Getting Found

by John Whiteley, President 1995-1996

January 2001

Lost? No, I was never lost, not that I can remember. I was a mite confused for about three days once, though.... (Attributed to Daniel Boone.)

In a past article, Yr. Obd’t. Svt. embarked about the joys of just climbing on the bicycle and taking off on new, unexplored roads. It’s a thrill (well, at least it is to me) to discover new roads, new neighborhoods, and the unexpected pleasures to be found around each new bend. That’s how my first rides in Paint Rock Valley and Dry Fork Valley came about and those are two of my favorite rides.

But now that the cold, dark nights and blustery days of winter are upon us, there’s another way to spend the bleak winter evenings. You can get lost on a map.

First of all, you must understand that my profession is that of the professional navigator and that makes me a map freak. When a map, almost any sort of map, is placed in front of me, hours will go by as my mind translates those lines, squiggles, and blotches of color into hills, valleys, woods, and rivers. Of course, the maps used in my line of work (actually we call them charts, and if you call them maps we make you walk the plank) are much more detailed than, say, the map that you’ll get from the local gas station. But the consequences of our getting lost are much more dire.

But navigation is my life, whether on the ocean, on the road, or on my dining room table. And that’s where this winter’s recreation comes in. You see, during my last vacation my crewmembers gratefully gave me a memory of my service with them, in the form of a nagging cough and stuffy head that didn’t go away for over a week This was coupled with some really nasty December weather, cold and windy, that reduced my opportunity for riding to once (ONCE! Sob....) before it was time to go back to sea. And that one ride was on a day when the thermometer on my cycle computer started at 29 degrees as I set off and fell to 24 degrees as I rode. (That, in turn, led to some colorful comments from my girlfriend, comments about my health in general and my mental health in particular, hopes that nobody saw me and that if they did see me they didn’t recognize me or associate me with her, comments like that. She likes to keep me humble.)

But salvation comes in the form of maps, topographic maps in particular. And before your eyes glaze over with thoughts of mathematics, measurements, and stuff like that, let me reassure you that map reading can be both easy and fun. The best maps to use are the topographic maps issued by the U.S. Geological Survey or by TVA. They come in a variety of scales, the most useful of which are the ones called 7 1/2 minute series (because they cover an area 7 1/2 miles by 7 1/2 miles -- and one minute of latitude is equal to one nautical mile, but we’re dealing with statute miles here, which are shorter, and don’t ask because it will only confuse you and it’s not important. Just remember that they’re the 7 1/2 minute series maps.) The 7 1/2 minute series maps are drawn to a scale of 1:24,000 (one inch on the map equals 24,000 inches, or 2000 feet, on the ground). There are other scales available, some of which show more area (but with less detail) and others that are extremely detailed (but only show a little bit of area, so you need to carry a lot of them). The Adventure Cycling Association publishes a number of long-distance maps that are good for route following but don’t show very much detail -- the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida is contained in only about 8 maps. No, the 7 1/2 minute topo maps are more fun for indoor winter sports.

Here’s what you do...Find the topo map for an area that interests you, such as near your home or just outside the city limits. Lay that map out on your table and let your mind wander as your eyes do the same. Remember that green means forest, blue is water, black is man-made objects, and brown is contour lines. Major roads are in red, minor roads dashed red and white, very minor roads are two black lines, unimproved roads are single black lines, and trails are dashed lines. (See? Here’s a sport that roadies and ATV’ers can enjoy at the same time!) Find a road or a trail and see where it goes. Does it cross a lot of brown contour lines? That means you’re either in for a climb or a downhill swoop, and the closer the lines, the harder the climb or faster the descent. How about some of the names on these maps? No Pone Ridge in Meigs County has always fascinated me -- how did it ever get that name? How about Toestring Road in Rhea County? And, of course, we’ve already heard of Paint Rock Valley and Dry Fork Valley.

So, while the winter winds are whistling around the eaves, you can stay warm and cozy while you plan your spring and summer riding. If you’re interested and want to learn more about maps and route following, a good book is Be Expert With Map and Compass by Bjorn Kellstrom. And for a good place to find topographic maps or just about any kind of map in existence (including the county maps that aren’t very detailed but show just about all the roads in all the nearby counties and are convenient to carry on a bike), visit The Way Map Company at 608 West Bell Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37405. (That’s across the Walnut Street Bridge and off a few blocks to the left in North Chattanooga). Their phone number is 267-3440. The owners, Otis and Mary Bean, are really, really nice people and they carry an extensive stock of maps, books, globes, and fun stuff like that. Tell them that Captain John sent you.

And look for Yr. Obd’t. Svt. on the road come Spring. Promise.

Have fun, don’t fall.

John