Saturday morning we were treated to some great hills enroute to the Silver Comet Connector. The 50ish pounds of gear in panniers made for interesting climbing. It was a great refresher of the benefits of rail trail.
We found the trail head and immediate evidence of tornadoes that recently ripped through the city.
Kenneth picking his way through the fallen trees.
Rebecca picking her way through the fallen trees.
We saw no less than half a dozen trees fallen on or by the trail. The first was the worse. We were able to ride by or under the rest. At least one was low enough to require butt behind the seat, belly on the seat, hugging the top tube, skimming under with no room for a camel back. Glad it stayed in the car. Finally we were on our way. Heavy traffic on the trail in Smyrna made a fun obstacle course. I felt like a broken record "on your left... on your left... on your left...". We finally escaped the metro density and found smooth sailing.
We hit Frankie's in Rockmart for a late lunch around 1:30. Even the bike rack out front was bursting at the seams. Frankie never made it to our table to get pictures and encourage signing the wall. I was disappointed for Kenneth and Rebecca as they missed out on the warm welcome I experienced on my first trip through. True to predictions Rebecca loved the park area in Rockmart and stopped for pictures.
From Rockmart to Cedartown we found the hilly section of Silver Comet. It's a mixed blessing the original rail bed could not be secured. The hills again make us thankful. It's a fresh change of pace though to grunt up the hill by the dump. Later in the trip we unanimously agreed the hills are worse going in the westerly direction.
In this same section of trail just outside Cedeardown on Sunday there were several flags hanging from the trees. It was great to see Memorial day honored even on the trail. Cedartown was equally unremarkable this trip. It's such a shame. With the depot and mural coming into town it looks cyclist friendly. This town really fits the saying "don't judge a book by its cover". The Mexican Grocery just behind the depot proved adequate for restocking. The people were very friendly offering us ice from their own personal stash when they didn't have ice for sale. On the return trip we tried the convenience store down the street and paid $0.25 per cup of ice. It was less personal but also faster.
We pushed on to the Alabama line and Chief Ladiga. Rebecca's shadow at the top of the picture reveals our late afternoon timing.
Kenneth took a bit of time to stretch. Rebecca was anxious to ride. She started ahead with agreement we would catch up quickly. She reached just around the next bend and got a bit spooked. It's distinctly remote and back-woodsy in this section. We reassembled our group and setup a nice 20+mph cruise through Talladega National Forest down into Alabama.
I took a picture of this same field during my fall ride. In that one a combine is harvesting. It's somehow comforting to see the crop cycle at work.
At Eubanks Welcome Center in Piedmont Kenneth and Rebecca were both still feeling froggy. Quick mental calculation allowed us to reach the end of the trail and circle back to Jacksonville with good daylight to spare. The mood was optimistic and the miles were rolling.
Soon after this both Rebecca and Kenneth exceeded their longest rides of the year. Coasting ceased and a gradual uphill set in. This dampened the energy and mood a bit. Knee troubles checked our progress for the day at Hampton Inn in Jacksonville, AL.
The hotel recently suffered extensive water damage on the first floor. The cozy lobby from my last visit was stripped down to concrete floors. We lounged in our room and eventually ordered pizza for dinner. We fell through a time warp arriving around 7PM but not having dinner until 10. Collectively we still cannot figure out where the time went. The Papa John's pizza was simultaneously delicious and devoured.
On Sunday morning the fully featured Hampton Inn breakfast was reduced to continental breakfast. It appeared a bit light for our taste so we walked to Huddle House in the adjacent parking lot craving eggs. Strange looks as we walked in provided the first reminder we were "not in Kansas anymore". From there it was a steady spiral down with tons of stares and air thick with cigarette smoke. There was no non-smoking section. People who barely fit through the front door first lit up and then ordered plates of food so large that we couldn't imagine eating after 93 miles yesterday and 106 on deck for today. It was a stark reminder of why America has a health epidemic.
We made our way back to the smoke-free safety of our hotel. We lost a bit more time to extra clothes washing required to remove the heavy smoke.
A few miles down the trail I found inspiration to forgive the mornings misadventures. Weaver, AL has this great BMX track adjacent to the Chief Ladiga trail. I was delighted to be on my cross bike. I stripped off the panniers, tank bag, lock, bottles, pump, and headlight. The guard rail was full by the time I finished unloading the bike. The bike handled strange just leaving the platform and heading onto the track. Then there was the surface change - packed clay with lose granules versus the 97 miles of pavement in the previous 30 hours. 2/3 of the way through the first curve I remembered I'd shed extra gear so I could accelerate and plant into the walls. Then it got really fun. I found my stride by the third curve and accelerated hard into the embankment. Unfortunately I also stuttered on the pedals so the bike slid sideways down the embankment. It almost got ugly. Fast.
Gasping for air and grinning ear to ear I stopped after 1 run. It was a blast that I would love to repeat. 97 miles from 'home' with single reliance on the bike and myself to get back it seemed ill advised to push my luck any further. One good run and done. It was enough to brighten my morning.
We found the sad site that is the end of the trail. The rail line clearly went further but the trail stopped. Why can't the trail just keep going?
Then we turned north east to begin our return trip. There is something about the stretch from Alabama to Georgia that puts me in a head down cruising mode. It is uphill. It isn't particularly scenic until Talladega National Forest. There is little shade from the South and East which make speed the only cooling factor. Or maybe it was the late hour. Again I found myself heading toward a Georgia and 11am concurrently.
Just off the trail there is a small race track. They appeared to be setting up for lawnmower races when we passed Saturday evening.
Dugger Mountain range off to the south east as we cruised along Chief Ladiga.
In Talladega National Forest we stopped for pictures on scenic bridges.
Rebecca was strong and steady on her preference to complete the ride in two days. Stopping short of the trail end on Saturday meant a longer day on Sunday. Add to that the climb from Alabama into Georgia, second day legs, and the prospect of another new longest ride for both Kenneth and Rebecca and we had ourselves some challenges. And did I mention we got a late start? Georgia trail signs was very clear about trail hours - daylight. We would be pushing pace and daylight to exit the trail before dark.
Approaching the state line I struck up conversation with another rider on the trail. Jack was out for a leisurely 28 mile ride - on his 77th birthday. He's an avid rider and travels to NC semi-frequently to ride Tsali. Wow. These encounters highlight the trip for me. Parting ways with Jack we met Donna. We'd jockeyed back and forth with her for most of the morning alternating stops for pictures and food. Donna was riding all 60 miles round trip of the Chief Ladiga trail by herself. Her riding partners bailed on her but she felt like riding. She was quite the adventurous spirit. This was her first ride in new Keen biking sandals. She was biking alone in a pretty remote area. In casual conversation she came with a few questions including the condition of her tires as she'd never changed them and didn't know how to change a tube. Adventurous spirit indeed. She only had about 500 miles on them so she should be good to go. We bid Donna farewell asking her to keep watch on Kentucky as we would be traveling there in August for Rebecca's event.
We semi-stumbled into a pace line in Alabama. After crossing the Georgia line we grew more focused on our pace line. The Advil was flowing, hours were taking toll, the sun was falling, and we had an appointment with the eastern end of the trail.
40, 30, 20, 10, single digits. We cruised toward Smyrna. Finally I partook of the Advil as well. It was a long two days on a semi uncomfortable saddle. I need to improve that. It's good enough most of the time but could be better. We saw dusk and finally dark on the trail. Most of the fallen trees were removed. Bike lights and head lamps showed the way through the night. Having lights really helped to see the dwindling walkers on the trail wearing all black after dark. It is just as important to be seen as it is to see.
At the Silver Comet Connector no one could fathom riding the steep hills of the neighborhood to get back to the hotel and our car. We tried the direct route hoping for sidewalks only to be disappointed. Smyrna roads are not cyclist friendly. It was dark. We were stuck on a 5 lane road with no sidewalks. It was a stark contrast to the 200 miles of cycling serenity. We played frogger waiting in the grass until a traffic light stopped traffic in our direction. Then we would spring a few hundred yards further down the road only to pull off when cars started approaching again. Fortunately we only needed to go about 1/2 mile.
We checked into Country Inn and Suites this time. Amenities are nicer, price is the same, and the car was walking distance away. Kenneth and Rebecca set about ordering dinner and I went to retrieve the car. We pedaled hard anticipating a tasty beer at the end of the day. Georgia on Sunday had other plans - no alcohol. I've been away long enough to forget this. Even NC sells beer on Sunday after 12:00. We were left with another pizza dinner and various convenience store treats.
Two days and 199 miles. Everyone was glad to sit on car seats rather than bike seats the next day. No one took more Advil. We fared well. Kenneth seemed to have it the worst with a left hand muscle strain that challenged manual dexterity.
199 car free miles with no mechanical failures - not even a flat. It was a great trip.
A few optimizations for subsequent trips:
- Bob trailer or heavier wheel set for my cross bike when carrying panniers and provisions for three. I was constantly worried about a wheel/spoke failure.
- Hotel breakfast or take out from nearby. If the hotel is not serving good breakfast then run next door to waffle/huddle house and retrieve veggie omelets. It's quicker and simpler for all - especially in smoker-friendly areas.
- Earlier starts are mandatory. We were extremely lucky to make our destinations at reasonable hours given relatively late starts.
- Pace line is the way to go. Take turns leading if necessary or let weaker riders just sit in. The 20% energy is handy later - like ordering and retrieving dinner!
- Start on dinner arrangements immediately at the end of ride. Get it ordered or decided before doing anything else.
- Advil/Tylenol goes in the easily accessible pouch, not with the first aid kit at the bottom of the gear bag.
