Roan Groan – Rhododendron Gardens (elevation 6,207’)
Roan Groan – Carver’s Gap (elevation 5,512’)
Roan Groan – Pro 2015
Road cyclists looking for a superb challenge can tackle the climb of Roan Mountain via three different routes described below. Roan High Knob (6,286’) is one of the ten highest peaks east of the Mississippi. Cyclists will get close to that summit on the Rhododendron Gardens route. From Hampton Trails Bike Shop, the scenic Tweetsie Trail Extension roads – US-19E, Bear Cage Road, and Old Railroad Grade Road – lead to the town of Roan Mountain. TN-143 up Roan Mountain features a Category 1 climb that winds through dense spruce-fir forests for 15 miles. Be prepared for dropping temperatures and high winds at the top. At Carver’s Gap (TN-NC state line) turn right onto SR 1348 and follow it for two miles to the famous Rhododendron Gardens. The road to the gardens is open from May until late October, but even when the road is gated, cyclists and hikers are welcome to explore the beauty of Roan Mountain above the clouds. The world’s largest natural rhododendron garden is showcased during a mid-June festival. Best to avoid that weekend, though, and choose a warm day in May or early June. If tired legs or weather signal a change of plans, the ride to Carver’s Gap works just fine. Remember to pack a vest or jacket for the long descent.
The Roan Groan, the road race stage of the Johnson City Omnium in early June, attracts some of the nation’s top competitors to Carter County. The route described here is the same 80-mile course first used in 2015. The start is from Cat Island Park in downtown Elizabethton, and the finish is at Carver’s Gap. In addition to the climb to Carver’s Gap, cyclists are tested by a 25-mile loop into Unicoi County (done twice). A race official remarked in 2015 that cyclists faced “ . . . a Category 1 finish with a 7 percent grade for the final 7.25 miles and climbs to . . . 5,512 feet at Carver’s Gap. He said there are few finishes in the United States that are as tough, and not many on the Tour de France with a tougher finish.”
Roan Groan – Rhododendron Gardens, 57.0 miles, 5,242’ elevation gain
● start/end at Hampton Trails Bicycle Shop, 446 US-321, Hampton, TN
https://www.strava.com/routes/3722553
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1286301735/
Cue Sheet: Roan Groan – Rhododendron Gardens
Miles Action and Landmark/Road
0.0 start at Hampton Trails Bike Shop
0.0 left onto US-321/TN-67
0.4 left onto 1st Avenue
0.6 proceed onto Church Street
0.7 left onto US-19E
6.2 left onto Bear Cage Rd.
7.8 stay left on Bear Cage Rd., cross over Doe River
7.9 right onto Old Railroad Grade Rd.
12.0 left onto US-19E
12.1 right onto Hogum Hollow Rd.
12.2 left onto Crabtree Rd., which parallels US-19E
13.0 right onto US-19E towards Roan Mtn. Village
13.8 right onto TN-143, begin steep climb
15.9 Roan Mountain State Park
26.4 Carver’s Gap (TN and NC stateline)
26.7 right onto 1348
28.5 Roan Mtn. Rhododendron Gardens
—- Return via same route
30.4 Carver’s Gap, turn left onto TN-143
43.0 left onto TN-19E
44.0 left onto Crabtree Rd.
44.8 right onto Hogum Hollow Rd.
44.8 left onto TN-19E
44.9 cross TN-19E and turn right onto Old Railroad Grade Rd.
49.0 turn left and stay on Old Railroad Grade Road
49.1 cross Doe River, turn right onto Bear Cage Rd.
50.7 right onto TN-19E
53.1 left onto Rittertown Road
56.3 cross bridge over Doe River and TN-19E
56.4 now on Church street, bear left on Church St.
56.4 left onto First Ave.
56.6 right onto US-321/TN-67
57.0 end at Hampton Trails Bike Shop
Roan Groan – Carver’s Gap, 53.0 miles, 4,540’ elevation gain
● start/end at Hampton Trails Bicycle Shop, 446 US-321, Hampton, TN
https://www.strava.com/routes/3762137
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1285528143
Cue Sheet: Roan Groan – Carver’s Gap
Miles Action and Landmark/Road
0.0 start at Hampton Trails Bike Shop
0.0 left onto US-321/TN-67
0.4 left onto 1st Avenue
0.6 proceed onto Church Street
0.7 left onto US-19E
6.2 left onto Bear Cage Rd.
7.8 stay left on Bear Cage Rd., cross over Doe River
7.9 right onto Old Railroad Grade Rd.
12.0 left onto US-19E
12.1 right onto Hogum Hollow Rd.
12.2 left onto Crabtree Rd., which parallels US-19E
13.0 right onto US-19E towards Roan Mtn. Village
13.8 right onto TN-143, begin steep climb
15.9 Roan Mountain State Park
26.4 Carver’s Gap (TN and NC stateline)
—- Return via same route
39.0 left onto TN-19E
40.0 left onto Crabtree Rd.
40.8 right onto Hogum Hollow Rd.
40.9 left onto TN-19E
41.3 cross TN-19E and turn right onto Old Railroad Grade Rd.
45.0 bear left and stay on Old Railroad Grade Road
45.1 cross Doe River, turn right onto Bear Cage Rd.
46.6 right onto TN-19E
49.1 left onto Rittertown Road
52.2 cross bridge over Doe River and TN-19E
52.3 now on Church street, bear left on Church St.
52.5 left onto First Ave.
52.7 right onto US-321/TN-67
53.0 end at Hampton Trails Bike Shop
Roan Groan – Pro 2015, 79.7 miles, 8,313’ elevation gain
● start at Cat Island Park, 5th Street, Elizabethton, TN, end at Carver’s Gap, Roan Mountain
https://www.strava.com/routes/3774500
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1275360165
Cue Sheet: Roan Groan – Pro 2015
Miles Action and Landmark/Road
0.0 start at Cat Island Park
0.0 right onto So. Main. St.
0.2 right onto East Elk Ave.
0.3 right onto TN-19E
9.6 right onto Simerly Creek Rd. (TN-173)
16.0 Limestone Cove
16.1 right onto (TN-107)
21.0 right onto Sciota Rd.
26.9 right onto Dry Creek Rd. (TN-361)
29.5 right onto Gap Creek Rd. (TN-361)
31.9 right onto TN-19E
34.4 right onto Simerly Creek Rd. (TN-173)
40.8 Limestone Cove
40.9 right onto (TN-107)
45.7 right onto Sciota Rd.
51.7 right onto Dry Creek Rd. (TN-361)
54.1 right onto Gap Creek Rd. (TN-361)
56.7 right onto TN-19E, towards Roan Mtn. Village
67.1 right onto TN-143, towards Roan Mtn. State Park
69.1 Roan Mtn. State Park
79.7 Finish at Carver’s Gap