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