After several miles along the Cumberland Plateau the road descends via Crow Mountain; there are several switchbacks but nothing steep.
The valley below is nice farmland, 15 miles of low traffic and lots of variety, though sometimes rough with potholes. There are few hazards on the route, but after turning left onto AL-55 there are a few houses with dogs that chase (noted on the cue sheet and map).
The route soon turns north on the quiet and well-paved AL-117 up a beautiful valley, traveling into Tennessee. There are few stores on this section and riders should probably take a small detour into Stevenson for lunch. On weekdays there's a country restaurant located in old town Stevenson, the Choo-Choo Restaurant, 1.4 miles off route. Some fast food restaurants are located past downtown, three miles off route, near Highway 72 and Bank Street. A convenience store is located about a half mile southeast of downtown on AL-117.
US-41 between Sewanee and Monteagle has some traffic and poor shoulders, so the route parallels the road along a bike path for a couple of miles before venturing back onto the main road. It's only a few miles to Monteagle from there and the road widens to four lanes.
There are several restaurants within walking distance in Monteagle, for cyclists the italian food at Papa Ron's Pizza and Coffee House works well, it's located a short walk east from the American Eagle Inn.
After Monteagle the traffic on US-41 drops slowly, and soon after Tracy City traffic it's very light. The pavement is good and the descent down into Jasper is gentle, five miles with a 4.4% average grade.
The road then turns north along the west side of the Sequatchie Valley, and then crosses the valley through rolling farm land. It works its way to the climb up Suck Creek Road, a long four mile climb with a 6% average grade. The descent into Chattanooga is fairly gradual, around 5% average grade for almost six miles, and follows the beautiful Suck Creek down to the Tennessee River.
The road follows the river for several miles, and then turns onto Signal Mountain road (away from the mountain) where city traffic picks up, though on four lane roads for the most part. A couple of turns, including a short tunnel, and past the art galleries and coffee shops on the north side of the river, then across the Walnut Street walking bridge and into downtown Chattanooga.
The Cove Park ballfields near Hampton Cove:
If traveling over Monte Sano on Highway 431 (East on Governors Drive), travel 4-5 miles and turn Left at Old 431/Sutton Road. (If you pass the KFC on your right you've gone too far.)
If traveling over Cecil Ashburn Dr (Four Mile Post extention), continue straight on Sutton Road for 0.7 miles and cross Highway 431 (Publix/Hampton Cove area).
Travel East 1.6 miles and turn right onto Old 431. The ballfields are on the right.