A Fork In the Road and Strawberry Fields Forever

Today dawned warm and muggy for the Saturday Morning Leisure Ride. Jim, Lisa, Richard and I rode 36 miles from Clermont circling around to the West. Bernie joined us at North Hall High School with his new TREK 2100 and finished the last section of the ride with us. The wind picked up and was rather brutal for the last 20 miles or so. At least, it did not rain. I would settle for a happy medium of cloudy, no rain, no wind, and 75 degrees.

Here are a couple of our well trained riders making sure no one parks in the "No Parking Anytime" zone at a Murrayville convenience store. In less than 10 days these two will be bicycling in Wisconsin and I don't think they will be complaining about the heat and humidity.

After the ride, Bernie and I made a run looking at a new route around Cleveland that eliminates some of the traffic issues. We were driving along when we came to a Fork In the Road or was that a road bifurcation? We took the road less traveled and that made all the difference.

After getting back home, Debbie was on a roll or shall we say was getting picky. We left almost immediately to go the the strawbery field north of Dahlonega and just a couple of miles north of Lumpkin County High School on the right. I highly recommend it after grazing through the berry patch and picking about 3 gallons of berries. Price is right and they use limited pesticides. There is about this much field to the right also and some across Yahola Creek.

We then decided to make a day of it and drive up through the mountains and came out near Vogel State Park. Mountain Laurel and Flame Azaleas were beautiful.

We came back through Helen and saw the site of the Missing Soles. The picture below are flip flops, etc. that have been recovered from the Chattahoochee River after being lost by tubers.

Bicycle Ride Across Georgia Time Again

Well, it is about 1 week away and we will be leaving for Bicycle Ride Across Georgia 2008. I have prepared much better this year than last with over 1,000 miles ridden so far and another 100 or more still to ride this coming weekend plus a couple of 20's during the week prior. Last year I might have had 500 miles in before BRAG started.

The picture below proves that I have been bicycling for about 57 years although this picture is of yours truly when I was about 8. By then, the bicycle was at least 2 years old and I had already had a major crash into the middle of Texas State Highway 11 in "downtown" Newsome, TX.

What is more amazing, none of us had helmets and I do not remember any kid bashing in his/her head from a wreck although we sure bashed legs and such. Amazing how far bicycles have come and now, some are going retro. The one you see was a 24 inch Western Auto Western Flyer which proably cost $25 or perhaps less. Here is a link for everything you ever wanted to know about Western Auto. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Auto

Anyway, I will be riding BRAG on my Giant OCR2 which is a bit faster and definitely has more hill climbing capability than the Western Flyer although in east Texas, the hills were not that bad in most of area I rode in. We did have a couple of cow trails that went straight up but we usually arranged our rides (just like today) to go down the steep ones whenever possible.

BRAG will leave Emory at Oxford on Sunday, June 8 and end up at St. Simons Island on June 14th. Intermediate stops are Griffin, Macon, Dublin, Hazlehurst, and Jesup. It is not too late to register and join the throngs who will be on the road that week. I, once again, get to sleep next to a SAG driver and this makes my life on the road much easier.

My Daddy Investigates Billy Thrasher Wreck

This is a tribute to Billy Thrasher. I received word this week from his sister Willene that he had passed away a few days ago. Billy's father had passed away in early April so this was a double shock to their family.

Willene sent several pictures of Billy and friends from Pittsburg, TX where my Daddy was Sheriff from 1956 to 1968. Billy's father was an outstanding photographer and helped to encourage me to pursue my interest in photography although I never went professional, it has been a lifelong hobby. Billy and I were in Troop 210 together and had many camping experiences with at least one or two years at the scout camp near Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Best thing I can say after 45 years is that I don't remember anything bad about Billy and I can't say that about everyone.

The picture below is Billy's first wreck and it looks like it was a doozie. Billy is the one leaning with his arm on the tree. Today, there would probably be 4 highway patrol, an ambulance just in case, possibly a fire truck and who knows what else. Back then, to borrow a phrase from the early history of the Texas Rangers. There was only 1 wreck so they only sent 1 person to investigate. You can google the exact wording and history of that if you are interested. If you are from Texas, you should know what the history was.

I am not sure who the other 2 boys are but the guy with the Badge is Sheriff Loveless aka Good Eye. I doubt if he gave Billy a ticket but I am sure that the lecture was worse than a ticket and I suspect that Mr. Thrasher was not too thrilled either.

My dad passed away in 1969 and I am sure he is keeping check on the boys from Pittsburg as they check in through the Pearly Gates. God blessings upon you Billy and your family.

Squirrel Power Outage or The Effects of Demon Rum

Sunday morning started out calmly enough. I threw myself out of bed about 6:40 and got ready to ride. Headed off at 7:12 and got 2/10's of a mile and noticed that something seemed strange. No sunglasses! So, back to the house, got the glasses and headed out again. Rode up to Clermont and back for a 30 mile trip. Was back at the house by 9:30 or there about since Debbie had not left for church at the point.

I had suggested that I could just ride on to church as I was leaving but there was something said that made me think that she did not want me going to the service in my bicycling best. Guess I will have to buy that tuxedo riding jersey to be able to do that. Had to come home, clean up, and use gasoline powered pickup truck to get to church.

Came home after church only to discover that the power was out and one of my squirrel sons was laying below the transformer in, what shall we say, a fried state. Now, I had talked to these squirrels many times about staying up late on Saturday night partying, eating too many snacks, and drinking that demon rum or ale as the case may be. I had told them over and over to stay off the power lines after a rough night of partying but alas, it was of no avail.

The pictures below documents what was going on at the party on Saturday but I do not have a photo of the tight wire walk across the front power line nor of the big boom that resulted when Oscar tried to go from the main to the transformer case without letting go of the main.

Services for Osacar will be held late Sunday evening with interment in the backyard. He leaves behind several brothers and sisters who have been holding a reception at the bird feeder all Sunday afternoon. He was preceeded in death by both parents who fell prey to a large hawk. If you desire visitation, I can arrange to have several of the brothers and sisters shipped to your home if you promise not to send them back.

I know there is one more drop in there. Let me at it!!!

Boys, I'm here to tell you that I can drink anyone under the oak tree. Whaz up or Wharz up?

You will notice that the boys really like Flying Dog Tire Bite also. It is their idea of revenge for the neighborhood dogs who chase them back into the trees. I hope they have learned their lesson from the passing of Oscar and will mend their evil ways.

Saturday Morning Leisure Ride

Jim, Lisa, and I rode 40 miles per my GPS and 41 per Jim and Lisa's computers. Was a nice ride from Clermont out and about up to Cleveland and back. Picture below is a strip of beautiful Poppies on Ransom Free Road which just seemed to jump out at you due to the brilliant color.

When we were on Black Road, a horse (I presume a stallion) seemed to be protecting his harem. He came toward us in a somewhat ticked off manner but had to stop at a creek and did not cross it. He then proceeded to communicate something to us that would make me think he would kick our rear if we came in his pasture. Everything you ever wanted to know about horse communications is next.

How Do Horses Communicate?
Horses make a variety of sounds, including neighing, whinnying, nickering, squealing, and grunting. These sounds can express a range of emotions. A short whinny is usually a warning call, and a long whinny is an expression of contentment.
Horses also use their bodies to communicate their emotions and moods. This is called body language. For example, before a fight, a horse may stamp the ground with a front foot or rear up on its hind legs.
Other forms of body language include the head and tail. When a horse has its ears pinned back and it reaches its head toward you, it’s sending the message, “Stay back or I may bite you.” When it has its ears forward and its head held high, it may be wondering, “What is this object in front of me?” When a horse swishes its tail, it may be communicating that it is irritated or feeling ill. In the stable, pawing the ground with front feet may be the horse’s way of sending the message that “I want to go out.”

After we finished the ride, we made a trip to Ricks in Cleveland for lunch only to discover that it is no longer open on Saturday. So, as might be expected, we ended up at the our old reliable, Creekside Deli, where a nice lunch was had by all.

Wes's Graduation or The Kids Are All Off the Payroll

Saturday, May 10th, 12:00 noon marked the exit of the last Loveless from college. Wes graduated for University of West Georgia with honors and a Bachelor of Science in Geology.

The proud graduate

Laura, Wes, and Kyle - all 3 graduates

The family picture - Kyle, Kathy, Wes, Debbie, Laura, Phil

We paid how much and all we have to show for it is a blue folder and two pieces of paper!

What else should be on the top of the mortar board for a geology major? Dual meaning though since Wes is also a drummer for a band. Anyone needing a geologist or a band for an event, let me know.

Team Get Clean Jersey Debut

The long awaited Team Get Clean bicycle jersey was completed today by my friend, Trent Gaites, owner of Sportworx here in the Gainesville area. Get Clean is the Shaklee cleaning product line that has no toxic chemicals in any of the products. Thanks to Roger Barnett, owner of Shaklee, for allowing me to use the Get Clean clip art to create the jersey. Anyone wanting one should contact me and we can arrange with Trent to get your size and shipping address.

I wore it for the first time on the Lula Assembly of Praise 20 mile ride today. This ride was for the pastor, Scotty Poole, to be able to say he rode since he graduates from college tomorrow and would not be able to ride during the LAP Century. I was not going to be there due to Wes graduating from college. Friends Jim and Lisa Hancock also rode and could not be there on Saturday due to a family reunion.

We rode the route that brings us back up Moccasin Gap Road to Old Cornelia Highway and I averaged about 14.3 or so. One point on Moccasin Gap was 14% grade. At the end, for a couple of us, there was the special treat. Daisy had made her world famous chicken salad and I got my after ride meal (at least the sandwich) before leaving for the house. The chicken salad makes the ride worth it.

Matthew from TEAM UCBI was the ride leader. He rode the route on a single speed and did not have to walk up any of Moccasin Gap. I'm impressed!!! He even beat me in a short sprint going into Gillsville. Youth versus Age!

Team Occisus Via Would Be Proud

I rode an almost Metric Century today - missed it by about half a mile but 'twas close enough for government work. Left from the Clermont Library and made it to Cleveland for lunch at The Creekside Deli. Left there and rode almost to Murrayville before cutting back across to Mt. Vernon and over to Clark's Bridge. You can look at the route - I took too many roads to give a complete description.
http://www.allsportgps.com/Data/ActivityDisplay.aspx?tripId=149683
I had ridden the route near Murrayville last week and noticed this poor stuffed cow on the side of the road. It was in front of a house so I thought a child had just left it out there. Today, the poor animal was still there so I rescued it. It will, after a bit of cleaning up, be my primary animal on BRAG this year. A true "Rescued Cow" if ever there was one. As you can tell, it is missing one horn and upon closer inspection when I got home, it is missing its tail also. Bandaids will be in order unless someone can create and sew on a horn and tail.
In honor of one of my favorite ice cream brands, I am naming it Blue Bell. I hope Team Occisus Via from Columbia, SC will be proud of one of its ornery members.

Saturday morning (No, it was not raining at the start for those who went the week before), Richard Coggins and I rode from Lula doing the Lula to Yonah Homer Road route and over to Gillsville and back. About 4 miles into the ride, it started to sprinkle a bit but nothing serious. The rain seemed warmer than the weather. Much of the ride had wet roads but we missed the showers that wet them down. Given what the weather looked like early Saturday, the weather turned out to be much ado about nothing by the middle of the afternoon.
Next weekend, May 10th, is the Lula Assembly of Praise Century or shorter. I will be attending the graduation of my son Wesley at the University of West Georgia so won't make the ride. It is not too late to sign up at http://www.habershambicycles.com/. The meal after the ride is worth the fee, especially if my memory serves me right, Kelly makes that chicken salad again.