Again we were the last out of the parking lot. Both Nigel and Alex had flats they fixed after breakfast. We got going down the wide lanes of Greenwood - your typical Generica (Generic America) town. All the standard stuff - McDonald's, Walmart, strip malls, etc. After a whole bunch of turns we got into a rhythm. Keith pulled us along. He is an excellent rider and is so smooth it is like he is on rails. Everyone, including the "other fast guys" were at the first rest stop. We made the stop quick and left with them. Alex, Keith, and I picked up the pace to get some time on them. But not too much time. Jay was manning the second checkpoint. We made it quick again, and the other guys pulled in as we left.
We rolled up and down the gently graded hills. For the most part, we went through pine tree forests. As we neared (but did not go to) the town of Aiken, there were more and more horses out in the fields. Large slated wood fences held beautiful green fields and horses within them. I've heard that this area is popular for racing horses to winter.
Lunch was sandwiches again. Some pears and another excellent chocolate chip cookie for dessert. The other guys pulled in while we were eating. There were lots of pesky gnats bothering us.
We got to the next rest stop and had some snacks. Average speed on the bike was 20.3 mph for 120 miles. Had dinner at Pizza Hut. I had a whole medium pizza. Orangeburg is kind of a dump. The dog situation in South Carolina is a lot better than the days we've had since Missouri, where it seemed like every yard had a loose dog with a penchant for chasing bicycles.
Tomorrow's motel is supposed to be at a nice place on the beach. Tomorrow is the last day! We are all going to regroup at mile 100 and ride the last five miles in together. We may have to get a six-pack of beer to kill the time as the slow riders come in. Or we may just tone it down.
Tomorrow is the end.
Tuesday, October 3, 2000
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)