On the 4th I rode with 4 guys, all on Bacchettas, for 80 miles on the Long Leaf Trace. I was the odd man out on a Stratus XP. Of course I am kind of odd no matter which bike I ride. 

I mostly rode last (When they offered a more front position I told them that I’d rather be last by choice. Hi.). And I really enjoyed riding behind them, watching one knee and then the other magically appear above a shoulder. At one point I suggested they lock step but I think that was too much conformity for independent thinking recumbent riders.

They are 4 of the nicest guys, much nicer than me. I hope I didn’t freak them out. In any event I look forward to riding with them again.

The riders:

Doug is shown in the upper left preparing his bike.  He was pulling a trailer behind his truck because after our ride he was going to Florida to pick up a couple trikes he had loaned a father-son pair for a cross country trip. However, the pair discovered that after the cross Florida portion they were not ready for the longer trip. Maybe later.

Next is Jim. He is the owner of the Ride South bike shop (see RideSouth.com) near Jackson Mississippi. I’ve bought 3 recumbents from him and am already looking forward to the 4th. It was not long ago that Jeanne, Kurt, and I were riding the trace when we met Jim going the other direction. I think it was at what we call the "Lama Station", just a rest area actually. I had previously ridden a long-wheel-base (LWB) recumbent at his shop and was interested in getting one. As we talked in view of the Emus (plural of Emu) and Lamas he mentioned that he had two Stratus XPs coming in a couple of weeks and that one was already spoken for. I immediately obligated myself for the other.

And Charlie, well, his back (Sorry Charlie, I thought I had everyone’s picture). I rode adjacent to and talked mostly to Charlie. He is 65 and retired, same as me. However, he is light weight, strong, and really fast on his Bacchetta Corsa. Charlie just thinks he is retired. He had to be back by 1:00 for a meeting and I believe he said he raises chickens, as in chicken houses. You should retire a second time soon, Charlie. I enjoyed the company.

The last photo above leads to a very short movie.

And here is what I was riding.

Now for some miscellanea:

When we stopped for a bathroom break in Sumrall on the outbound leg the locals where getting ready for a 4th of July parade. On the return I witnessed the after-parade and there were many horseback riders and old- timey wagons, etc.

About the return through Sumrall: When we all reached the Hattiesburg station I announced that I was going to take it easy on the way back; which meant that they should go ahead and fly. They were all faster than me and I wanted to unleash them.  And I really did want to ride slower than the 16.4 mph average for the first 40 miles. 

When I arrived at Epley, the station just 4 miles before Sumrall, they were still there on a break. I stopped and refilled my water bottle (10:15 AM and it was already getting hot) but got right back on the bike. Charlie was on his bike but the others had not remounted; I believe one was still in the bathroom. Inspiration struck for a great prank. I said … you know what I said; "You all are a bunch of weak-kneed biker wantabees. If you think you can catch me you are welcome to try". I took off before they stopped laughing.

It would be mostly down hill to Sumrall and I had a fairing and a tail box. I thought I could beat them to Sumrall, well, with the head start and all. I made it and in time to hide behind one of the building and watch the end of the parade. The idea was that they would pass and chase a phantom all the way to Prentiss. From where I hid I would be able to see them after they passed but they could not see me unless they turned to look behind and to the side. So, there they went, two by two, but not very fast. Either they didn’t take the bait/challenge (which is what it appeared) or they thought they could catch me at a moderate pace. I’m not sure I liked either option.

In any case I would not have let them rush the 25 miles to Prentiss in the heat (I’m not that mean; maybe 5 miles mean). So after I got on my way I called Jim’s phone to share the joke. I was also thinking that I would not want them to arrive in Prentiss, see my car and think something had happened to me.  I called but Jim’s wife answered! Oh no, he didn’t have his cell phone. I explained. She thought that was the funniest thing. I wonder if most wives would think such a prank on their husband would be funny. She had kept Jim’s phone to answer business calls but would pass the word along (Jim must have had another cell with him). I’m not sure anyone other than Jim’s wife found this funny but it does make a good story.

I didn’t see any of the 4 again that day. I don’t even know if they got caught in the rain that passed over just ahead of me. Although I missed the rain I didn’t miss all the rail water on the trail. I don’t have fenders on the XP and some of the spray sprayed me, especially my shorts. Of course my wet bottom didn’t feel all that bad. 

It wasn’t until I got home and undressed that I discovered how dirty the water was and saw the gift the back wheel slung me. The clear spot in the middle is where the bike frame provided some protection. Then I remembered stopping at Mcdonalds on the way home for a burger and an air-conditioned lunch and wondered  if anyone noticed. Looks like the trace played a little prank on me.

Why did I stop for a burger? I’d been up since 5:15, on the road at 5:40, and in Prentiss after a 50 minute ride. 5:40 was too early for our McDonalds (they open at 6:00) and 6:15 was too early for the Burger King I passed in Collins and nothing in Prentiss was open at 7:00. So I ate the peanut butter sandwich for breakfast. The Senior Citizen’s Center in Sumrall where I sometimes eat lunch was closed. The Ward’s just outside Bassfield was closed, maybe for good. A guy that I passed and slowed to talk to told me about a restaurant in Bassfield. It was closed for the day. So I stopped on the way home at the Burger King that was closed earlier in the morning. 

I didn’t get home until 2 or after, took a bath and a nap. I was tired, mostly from the heat. No more 80 mile rides in the summer for me. I’ll stick to what I can do before 10:00 in the morning. Famous last words.