Dalton, Georgia

Quiet night in the toolies. Except for the constant sound of like rain pattering on the oak leaves. Pattering sound was caused by caterpillars eating the leaves and passing the leftovers via gravity impacting leaves below. Leaves are chewed full of holes. Some leaves are vein skeletons. Might learn about the chewers.

Watched first of 4 discs of Ken Burn’s Civil War educating me about this part of US history and of where I am now. Dalton has Civil war history.

Drove to mid point of Pinhoti on rt 136. Nice parking lot w/ sign, “No camping in parking lot”, which is why i didn’t stay there. Another CXT double holer made in Spokane outhouse. Only rig in lot for a Monday. Overcast & forecast of possible showers. Replaced wind jacket w/ rain coat.

Pedaled out and up. This part of the trail is the most rugged. It is an old hiking trail that was to be part of the Applachian trail but a right of way thru valley could not join parts together. Trail is rocky of  Appalachia character.

Pinhoti trail mellower rock gardens
Pinhoti trail mellower rock gardens

The DW link on my new Turner Spot allows me to pedal thru these gardens when I have the right combination of energy & strength to churn the cranks which, incidentally appear to be tight. Forest is leafed out obscuring sunlight which sometimes makes reading trail tread and line choices difficult. But this is what riding is all about. Ride it after the leaves have fallen have it’s issues in that the trail is covered w/ dry fallen leaves are slippery and that hide the nasties. Views are great.

Rode the almost 15 miles of trail in 2 hours 16 min, 2660′ climbed then dropped down onto paved road for 10 miles road ride back to van. Part  way along sprinkles fell. I considered these as a shot across the bow and put on my rain jacket. Sprinkles quit and later I stowed my jacket.

Georgia spring, ridge is where trail travels
Georgia spring, ridge is where trail travels

Back @ TH. Loaded up & used GPS to create route to Dalton. Scenic drive, pretty in its own way. It is what it is. Wandered a bit resurrected memory to find Bear Creek Bike. Memory flashes succeeded and I parked out front. Walked in & Shane, the owner greeted me by name. Kinda picked up from where we left off from last year. He has the Chris King bottom bracket grease tool, one of few shops I have found. Actually he installed the original bottom bracket in the old Spot. Tues. I get new grease. Shane will call in “tired” to his shop on Wed and guide me a ride on another part of the Pinhoti on, or near Bear Creek, the namesake of his shop. Shane offered the back of his shop as a sleep spot which I accepted.

Prior to posting up for the night i visited a bustling fitness facility for an $8.00 shower. I do have a few spots of poison ivy.

Poison ivy coverage varies. Arkansas was very heavy, the plants had smaller leaves. Tanasi had fewer plants. Pinhoti has more than Tanasi but the leaves are huge, almost oversized.

Today is putzing around as forecast calls for showers and I need the grease. Will be too late to drive out to furthest start of Pinhoti and ride out & back. Besides that part of trail is not as exciting.

The June issue of BikeMag is not in retail stores yet. Apparently those who have read the article about me receive the magazine via mail.

Update:

Hung in bike shop. Shane lubed my bottom bracket and tightened the screws holding the rear derailleur; when they are loose a creak occurs. I knew that, I just hadn’t chased down the creak. I was gifted a small amount of that wonderful peach moonshine. Enjoyed a few sips, tasty and possibly deadly. Paula raced the Cahutta 100 miles. She had a rain jacket

Called River City cycles in Chattanooga and learned that they have the new issue of BikeMag. Ronald, the owner, answered the phone. He read the cover lines to describe the issue, he said the one that has “Craig’s list”. Alright. Chattanooga is about 40 mins away. Just a jaunt and I drove it. Had some thought of riding Raccoon while I was in town, however several violent rain squalls put an end to that thought. Hung @ this shop for some stories. An employee rode the 100 mile Cahutta race last Sunday, he had a rain jacket also. Read the article by Chris Lesser and the photos by Dawn Kish. Chris made a story of me. The double page picture taken by Dawn is killer.

Drove back down in wind gusts to Bear Creek, sleeping behind shop.

Tomorrow Shane leads me on a ride near Mulbery Gap on the Pinhoti near his family cabin where he played as a kid. Knowledgeable local rider leads touron in the wilds of Georgia.

Listening to the Mariners & KC on XM.

Off to watch video 2 of Civil War.

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