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!
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