|
|
Article: Exploring the Cumberland Plateau: Basic geology for riders. (Favorite Ride).(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Rider
- Article date:
- March 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Ehlert Publishing Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Cuesta, escarpment, karst basin, peneplain, anticlina folds--what's all this geology stuff? To a motorcyclist, these terms translate into twisties, switchbacks, drop-offs, elevation changes, decreasing-radius corners, sweepers and spectacular views--all of which describe much of the riding on the Cumberland Plateau in east central Tennessee. Millions of years ago, after the seas had receded, and after eons of weathering and erosion, this unique land mass was left behind. It extends from western Pennsylvania to northeast Alabama, and ranges from 30-55 miles in width, and from 900-3,000 feet in elevation above sea level.
Let me take you along on my favorite ride on ...