Date: 2010-04-17
To: Friends of Warner Parks RIDE
Miles today: 0.0

Sat.Apr 17thToday i have my 1st Sponsored-bicycle ride of the season...the "FRIENDS of WARNER PARKS" Ride in West Nashville @ Edwin Warner Park.I'm a bit concerned as I leave Springfield & head South...as it has been raining...& as i drive farther South...the sprinkles are hitting my windshield...My cycling bud, "TeePee" cant make it today...but, i might have some company with some fellow VELOTEERS (my bicycle club)...the "2 Jims" are supposed to be there(Jim Fuller & Jim Reynolds)...& maybe Steve Hayslip (NewsChannel 5 anchor & all-around NICE guy) & his son, Paul might ride the shorter route today.I have scheduled the 50-mile course for me...it will be tuff...but i CAN DO IT!I arrive @ 8am...meet Maggie Odle, the P.R. person for the event...I sign in...get my goodie bag...I've brought a painting ("Thinkin' about it") to donate to Friends of Warner Parks charity auction to be held soon...& Lucy Ray has also kindly donated one of her fabulous pen & ink drawings...Maggie gives me my rider number...& to my surprise its....# 1....WOW!Thanks!....i dont know how i feel abt having that number when i'm gonna be slow & way back in the pack!...but, i do appreciate the sentiment.About 300 riders this year...up slightly from last year...We start @ 9am...& we ride out of the park...& onto Vaughn Road....pedal...pedal...pedal...I'm riding with Steve & Paul Hayslip...a good leisurely pace....15-17 mph....pedal...pedal...pedal...we turn onto old Natchez Trace Road...lots of old, very large homes on this road....very wealthy part of town...we have a water stop...just before the 25/50 mile routes split...I say goodbye to Steve & hit the pedals...kick it in HIGH GEAR for a few miles...onto Del Rio Pike...(my daughter & grandaughter live on this road)...it zigs & zags....then onto Horton Lane for a few miles....Its not raining...but the clouds are hanging around...the temps are cool...but i like that...we ride out of Franklin area....then onto SouthHall road....a roller coaster of a road....ups & downs....then over onto Old Hwy 96 to Liepers Fork....neat little town...with antique shops & an ART Gallery...a small climb out....onto Hillsboro Pike for a mile or so...& a quick stop for water & energy drink....then onto the Natchez Trace Parkway...were on "the trace" for almost 20 miles....theres a couple of long slow grade climbs on the trace....Jaybird do not like!water stop after crossing over the Hwy 96 bridge on the trace...there arent any port-o-jons on the route this year...surprising...one more shorter climb away from the rest stop...& then downhill for a few miles.....i hit a top speed of 45.6mph...downhill...before exiting the trace...& then its over to McCory Lane...then Poplar Creek Road...a nice little climb here...(makes this fat, old guy..moan a bit!)...pedal!...pedal!...pedal!...onto South Harpeth Road,then Hester Beasley...then back on Hwy 100...the time is almost 12noon...so, i decide to NOT STOP @ the Loveless...i'm making pretty good time...so i pedal on down the highway....trying not to get too far out in the lane...(no bike lane on this road)...i hit the shoulder...& pedal hard...only a few more miles to go!pedal...pedal...pedal...past Ensworth High school....& turn onto Hicks Road....OUCH!....this road (should be called an ALLEY)...is the worst ever...glad i have thick tires...or we'd be talking flat...so much junk...loose gravel, chipped wood, loose garbage on this road...its ridiculous!back into Warner Park...thru the picnic areas...then onto Vaughn Road...& up to the FINISH!.....ahhhhhhh.....49.64 miles....close enuff to 50!This time next week...I'll be hiking the Appalachian Trail with my bud, "Jigsaw".Stay tuned Kids...for all the "ADVENTURES"!see ya'll UP the trail!