Miles Traveled: 73
Average Speed: 11 mph
Elevation Gain: 4,200 feet
Maximum Speed: 40 mph
Mike crossing the Tennessee River.
The day started off quiet and easy-going. Mike did some sight-seeing at various parks along the route. The weather was perfect. He planned to go about 50 miles. As promised by the Adventure Cycling Association, Mike has begun to see a lot of dogs. Tuesday he saw the most dogs of any day of his trip so far. Dog chases are a hallmark of the route (and an ironic similarity to the Underground Railroad of pre-Civil War days). So far he hasn’t been bitten.
He has, however, gotten lost for the second time -- this time pretty severely. Opting to keep on peddling past Mousetail Landing State Park, Mike found himself in Pineview and somehow he got himself lost in the hilliest portion of the community for about two hours. Some hills were so big he had to get off and push his bike.
There were no hotels in sight, so around 7 p.m. or so. Mike started to scout out yards and fields where he could perhaps pitch his tent. Fortunately, Mike’s good luck held true on day eight! After climbing a particularly nasty hill, he stopped to talk to a family out in their yard, asking if they knew any members of the local church. The family was working to finish a house, but next door, they also owned a one-room cabin. And after hearing of Mike’s cycling plight, they offered to let him stay in the cabin for the night.
For the ninth night in a row, Mike found someone to lend him a roof over his head. That puppy is awfully interested in Mike's stuff!
No comments:
Post a Comment