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Tallahassee

What snow?

By Gruber Images

February 12^th, 2014

The storm is coming!

We were pretty disappointed to see what our final week in Athens had in store for us in terms of weather - rain, sleet, snow, a potential catastrophic storm. Just as I had resigned myself to a week of work (not a bad thing), a text came from Thomas and Morgan: How about Tallahassee? Tallahassee is Morgan’s hometown and is a five hour drive south of Athens, and for this week, about 35 degrees warmer. Instead of ice and snow and work, we’d be riding in shorts and a jersey with friends. How could we say no? The only question left was the big mystery to me - how was the riding? Everything I’d ever seen or experienced in terms of riding bikes in Florida was awful. I assumed the worst, but I was ok with it - it would be warm, and we’d be riding and hanging out with Morgan and Thomas. I could deal with so-so roads.

Wrong-o

It took about twenty seven seconds to figure out an obvious fact: Tallahassee is a happy place for bike riders, especially for those that bring a sense of adventure packed in their bags. Quiet country roads, Spanish moss draped over everything, long forgotten buildings, crumbling plantations, and dirt - miles and miles of smooth, hard-packed, orange dirt.

Morgan's Route

Thomas is generally the route maker. He’s thorough in his research, his sense of adventure is always in attendance, he makes sure that store stops are placed at opportune moments (one every two or three hours), he’s creative, and there are generally no nasty surprises either - like dead ends and roads that don’t exist. For this ride though, Morgan took the reins. Morgan isn’t quite as thorough as Thomas, which could have been a problem, and almost was…but it wasn’t. Morgan made a route for us that took us on some very special roads, including a long section on private property, where the ‘road’ became only what appeared to be semi mowed grass. We grew slightly worried for a period, but continued to follow the line on our Garmins to great success. When in doubt, follow the line.

What are these photos about?

It was fantastic though. The best part? At one point, while bouncing along the mowed grass in the woods, we were wondering where the next turn was, and Ashley says - turn right after the next tree. This one? No, not that one, the next one! We should have paid more attention though - there were ‘street’ signs hammered into the pine trees. Of course.

Exit

I’ve clamored over many fences and gates and walls and other obstructions, but yesterday was the first time I’ve climbed a fence to get BACK to the normal road.

Morgan, Thomas, and Ashley all passed through or under the fence without an difficulty. I wasn’t interested in that, so I climbed over it - or at least tried to. The fence promptly broke…so I just walked through. Ashley shook her head - why do you always break everything, Jered? It’s because I’m so fat and clumsy.

Store Stop?

At a certain point, we were ready for a store stop, but Morgan forgot that the store had closed a few years ago. Not a problem. We filled up our bottles from a church spigot and took a moment to sit down, eat some rice cakes, and swing.

What are these photos about?

Wood

There’s not much going on in Metcalfe, Georgia, except for wood - lots and lots of wood…and a horse in a dirty pond.

back to work

Pavement ends! Oh dear.

Oh yes.

The dirt was great. We even got some muddy and sandy sections - anything to keep it interesting.

then it got really pretty

What are these photos about?

Finally, a store stop

Ashley was in desperate need.

Back to the grass

Just when we thought it was over, and the day was done, we turned off the main road with less than five miles remaining and ended up on a mountain bike trail back into Tallahassee. The field section was great. It required much hard pedaling. Ashley, in an especially cracked state, was extremely appreciative. I’m sorry, Ashley…but it was fun.

That's all.

Tallahassee is awesome. We’re having a blast, and since it’s raining today, I’m actually doing some work. Except, I’m not. I got distracted with this little project. I promise, I’ll do work after this. Tomorrow? Back to the bike - Thomas made the route already. Can’t wait.