Just the Facts

(Along with a Little Gossip and a Few Mistakes)

Animal Respect in Cades Cove

Riding the Loop

CC Steve Harwood

CC Amy M Hathway

Why Cades Cove?

My first experience with Cades Cove started with a bicycle. I had been around the Smoky Mountains all of my life. My father was from Gatlinburg, my grandparents lived there all of their lives, and I had spent many summers in Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains.

I did know that there was a place on the other side of the mountain called Cades Cove, but we never had a reason to go there. We had everything we needed on our side. As I became a young adult, I drove Highway 73 from Gatlinburg to Knoxville many times. I love the curves, but I had never been to the Cove. To me, Cades Cove had always been just another park campground and no more than a place to camp. That was not my idea of camping.

Then, along came a girl that eventually became my wife. She and her family were going to Cades Cove and “ride the loop.” I did not know what that meant, but if she was going, I was ready to go too. We had to borrow a bike for me. We loaded our two bikes into the back of my old Scout, and off we went to “ride the loop,” whatever that meant.

WOW!

We spent a few hours riding and talking, talking and riding. We were the last of our group to arrive back at the picnic area. What a day!

Bike riding the Loop has a place in my heart.

Try it. You too may love it.

CC Patrick Beeson

Some Facts About Riding the Loop

The loop is open to bikes every day; however, it is closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday morning from early May through late September to allow bicyclists and pedestrians a safer and more pleasant trip around the loop. Without the noise of automobiles, the potential viewing wildlife is greater.

Don’t want to haul a bike across three states? I don’t either. I don’t even want to haul them across the county line. That makes the rental bikes, available at the Cades Cove Campground Store, such a good deal, and the cost is reasonable.

Bike Safety and Rules of the Road

Walk your bike on steep downhill grades (as noted on map and signs).
Stay on the road.
Pack it in; pack it out. Don’t leave litter, food, or debris behind.
Give wildlife the right of way. Do not feed or approach animals. Be alert for large animals such as deer – crashes are a reality.
Follow traffic laws. Cyclists have the same rules as cars. Ride on the right side, obey signals and signs, signal turns.
Be predictable. Make your intentions clear; signal turns; check behind you before turning.
Be conspicuous. Ride where you’ll be seen; make eye contact with drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Think ahead. Anticipate others’ actions. Be alert to turning vehicles, parked cars, debris, and potholes.
Ride ready. Wear your helmet; dress for the weather; carry water and food.
Tennessee requires all children age 16 and under to wear a helmet while biking. Bike riders over the age of 16 are not required to wear a helmet, but it is strongly recommended.
Riding a bike that is too big or too small for you will make your loop trip un-enjoyable, but that will be nothing compared to your bike breaking down midway through your bike trip through Cades Cove. Remember, no phones to call for help.