"Heaven or Hell"

FALLS PARK..GREENSVILLE,SC

    If bike riding the New River Trail Ride is HELL.. Then bike riding the Swamp Rabbit Tram Trail Ride is HEAVEN.. The New River Trail is In VA.. The Swamp Rabbit Tram Trail is in Greenville,SC.. Alot of things fell into place to make the New River Ride so bad.. It was so early in the season.. there wasn't alot of amenities.. Ray & I could've been better prepared.. but we were so anxious to do it.. the weather was partly sunny and cool..55 degrees..  we didn't bring much water or snacks.. we thought there be more stores available.. NOT.. plus if we were to ride it one way we should of rode it Galax,VA to Pulaski,VA.. not the other way around.. Our ride was uphill.. After 20 miles of uphill.. our smiles weren't smiles.. after 58 miles we were speaking a unprintable language.. we did finish the 58 mile ride.. We'll be better prepared for This ride the next time... or NOT..

FURMAN COLLEGE

    The Swamp Rabbit Tram Trail Ride was a AWESOME ride.. we were better prepared.. but the weather was spectacular.. sunny & warm.. about 80 degrees.. this trail had plenty of shade.. more than enough amenities.. We got up early Saturday morning.. stopped at my favorite coffee house.. we were on our bikes by 10 am.. the sights & sounds were awesome.. lots of people on this trail.. some walking, some running, roller blading..all kinds of bikes.. we started in Greenville, SC headed north.. as we headed north the crowds thinned out.. we rode around Furman College campus.. a beautiful campus.. then moved on to the town of Travelers Rest.. a quaint town.. then headed back to Greenville, SC.. rode around Falls Park & Greenville Zoo.. had a 5 star burger at Liberty Tab House.. by the minor league baseball stadium..The Greenville Drive a Boston Red Sox farm team.. We  also got a free tour at the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum.. For a total of 35 miles.. This was a HEAVEN type of ride.. We'll both be back... I think I'll be back before Ray...I might even ride to Greenville from Charlotte..Its only 90 miles away..  Did I hear a challenge out there.. your on.. be safe & have fun on two wheels...
 

I hate flat tires...

     I woke up early one Sunday.. looking forward to a long bike ride.. As I got on the bike I was still undecided on which direction I was going to go...I did decide to ride to Clover, SC.. it was a warm day.. with plenty of sunshine.. very quite roads.. great scenery.. I took a short break at a Circle K store.. Enjoying a ice cold coke on a warm day..  I was at 26 miles at this point.. as I head back.. I was hitting a groove.. but as I was approach a bridge that went over Lake Wylie.. and back me into NC... I hit a MONSTER pot hole.. It was the size of a coffin.. I knew I was in trouble.. The hole rattle the bike so bad it threw my back lite & bike pump out into the road.. I thought I had 2 flat tires & bent rim.. so here is the good news.. I only had one flat.. no one ran over my lite or bike pump.. and it didn't throw me.. it only took 15 minutes to change tire.. and limp home.. the round trip ride was 47 miles.. A few days later I bought some bright yellow paint.. went to the MONSTER hole & paint the hole to warn other riders.. about 50 yards before hole I marked the road with same paint..saying "HOLE".. since that ride the hole has gotten bigger.. I might have to repaint it.. overall it was a good ride.. I'm not going to let a flat tire ruin my ride.. Be safe & have a great day...