So, I haven't written in a while and just want to say that I'm busy. On July 10th I'll be getting married to the love of my life and best friend (no not Zoe). We've been busy getting her apartment ready and driving around getting presents.
I have been doing some short workout rides around Summerville, mainly on the Sawmill branch trail.
Happy Trails!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Obesity and Bad Diets are Killing America
Please sign this petition to bring fresh foods to our schools! http://www.jamieoliver.com/jfr-beta/petition.php
Sunday, March 21, 2010
New Stuff
So, after the ride yesterday I decided I needed to update my equipment. I went to the Bicycle Shoppe downtown Charleston to pick up some patches, a tire tube, and a 'quick tire fix kit'. I also picked up my own copy of "Lowcountry Bike Rides".
Happy Trails!
Oh! and PS my wicked sweet Fiance picked me up a Camelbak that is yellow and black to go with Zoe! I love her so much!
Happy Trails!
Oh! and PS my wicked sweet Fiance picked me up a Camelbak that is yellow and black to go with Zoe! I love her so much!
So, I tried to blog right after the ride...that didn't work out at all.
Anyway, so now I've had time to collect my thoughts and rest. So, the ride is a little over 22 miles. It is not exactly the ride out of "Low Country Bike Rides" (which can be found at the local Bicycle Shoppe, either downtown Charleston or in Mt. Pleasant) but its very close. Here is the map.
Point C is the start - the picture below it is of the creek beside the parking lot. Its a small parking lot and dock on Hwy 402. Point B is Mepkin Abbey - which is how this ride got its name, from me at least.
It was a warm, sunny day; cloudless but not unbearable. After a short jog on Hwy 402, I took a right on Dr. Evan Rd. I passed a few farms, testing the road and stretching my muscles for the miles ahead. Having never done a long ride alone (and this only being my second long ride in a long time), I wanted to set a pace that would ensure that I could get back to my car on my own strength.
After a few miles I came upon this sign:
This is only one of the many historic tidbits standing on the road. I continued down past more farms, trailers, and pine trees. Enjoying the quiet scenery until, after cresting a small rise I saw the entrance to Mepkin Abbey.
It is a beautiful place. The holiness of God dwells there in the beauty of creation.
The man who would give Mepkin Abbey their home, was a great man.
I continued down Dr. Evan Road. Past more pines, but less homes, trailers, or farms. Shortly after the abbey I made a left onto Sawmill Road. It was there that I spotted a very large bird. It must have been an eagle or a very large hawk. The wing span was at least 8 feet. After having the fright of my life, I continued a bit faster along beautiful pines; finally entering the Francis Marion National Forest.
Sawmill Road ends by running into Hwy 402. I turned left, with a quick jog up Hwy 402 I turned right on Alligator Road furthering my travel into Francis Marion. After two sets of train tracks, I turned left on Witherbee Road, returning north and beginning the final leg of the ride. It was on this road that I endured something frantic and something very sad.
First, as I was enjoying my ride I saw a sign for a pedestrian crossing. It was shot, not with the usual paintball guns, but with a shotgun. I sped up. Only to be almost hit by a (I dare not say 'hick') careless driver. In the frantic seconds afterward my heart rate soared, like the large eagle I had seen before, higher than it had gone for the whole ride.
Second, I saw a horror. What I can only guess was the same 'careless' driver - and some like him - had trashed the side of the road. Littered bottles covered the road where trees were blackened and scarred. I'm not a man easily brought to tears, but that almost did.
Shortly after this I left the forest and ended my journey with a 2 mile sprint up Hwy 402 back to the parking lot. Below are two pictures, one of Zoe and one of me after the ride. Happy Trails!
Anyway, so now I've had time to collect my thoughts and rest. So, the ride is a little over 22 miles. It is not exactly the ride out of "Low Country Bike Rides" (which can be found at the local Bicycle Shoppe, either downtown Charleston or in Mt. Pleasant) but its very close. Here is the map.
Point C is the start - the picture below it is of the creek beside the parking lot. Its a small parking lot and dock on Hwy 402. Point B is Mepkin Abbey - which is how this ride got its name, from me at least.
It was a warm, sunny day; cloudless but not unbearable. After a short jog on Hwy 402, I took a right on Dr. Evan Rd. I passed a few farms, testing the road and stretching my muscles for the miles ahead. Having never done a long ride alone (and this only being my second long ride in a long time), I wanted to set a pace that would ensure that I could get back to my car on my own strength.
After a few miles I came upon this sign:
This is only one of the many historic tidbits standing on the road. I continued down past more farms, trailers, and pine trees. Enjoying the quiet scenery until, after cresting a small rise I saw the entrance to Mepkin Abbey.
It is a beautiful place. The holiness of God dwells there in the beauty of creation.
The man who would give Mepkin Abbey their home, was a great man.
I continued down Dr. Evan Road. Past more pines, but less homes, trailers, or farms. Shortly after the abbey I made a left onto Sawmill Road. It was there that I spotted a very large bird. It must have been an eagle or a very large hawk. The wing span was at least 8 feet. After having the fright of my life, I continued a bit faster along beautiful pines; finally entering the Francis Marion National Forest.
Sawmill Road ends by running into Hwy 402. I turned left, with a quick jog up Hwy 402 I turned right on Alligator Road furthering my travel into Francis Marion. After two sets of train tracks, I turned left on Witherbee Road, returning north and beginning the final leg of the ride. It was on this road that I endured something frantic and something very sad.
First, as I was enjoying my ride I saw a sign for a pedestrian crossing. It was shot, not with the usual paintball guns, but with a shotgun. I sped up. Only to be almost hit by a (I dare not say 'hick') careless driver. In the frantic seconds afterward my heart rate soared, like the large eagle I had seen before, higher than it had gone for the whole ride.
Second, I saw a horror. What I can only guess was the same 'careless' driver - and some like him - had trashed the side of the road. Littered bottles covered the road where trees were blackened and scarred. I'm not a man easily brought to tears, but that almost did.
Shortly after this I left the forest and ended my journey with a 2 mile sprint up Hwy 402 back to the parking lot. Below are two pictures, one of Zoe and one of me after the ride. Happy Trails!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Mepkin Abbey Ride
Today, I'm going up to Monks Corner near Mepkin Abbey to do a ride I heard of through a book called: "Low Country Bike Rides".
I'll let you know how it goes!
Birthday
On March 6th I turned 23, and for my birthday my parents gave me a sweet new drop handlebar and cork.
Summerville
I live in Summerville.
So, not an illustrious place, but not bad for biking.
For the past few months I have been biking the Sawmill Branch Trail. I need to measure it, but from my fiance's apartment at the Tradition (where Zoe sleeps) to the trail, and back is about 14 miles - I think.
Anyway, my new years resolution is 'get below 200 lbs'. I'm now at 218. So, not that hard - I hope. Exercising is important, so I'm, working on it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
