It's Better In Metter (Well, Not Really)

BRAG Day 5-Dublin to Metter

Distance: 73.29 miles
Ride Time: 5hrs, 6mins, 20secs
Avg Speed: 14.35 mph

This morning we said farewell to Dublin and our two night stay there as we traveled the back roads and byways of southern Georgia to the town of Metter.  We started out at 6:30 AM and had finished by 1:00 PM.  Another great day of riding with NO physical issues whatsoever! WOOHOO!! :)  I am attributing my resurgent cycling strength to two factors: one, the hills have become way less severe than they were in the beginning and two, the SmartWater I've been sucking down like it's going out of style.  The hills have calmed down considerably ever since we go to Dublin.  And today was more of the same.  Gentle rolling hills are now the norm with the really steep hills becoming rare.  With the SmartWater, I started drinking it Monday night when I went to Walgreen's across from my hotel.  I picked it because I like the way the smooth bottle looked.  It wasn't until today when we were at the last rest stop before the finish that I paid attention to what was written on the bottle.  One of the ingredients in SmartWater is electrolytes!  YOWZA!!  No wonder I have not had any hint of cramping! Many of our rest stops have been at gas station convenience stores.  And because I love cold water (which the SAG folks have not been providing) I've been buying the SmartWater.  GENIUS!!  I don't want to toot my own horn but........................BEEP BEEP!! ;)

You know what one of the cool things is about bicycling?  It's the people.  Cyclists and non cyclists alike.  I get such a kick out of waving to people as we pass their homes or on the street.  The look on their faces is just priceless!  I so enjoy doing this.  I gotta find a way to become independently wealthy so I can do these bike tours year round.  I am having too much friggin' fun! :)

I included the above picture as a representative of the many shacks we saw in this condition in the rural areas of our trip. 

Then we ran into this home which was for sale.  I think the one feature that makes this a hot property screaming BUY ME are the Christmas lights.  Who wouldn't want to own this beauty? ;)

I'm stuck in Statesboro for the evening.  Let me explain.  It is true that our ride ended in Metter today.  However, when I was making my hotel reservations for each stop of this trip, all four of the hotels in Metter were booked.  I was thinking I may have to sleep in the gym for tonight.  But the BRAG folks came through with hotels in Statesboro which is 20 miles away from Metter.  So I made my reservation at the Days Inn.  Fast forward to today when the limo (yes a limo) picked us up (for $10) to bring us to Statesboro.  There were nine of us in the limo.  My other eight companions were staying at the Baymont Inn.  One they were dropped off, it was just me and the limo driver.  WHO COULDN'T FIND MY HOTEL!!  It took him awhile but he finally found it.  He said they just switched from a Hampton Inn to a Days Inn and he forgot they made the change.  Just what you want after 73 miles, huh? :)  No worries. I paid for an adventure and I'm gettin' my money's worth! :)

Some random thoughts:

-For all you single ladies out there, I am ROCKIN' my farmer's tan! :)

-Food rationing for century cyclists in hot weather is not cool!

-After a hard day of riding, I gotta have a bed, a shower and my own room.

-Only you can prevent forest fires!

Alright I'm done.  Tomorrow we leave Metter for Hinesville.  See you then! :)

Truck Back!
Gary