Maryville 100

We didn't know when we would do it, but we pretty much figured we couldn't ride across the country without fitting a century in there somewhere. For those who don't know a century in the context of biking refers to a 100 miler, a long ride for most anyone even without bags, and hills, and traffic, and wind. Needless to say we battled all four, but to tell ya the truth it was a pretty terrific day. We awoke to a stiff wind helping to dry our tents from last night's rain. Reports warned of morning showers developing into thunderstorms by afternoon, and we didn't have high hopes for getting too many miles in (before finding the nearest cheap motel). But we pedaled on, into a gusty wind, around some minor cities, and down busy shoulderless road. When we stopped for lunch neither of us were even sure how far we'd gone. But after doing the math, we were 35 miles in and it was only 1 o'clock. We studied the map and found the town of Maryville way up the road near Knoxville. "How far is it?," Joe asked. "Mmm, 60ish miles" I answered. "Man, if we can even get within spitting distance of Maryville tonight, we can probably make Hot Springs tomorrow." I let Joe's suggestion simmer a bit. Hot Springs is 75 miles from Maryville, totally doable, as it were. And man it would be nice to buy a day just in case we wanna spend it down the road. "Well," I said finally, "if we get to Maryville that's about 90ish miles. There's no way I'm quitting at 90 if we get there, so..maybe today we do our century?" We thought a bit. Then, without saying anything out loud, we quickly wolfed the last bite, slurped the last sip, and threw on our gear. We weren't sure if we'd make it all the way, but we were gonna give ourselves every chance we could. And as I lay to sleep on the carpeted basement floor of a kind family's home tonight, I wonder if my belt will be tighter tomorrow, now that I've got one more accomplishment under it. ; )Hot Springs, NC here we come.
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Rainy Night..er, Near Georgia

Three states, one day. An early start is a good one for us, especially after drying out dew-soaked tents. The sun is out, and miles await. After a long wake-up climb out of camp this morning, we rode the ridge of Sand Mountain until finally dropping down the other side. Lunch in Georgia, as though we we had the luxury of going anywhere but just really liked the atmosphere in this particular Wendy's. Then a nice twenty miles or so to Chatanooga, Tennesee. I hear they have a really nice Wal-Mart Supercenter there--why not! Local biker (Chip) helped pass the ride time and gave us some great route advice. A relaxing spin through empty downtown gave us a neat look at the old brick and new hip buildings co-mingling in this border town. Definitely have to come back and check it out. But now the priority is campsite, and we finally roll by a large church and house complex with lots of grass. The place has a nice look, and the folks we meet are as friendly as we hope. Eventually permission is granted, and we set-up at the building's back to avoid wind. Shelter, check; now food. An Asian buffet, you say? How can we say no! It just so happens that its rated #1 in town! We eat and drink and we are satisfactorily full if not quite merry. As we linger outside the nylon-and-poles we call home, it begins to sprinkle. A few drops on us, some dull taps on the tent tops, and we know it's only the beginning. The report says tomorrow we'll be wet--we may wake early again, but there'll be no drying off. As we fall in and zip up, the tapping becomes more steady, and soon it's an official soaker. Nice to sleep to, but biking's gonna be a slog. Oh well, it's bound to happen from time to time--after all, it is spring.
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Birthday wishes

Forgot to mention in my last post that we also had to do some off-
roading yesterday. See pic of brian, google maps did not know that the
road stopped a little sooner than we would have hoped.

Also forgot to send birthday wishes to Marilyn. Hope you had a great
day. I'm gonna try calling tonight. And finally birthday wishes to
Jake Spaulding courtesy of Woody.

Tough one

yesterday was a tough one. After the tornado induced rest day we were
hoping to make good time to chatanooga TN. Leah and Stan dropped us
off at the edge of Huntsville on the road we thought we would take all
the way to TN. Well once we took a good look at the road we realized,
there was no way it was safe to bike on. Four lane divided highway
with zero shoulder and a lot of big trucks. So after much talk and
some advice from the folks at the gas station ( Sam and jeff) we
started on some back roads. It was pretty riding but it was not at all
direct and even with the drive out of town we didn't get nearly as far
as we would hope. Throw in a flat tire for me and a nice big, steep up
hill and you got yourself a crusher of a day. Got better at the end
with lots of nice folks in Scottsboro. Helpful advice from the guys at
the firehouse and tons of nice people at the tripple r BBQ. This is
where we ended up for the night, Angie the asst. Manager not only
bought us dinner but let us stay in the lot next door.
Really wet this morning but it looks like the sun will be out most of
the day. More rain coming tonight and tommorow. Stupid spring. Happy
Easter, hope everyone has a great day and a big thanks to Leah,
Bernie, debbie, stan, and the kids. We had a good time.

joe

Safety First

After hearing about the threat of severe weather throughout last night, we wisely chose to linger this morning and see how things developed. Good thing we did--we would have been riding right into the path of a nasty set of storms that yielded several tornados and lots of damage. As it turned out, we and our wonderful hosts made it through unscathed, and we even got to spend some exciting time in the underground shelter which really gave us the full experience. Then the storm passed and all was well and quiet. The evening was a bit cool but otherwise clear and lovely, and we caught a little youth baseball and enjoyed some ballpark food, which put a nice cap on the day. A nice day off, even if Mother Nature had to pull out the big guns to scare us into resting.
Thanks to the one and only Cristy Sorenson for sponsoring our unexpected day off. As a Team In Training Alum, I know she would tell us that we need to rest to let our bodies rebuild. You're right Cristy, but despite your generous sponsorship and good advice I'm gonna give you the guilt trip for not doing a full marathon. Aw just kidding, you're the best Cristy. Tomorrow hopefully we'll be back on the bikes, talk to ya from--well, we'll see won't we. Night.
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Over The River And Through The Woods, pt.2

Through the woods...

The Trace is teeming with history, and passing through her green gates and riding the twisting labyrinth beneath her looming oak and pine is to yield not just to another place but a separate time. From the Native Americans whose footsteps carved the first trail, to the Kaintucks who trampled a road wide and deep on their way home from downriver destinations, to the postal riders who continued using the Trace even when no others would, this road has stories. Armies have marched up and down her spine, and battles fought in her woods and fields; fortunes of people and nations won and lost. As I hum down smooth empty tarmac, I am aware of all this--somewhat. The fact is that this day and this road are just too perfect to describe, beautiful in a way no picture can capture. My every sense is pricking from (and for) the variegation of stimuli, each one in coming through in high-def crispness. And with my body alert and manning the helm, my mind is free to wander carelessly and easily. I'm riding the breeze with the frantic butterfly that has become my wingman. I'm dismounting my steed (cleverly named "Greeny") and exploring the overgrown path, hidden in plain sight from the eyes of speedier riders. Is this where de Soto buried his Spanish-claimed gold?

Just as my shovel sounds a glorious thud, spiking firmly into what can only be a chest brim full of heavy gold, I'm jolted back to the now. Greeny's steel limbs are alive and shivering steadily, his nostrils are flared. He has caught a scent on the wind, something reminding him of his freedom. We are starting downhill. I instinctively lean forward, slide my thighs back and squeeze the seat between them. My hands re-grip; I spit with intent. I'm ready. I slam on the shifter and bang into high gear, racing down the steepest section of track. As we level out I cruise through the valley, then--at just the right time--I pedal hard and downshift one, then another, then one more. All the while my legs spin feverishly, each muscle showing what it can do, thrilled to have the challenge it had been craving. As I slow to an easy push near the opposite peak a skylight opens in the foliage above me. I notice my legs don't burn. My quads are taught but responsive. I look down from high on the tunnel of dripping leaves and spanish moss before me, rolling rises and dips and delicious curves snaking infinitely into the distance. The sun is bright overhead, there's plenty of daytime left. I realize I'm smiling and wonder if I ever stopped. I place my palm on my helmet and slide it slightly forward. Then I lean in and once again begin to race, having no deadline or need to hurry, just because in this pure moment I've abandoned all control to my inner kid, and he knows a playground when he sees it. We fly down the Trace together, happy.

Thanks to my Granny and Gramps for their tremendous support of our trip, I am a very lucky grandson and I know it. The 9th was also my Grandma White's birthday, she passed away last April. If you are fortunate enough to have grandparents in your life, call them today and tell them you love them. Don't wait. That's your weekend homework assignment from two guys on bikes.
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Weather and In the News

Well, we again are watching the weather as strong storms are in our area but we are lucky enough to be in the comforts of my friend Leah's home. Not sure if we will get any miles in today but we will have to be ok with that.

So yesterday when we were leaving the RV park, Jane the hostess (thanks for all your help Jane!)came over with her cell phone in hand and said, "Here, one of you guys talk to the paper." She gave the phone to Brian and the next thing you know Bernie, from the paper, is at the park taking our picture.
Currently we are on the front page of their web site. We need to go try and find a hard copy of the paper.

Here is the Link

The blog address is wrong but hopefully people who are interested will find their way to our site. The folks at the RV park were great. Randy the owner was very helpful with how to get across town and he gave us our money back. It will be fun to come back to a lot of these places with some more time on my hands because there is just too much to see and do.