Another night interrupted by pounding of rain on the roof. Again, i put the rain cover on before locking myself in. Slept in hoping rain would go away. Nice thing about not having to go anywhere: I could hang in bed all day.
About 7:45 I threw off the covers and looked at rain puddles in parking lot to see if rain drops were landing in them. By now it is a fine drizzle mist.
Fixed scrambled eggs & toast & cup of cold brewed coffee. Still drizzling. Changed into riding clothes.
Truck pulls up w/ 2 bikes on back. Make contact with driver, Bruce. Looks like my kind of rider: Gray hair, wrinkles around the eyes, bifocals, & a Georgia accent. He tells me he is waiting for his buddy. Buddy shows up, John, a VP w/ Turner Broadcast. They know the trails well. I ask to glob on and they say sure.
Rode Tanasi, IMBA epic trails. Bit wet w/ mud. Most trails are machine cut and lack tread challenges. We did ride a short section of old trail that was hand made, closest I have felt to N. Idaho in a long time. Several times we stopped & solved our national problems. In all my rides I have never encountered a Republican. We rode almost the entire system on the mountain. Enjoyable & challenging ride, worth doing again.
4 guys had set up camp @ TH XG. Good to see other riders out. Washed bike off using river h2o.
As I was inside van getting ready to leave 2 more rigs pulled in. AN older guy took pictures of the back of the van. I rolled down window & engaged in conversation. They were both Olympic kayak medalists. The younger guy medaled at this course. They said that this course on the Ocoee was the most natural of all the Olympic course they have paddled. Cool.
Drove down to Cleveland to Scott’s. Purpose was to buy backup brake pads, ask for another shower, and to do laundry. At shop I met Doug, the other brother. Dave was there also. Nice guys, nice shop. No brake pads but a replacement chain & a shower is good.
Did laundry. Clean clothes & body.
Hung at a small business park X street from shop, another special kids program school.
I have a guide for Raccoon Mtn tomorrow. The ride is outside Chattanooga, TN. Forecast is for rain after 1:00. Get ride in & head N to KY border for Big South Fork Rec area.
I am meeting interesting people. The van is a great introduction to me. The number of people who have expressed their wish to do like I am doing is almost as great as the ones asking about the van and what i am doing. But they are talk. I am the one pushing the pedals. Again, I think the key is being by myself. Purely selfish but I believe that’s what makes it easy to meet new people. And people to interact w/ me. I like it.