Natchez Trace - Day 2 -- Raymond to Carthage MS

The 4:30 AM alarm clock came very early.  Breakfast at 5:00 AM had us on the Trace around 6:00 AM.  This approach provided us lower morning temperatures and had us finished by noon time.  That resulted in a a less intense heat and better conditions than yesterday.

Early Morning Load Before Sunrise

Howard Sports His John Deere Green

Today's route and data - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90716057

The sun was still coming up as we headed out for another 61 miles.  Today's route passed through the outskirts of Jackson, the Ross Barnett Reservoir, and followed the Yockannookany River.  Historical stops included the Dillion Cemetery, Battle of Raymond, and Boyd Burial Mounds.

The New Morning Ritual ... Unload and Go

Sunrise Over the Trace

Alex and Jeff (Sporting Jeff's Club Jersey)

 The Geldings and our Philly rode sweep and imagined that Toronto Mark and Dave were at the end of our pace lines. It was just like old times ... great pulls, fast times, and lots of conversation.  We spent time lots of time with Ellen, Leo, and Rod too.

Jeff ... The 2nd Half of J&J Bicycle Trips, Inc.

Alex Always Has a Big Smile

Serene Early Morning Miles

Three Foot Rule Gives Us Some Room

Karen and Aila set up a great SAG overlooking the reservoir.  The whole crew assembled at one point and the atmosphere was very relaxed.  The vanilla extract spray that Karen provided eliminated the nasty gnats and the temperature was very tolerable.  Lots of great shots at the SAG and following the reservoir.

Gelding Reunion ... Thinking of Mark and Dave

Mom and Daughter

One of the Girls of ABB Calendar (Ellen)

The Reservoir

Joe

Alex

Me

We stopped for a nice walk along the Cypress Swamp trail. No gator sitings today, although Rod saw a big splash tha might have been one or at least a big turtle.  The temperature climbed close to 100 degrees as we made the final push past the Upper Choctaw Boundary.  I am always amazed at how poorly we treated the Indians and took away their land.  A classic Gelding pace line made short work of the final 15 miles and had us loaded for the hotel just after Noon.

Jeff Leading A Parade?

Cypress Swamp Trail

Gators Were Hiding Today

 A relaxing afternoon (nap included) led to a nice dinner at the Olive Garden.  To say the food on this trip is better than all the cross country buffets we hit last summer is an understatement.  I am hopefully going to bed by 10 to catch up on my sleep ... same 5AM breakfast and 6AM start to beat the heat.  Donations keep coming ... I will post a full list soon.  Thanks to everyone who has supported or followed me the past year.

Good night moon ... good night Geldings (miss you Mark and Dave) ... good night heat ... good night supporters ... good night friends ... good night blog.

Natchez Trace - Day 1 -- Natchez, MS to Utica, MS

Temperatures were forecast to break 100 degrees by noon, so we asked the hotel to put out out breakfast by 6. It seemed like old times as we scurried around packing the cars and fueled up for the first day on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Natchez Trace, also known as the "Old Natchez Trace", runs 440 miles from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee and links the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. The path was created and used for centuries by Native Americans, and was later used by early European and American explorers, traders and emigrants in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Geldings - Jeff, Me, and Joe ... One Year Later (A Big Hello to Mark & Dave)

Rod and Helen are All Smiles at 6AM

Shirley has Become an Avid Cyclist ... Way to Go Howard

Leo Rides Those Tiny Wheels Again

News Flash ... Steve is Finally Riding with Real Shoes!

The start of the parkway was a short two miles from our hotel.  It is easy to spot me in the group shot below ... I am the only dumby that forget my ABB Across America jersey.  This is after all an ABB reunion ride ... oh well.  The parkway does not allow commercial traffic and at 7AM on a Sunday it was like a bike path that occasionally allowed cars ... we saw only a handful along the almost 70 mile section we rode today.

Mile Post 0

The Team Photo ... Where's Mark (Duh!)

There are numerous opportunities to stop along the Trace and see historical sights.  The trees provided some shade and the early time kept the temperatures tolerable the first 30 miles or so.  I rode with Steve for awhile and caught up on his May ride of the Trace with John, Dan, and Bill.  What a difference a month makes ... when Steve rode in May the temperatures barely reached 70.  Today we started higher than that and climbed into the triple digits.  We stopped at mile post 10 to see the Emerald Mound, built around 1300 by the ancestors of the Creek, Choctaw and Natchez Indians.  Rod joined us a short time later.  At mile 15 we stopped for water and a look at Mount Locust, a restored 1780 inn (the only surviving inn on the Trace). When we were moving, the temperature was reasonable, but when we stopped, you could feel the heat and the gnats were all over you.  Some local riders told us to get vanilla extract as the gnats don't like it.

Joe Coordinated a Great Ride

Alex at an Early Stop ... We Need Vanilla for These Gnats

Mount Locust

Rod and I rode the next 25 miles to our SAG stop.  Karen and Aila had set up a great little spread with all the traditional ABB accouterments.  The temperature was really stating to climb.  Several bottles of water and Gator Aide later we were off ... not before Steve came and went with most of the gnats following him!  The next 10 miles really saw the heat take it's toll.  My Garmin showed 99 when we stopped at the Sunken Trace.  This original portion of the path  was about 10 feet down and had been shaped by erosion and thousands of footsteps.  A quick photo opp and we were back in the heat. 

Typical Shot of The Road ... Lots of Moss on the Trees

Rod ... My Riding Partner for Most of the Day

Me at Sunken Trace

A slow but steady grind brought us to mile post 52 and the Owens Creek Waterfall.  Karen was thankfully waiting with cold water and ice. I packed some ice in my bandanna and it made a huge difference.  My body temperature dropped 5-10 degrees and enabled me to pick up a lot of energy to battle the now 100+ degree heat.  My Garmin read 105 in the open areas.  Rod and I had our eyes out for Aila and the ending mile post 66.  The ride covered 71 miles, almost 2,000 feet of gentle climbs, and lots of calories burned.  You can see the route and data at:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90498627.

It was good to rest and drink some more as we waited for some of the others to arrive for the car ride back to Jackson. Leo was next to arrive. Helen was driving 2nd SAG and brought Ellen up the last few miles to beat the heat. Aila drove us back to Jackson were we will spend two nights.

Happy to be Out of the Heat

Happy Campers ... Two Nights at the Same Hotel or Done for the Day?

I relaxed and napped before dinner at Mugshots.  Tauted as the nest burger around, it took a a few tries to find it.  The service was not so great, but the food and company made up for it.  Another laughter filled evening before settling into the room for blogging and sleep.  With another day of intense heat, we are planning on a 5AM breakfast tomorrow.  This should get is off the road by noon before the heat really intensifies.

While the heat took its toll, we all had a great day.  It was like old times and the routine has already been established.  Another great day awaits ... drink some water for me.

Goo night moon ... good night trace ... good night SAG (big thanks to Karen and Aila) ... good night heat ... good night riders ... good night alarm clock (4:30 will come quick).

Natchez Trace - Day -1 -- Natchez, MS

The Route for the Week

A leisurely breakfeast followed by bike and baggage loading had us on the road by 8:30.  It was already almost 80 degrees when we headed out from Nashville for the 8 hour car ride to Natchez.  The theme of the week will be heat and hydration.  Ice filled bandannas will be the order of the day.

Loaded Up and Ready To Go .. 3 Serottas (and Bike Friday)

The ride passed quickly with more fun conversation, a few stops, and three digit temperature readings.We cruised past the Nashville skyline and the terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway (we will end there next Saturday) before settling in to lots of highway miles. The bike ride starts tomorrow and follows the route shown above.

Nashville Skyline ... See You in a Week

I am Sweating Just Thinking About It

Conversation, memories, and laughter helped pass the time quickly and we made it to Natchez by 5PM.  The route took us past Nashville and Memphis, TN and Tupelo and Jackson, MS.  I waved a big hello to the birthplaces of the King and my brother-in-law Bob.  Bob would have been able to tell me all the history of the area and details of each stop I will make this week.  I hope he is looking down on my ride with a smile.

Miss You Bob ...

Most of the group had already arrived and after check in we got together for Joe and Jeff's first "route wrap".  The ride includes myself, Helen, Alex, Leo, Joe, Jeff, Steve, Rod, Ellen, Howard, and Shirley.  We are blessed to also have Joe's wife Karen and Jeff's wife Aila who will be driving two of the SAG vehicles.  We will take turns with the third one (my Jeep).

Route Wrap with Karen, Joe, and Aila

Jeff Sports the ABB Reunion Ride T

Iron Man Steve and College Grad Alex

Shirley, Howard, and Ellen

Dinner was at the King's Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in Natchez (dates back to 1769).  It had a Williamsburg feel to it.  We all caught up and recollected some of the more memorable events of last summer.  New memories await.  Natchez sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and is filled with magnificent antebellum homes.  It has a classic southern charm.

King's Tavern ... See Any Ghosts

Rod Checks Out Tonight's Menu ... I Had Stuffed Flounder

Natchez - 300 Years of History

Lots of Amazing Southern Mansions

Spanish Moss ... Great Architecture

With the 100 degree heat, we plan to try and get on the road by 6:30.  My plan is to enjoy the scenery and company and stay hydrated.

Donations have started to really pour in ... $3,500 and counting.  A big thanks to the following Gold level donors: Loretta Letke, Peter Moore, Kathi Kohlmeyer, Christine Hood, Cheryl West, Anne Rossi, and Gopal Vembar.  Their generosity will help make a big difference in the fight on lung disease.  Donations can be made at Donate to 2011 Ride. 

Good night moon ... good night heat ... good night ghosts (King's Tavern has few they say) ... good night ABB reunion riders ...good night shiny bike ... it starts again tomorrow.

Natchez Trace - Day -2 -- Nashville, TN

The goal: bicycle 1,000 during June to to make a difference in the lives of families fighting lung disease and to increase awareness on the importance of lung health.

The ride, Part 1:  450 miles along the Natchez Trace Parkway (from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee) with 10 of my cross country riding mates from last summer.

I covered a lot of miles today, but all in the car.  Just shy of 700 miles from Columbia, Maryland to Nashville, Tennessee.  I left perfect weather to find 95+ degrees and high humidity as I drove further south.  The drive was long, but easy, and provided me the first chance to clear my head in a long while.  Work has owned my the last eight months and the break will is long over due. 

Even with work, I have managed to stay pretty focused on my training and have logged 2,200 miles for year (half of that was inside on the trainer).  Simpler goals, simpler training ... more fun?  It will be great to ride with my friends again and see new sights.

I arrived in Nashville around 4PM Central Time.  I only realized about an hour before I got  there that the time zone was changing.  :-)  Leo arrived shortly after that and then Helen and Alex. The four of us are driving to Natchez tomorrow to meet up with the rest of the group.  It was so great to see them.  We shared such a memorable summer in 2010.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Ellandale's in Nashville and talked and laughed about our trip, the upcoming week, and just "stuff". 

Tidbits ... Leo just got back from a trip to Turkey and Iran.  He and his wife now have two owls living with them in Austin.  Alex just graduated from Occidental in Los Angeles and has big plans to move to Chile in the Fall.  She plans to spend the summer riding with her mom.  Helen is a true multi-tasker and continues her blog, lots of bike rides, working at the lab her dad started, caring for her mom, and being a great mother.  She celebrates her 25th wedding anniversary soon too! I was quick to snap a picture of Helen before she could even break out her cameras.  My blog has words ... hers has art and substance.  The evening was the perfect start to what  should be a great week.  Some pictures:

Helen, Me, & Alex

The First Photo Opp

Leo and Alex ... Great Food, Great Friends

Here's to a Great Week!

Like my training, my fundraising goals and efforts are simpler this year too.  After raising an amazing $17,000 last year, I set my sights on $3,000 this year.  My friends, family, and business associates continue to amaze me.  The ride has not even started and we are already at $3,500.  Each donation helps families struggling with lung disease and enables the American Lung Association to save lives, search for cures, keep kids off tobacco, and fight for laws that protect the air we all breathe.   Donations can made online at Donate 2011.  Thanks so much for helping! Together, we are improving life, one breath at a time.

Over the course of the month I will highlight my donors.  Two long-time supporters have again joined the effort with amazing corporate level donations.  Prashant Arni and his team at Lancesoft, Inc. provide global IT services and solutions to Fortune 1000 companies in a wide range of technologies including application/systems development, management outsourcing, ERP & CRM services, quality assurance services and web applications.

Sanjeet Harpalani and his staff at Dimensional Concepts specialize in business intelligence, data management, and data analytics.  They have significant expertise in health care IT and work with both government and corporate clients.  Thanks again to Prashant and Sanjeet!

Watch my blog for all the fun, sweat (it is suppose to be 95+ everyday), miles, food, and donors.  A sspecial thanks to my wife Karen for letting me go on this trip right in the middle of major remodel of all four of our bathrooms.  Hang in there babe ... 

Good night moon ... good night jeep ... good night heat ... good night Leo (my roomie tonight) ... good night Leo (my father-in-law and inspiration) ... good night Dad ... good night Natchez ... here I come.