Yesterday, in the van, we crossed the Alabama state line in the pouring rain, so today on our free day, a small group of us rode back to the state line to make last night's state line crossing Margarita party official. it was a slow and relaxed ride out, none of us felt like pushing speed and were content just to cruise and take a look at the scenery. At the state line we rode about 50 feet into Alabama and then back to take pictures at the sign. Afterwards, a gentleman at the gas station just up the road gave us a back road return route to Columbus which was very quiet, had a good shoulder and very little traffic so the whole ride was pretty relaxing.
downtown Columbus
It was interesting to note that downtown Columbus does not allow bicycles on the roads nor according the the sign, on the sidewalk. Once we reached the bike less area, we walked our bikes on the sidewalk and explored downtown just a little. We found a place for lunch, walked over to Tennessee Williams home for postcards and then walked about halfway to the Holiday Inn. The attitudes towards bikes and bikers are a bit hostile. We are constantly getting honked at and getting strange looks while on the road, although when we get off the bikes and meet individuals they are almost universally friendly and interested in the whole idea of long distance bike touring. It may just be small towns, but now that these towns are on a published bike touring route, it would probably do the Chambers of Commerce and Tourist Boards good to start some bike friendly education.
No bike sign
After lunch we walked our bikes along the sidewalk to the Historical Society and the Tennessee Williams home, which has been restored but is not open to tours. We had a pleasant chat with the docent, admired her needlework, bought some post cards and then walked our bikes back through downtown and when the sidewalk ran out, mounted and rode back to the hotel.
the Tennessee Williams house
Today's Stats
mileage: 35.8
time: 3.25
mph: 10.4
1 comment:
That shot of Downtown Columbus looks eerily like the Square here in Denton.
Glad to hear all is well. You go girl! Keep pumping on. I'll give you a call tonight.
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