Day 3, Bobby Natchez Ride

Today (April 29), the ride was from Tupelo, MS to the Buzzards Roost Spring exit off the Nathez Trace Parkway. Everyone was picked up in the two support vehicles at this exit and taken 14 miles to a motel in Iuka, MS because the highway to get to Iuka was unsafe for bicycling. The pictures shown today are Diane and Jeannie in the smaller support vehicle literally covered in luggage as they chose to not ride today and had to sit among the luggage. The first rest stop was at Pharr Mounds (the other picture) telling the history of these mounds dug and made by people who traveled this area between 1 and 200AD. There are eight mounds ranging from5' to 30' in height. The video features Charles and Diane Fox, two very special people who live in Charleston, SC. They arrange all the food for this Bobby Ride, including today, Okra Gumbo with Shrimp at today's lunch stop! Unbelievable!!!

Bobby Nathez Ride, Day #2

Today the ride was 110 miles from Kosciusko, MS to Tupelo, MS. Weather turned cooler overnight an d when I started at 7:00am it was a very cool 49 degrees. I got ten miles out, was very cold and got in the SAG wagon. These people think Came to watch them ride and to eat. Charles Fox drove SAG today and made lunch you wouldn't believe! Had Okra Gumbo on ride he brought for the trip frozen. Thawed it out on two camp stoves and fed these hungry bicyclist as they arrived at the 70 mile point. It had warmed up and everyone was complimentary of Charles work! Earlier we stopped at French Camp, MS where French Camp Academy is located. My grandfathers brother was head master here as well as my great Aunt Mattie. There was a hall built and named Sanderson Hall for them, but now has been torn down for a better building.

The featured rider today is Larry Pierson, retired from Alabama Dept of Mental Health, a very strong bicycle rider and usually is up front with the fast guys. Larry is featured today because he and I have been kidding each other. Larry is a Univ of Alabama with BS and MS degrees in Socail Work and Special Education and I am graduate of there biggest rival, Auburn University. Larry knows quite well the meaning on "7" and says things will turn around soon. He is probably right. He lives under the shadow of Denny Chimes in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Bobby Nathez Ride Day #1

Day 1 was a 75+ mile ride from Clinton/Jackson, MS to Kosciusko, MS. Passing a man made lake (50 sq miles), the scenery was beautiful. I was picked up by the SAG wagon at 12 miles, my bicycle rear derailleur was skipping, I couldn't get my speedometer nor my heart rate monitor to work, was still tired from the long trip to get here and just didn't have my heart in riding. Charles and Diane had a huge lunch for everyone, see pictures, with table and people sitting in chairs during the lunch stop 50 miles into the ride today. At the motel a table was set up and coolers with beer and all kinds of snacks appeared. These people love to ride and eat!!!

Bobby Natchez Ride, The loading and getting there day

We loaded the van and the trailer "to the gills" (Meaning fully loaded to you Yankees), left Charleston, SC on time at 7:30am and arrived in Columbia to pick up three more people making a total of 12 people in my van. After a little over 12 hours we arrived at out destination in Clinton. MS for our overnight before Day 1 Ride on the Natchez Trace a Historic highway dating back to early 1800's through Choctaw Indian Territory. Being a National Park, speed by autos is limited to 45 MPH most areas making it a safer bicycling adventure.

"A Bobby Ride", Nathez Trace and beyond

Today, I leave for Charleston, SC to overnight at a friends home. Tomorrow, 11 people will join me in my 15 passenger van and my trailer and we drive to Clinton. MS to begin this "A Bobby Ride", bicycling North on the Natchez Trace, a national park roadway (Picture on the left). The ride is named for the man who has planned this trip and takes friends with him. His name is Bobby Rone and he is a master planner to say the least. After several days we reach the terminus near Nashville, TN after riding through half of Missippippi, a small portion of Alabama and into the central part of Tennessee. Then, the fun begins as we follow cue sheets from Nashville on back roads to Chattanooga, TN where we bicycle across the Tennessee River and end this great bicycle trip in downtown Chattanooga. Depending on internet access during this trip, I will be posting here with pictures of this "crazy" group of avid bicyclist!

Tour de Georgia

The Tour de Georgia first stage started on Tybee Island, passed through downtown Savannah, went out through Pooler into the outskirts of Savannah and then returned to finish on Liberty Street in downtown Savannah. This video is the sprint to the finish after these guys had done 70 miles in two and half hours. The bicyclist were probably pedaling at close to 30 miles per hour as they neared the finish. The first stage was won by a Toyota Team rider. This years tour has over 100 of the top bicyclist in the world and many who will later this Summer participate in this years Tour de France, the top cycling event.

Savannah Bicycle Campaign

Here is Clint Murphy announcing at a News Conference in Historic Johnson Square in Savannah, GA the formation of an advocacy group called "SAVANNAH BICYCLE CAMPAIGN". This group is comprised of bicycle stores, bicycle clubs, bicycle tour group and other interested in making Savannah Georgia more bicycle friendly and safer! We were fortunate to have from left to right, Alderman from Tybee Island, Alderman Larry Stuber of Savannah and Commissioner Helen Stone from Chatham County to hear this announcement. We were pleased the announcement was covered by WTOC-TV, WSAV-TV and The Savannah Morning News. My organization, bicycleSAVANNAH, LLC, a bicycle tour and advocacy corporation, is gladly a participating member of this campaign!

Savannah and azalea's

While many of you have azalea's in your area, it's my opinion Savannah, GA has the prettiest Spring with not only azalea's but dogwood, wisteria and faux fruit trees which in a rare year they all seemed to b;loom at the same time this year. Here are a few pictures made at The Landings a week ago when things were at the peak. Enjoy!

My nephew's COOL wedding!

Mary and David Campbell, the newly married couple and I pose (with my silly stance) at Kiesel Park in Auburn, AL where the wedding took place. David is my sisters Son and is a professional photographer at Alabama State University at Montgomery, AL. Mary is a veterinarian recently a department head at Auburn University. The after the wedding reception was held under a big tent for over 100 people at their recently purchased home in Shorter, Alabama a few miles off I 85 and about 25 miles from Auburn University.
I say "COOL" in my heading, as the park they were married is where people bring dogs to exercise. Dogs were invited to the wedding, too! COOL! David and Mary's Great Dane wore a Tux made for dogs. Other family members brought their dogs, too. Female dogs had dresses. The brief reception at the gazebo in the park had dog biscuits and heart shaped bowls for water which was served by their masters from a punch bowl of water.
People and adults were served cheese straws and champagne.
My Sister hosted a beautiful party the night before the wedding at Auburn's University Hotel where the two families had an opportunity to meet Mary's ten brothers and sisters, their spouses and children. Mary's family out numbered the Campbell side by almost 9 to one! Was really cool meeting all of them!!
Mary and David take off for London and Italy for a two week honeymoon!
A very cool couple! I wish them much happiness!

Another GREAT Granddaughter!

Meet Taylor, my sixth great garndchild! She is being held by her very proud and loving Grandfather (Rick, my second Son) and being watched with curiosity, her big Sister, Mackensie. Born on March 20th near her sisters birthday which was only a week or so before Taylor's birth! Mother and Dad (my granddaughter and husband, Jason) are doing great!

A Real Episode

Well, the best has happened! My girl friend has returned and we have settled differences! I was married to my high school sweetheart for just over 50 years before she passed away from Lung Cancer. I never really understood her, even though we had a long and happy marriage and raised four fine children. I have learned what to say and what not to say "most" of the time.
I have known that women have emotions and men have egos. I have learned how to not stir up emotions, but this time I just lapsed into a desire to ride my bicycle when I should have NOT neglected my girl friend.
I suffered when her emotions got stirred up when I didn't go see her while I was riding with a friend .... another lesson about women!
So there you bloggers, learn from this 80 year old man!!!