Pleasant Memories

by John Whiteley, President 1995-1996

April 2002

It probably would have been fitting to ride my bike the few short blocks to Shoney’s.  But it was raining, really raining.  Raining too much to be out in the traffic in downtown St. Albans, West Virginia.  So it turned into a short car trip.  But for a great purpose.

For the one or two of you who read this column monthly, you will know that Yr. Obd’t. Svt. recently left the flatlands of Louisiana for the hills (really, really sharp hills!) of West Virginia.  The change in terrain is breathtaking.  These are hills that will take your wind just walking over them, let alone riding over them.   The biggest challenge right now is Goff Mountain Road, which although not as long as Burkhalter Gap Road, nor as high, is a LOT steeper.   I mean, my CAR gets winded on Goff Mountain Road!  But I digress.

Last Christmas Beth and I sent out our Christmas cards with our change of address.  Well, one evening Beth received a phone call from an old Boy Scouting buddy, a friend who lives in Decatur, Tennessee.  Although her loving husband wasn’t available, it being another one of those meeting nights (sounds like not much has changed) Beth and Tom had a long conversation.  Tom told her that he was quite surprised to find that I was living in St. Albans, since he had grown up there.  The end of the conversation was that Tom would be visiting soon, and would give us a call.

Well, last Friday night the call came, and Tom agreed to meet Beth and me at Shoney’s.  And it was a great meeting, since we hadn’t seen each other for a few years.  The sea stories and war stories were long and varied, and the fellowship was great.

So what does this have to do with the Chattanooga Bicycle Club?  Especially since the only mention of a bicycle so far has been the fact that one wasn’t ridden due to the weather?  Well, it turns out that Tom Pride, who grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia and who now lives in Decatur, Tennessee, was one of the early Presidents of the Chattanooga Bicycle Club!  Tom was President during the early 1970’s, to the best of his memory, and it was great listening to some of his stories of the early club.  Tom was one of the early riders of the Sequatchie Valley Century, although it wasn’t an organized century then.  He would just drive to Jasper, park his car and ride his bike to Pikeville and back.  And this was before the days of Highway 28, remember.  He didn’t say, but he probably rode up East Valley Road and back down Highway 27 and West Valley Road.  Tom also mentioned riding from Dayton to Pikeville, then down the valley to Dunlap and then back over the mountain.  Made me pant just listening to him.  And remember, back in the early 70’s lightweight meant probably 28 or 30 pounds!  (I know.  I have one of them in storage in Tennessee.)

So you can look at your fellow riders and think that you and they are continuing a colorful history of riding in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.  And if you ever happen to ride out Armstrong Ferry Road, give Tom a wave.  He doesn’t ride bicycles any more, but you might see him on a horse.

And have fun, don’t fall.

John