|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gentlemen, start your campers... November 7, 2008Leave a comment ;)
Is there a more appropriate greeting to the many NASCAR fans that inhabit the hills and hollows of Alabama? This is stock car country with Talladega being one of the shrines of the sport. Many fans of the sport don't know it, but their favorite driver may be 50 degrees cooler in the cockpit of their race car due to Space Shuttle insulation. Here's a link that discusses the technology transfer. http://ipp.nasa.gov/innovation/Innovation43/ShuttleInsulation.html This is just one example of many that exist in industry and in our everyday lives. I highly encourage everyone to go to the following link and see what else exists that you may have taken for granted. http://seds.org/archive/technology/spinoffs.shtml Our tax dollars at work improving our lives. That was a nice tidbit in lieu of a math problem, don't you think? I am not fond of pedaling through cities, but getting through Tuscaloosa was a breeze. My thanks to the folks at Velo City Pro Cycles for the great directions. Leaving the city southeast on Hwy 82 led to a series of hills that stretched out over the entire 82 miles. And these were not hills for the faint of heart. Most of them ranged from 4-6% grades and they were one after the other. I like hills. I did say that, right? Did I say I like hills for 82 miles? I don't recall that exact statement. This would have been a beautiful ride, except that the shoulder was essentially non-existent for the entire ride. Occasionally the shoulder opened up to a whopping two feet wide, but once again, the highway engineer placed a rumble strip right smack in the middle. I hate rumble strips! As I was pedaling down a relatively flat stretch, just prior to crossing a bridge, I glanced over to my right and saw what I thought was a furry basketball. I quickly pulled my brakes and found myself in a staring contest with a groundhog. At least I think it's a groundhog. If anyone knows differently, please let me know. (John, that's a rare Alabama furry basketball. They only come out after football season). My Dad says its a hedgehog. Since I didn't seen any hedges, I would tend to disagree ;o). I pulled into the County Line Country Store and came across one very spunky "Bama" fan. When I went into the store, Sheila asked me if I was the crazy one pedaling across the country (my Dad had been there before me). When I said yes, she asked if I had a brain. I think I mumbled that I had lost my mind in a earlier state or something of that nature. I told her that I like to capture the images and comments of people I meet along the way, so I convinced her to come outside and pose for a photo. "Roll Tide" she kept saying! "Roll Tide!" Click, "Roll Tide." I think she likes football. At least "Bama" football. I didn't have the heart to tell her my sister went to UT, my brother to Texas A&M and me to the University of Colorado. The entire day I had a cold front lingering behind me, threatening to rain given the dark clouds over my shoulder. It held off for quite a while, only sprinkling occasionally before lunch. The fall foliage was gorgeous and the leaves where being tossed around by a strong tailwind that was preceding the storm front. I crossed over the Cahaba River just as I turned south into Centreville, AL. I was told it is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama. Beautiful sight! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahaba_River My Dad and I stopped for lunch in a small cafe just as we were headed out of town on Hwy 82. The parking lot was packed and we followed a couple of folks into the restaurant. Lots of trucks outside and no place to sit inside. Luckily the two folks we met outside offered us a place at their table. Cliff and Vicky Clemmons were a couple of very nice folks that spoke very highly of the area. Vicky is the author of a recently published book about Bibb County and the Cahaba River. She graciously signed a book for me and I gave her a signed NASA lithograph. That is what is most enjoyable about this ride, meeting the people that make every place special. The rain decided to come down while we were eating and it let up when I stepped outside to get back on the bike. What timing! The hills continued to come and go and traffic kept me on my toes. I continued to find all sorts of gadgets, gizmos and paraphernalia lying beside the highway. I firmly believe that if I stopped for every piece of "Bama" memorabilia that was laying beside the road, I would never get to where I was going. I hope the Crimson Tide football team can hold on to the football better than their fans can hold on to their souvenirs. If not, it will be a short season! I thought the most interesting thing that I have found to date was the Superman costume back in southeast Washington. I think the Halloween Witch has one upped Superman! She must be covering her eyes because she knows the highway doesn't have much of a shoulder! We didn't get a chance to stop in to the Fat Girl's BBQ, but if the sign is any indication of the quality of the food, maybe we should go back. And to close out my ride, passing over Swift Creek was a nice finish. At least it was moving a bit faster than the Bayou back in Arkansas. I was too! Tomorrow I will end around Montgomery and head southeast toward Dothan. It is a more direct route to Florida and should allow me to shorten my ride, such that I can arrive at the Cape by Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed! More Images: ;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
5 Comments
Nov 8, 2008 6:55 am - Joe Huwaldt wrote : Yep, it is a Gound Hog. It is also a hedgehog. So you were both right. Believe it or not, they are also known as whistle pigs!
Nov 8, 2008 6:48 am - shawnie wrote : good morning John, I actually spctated my first nascar race in TX last weekend. The Energy my body was shuttered by As I entered the stadium was a rush. I can only imagine the rush you have experience in the endeavors you have taken rather on a bike in the mountains on a down grade or thru space... You're almost there. Yeah!!!
Nov 8, 2008 6:36 am - Ken Orr wrote : Hi John, Yep, that's a groundhog. All of my family originated in Alabama and as a youngster i saw a lot of these critters. They are normally shy so I am surprised to hear it was out in the open. Tell your Dad that an old B-17, The Liberty Belle" was in Austin a couple of weeks ago I got to ride on it over Austin. My view was from the bombardier's perch up front. I thought of you and him as I flew. You would have enjoyed the experience. Have fun and stay safe. Ken Orr
Nov 7, 2008 11:22 pm - Uncle Don wrote : John, Tell your dad that old uncle Don agrees with you. That looks like a ground hog to me. Had one who moved under our little barn for a while. Good trip. God bless. Uncle Don & Aunt Rubye Add a comment: |
 RSS
Follow John on his trek via
Google Earth! 
PLEASE SUPPORT
THESE SPONSORS 
View Clip Now! >> |
Linn Productions.
I hate Rumble Strips too! In Kitsap County, Washington State, our county engineers have placed them on what used to be some excellant shoulders. I have argued with them, but they are mot cyclists and won't listen. I have been following you since you left Neah Bay. Congrats that you are almost there!