You can download the 2008 route in pdf format! The 2009 route will be similar but will NOT be the same!

Get the Google Earth view of the 2008 route*

We picked our favorite pastoral roads and challenging climbs for this year’s HOT. All of the routes leave together warming up easy with some gentle rollers. You’ll be riding through picturesque rural countryside. After you’re warmed up, you’ll find some slightly larger hills with smooth descents. The Stones River originates on Short Mountain and you’ll cross one of it’s early branches on Goochie Ford. When you do, you’re almost to the 1st rest stop at the historic pre-Civil War house that was once a Confederate hospital, The Ready House.

The routes split at the Readyville rest stop. The 33-milers head home while the 100-milers take off for the hills of Cannon County. Pass the Post Office (didn’t you always wonder what the Readyville Post Office looks like?), pass the pre-Civil War house (Confederate hospital - red brick) and bear left at the beautiful old white house. Cross Hwy 70S and get ready to climb Lassiter Hill. After some rollers, sprint up the hill if you want and/or stop & take a look from the top. Watch the downhill. Continue on the back roads passing farmers tending their fields and reminders of a simpler way of life. You’ll climb to the plateau on Petty Gap Rd, a scenic and the most comfortable route to the top. Hit the rest stop then wind around the countryside returning to the Readyville Mill where the 100-milers rejoin the 66. Continue on to Woodbury, the Cannon County seat.

From Woodbury, turn onto Doolittle road then ride along Pleasant Ridge. This part of the trip will be shaded with a lot of ups & downs. There is a different more secluded feel to this side of the county. These are beautiful roads experienced by only a few. Enjoy your journey. Next, ride down Hurricane Creek which has a loooong descent. Except for the top, it isn’t steep. It makes a nice recovery section.

Now, you’re headed toward the great metropolis of Statesville (pop 127). The shopping is non-existent but it’s a great place for a bike ride and rest stop. By now, the weather is probably HOT. You’ve only got 20 miles of rolling countryside left to ride.