 vines on 21 miles of trellises, covering 35 acres of a 202-acre estate. The property has an average elevation of 1,150 feet and is ringed by sweeping mountain views. We'll have a tour and tasting.
Our ride ends at our private mansion outside of Athens, Ramble Creek Manor. Spend the time before or after dinner in the pool or hot tub or just lounge on the deck and look at the sunset.
We'll be pampered at Ramble Creek with breakfast, dinner and picnic lunches prepared by a caterer by our own private chef, using local farm products as much as possible. We'll ask you for food preferences well in advance.
Overnight at Ramble Creek Manor
Day 5: Athens to Englewood loop (36 miles)
This is one of our favorite rides, as it provides a sampling of the best of everything in this part of the Chattanooga region - farmland, woodland, hills, and creekside flats - all in a manageable 36-mile loop. It also has the perfect lunch stop at the Tellico Junction Cafe in downtown Englewood, a small town with a lot of country charm.
Farewell dinner at home: four courses, four local wines, one amazing chef!
Overnight at Ramble Creek Manor
Day 6: Individual departure
Transfer available back to Tellico Plains, if you parked there.