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:
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
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 (
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
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
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)
