I noticed the Knoxville News-Sentinel had at least three cycling-related stories over the past few days. That's pretty good publicity.

• "Bicycle museum's curator wheels and deals for history"
  
  A judge in Cumberland Gap, TN, has turned his bicycle collection into the Little Congress Bicycle Museum. If I ever get to Cumberland Gap again (it's been many years since I've been there) this stop would be interesting to see.


• "Cyclist gears up to improve status from 'chick on a bike'"
  
  KNS reporter describes her quest to become a cyclist and complete the English Mountain Challenge.

  Bicycles bring out the best in people.

  I like to think so.


• "East Tennessee picks up speed as a 'cycling Mecca'"
  
  Details a Detroit, MI, cycling club's training foray into East Tennessee.

  "Blount County and the surrounding foothills of the Smokies offers some of the best cycling in the country," Alexander said. "It's a wonderful combination of rural roads, little traffic and beautiful scenery - although experiencing the scenery from a bicycle is a lot different from experiencing it from a car."

  From what I've seen, Western North Carolina is probably a better cycling tourism destination than this side of the mountains--they've got more rural roads and more mountains. But as a whole this region offers great and challenging terrain for cycling.

  On Saturday, when I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I met briefly with a few other cyclists who were vacationing from Ontario, Canada. It reminded me how lucky I am to have this scenery in my back yard.