Didn’t sleep deeply last night but I was cramp free. Warm night, no down blanket till early in AM. Did internet stuff @ Bear Creek bike shop parking lot.
Bought $1.95 / gal diesel in Dalton b4 leaving.
Today is rest day to let heart rest from 2 hard days of riding. researched Chat. bike shops for chain rings. Found East Ridge open, w/ rings, & on way to Huntsville, AL. Just badgered wrench on difference or same between Shimano XT and the lower LX which is what they had for sale. Bought baby & mid rings and decided to run the drive train as is until chain starts to skip on cluster and replace the whole bundle at that time. Rode Snake Gap w/o skipping.
Into Alabama, drove a bit of back woods 2 lane until hit big road into town. Decided to camp @ Monte Santo SP for tonight and learn lay of land tomorrow.
Called Tim Barnack whom I met @ race. We set up a ride for Tuesday. Called Gracie and wished her happy Birthday plus 1. We chatted thru 3 dropped calls and set up a ride for tomorrow. She called back and told me she found a place for me to stay.
Pulled into XG and was greeted by XG host. He put me in a primitive spot which is what I wanted. A former XH host stopped by later and told me these sites were for tents only, no campers and that the ranger would make me move. Before I could move the host arrived and told me the news and said that because of their mistake they were putting me up in the high priced sites for free. So I am overlooking lights of Huntsville.
XG host has a very old mtn bike and asked for my help in fixing a problem he had with it because he saw my bike on the van. Solved that problem and raised the seat for him. Big smile on his face w/ the higher seat.
The peach flavored branch water is soooo good but so little. No tequila smell or taste there.
Warm day into mid 70s, window down, vents open. Put the sweater away, shorts to appear soon.
Monte Santo trails are technical w/ lots of rocks and a bit of vertical. Will learn of my skills tomorrow.