Murphy Strikes Back

I knew I should not have written yesterday’s post. I wanted people to know that it’s not always misery and problems. Turns out yesterday was the unicorn. The goal today was Fulton, MS. It would mean I had gained back the extra day off I took in Springfield and it would keep me on pace to get to Mobile by Friday. It also was a 99-mile route, mostly back on the Trace. That was in serious question after about an hour. Straight into a 10-20mph headwind all day. This portion of the Trace was nice and flat so should have been nice riding. I was in 2nd gear on the flats in some parts, thanks to the wind. I had a variety of thoughts going through my head, but the one I couldn’t shake was that I was the captain and my bike was the Edmund Fitzgerald! The day was sent into pure panic mode when I hit the road closure sign and was forced to detour. Apparently, there was a 25-mile stretch of the Trace that is being repaved. According to Tom, the rider I met coming the opposite way, it was a $5000 fine and a night in jail if you were caught on the closed portion. Not sure about anyone else, but an Alabama or Mississippi jail cell doesn’t sound awesome to me, not to mention the havoc it would wreak with my schedule. But I digress - back to my misery. As this was going to be my only night in Mississippi, I tried to figure out my options while eating a raw bacon cheeseburger at a picnic table outside a convenience store in appropriately named Buzzard’s Roost, Alabama. I found a hotel in Belmont, Mississippi just 29 miles away. Here’s where the fun truly begins. For someone not from around here, the three scariest words just might be “Backwoods of Alabama”. That’s right where I was headed on my detour. Of the 2800’ of elevation gain today, probably close to 2500' of them were on my detour with some sweet 1st gear climbs, requiring rests part way up. No problem, just hills and I must say there were some great downhills that accompanied them. I almost got to enjoy those, but the wind made me pedal down a lot of them. Then I came to Maud. Now the song in my head was “Who Let the Dogs Out?” I had multiple multi-packs after me and that doesn’t include the solo effort from one beast that chased me at full tilt at least a quarter mile down the road. The first group of 5 mutts cleverly sent one of their members across the road so they could surround me. I had one behind, one across, and three yapping away from the yard. We had a stare-down for probably 2-3 minutes before they slowly backed off. That just prepped me for the 3 angry purebreds just a bit further up the road. I finally got out of there and soon crossed into Mississippi, noting that I was not welcomed to the state as is the general custom. I also discovered that my earlier assumption about the 3 scariest words was incorrect, surpassed by “Backwoods of Mississippi“. The good news was I made it to the historic Belmont Hotel in one piece. Turns out there are 3 other riders here. Hopefully their rooms at least had the bed made and no towels hanging over the bathroom door.

Bidding farewell to beloved Tennessee

Crossing back over the Tennessee River near Florence, Alabama. Not pictured here are the whitecaps on the river.

Not what anyone wants to see

Any guesses which direction I’m riding?

Leftovers from the previous guest