The Ride Across Tennessee (RAT) started many moons ago when a group of Nashville area cyclists decided to challenge each other with a cross state event. There have been several variations on the route, once they rode from Memphis (east) to Bristol (west), sometimes they rode it south to north, but more recently the course runs from Clarksville (north) and finishes on the Natchez Trace Parkway at the Alabama state line (south). In 2007 the route was altered slightly and it was added to the RUSA calendar as a 250K (157 miles) Brevet. Read about the 2007 RAT Results on our Blog site.

Ride Date:
The Ride Across Tennessee (RAT) is a 250K Brevet that will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Ride Start / Finish Times:
The ride will depart promptly at 7:00 AM CDT. The time limit for this ride is 16 hours 40 minutes, or 11:40 PM CDT on Saturday evening.

Most riders will finish this ride before sundown. If you plan on taking more than 10 hours to finish the ride, you should plan on bringing your night riding gear as defined in our Brevet Series rules.

Ride Description:
The RAT is a point-to-point route of approximately 157 miles (250K) that runs from the northern border with Kentucky to the southern border with Alabama. The ride starts at the TN-KY state line on Fort Campbell Boulevard (Highway 41A) and heads south through Clarksville, Burns, and Hohenwald. The route enters the Natchez Trace Parkway seven miles east of Hohenwald and finishes at the TN-AL state line. The terrain consists of moderately rolling hills on the northern section of the route and then flattens out on the southern end of the route. There are no significant climbs.

Route Map & Cue Sheet:
Download a copies of the Tennessee 250K Brevet - Ride Across Tennessee (RAT):
1) Route Map and Cue Sheet
2) Excel Cue Sheet

Directions To The Start / Finish:
Download directions from Franklin, Tennessee to the Ride Starting Point. We will assemble at the Chevron Station across from Fort Campbell Gate 4. Download directions from Franklin, Tennessee to the Ride Finish Point. There is a parking area two miles north of the state line called Cypress Creek where you can wait for the riders to finish.

Transportation / Carpools:
Since RAT is a point-to-point route, each rider is responsible for his or her own transportation to the ride start and back from the ride finish. It is suggested that riders get a friend, your spouse, or significant other to drop you off and pick you up. Alternatively, you and a friend could park a vehicle overnight at the finish and ride to the start in another vehicle. If you have room to carry other riders with you, that would be a plus.

While we are not responsible for the transportation of riders, we will attempt to do our best to organize carpools to the start and back from the finish. Carpools will form at the Target in Brentwood, TN at the I-65 interchange with Old Hickory Boulevard (exit 74). We will depart Saturday morning promptly at 5:30 AM CDT for the trip to the ride start.

Registration:
Each rider will need to complete a Brevet registration form via Online Registration or by downloading and printing out the Registration Form. There are no registration fees.

Also, for insurance purposes, you must be a member of the Harpeth Bicycle Club. The HBC Membership Application can be found on our website. Riders will not be allowed to start a Brevet unless they are a club member.

View the list of Registered Riders.

Hotel Accommodations:
For our out-of-town guests, there are numerous hotels at, and around the I-65 interchange with Old Hickory Boulevard. Download and print off the list of Hotels.

Rules:
Please see the full set of HBC Rules governing our Brevet Series Events.

Results:
View the 2008 Brevet Series Results listing from the previously held events.
View the 2007 Brevet Series Results listing from the previously held events.
View the 2006 Brevet Series Results listing from the previously held events.

Contact:
To contact the Tennessee RBA, please send an e-mail to Jeff Sammons.