NEWPORT-Three bicyclists riding trails in the Martha Sundquist State Forest late on Friday, Jan. 11, got lost for two and one-half hours before rescuers found them safe and uninjured.

Lt. C.J. Ball of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department said the three bicyclists, whose names were not immediately available, separated themselves from one or two other bicyclists riding with them on Gulf Road, as it was getting dark in the forest.

It was around 7:15 p.m. when, while lost all alone, they decided to stay in one spot until rescuers found them.

Meanwhile, about eight or nine miles away, a bicyclist with the remaining group found a residence off Gulf Road and called Central Dispatch to ask for help in locating the three missing bicyclists.

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.