UGRR Day 13 Waverly to Dover

Deer Antler Gate at the Dover Inn

Today was another tough day, but not as bad as yesterday. The temperatures were cooler, and there was a lot less humidity. The hills were still steep but longer than yesterday which made them a bit more doable. It also made a tremendous difference that my granny gear actually worked. Most of the hills were 300 -500 feet in elevation and long slow climbs which meant that I could just sit and climb steadily. The hills yesterday may not have been much higher but they were steeper.

One of the other riders said that according to her GPS navigator we had done 8 major hills of 500 feet +. There were some lovely downhill coasts, wide sweeping curves through shaded country roads. Several packs of dogs, including one rather nasty pit bull type in one pack who had to be kicked back by several of the riders before he got the idea that blowing whistles meant back off! No one was bitten, but it was kind of nasty to be maneuvering through a pack of barking and lunging dogs while negotiating a curve.

Magnolia Community Sign

An old Magnolia homestead

At the top of the hill we rode through a level wooded interval that had formerly been home to the town of Magnolia. The only historic remains was the one pole and plaster cabin dating from the late 1800's. I would imagine there are many more little communities out in the woods and down in the hollows that time and the roads have passed by.

Our lunch spot or midway SAG was at a place called the “swimming hole” a gravel shoal in the river. Some of the riders got down and waded in the water, but most of us just raided leftovers (couscous and cold chicken curry) from last nights’ dinner, and then pushed on up the next hill.

the "swimming hole"

It’s amazing how much difference the humidity and temperature make on a ride. Although the sun was out full, and we were riding at about the same tempo as yesterday, the ride seemed to go much faster in spite of the longer hills. The final highlight of the day was that the last 6 miles into town were actually on the smooth wide shoulder of the highway and downhill!!

Since it was early (1:30) when we got into Dover, we pulled off at a “bike shop/pit barbecue” and had pulled park sandwiches while talking to the owners of several fines looking fully pimped out Harley's.

After lunch we rode on past the Dover Inn to see the Fort Donaldson Historic Park. No surprise that it was at the top of yet another hill, but we figured it would at least still be downhill to the Dover Inn on the way back.

The film was very interesting but we all started to doze off so several of us opted for a quick bike tour of the monuments on the same level of terrain and then headed back to check in, claim our luggage, clean our bikes, do laundry, clean ourselves up, pick up sundries at the local grocry store across the street, nap and hang around till dinner. Sometimes these chores seem to take almost as long as the ride.

The Inn consists of a motel sort of front part and about half a dozen quaint log cabins of a Poconos summer resort type. Funky old linoleum floors, rustic pine siding, a gateway made of deer’s’ antlers and skulls and small built in cook tops along with signs that say “no cooking allowed in the rooms.” Of course there is also a sign by the swimming pool warning that “no dogs are allowed in the pool” and that “all minors under 17 must be accompanied by a parent.”

Today was also our guide/ Chef Patty’s birthday so we all went out to dinner at the local hot spot “Cindy’s Catfish Grill” and pretty much took over the place. It was the usual all you can eat hot buffet with fried okra, squash, catfish, chicken and hush puppies along with cooked beans, squash, black eyed peas, red beans, green peas, carrots, corn, mashed potatoes, red eyed gravy and lots of whip cream loaded slice of pie all pre-cut and saran wrapped. The salad bar consisted of iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded cheese and full at dressings. It was a heavy meal orgy, but oh so nice to actually be able to sit at a table instead of standing, or on the ground, or in a circle of plastic chairs.

Outside our cabin is a rather scummy pond which evidently houses a couple of bull frogs because they are out there "grumming" away in the night.

Tody's Stats

distance 46.02

time 4;02

elevation gain 4444 feet

speed 13.2