Dolly's Bike Blog

Our Rest Day is in Point South with little resources in the area:  Wendy’s Subway, McDonald’s, a knife outlet.  After sleeping in – all the way until 7 a.m. – and having breakfast at Denny’s (associated with the hotel), a group of us wandered to the Frampton Plantation, the Low Country Visitor’s Center nearby.

While the Plantation turned out to mostly be a gift shop and pamphlet outlet, I did run into Sue Decker’s daughter from Northminster – small world!  She is touring in Savannah and Charleston with friends.

Net I wrote thank you cards, did laundry, wrote emails, cleaned and worked on my bike, lounged with cycling friends – but I was BORED!

So I decided to go for a ride, first to Carolina Cider Company, less than a mile down the road, then on to Old Sheldon Church Ruins.  The lighting in the photos isn’t great, due to cloudy skies, but these were grand ruins.

Ended up with 16.92 bonus miles today.

As we set out this morning for the longest ride so far (c. 71 miles), I was overwhelmed by the cool air, the lush green of the grass and trees, the blueness of the sky.  I kept thinking of the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth”, though of course I couldn’t remember all of the verses (For the beauty).   It was truly a glorious morning.  My early-to-bed of the night before and a Claritin tablet gave me new life and I rode especially strong for the first 36 miles (average 13.7  mph).

At the Cylo Trading Post, Nancy I. and I took a break and met Catherine, on her way to church.  She was hugging and kissing all the riders – and meowing, as her nickname is Cat.

At about mile 39 we crossed the Savannah River into South Caroline – no Welcome sign, so we had to use a highway sign to confirm a new state.

Our pace had slowed somewhat but Nancy and I were riding strong.  Next historical marker was at Robertville.  There we found Ann M. and Mary B., strong riders who had attended this church, having arrived just as services started (we arrived just as services ended).

Near mile 65 we crossed the Coosawhatchie River (say that 3 times fast) and another historical marker.

Just before our hotel, another historical marker:We are staying at the Best Western Point South for 2 nights.  This is not much more than an exit from I-95 toward Beaufort and Hilton Head, also Parris Island (Marine Corps training facility). As we were cycling along the frontage road, I was reminded of nature’s beauty – and all that the cars and trucks miss as they speed by on the interstate.

My roommate is Marilyn C. from Washington State, who is completing the perimeter of the U.S. with this tour.

With a new state crossing, we had margaritas – and my roommate has special socks for the occasion.

Today’s Mileage: 71.42; average speed 13.2.  Miles from Fort Lauderdale 714.12; from Key West 942.60.

We will definitely be seeing more markers from the Civil War era.

I was somewhat under the weather today, due to inflamed sinuses, likely spring-time allergies.  Chose to ride with my glasses instead of contact lenses, and did a fair number of snot rockets off the bike….

Then I read the post of one of the other riders, Marilyn, a friend from CCST13 – it made me realize what a beautiful day it was:
“Well I don’t know if it’s all those Baptist Churches or because we’re in, arguably, the most god-fearing state of the US, but today I felt positively evangelical. The day started with a beautiful cool and sunny morning and just got better as the day grew. .. It was a joyful ride.
I was in a state of bliss at the wonders of nature – the blue skies and soft clouds, the graceful age-old trees in all their various shapes and forms, the green pastures and the corn and onion fields, the neatly planted rows of orchard trees, the lush green pastures, the birdsong, the vultures circling ahead forewarning of possible roadkill, the vultures (again) for cleaning up the roadkill so I don’t have to see it, the tiny caterpillar attempting to cross a gigantic expanse of bitumen road and risking being hit by car or bike, and the friendlier dogs on route. Then I marvelled at the man-made stuff – the men who forged and paved the smooth roads we were riding on, the road rules that make cars and trucks give us a safe and wide berth, the homesteads and the creative landscaping… ”  She really appreciated the wonder of nature.

Now my photos of the day:

Before going to the hotel, I headed to The Bike Shop, to see about the constant click.  Billy was most helpful and cleaned and lobbed my bottom bracket as well as my pedals – no more strange sounds.  While riding back from The Bike Shop, I wandered through the campus of Georgia Southern University, which is just across the street from our hotel – 20,000 students, though I think many of them have already headed home.

Cue sheet called for 47.3 miles, I ended up with 60.85.  Early bedtime tonight to nurse my runny nose – and prepare for a 70 mile day tomorrow.