Unplanned 80 mile bicycle ride


Today I started out planning to do a short Saturday morning bike ride with the Pecan City Pedalers bike club.  It turned out to be an 80 mile ride that I rode by myself for about 55 miles.

I started out riding with the faster group of riders.  I knew that I was not in the best of shape as I have not been riding much at all lately due to work related issues.  I have been down this road before, the sling shot theory.  The sling shot theory is how I re-booted my cycling after being off the bike for five years.  I knew that today was going to be one of those rides where I would get dropped at some point out in the country.  Today I got dropped about 9 AM, one hour into the ride.  I was struggling to keep an 18 MPH pace and when the pace line when up to 20 MPH, I decided to slow down and ride slower.

So here I was out in the country heading up to a town called Smithville Georgia.  I had been there before a year ago with the PCP Race team during a ride.  On that ride we got to Smithville via Bronwood.  I was in better shape and I was able to keep up with help from the team.  Today I was riding alone and I was going to enjoy the day outside.


Leaving Lee County heading to Leslie
I made it to Leslie, GA
You can see the SAM Short line passing through Leslie.

I was surprised to find the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum.  I will have to stop back by to check it out.
I always have to take a picture of the town water tower
I crossed the new bridge on HWY 118 even though it was posted as being closed.  Gravel road for a short distance.
I got leg cramp on my left leg on my way to Bronwood.
I was not prepared for a long ride in 100 degree heat.
I drank Gatorade for the first time in 3 or 4 years.
Pipe line construction site.  Lots of trucks from Texas
I have not see so many large John Deere backhoes in a line.  The are ready to dig a hole for a pipeline.
Almost home now.  15 more likes from Sasser, Georgia to my house.
Just over a mile from my house.  Normally I never stop to document when I leave or enter Albany, Georgia, but today I did.
Location: Leslie, GA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wednesday Evening Loop Ride in the Country

Image
Riding down Mud Creek Road this evening was a joy.  One of the highlights of this road is the Beggars Bush property.  There are usually some nice horses in the pasture, but when I see them I rarely take time to stop and take a picture.  This evening I did stop to get a shot of the main entrance to the property. For you Rolling Stones fans this property always reminds me of my favorite Stones album, Beggars Banquet.  I would love to have a cycling event where we ride to this property and have a picnic in the pasture.  I would call it The Beggars Banquet. Beggars Bush on Mud Creek Beggars Bush Main road Te Seven at Beggars Bush On a technical note I was testing my USB charging interface on my Garmin GPS tracker. I rode for 90 minutes and the Garmin stayed charged at 100%.  This confirms that I can ride all day and not use the internal battery on the Garmin.  At night I will disconnect the USB interface and run my light and let th...
Read more

St. Patty's Day Smack Down

Image
I think I am ready to write about one of the scariest days of my life.  Funny thing is that I do not remember the horrific details, but I will write what my friends tell me what happened when I was unconscious or just do not remember. On Monday morning March 17, 2014 I put on my #Bicycle Commuter Cabal green jersey and  headed to work. It was drizzling slightly, but it was warm.  I had my yellow rain jacket on and three tail flashers on my bike, two red and one white. I left my house about 6:15 AM and started my 25 mile commute to work.  This commute takes me about one hour and thirty minutes. I was taking an easy pace because I had just finished a big 145 mile ride to St. Mark's on Friday so I jut wanted to relax today. Everything went as usually until I was riding on the short stretch of Newton Road (HWY 91).  I do not remember turning on to HWY 91 so everything that I write from here on is from what my friends have told me. I was struck from behin...
Read more

Shine on you crazy bike commuter

Image
The next time you see a bike commuter take the time to ask them when was the last time they had a cold or if they get flu shots.  I bet that most bike commuters can not remember when they were sick last.  As a bike commuter I ride my bike all year, rain or shine.  When I ride all year I hardly ever get sick. I believe that my immune system stays strong because I am outside riding my bike at a minimum of three hours each day.  During that time I am breathing hard and sucking in all sorts of pollen and man made pollutants.  As a result of exposure to these air borne particles and the ever changing weather my body adapts to the seasonal changes and thus stays in sync with nature and I remain healthy and vibrant all year. If you are a cyclist and your agree or disagree with this fact post your comments so non cyclist reading this will be convinced to start riding everyday to stay healthy.  This morning I started my bike commute of 51 miles at 5 ...
Read more