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