Against The Wind Weekend Rides

Palmer is on the right and this was his first ride of any distance since having hip replacement surgery. Notice the WW II German Tank Commander helmet - actually this is an 80's bicycle helmet. Bernie, on the left, and I took him from Lula to Gillsville and returned via Hwy 52. He did great and I can tell you that I don't think I would have been out on a bicycle if I had had the same work done on me. Also, Palmer was riding a comfort bike with fat tires which made it even harder plus the wind was blowing 10 to 20 mph during much of the ride back up the hill to Lula.

Bernie and I decided that if he did start having problems, we would inject WD 40 into the new joint and that should cure any problem. Actually, Bernie had a different brand in mind that he says works better but I can't remember the name.

Sunday after church, the urge to ride got the best of me. See this months Bicycling Magazine for a more thorough explanation of my addictive behavior. Anyway, left Quillians Corner and rode up to Clermont and beyond. With the wind blowing 20 and gusting upwards to 30, I thought that I might should stop at Goofy's and have a brain checkup but just kept on pedaling. 10 miles into the wind before getting to turn back south. Got in 28 plus miles for a total of 2301 for the year.

Color is starting to set in along Skitts Mountain Road. This is a favorite spot to watch the change in colors. Skitts Mountain is in the background and is still verdant but should start changing within a couple of weeks. I will post progress photos if I ride that way.

The picture below is from our October 5th hike at Chilhowee Campground. As we were hiking to Benton Falls trail, we came to a sandy spot and spotted a footprint that could only have come from a Big Foot. There were only a couple of prints like something had crossed the trail in front of us. Later, we saw other signs that may well have come from this beast. While we never saw it, one just has to believe that it was there watching us.