Hell Sent

You see that thing—that sliver of a demented barbed-scimitar-shaped-hell-sent tooth of a metal devil? Well, that that thing was making my riding life miserable the last few days…

This god-forsaken 1/32nd of an inch, demon’s bicuspid, of a shard was deflating my tire overnight since Richmond Hill, GA four days ago. Each morning I’d have to reinflate my tire to 50 psi from 7-17 psi. It was driving me mad.

Thanks to Brandon at Sports Addiction who found the sliver and installed the new rear tube as I was doubting in my ability to change the tire effectively. It must have been inside the tire for four days, when I pedaled from Townsend, GA to Richmond Hill, GA. Yeah, I’m happy now.

Lots of uninspiring heavy speeding traffic, punctuated by inspiring water views today. The Chechessee Creek.

A treat at the Widgeon Point Preserve…

… nesting Bald Eagles in residence…

… above the parking lot?

The large nest belies the scale in this picture.

Then the Broad River Bridge led to an excellent sighting…

If you’d have told me that I’d see two alligators on this trip I’d have said: yes, likely…

… but the tally is Atlantic Bottle Nosed Dolphins: 2 Alligators: 0. Go figure. 

Then, just a few miles down the road—oh, that awful “thunking” sound and wheel-skipping. I hate the sound and the feeling. Have I mentioned all the crap out on the shoulders yet? Maybe?

This is unencumbered devilry—there’s a hellion out putting debris in the way of bike-trekkers.

Confounded screw this time. 

I’ve got my money’s worth out this bit of equipment—the Fanttik tire inflator.

Ready to go, again, and very over this day already.

Finally, the Spanish Moss Trail: 10-miles of easy peddling through the marshlands of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Nice to know that, yes, I’m on the right track.

The Spanish Moss Trail is limited to pedestrians and bike riders. A bit reminiscent of the Cape Cod Trail in Massachusetts.

After the messes with the tire today, I’ll take this debris-free trail all day, every day.

It’s not often one gets the option to indulge in the novelty of riding through a building, much less a historic one…

… but here goes. The Danner & Co. building was a grocery warehouse. It was built in 1915.

Oh, thank you. I’m done!

Day 20
Start: Bluffton, SC
End: Beaufort, SC
Miles: 27.10

Day off tomorrow to sort out my sore head, these confounded roads, and blasted flat tires!

What I’m Reading:

… the fact that we really need a Have a Heart Day, just one day a year when nobody’s killed for no reason, Peace One Day…

— Lucy Ellmann / Ducks, Newburyport