Yesterday I boasted of sleeping spots I have found and not being bothered. About 1:30 AM today that string was broken. My bladder woke me up for mid evening pee. I looked out front window and saw headlights w/ a searchlight. Oh, this could be interesting. Lights left the van and circled the building parking lot and finally came to rest on me. I crawled back under the covers to play I’m asleep but the raps on the door were incessant. A flashlight shone in my eyes. I was greeted by a sheriff’s officer. A brief conversation about what i was up to and the request for the driver’s license. Several minutes he came back and said I was cool. We talked a bit and he left me to go back to sleep.
Started raining during the night. Plan is to go to Sunshine cycle in Watkinsville just down the road and maybe I wouldn’t piss anyone off. As I was waiting for the light to turn green @ the shop I saw a pickup leave bike parking lot. I pulled in. Shop person was tardy in showing. He said that the bleed kit was picked up by somebody from the Athens store. Great, return of the crossed wrench. I still shared w/ him a pasrty for just being there.
I drove back into Athens to downtown store bearing my pastry i walked into shop. Josh, the wrench was in good spirits. He had a bike in 1 stand but jumped up and took mine & put it in a stand and started working on it. He worked for hours trying to bleed the brake. He discovered a missing oring so he went to the well to find one, not exactly the same size but close and the brake in the stand worked. I paid $25. for his hours of work.
Drove S of town to do interent work. verizon booted me off & I was unable to get back on.
Heritage Park is outside Oconee NF. My sleeping plan was to drive a logging road back into forest for sleeping spot. Scored. Rain quit but was foggy.
Slept w/ no heat but used doubled down blanket for warmth. Slept in.
Today is short drive to Heritage Park TH. I get there and check out trails from TH. They seem dry. Beautiful day. I decide that I will do my laundry first to allow more drying time. Drove into Watkinsville. I check out Chamber of Commerce: No laundromat in entire county. The receptionist is very helpful and draws me a map of a location up almost on UG campus. I find it. No college kids or anybody. DO wash.
On way to TH I check out an advertised campground to see about a shower. Lady said $5.00 and I am clean. Will wait until after ride.
Drive back to heritage TH and gear up. Tight trails thru trees w/ ups & downs. Maybe 1 lap netted 8.57 miles & 1260′. Concern that my derailleur hanger is bend causing some drivetrain issues. Call Sunshine in Watkinsville and wrench has derailleur hanger straightening tool.
Stop @ XG for shower.
Drive to shop. Hanger is slightly bent and wrench works it as far back as he fells comfortable straightening out the hanger for fear of breaking it. I have an extra one. Said hanger bend could cause my shift issues.
I ordered parts for brake from Formula to be shipped to Ellijay,GA up in N GA mountains.
Beautiful day: blue skies, high cirus clouds for sky filler. Drove back to last night’s spot.
Tomorrow I head back towards SC. Bill is hosting me @ FATS this weekend.
Mail forwarded to Thomson, GA for tomorrow pick up, or Monday on swing back.
Debating about driving all the way back to Brevard, NC and then head W to catch N GA mountains. Such decisions: it’s a financial issue to spend $30.00 to back track for some expected fun w/ guys in Asheville and Brevard.
Last night I looked @ pictures from out west. Nobody has asked to see pictures or really asking about riding anywhere else. In the East riders get off on seeing vistas. I noticed in the west pictures that there is an awful lot of sky. I do not have the eastern vista jag.