Date: August 28, 2005
Route: Union City , TN to Ripley , TN
Distance: 68 miles
Ride Time: 4h 15m
Elevation Climbed: 2300’
Weather: 80s with high humidity
Log
The talk today has been about hurricanes and dogs. My conclusion is that we can’t do much about either. We got off to a hot and sticky start at 7am . The group wanted to beat the heat and the predicted afternoon thunderstorms. Even with the humidity, it was a lovely start to the day. Riding on Sunday can’t be beat! The traffic is light, the early morning risers are sipping coffee and reading the paper, and the Saturday night revelers are still sleeping it off.
After leaving Union City , the route took us over rolling hills on quiet, country roads. Quiet, that is, until we arrived. The dogs must have an emergency broadcast system because they were waiting for us with flashing eyes, sharpened teeth, and running shoes. I’m sure we saw more dogs than cars. Some were waiting on the shoulder, some in the bushes, and some had the audacity to lie in the middle of the road and lazily get up when we were within range. And, of course, the biggest and baddest know to ambush a cyclist on an uphill stretch. On a corner with a particularly ferocious dog, Gene parked the van, stationed himself between the riders and the 3 attacking dogs, and protected us by squirting the dogs with his water bottle. In our later debriefing at the motel, we exchanged strategies for making dogs cease and desist. Daco tried to confuse them by yelling, “Get off the couch!” and Richard explained that talking “yankee” won’t work. You have to say, “Howdy, dawg”, with the appropriate accent, then whistle and bark. Both Melanie “I can still feel his lips on my shoe” and Dave “It’s definitely a scratch” had close encounters. My goodness, it was an exciting morning!
Gene’s attempts at route rap education caused me to stop … in the middle of dodging canines … to snap this picture of the killer kudzu. It is eerily beautiful as it transforms trees to amorphous shapes and then consumes them. It can grow as much as a foot a day in the summer. Gene’s critter talk had me on alert for chiggers, fire ants, and goat head. I felt a sharp sting as I was riding along and I let out a screech because it hurt like hell! I was riding with Jim who stopped with me to investigate. He said it looked like something had taken a big bite out of me. Since it was only 3 miles to the SAG, I soldiered on with only a little complaining. We concluded it was a deer fly that had bit me on my side through my jersey. Anti-sting salve and benadryl cream took care of the pain and the swelling. I know if Gene had included biting flies in his lecture this never would have happened!
The next 12 miles took us over Hurricane Hill (how appropriate) and through the town of Dyersburg. Jim and I stopped for a drink and a snack before we turned on HWY 51S for the final 20 miles. The shoulder was wide, clean (mostly), and dog-free. We were able to ride side by side, talking as the miles flew by. When we got to the motel, it was noon , on the dot (see above).
Bill rode with me a few miles today begging me to put him on my website. I promised to take his picture just to get rid of him. I caught him washing his bicycle (sorely needed) on his knees (just where he belongs). I’m sure he will be delighted for all his friends and loved ones to see this shot. Another bit of information about this handsome southern gentleman that may surprise those of you who THINK you know him. While the rest of us were making our way through the doggy gauntlet dodging the dangerous canines, Bill took another tactic. You will soon see his face plastered in your local Post Office in the Most Wanted display of miscreants. He is now wanted for a Hit and Ride violation.
