We had an exciting start to the day because Bubba decided to route us through the heart of Tallahassee (thereby saving 22 miles of riding). This was on Route 90 starting at 7:30 in the morning. For safety reasons we were convoyed--- a faster group of riders with a lead car and a follow car went first and the slower riders, also between two vehicles, left second. John went with the faster ones, of whom there were only nine, and they got through quickly. The slower group was much larger and it didn't go particularly smoothly. Tallahassee has lots of hills and lots of traffic signals and lots of traffic, particularly during morning rush hour. The riders got spread out, especially on the hills, and we got separated by traffic lights and it was altogether a nerve wracking experience for 13.5 miles. I imagine it was even worse for the commuters whose trip was slowed down by our group. I was really happy when it was over.
Most of the rest of the ride was tedious but smooth riding except when the shoulder did this (i.e. disappeared) and we had to ride the white line for several miles. We had lunch in Greenville, the home of Ray Charles. Fortunately, after being deprived of fried food yesterday (bad choice of restaurants) I was able to get the ever popular fried shrimp "po boy" with french fries today and very good it was. One of the other riders thought she saw a dead leopard by the side of the road and it turns out that there is an expanding leopard population in this area...who knew? (Others since have suggested it was a panther, not a leopard or a bobcat). John and I both missed it, in my case perhaps because I was focusing on listening to Dickens ("Our Mutual Friend") while simultaneously avoiding being kicked into the hereafter by a car or truck.
When we reached Madison we were routed onto a very nice bicycle path (unfortunately going north which means that we need to retrace our steps, something we all hate) and after five miles ended up in perhaps the absolutely worst "camping" site of the whole trip. It is a church camp (again just one shower) and the tents are set up in a hot, dry and dusty field in the scorching sun. Bubba has "pampered" us by renting two porta potties. Yet worse, there is nothing to do here, lots of gnats and fire ants and "absolutely no adult beverages". Even worse, tomorrow is a rest day so we have two nights here. Yet again worse, the following riding day will be extremely hot and more than 80 miles long.
John and I are hatching a plot to leave in the morning, taking what little we can carry on our bikes, ride as far as Live Oak (thereby cutting the next riding day in half), stay in a hotel and generally leave this place behind.
Now that sounds like a good plan.
ReplyDeleteThat's EXACTLY what I was going to say!
ReplyDelete