Yesterday I had reason to go to Charlotte., which is 80miles east and a bit south of here.
... well, actually, I made up a reason to goto Charlotte, just for something different of a ride.
I seldom go in that direction for a couple reasons, one, it would involve going thru or around Grand Rapids, and two, is pretty much flat farm land over that way.
But I could go thru a town I lived in when was in 8-9-10 grade (Nashville) and past school I went to (Maple Valley).
So that was my objective, go thru Nashville, see where I lived (46 years ago) and get to Charlotte, without going on interstate and avoid GR urban area..
And told myself that I was going for a longer ride, and wasn't stopping for pictures, or sight seeing.
Started out at about 8 am, 42 degF, and stopped for breakfast (Chorizo con heuvious) about 10 miles away. Was considering heading back home to get heavier gloves and put liner back in riding pants. But didn't.
About an hour later was looking for place to stop to take liner out of jacket.
Stop at a gas station ? Naw.
Look for interesting road to explore. (some where near Hastings, I think)
Look for paved road that looks like it follows the natural contour of the land. Headed down that.
Stopped by a little creek, pond. Quite, no traffic, no one around. Stood there for a while, just looking around. Found myself with camera out ..... cant help myself, I quess.
Put camera away. Stood around for a while longer. Start to notice more birds, and then a muskrat swimming across the pond.
Eventaully got back on bike and continued on .
Stopped again for lighter gloves.
Found old house, looked around the town to see what I remembered and what was different.
Made it to Charlotte (maybe another story about that, later).
Headed back thru more and more farm land.
Got back home after about 7 hours, and 220 miles.
