Summary
Distance: 152 miles
Elevation gain: 3,800 feet
Type: Out and back
Trailhead: Paved lot. (map)

It’s been a while since I’ve done a birthday ride, and, given the work I put in getting fit for the Georgia Loop, this seemed like a good year for a long ride. My previous birthday rides were in 2007 and 2008. Those rides were 200 miles long. I’m fit this year, but not as fast as I was back then, so I set a goal of 150 miles.

I did this ride, and the previous rides, on the Silver Comet trail in Georgia and the Chief Ladiga trail in Alabama. The trails meet at the border.

These trails are rails-to-trails projects, and it’s really nice not having to deal with cars. Another benefit is that there are water stops available every 15 to 25 miles. While most of the ride is on an abandoned rail bed, some of the Silver Comet needed to be constructed on other property. The result is a few pretty steep hills which can be challenging.

This year, the weather was really hot and the humidity was high too. I struggled to be able to pedal at my normal pace, and ended up accepting what I could do for the conditions at hand. Instead of 15 or 16 mph, I was at 12 or 13 mph for some of the day. The heat just sapped my strength.

In spite of my issues with the heat, it was a good day. 150 is a lot of miles, and, for me, spending that much time on a bike takes the ability to get into a certain frame of mind. I need to be able to get into the moment, and just pedal. It’s kind of a meditative state. I am totally relaxed while enjoying the rhythm of pedaling.

Continue reading “Bike Ride – Smynra, GA to Piedmont, AL” →