# 11/12 Memphis to Covington to Dyerburg, TN

Ridng from Memphis to Covington TN brought a change of scenery- much more bucolic, lots of twists and turns, trees and shade, packs of dogs- felt like a dog a mile but probably wasn't quite that bad, and some real Tennesse type hills of 10-12% who leap out at you from behind a curve in the road and yell surprise as you frantically downshift to get into the granny gear and then end up riding about half of the hill standing, I want to know why after a 12% climb, there is only a 10% downhill. Seems like we should earn an equal amount of downhill. Lovely little country store with fresh bake brownies, many taxidermied turkeys masses of snake skins including two anacondas- which were gifts and not from the local state forest like the other wildlife samples. We also had a hilarious discussion about conversations held and what you actually hear while riding.   For example, " where's Mary?" " she's folding her map" "what do you mean she's taking a nap?" and " the tv says John Edwards may get 30 years." "who has 30 gears?" and so on.

the General Store with just baked fresh brownies!

Covington TN to Dyersburg TN today was mostly small but well paved roads with lots of little cross road towns,some traffic, less dogs and more gentle rollers than real climbs. A short 45 miles today which felt good after 65 miles yesterday and 75 tomorrow. Tomorrow we cross another state line via the ferry or so rumor has it from Tennessee to Missouri so there will be yet another margarita party with dinner.

what I could have had for lunch

The only things of note today were that at one point we were riding on the Chicken George Trail- and wouldn't you love to know the story on that one?, and the fact that the lunchroom we stopped at on the quaint, trying to improve itself town square, offered brains and scrambeled eggs on the menu. I settled for a BLT.


It's a constant adventure and challenge to each of the 30 women riders and the two guides but except for one day of rain and mud, one day of very vicious headwinds, and sore muscles, we are all hanging in there. We are constantly reminded of the kindness of strangers, everytime a group of us clusters at a stop light to check or turn our cue sheets and and several local people stop to fill us in on the conditions of the road ahead, interesting things to watch for and good places to eat.