Pictures - Finally

I have finally compiled and uploaded the pictures from the trip. Click the link below to go to the KodakGallery site to view the photos.
Allen

Photos

Gas & Groceries

Clay, Jerry, Nancy, & Chuck worked hard ferrying water, groceries, and whatever we needed to us where and when we needed it. The sheer volume consumed by 22 cyclists is a little surprising. Here are a few of the stats:

90 bags of ice
370 cans of Coke
72+ gallons of water
12 lbs of ham & turkey
5 lbs of peanut butter
1 lb of jelly
90 bananas
30 apples
15 loaves of bread
10 lbs of pasta
250 lbs of butt cream (need more)

Thanks again to the SAGmaster and the SAGettes!

Shagging, Sagging and Cycling – The Week That Was (James)

As I summarize our N2N06 trip from this person’s perspective, let me first give a BIG THANKS to Kenneth and Dianne for organizing our trip; from setting the date of our departure and return, providing ALL the transportation for the trip, securing good lodging at economy prices, and making dinner reservations at area restaurants so we could all eat as a group. Kudos also goes to Clay Gibson, husband of cyclist Angela, who took off a week to shag for 20+ cyclists. Clay’s responsibilities included driving the 36-foot trailer that carried our bikes, gear and luggage. Clay assisted in loaded and unloading luggage and supplies, making sure we had adequate water, ice and Gatorade, shopping daily for fresh fruit, bread, lunch meat, condiments, etc… Thanks also go to Chuck, Nancy and Jerry for sagging as well. Sagging is hard work, so do not let anyone tell you otherwise. I sagged Thursday, so I should know.

Sunday’s drive up the Trace was fun, though I am not one to drive 50 mph. Fifteen or so rode in the van; the rest rode in the Expedition and F350. Allen drove the van, I rode shotgun. It was my job to navigate (not one wrong turn). There was way too much laughing and carrying on in the van, too many munchies to munch (brownies, cookies, sausage balls, etc…) and lengthy discussion about marijuana brownies???? The iPod Angie brought on the trip for me, loaded with songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s had a glitch or faulty charge. Oh well Angie – next trip.

Sunday dinner in TN was great. Italian. The restaurant was packed, so many of us ate in small groups. No one left hungry. Many raved at how good their meal (and drinks) were, including the wine, margaritas, and martinis.

The ride on Monday was preceded with breakfast at the Loveless Café, located at the beginning of the Trace. Omelets, bacon, sausage, etc… with fresh biscuits. No better way to start a day of riding. After the ceremonial photo or two, we began. Not long afterward, we began to climb the hills that the northern portion of the Trace is known for. At times, ascending the hills was torture. Descending them was pleasure. Monday was one of the hilliest and also one of the hottest days of the ride. Descending one of the hills I believe the Richards exceeded the 40 mph posted speed limit (and did not receive a speeding ticket).

Monday night lodging was good. The pizza, beer and sodas were welcome as well. Though many hit the hay early, several stayed outside to watch the fire flies and awesome lightening display brought on by a distant thunderstorm.

Tuesday mornings ride brought more hills and more heat. Tuesday also brought the only MIA of the entire week. Shirley P, while following the Richards into Meriwether Lewis Park became separated and made a wrong turn or two, ending up on some state highway. Unconvinced even after seeing several commercial businesses and stopping at a nursing home to speak with some of its residents to ask directions, Shirley kept going, not believing that she had traveled off of the Trace. It took Jerry in the van and Kenneth flying on his bike to track her down, approximately 10 miles down that state highway.

Tuesday night we were treated to dinner at Tom’s lake house on the Tennessee River. He and fellow Corinth cyclist Duke joined us on the Trace Monday and Tuesday. Both are strong cyclists. Tom performs a stunt on his bike while descending some of the steep hills along the Trace called the ‘superman’, where he unclips from his petals and extends his legs back while at the same time extending his hands and arms forward over his handle bars, pretending like he is flying down the Trace like Superman. Nuts (but that is my opinion).

I do not recall too much about Wednesday’s ride except that the pulled muscle in my back became too painful for me to continue riding over 40 miles. I would later learn that over medicating could assist in making the pain more tolerable. Once I stopped cycling for the day I helped Clay shag. No easy task either.

On Thursday, due to three days of back pain I decided to help out and sag. This consisted of checking on the health and safety of the riders while also providing them water, Gatorade and other needed supplies. There is no relaxing in sagging. I was up and down the Trace the entire time, checking on the status of the riders both at the front (of the ride) as well as on those riders not so near the front. I probably drove 160 miles this day alone and averaged 60 miles an hour. I guess I could count these miles towards my weekly cycling total (to make up for the cycling miles I missed).

I had made my mind up Thursday night to ride on Friday, come heck or high water. To control the pain I began taking Ibuprofen well before the ride. I had taken three or four by the time Shirley and I left the motel in Kosciusko at 6:15 A.M. By the time noon came I had taken eight. Keeping a controlled, steady pace coupled with continued conversation with Shirley (and the Ibuprofen) made the pain tolerable and I was able to ride the 80+ miles on Friday. Thanks, Shirley.

On Saturday, the sixth and final day of our journey, we began our ride at just after 7:00 at Mile Marker 73. I again rode with Shirley. Before she and I left the parking area, Shirley said she did not sleep a wink the previous night (no Angie, you did not snore). Next thing I know she has caught and passed Chuck and Nancy and had her sights set on Chris and Jake several hundred yards down the Trace. I like to start my ride at a more moderate (slow) pace, to warm up the knees, get in a grove, etc… Not this morning. Shirley was ready to sprint and pace line. Chris and Jake obliged for several miles (unfortunately). I do not know what Kenneth and Dianne did to Shirley on Thursday when she rode with them, but she seemingly was transformed overnight from a casual 12 to 13 mph rider to a 15-16-17 mph rider. Several times that morning I had to plead with Shirley to slow down and to pace herself. And when it came to taking water (and Ibuprofen) breaks, they barely lasted 60 second and we were again riding. Shirley appeared to be on a mission to be the first person to finish the N2N06 ride.

Lunch came at Mile 22 (Mud Island) and was catered by Lisa G. Lisa G. provided quite a feast for us all. Every type of pasta you could dream of as well as sautéed mushrooms, marinated chicken breasts, fresh fruit, desert, etc… Lisa certainly outdid herself in preparing this feast, which we all enjoyed. With only 22 miles to go, Shirley and I again started our ride (after taking several more Ibuprofen). A quick pit stop at a rest area allowed for a potty break and for Shirley and the others to contact friends and family to let them know the ETA at the Armory and bluffs. After that, we were on our way.

We soon encountered ‘the three sisters’. Three long, almost continuous inclines, that in all honesty, did not seem as bad as they once did after tackling the hills in Tennessee. Soon afterward, we approached the Highway 61 junction and the new section of the Trace. Almost there. It was only appropriate that Allen, Beth, Angie and Teva appear yelling ‘hop on’ to allow me to draft off of them down the remaining hills and pace line these remaining miles together as we have done so many times before. After seeing if Shirley wanted to join (she declined) we were off. Those last 8 miles, though somewhat painful, were quite fun. Adrenaline flowing, on the home stretch, nothing stopped us now. Within minutes we were only a couple of miles out, winding up a long and adventurous week of cycling and fun.

Finishing up a week of ups and downs on the Trace, both literally and physically, was fun and something I would certainly do again if given the opportunity.

jj

Natchez Friends

Riding the Trace this past week with my new found friends from Natchez, I have been introduced to and expand my cycling further with the internet technology. Thanks to Allen Richard of the Natchez Bicycling Club who did a wonderful job providing frequent updates to the web via his Blackberry, giving friends and family a way to keep tabs on the progress and happenings of the groups week long, 450+ mile ride down the Trace from Nashville to Natchez.

The Natchez ride was the wonderful culmination of many peoples efforts, each contributing with their special gifts....
the following are just a few of the many that I wish to thanks....

Dianne - chief organizer, its been in the planning stages for so many months.....maybe even a year, arranged Hotels, pickup and departure points, logistics of transportation, and so much more....the "Go To" person for it all

Kenneth - volunteering such a beautiful rig, 40' enclosed trailer and truck, complete with racks to carry over 24 bicycles, all the luggage, coolers and food....and so more that we may never know about

Allen - communication, cell fone and blackberry linkage, internet, Blog page...I learned much from him

Clay - Chief SAG driver, probably logged over 800 miles with the drop offs, pickups, grocery shopping, lunch and SAG stops...keeping the big rig ahead of the group and sweeping up the rear

Tommy & Tommy - bike mechanics tune-up professionals, keeping us all rolling off the miles

Melissa - Medicine Woman, had an extra bag packed full of pills, ointments, and lotions to keep the body good

Everyone else - knocking off the miles, and putting the smiles

All the names and faces, adventures and memories....you guys know them all....thanks once again for the open hospitality you shared with me and my friends...will be sure to keep you mind for our ride as well.....so tune-up the bikes, rest the body, and roll out for more miles....

You are welcome to follow me on my ride next week on BRAG, Bicycle Ride Across Georgia on my skinnyed down Blog. (pics will harder to load real time, updates by text messaging only).

Your very own Superman (aka Tom)

http://www.brag.org/brag_2006.htm

http://mccabe-adventures.blogspot.com/

Friday lunch (Duh! Saturday Lunch...days running together)

Lissa G & Ruthie prepared a wonderful lunch. Stuffed here at Mud Island. 20 miles to go.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Weather

Still resting from lunch.  Incredible weather, especially for June.  Looks like we are blessed with a tailwind.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Saturday Morning

It's amazing what 8 hours of sleep will do for the human body.  Fever's gone.  Still feel weak, but not sick.

73 miles to go.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Friday - Tough One

From 2am-4am, I had the Trace Trots or my upper G.I. was propelling dinner.  Laurie & Jerry had similar symptoms.  Beth was nauseous all day, but we finished after I hurled one more time.  Thank God it was cooler and mostly flat.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

More Pics

Kenneth & Company















Tommy G.















On the road.

View from the Back of the Tandem

Hello everyone! I'm still with the group, Allen hasn't dumped me off the back of the bike...yet. Although there have been times on some of the hills we have climbed that he's probably thought seriously about lightening the load on the bike. I almost jumped ship after lunch today when Allen's colon came to life! Sometimes a tandem team can have way too much togetherness :).

Today was a great ride. We had 74.87 miles and no one had to pull the seat out of my rear at the end of the day. Although we are very tired, everyday seems a little bit easier. This has been a wonderful trip and great fun in a sick sort of way. Jordan and Kirby, your parents are really not crazy and we will hopefully be spending your inheritance on more trips like this in the future.

Beth R.

290 down 160 to go

• For everyone who passed on this trip you really should consider making the next one, if we can con anyone into having a second. Kenneth & Diane did an exceptional job in coordinating this epic adventure. Everyone in this group has done incredibly well, we are all getting stronger every day. Doing this trip has made us realize how much the trace connects us to Nashville. We have encountered many cyclists on the way some coming from Natchez to Nashville and another group making the same trip as us heading to Natchez. We have two more hard days before we make it home, hope all of ya'll will come out and welcome us home Saturday afternoon. A special thanks to my posse Cara, Angie & Chris for making the miles going a little quicker and keeping us one step ahead of Tommy G. I do have to give Tommy G. a special thanks for pulling me down the trace for 18 miles when Cara's crank arm fell off. I did give it a good shot by peddling one legged but would have never made it w/out holding on to the back of Tommy's saddle. He said I looked like a one legged chipmunk peddling w/one leg. See you Saturday, Tommy S.

So far so good

Well, 290 down 160 to go. After three days I think we all are a lot stronger and a lot hungrier than we thought we would be. Seems like all we have been doing is biking, packing and eating and eating.
Can't wait to get home, but this has been a fabulous experience, something everyone should do either on a bike, on foot or in a car. Gotten to know all of the riders much better.
Every day that we have no wrecks, no dogs is a very good day.
Having a ball, too tired to type, even Teva is tired, that's a shock.

Laurie W.

hey you guys

Hey,
Ken & I are having a great ride. Today was the best day yet! So far only one injury, & one stomach upset. Tomorrow we plan to ride 80 miles or more to shorten our Saturdeay trip. Bill if you read this how is Butter ? I've been so tired each evening I've not taken the time to check on her. Shirley P. is a great rider. She stayed with us all day and we stayed between an 18 to 20 mile clip. Hope to see all of you Saturday on the bluff. They will have lots of good food. We hope to be in around 3:30 - 4:00.

Love you all,
Mom/Dianne

GRAMS AND GRAMPS

Gramps did 50 miles today and I did 61. Wanted to do the full 70 but a thunderstorm came up and you know I don't ride in thunder and lightning.

Gramps fell and has a few scratches on his arm and knee. He couldn't get out of his clips fast enough. He will probably sag tomorrow because he will be stiff.

My knees and thighs are a little sore.

We are, however, having a good time. Being a sag is fun. I've reached the 200 mile mark on the odometer. If the weather permits, I will ride some tomorrow. It is hot out there with the humidity and sun in the afternoons. Not getting much rest as we leave the motel at 6:00 A.M.

Our friends from Monterey are doing great! Even with his new knees.

Ed, you would have really enjoyed this ride. We have been so taken care of.

And no Avery it has not been all downhill. I have been introduced to butt cream. And I need a new pair of shorts. My chamis in the ones I wore today had almost no padding.

Look forward to getting into Natchez Saturday. Pigout Inn is having a big barbecue for us on arrival. Alot of people should be there.

Love you'all.

Nancy and Chuck

Thursday, The Short Story

Nice rolling 74 mile ride with only a few tough hills. 

Started early at Witch Dance, and I did notice some brown grass spots today.  Heard tree crashing in the distance before riding out; like an episode of lost.

Rolled through the Forest of Stench around mile marker 229.  Did not see anything, but it smelled for at least a mile.  Nice lunch at French Camp.  Finished early around 2pm.

Broke another spoke, and repaired.

Dinner soon, must eat.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Hello CPC

Okay Diana, What you trying to pull? My office has never leaked. All is well here. We finished up day 4. I can't believe I have ridden this long. I have over 290 miles on my bike. My legs are killing me. Hope to see you Saturday downtown Natchez. Angie

Random pics

Jake has his on bridge in Tennesse near Bear Inn B&B.












Dinner on the deck.

Slippers

Guess who these belong to.

Hello everyone from Angie

Well I made it through Hump day!!! Started out in tears but finished up okay. I feel so much better today. It is 6:30 and we are McDonalds eating a biscuit getting ready to start the day. We will ride 73 miles today. We are eating lunch at French Camp and finish at Kosciusko this afternoon. I miss all of you. Thanks for all the encouragement. Love ya'll Angie

Metropolis of Houston; Mississippi that is

Well we have finished another day (Wednesday), 3rd day in the saddle. Shorter, earlier, easier, with a little more down time. However, it is already 9:19pm and Beth is giving me the evil eye; bed time.

Here is a quick update (not too quick, we are on dial up again).

I was able to coax a few to post their thoughts. Thanks again for all the well wishers, I am trying to pass on messages to all as I receive them on the BlackBerry. Several times today as we crested a hill, the BlackBerry started singing - New Mail.

Everybody is enjoying their trip, though James J. is fighting back pain. He plans to SAG tomorrow and give his back a rest. That will also allow Nancy, Chuck, & Jerry to ride all day if they choose. Clay is still the SAGmaster. What's for lunch Clay? Today's lunch was awesome! You don't know how good a sandwich and pasta salad taste until eating them after riding 30 or 40 miles in hot, hilly terrain. You would think we would be dropping the pounds like crazy, but the consensus is that everybody is packing them on. Eat to ride and ride to eat is my motto.

We cut off a few miles today and stopped at Witch Dance historic site. According to the marker, the area was frequented by...well read for yourself.You should be able to click the picture to open a larger version for reading. I have to wonder, given the weird encounters with the locals in Houston if there is not some truth or lingering Salemesque type suspicion around here. The diners at Moore's Restaurant had "you ain't from round here" look in their eye. Same thing at the gas station. It had a whole horror movie feel to it, like we needed to get inside before dark...we did. (Moore's was delicious. What do you eat after riding 63 miles? 2 bowls of salad, 16oz ribeye-rare, stuffed potato, Texas toast, cookies and cream ice cream.)

We will pick back up at Witch Dance tomorrow for about a 73 mile day through Jeff Busby, French Camp, and ending in Kociusko.

Got to go, long day tomorrow, must sleep. I'll leave you with a pic from the day.

Team Tandem Stats

For the geeks in the audience, here are a few numbers to digest. These are the numbers for Beth and Allen on the tandem. Yes, there are much faster riders in the group.
By the way, we are looking for a name for the tandem. TTT was one thought (Two Ton Tandem).

Monday
Mileage – 76.72
Ride Time – 5:17:22
Avg speed – 14.72
Max speed – 46.0
Highlights: Steep climbs, fast descents, hot, exhilirating first day.

Tuesday
Mileage – 76.81
Ride Time – 4:50:52
Avg Speed – 16.01
Max Speed – 41.5
Highlights: Repeat of first day, not as many tough climbs.

Wednesday
Mileage – 62.58
Ride Time – 3:54:48
Avg Speed – 16.10
Max Speed – 33.7
Highlights: Rest day, not as long or as tough. Needed a break.

Thursday
Mileage – 74.87
Ride Time – 4:42:08
Avg Speed – 16.11
Max Speed – 39.1
Higlights: ???

Friday
Mileage – 89.01
Ride Time – 5:57:24
Avg Speed – 15.10
Max Speed – 28.2
Higlights: Allen sick the night before, both of us queasy all day, Allen hurled at Robinson Rd. We finished the longest day.

Saturday
Mileage – 77.72
Ride Time – 4:34:59
Avg Speed – 17.08
Max Speed – 36.6
Highlights: Feeling better after good nights sleep. Everybody can "smell the barn" and are flying home as indicated by average speed.

From the Matriarch

Hayden, Chesney, Amanda, and Marshall.
Having a great time with lots of friends to look after me.

Brother George and nephew Steve, a special thanks for your encouragement and confidence. (I only got lost once...so far.)

Shirley P.

all's well on the natchez trace

mom dad britt reeve jamie and rest of family im all well now monday was a very hard day but i made up some miles today that i missed tuesday morning im going to do the whole thing hopefully it wont get to me miss you all hope every0one is well im having a great time now so is clay he is taking great care of us all see you saturday all my love
angela mom

Trucking along

Suzanne, Lynellen, Lisa, Ed and all

We are having a great time. Chuck has been trying to outshine me on riding. Don't know what happened. He is riding like he has be prodded with an electric cattle prod. He never rode like this in Natchez. I did 64 miles today. Hope to do 70 tomorrow. We have been saging alot and that has been fun but now we are down to some serious riding.

Appreciate your comments and support.

Nancy & Chuck

Still Alive

Everyone we are still alive and well. Maybe a little slow but that's okay. See you on Saturday. Buddy's knee's are doing great the only probleum is his breathing and energy. Having a blast.
Pam and Buddy.

Wednesday EOD

Short day, but hot.  63 miles.  Most are glad of the break.  Sitting at Witch Dance site, resting and loading up.  Clay served the best lunch today.  We were SAG hogs today; lots of cold H2O.

Hope to post pics and more tonight.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Tuesday Night

We are bedding down in Iuka, MS after our second day of riding. I am on a dial-up Internet connection (24.0 kbs) so no pictures at this time.

Thanks for all the comments; I have been trying to pass around the words of encouragement as they come in. Also, several questions have been posted about the logistics and other things. I will answer a few of those tonight and give an update.

Bikes have been repaired and the ill are on the mend. We think the two toughest (hilliest) days are behind us. However, most of us are skeptical because we have had several false reports like "there are only two hills today" or "this is the last climb of the day". B.S. We have collective decided Tommy S. and Tommy G. have promising careers in politics or used car sales. Everybody is healthy and ready to ride tomorrow.

Today was tough, but not as tough as yesterday. Beautiful sights; crossing the Tennessee River, scenic over looks, and especially down hills. Terrain should be flatter overall, but the South wind is steady in your face. Recommendation: in the summer head north, and fall or spring head south with the fronts.

Logistically we blessed to have a wonderful rolling support crew headed up by Clay G. There are 22 of us, Clay is our dedicated SAG (Smiles And Groceries) guy, Jerry, Nancy, and Chuck are swapping riding and SAG'ing. With up to 20 of us on the road at a time spread out over 15 miles or so, it is a chore keeping up with every body, and having refreshments ready, and buying groceries, and putting out the lunch spread. Pretty incredible - THANKS guys! Clay thought he was going to have free time to nap and play with his GPS.

Dianne J. planned and arranged our lodging, meals, stops, etc. So this really is a cush trip. Eat, ride, eat, ride, eat, sleep....repeat. Sunday night we were at Ramada in Franklin, TN. Monday night we travel off the Trace to Clifton, TN and stayed at the Bear Inn B&B; neat place. I wish we could have spent more time there. The evening was pleasant though a too short. We were entertained by firefly's and a lightning storm.

On an earlier post I think I mentioned three guys from the Iuka area riding with us. Tom (aka Superman), Duke, and Robert rode Monday and Tuesday with us. Tom graciously opened his home on the water to us all. His home is on a cut off of the Tennessee River. BBQ chicken, North Mississippi gumbo, taco salad, and heathbar cookies out on the deck and warf. Tom gave the bugs the night off. Perfect evening! Thanks again! We hope you all can join us for the last leg on Saturday and we can return the favor. Pig Out BBQ on the bluff of the Mississippi River (bugs included).

That's where we are and where we have been. Time for sleep; breakfast is at 6AM and we roll out immediately after. SAG vehicles ferry us back and forth from the Trace to lodging and then back again in the morning. I hope we can get the smell out of the rental van. Imagine riding 75 miles in 90 degree temps, and then ride 20 minutes in a van with 15 others that have done the same. Pretty ripe.

Hopefully tomorrow night I can get some of the others to post there experiences.

Allen

Lunch - Tuesday

Tuesday, eating lunch on the bank of the Tennessee River, 42 miles into the day, 30 more to go.

Angela G was sick, not Angie P. However, angela is better and riding, Tommy G is sick and Cara has bike problems.

Spirits are good all around. Beth is bugging me to get going.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Monday

Internet access from Clifton, TN does not exist, but I can send a short note from th BB.

1st day of riding was tough, but not as tough as our imaginations had made it. Heat was the biggest factor, and that we were all vertically challenged today. Highlights: 1st hill is officially dubbed "breakfast hill" because breakfast was in your throat when you climbed. The A team rode in record time, and we played tourist. Angela is sick, but finished most of the day. Shirley got lost. Everybody tired and happy to finish first day.

More detail and pictures later.
Allen

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Breakfast

Last minute change. We found out that it is tradition to have breakfast at Loveless Cafe, especially biscuits.; which are OK.  Not as good as Mary B,s.  Neat place.  Waiting line for breakfast on a Monday morning!

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Sunday

I am looking forward to riding my bike tomorrow and not riding in the van. Way too long in the van today.

Phrase most often heard today, "We're descending!!!!" Which means we have to ascend tomorrow. Today seemed all downlhill, tomorrow should be brutal on the bike, but in a fun way.

Most interesting sight today, the MONSTER cane pole in the picture. Displayed at French Camp, MS. That's a manly pole.

Tomorrow we climb!

Allen

Are we there yet?

I think it will be faster on the bike than driving. Having lunch in Houston at Hardees; Houston, MS that is. The kids are getting restless. We need to get there.
Allen

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Trip to nashville

After meeting this morning to load up, we hit the road in three vehicles, includung kenneth's truck, the Fretter's and the 15 passenger van. No last minute dropouts, which was good. Everyone dressed in shorts and flipflops, except Shirley. Louis Vuitton blouse and Seven jean. Enough to make Daisy Mae (mooo) jealous. I'm getting a headache riding shotgun in the van writing this. More later. JJ

--------------------------
James

Preparations

I earlier stated the obvious, that there has been no activity on this blog. However, activities in preparation for this trip have been blazing. I wish I knew how many collective miles were ridden and dollars spent.

One of the few training rides that included several preparing for the trip was last Saturday. We did about an 80 mile loop north to Lorman, MS and had lunch at the Old Coutnry Store with Mr. D which included cornbread and his cornbread song. The picture is on the front porch (by Teva).

Our group included Teva, Angie, Laurie, Cara, Tommy S, James, Beth & I, and we picked up David, and Kenneth along the way.

It was a good ride out; Beth and I hit 40mph in Church Hill for the first time on our Trek tandem. Then we got dropped. The ride back in was a little tougher. The fried chicken was riding low in the belly and the temperature was climbing. The rule in riding is eat before you are hungry, but a footnote needs to be don't eat too much fried chicken and cornbread and greens and hot peach cobbler with ice cream and sweet tea. You see the problem.

Tomorrow morning we head out. Time to get some sleep.
Allen

Wheel

24 hrs before departure, I drive to St Francisville to pick up our rear wheel.  More on this later.

--------------------------
Allen via BlackBerry Wireless

Maiden Post

In two days we will drive to Nashville only to turnaround and ride our bikes back home. Seems a silly thing for a bunch of adults to do, but everyone in the group I've spoken to is giddy like a rookie before the first game.

Obviously, activity on this blog has been, well...there has been no activity. I think that will change come Monday. For one thing, I hope to have time to post while on the trip; vacations should contain free time, right? Secondly, as the resident nerd, I plan to encourage the luddites of the group to transcribe their experiences out to the ether for all to read. One possible obstacle is the availability of Internet access in rural Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. No way you say? We will see. I'll be carrying a BlackBerry (aka CrackBerry) and will send updates from the road (literally). Service is as rare as restrooms on the Natchez Trace, but my outbox should clear when a signal is available.

1st post of many to come. Please feel free to comment or ask questions. Us cyclists tend to be a little nerdy and like details. On the other hand, some (like my stoker) just want to smell the flowers and enjoy the scenery. We will have something for everyone.

Allen