This is where I left the Camera...on the trunk.
Backup Plan: I stopped to take pictures and left my camera case on the trunk of car…telephoto lens, 3 or 4 memory cards, and camera battery charger. Discovered this little mishap about 75 miles later. Regretfully, but dutifully, I went back and found what I expected…nothing. I am still hoping someone will call to let me know they found it. New distance: 25-30 miles.
Way Back Backup Plan: Stopped about 14 miles from Tennessee line…nice distance 28 miles round trip. In winter, it takes at least 20 minutes to get bike AND self ready to ride and about 15 minutes to reverse the process. Well, I am all decked out and ready to ride…this time WITH my water bottles. I take off up a HUGE bridge with a grade of at least 15%...well, would you believe at least 2.5%? And it is verrry cold. Up and down the hills…seemed like mostly up. I did see a couple pushing their bikes up the hill that I was going down...one to dread on return. After about 8 miles, I am convincing myself it is way too cold to go the other 6 miles. And, seriously, there is something very distressing (surely there is a stronger word than that) about leaving a warm car with few cars on the road and a nagging fear of a flat tire or worse. The distress is so acute, I was more than easily convinced I should go back. Had no trouble making it up the dreaded mountain—actually a 6% grade which went on and on and on for more than a quarter of a mile! I made it back safely and regretted not having gone the rest of the way. Still, I have touched the wheels in another state.
Bridge over the Tennessee River.
I’m beginning to think riding in every state might be a worthy goal…100 miles will take a long time and I am getting older! We’ll see what the summer holds.
I arrived in Cincinnati about 11 p.m.
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