Monday, July 2, 2007

Historical Post: XC Bike Ride Vol 11

Monday
Dateline: North Georgia

Today is transition day. Chris and I have to drive the RV to Marietta (by Atlanta), drop it off, get a rental car, and reel back in the crew. It’s not something we’re looking forward to, and we’re concerned that the foursome will get beat up badly by the hills and weather (it’s still 98+ degrees air temp and very high "Southern" humidity).

First, we have to dump the RV tanks; not a pleasant experience. We find an old cemetary, drive to the back and get ready to dump. As we look out, we realize that we’re up on a hill 50 yards from the local sheriff’s office, and they’re in the middle of shift change. We quickly say a prayer for our departed comrades and drive on to another dump site (which shall remain nameless due to EPA regulations).

Cliff meanwhile is having some graveyard fun of his own; basically the same as us on a smaller scale, and without the sheriff’s. Seems like graveyards are our new favorite hangout. Tom is taking his pull, and everytime he crests a hill, Jerry is doing “the batdance” (for those of you who remember the TV show). I understand even the drivers were pulling over in stitches. Tom also has one of his favorite experiences. He rides by a Georgia prison chain gang, in his skimpy swim suit, earing, and open tank top. The legcuffed prisoners go nuts, hooting and hollering, whistling, and throwing kisses. Tom, thank god, has the sense not to stop and make friends. North Georgia is not the place the reenact “shawshank”.

The riders also come across numerous signs that they’re in the deep south; confederate flags everywhere (especially on pickup trucks), a “jefferson davis for president” sign on the side of a house (at least 6’x10’), and the what will become famous “Beef; you’re having it for dinner tonight”. We tell beef stories most of the day.

We get to Marietta, and as could be expected, the RV place no longer exists. After an hour or more of searching, we call LA and find out that, Oh well, it still exists, but they’ve moved it to the other side of town and oh, they forgot to tell us that in LA. What a great outfit! I work them to get a $300 rebate on the RV due to all of our problems – blown generator, no cab air, no air of any sort through the desert, broken headlight, and on and on. Chris and I spend the money at the nudie bar, and debate whether or not to even rejoin the others.

Cliff again has the quote of the day, as at the end of the day we are in this little shit town, and we are seeking a place to eat. We see a small bar, and send Cliff in to check it out. It’s full of total rednecks, there’s no food in sight, and the bar comes to a complete standstill when Cliff walks in and says “Hey, do any of you guys know where there’s a microbrewery in town?”. He just missed the world 100m record running out of the bar back to the van. We of course locked the doors on him

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