Hotter than a Pepper Sprout...On Our Way to Jackson

Wednesday, September 17.  Got off to a great (and early) start after a delightful breakfast with Bobbye.  She showed us a short cut (and safer way) to get onto The Trace.  It took us through a gated district maintenance yard for The Trace, and luckily the gate was open!!  And guess what?  Thanks to one of the park workers we got good air!!  The temperature was again in the lower nineties, humidity was 67%.  The morning ride was quite nice, mostly shaded, and easy hills.  But as the day warmed, and the hills grew longer and steeper, with less pay-off on the downsides, Diane grew more and more weary.  Also, ten miles south of Jackson, The Trace lost its gentile charm, as traffic density increased dramatically.  Luckily, Rob spotted a bike trail alongside The Trace and we crossed a grassy stretch and headed on into Jackson.  We had planned to get onto that bike trail at MM 101, per information we had previously acquired.  But that information was outdated, because the trail began around MM 98.  Diane was grateful because she was not sure she could consistently hold the fog line , particularly on the long uphills, as cars just kept whizzing by.  Fortunately the last seven miles of the 64 mile day was on a pleasant bike trail.  The Home2Suites by Hilton was a welcome ending to another long hot day.

The importance of cold water on hot humidity days can not be overstated.  You ride longer and faster with a cool body core.  We both have ice coolers on our bikes and full complement of insulated water bottles and Diane has to deal with over heating.

The ice chest add 10 lbs, but its worth it.

Insulated bottles on the bike.

 

The first 100 miles of the Trace was full of butterflies - Monarchs,  Yellow Swallowtails and this Spicebush Swallowtail.

 

 

Mile marker along the Trace.

 

A cool shady concrete guard rail has become our favorite spot for a quick break.

 

PS

Diane has recovered enough from her first Jello Shot(s) to remember these two photo from the first nights party.

 

(Hi, Bubba and Jeff.)