214.4 Miles in Year 2002
Date From To Distance Time bicycling Description
May 25 151 Sandy Springs Dr.
Athens, Ga
zip 30601 USA		 Blue Ridge Divide
Mountain City, Ga		 80.5 < 16 h I left 151 Sandy Springs Dr. in Athens, Georgia early in the morning not knowing where I'll finish. Little over a mile away from my house, I've realized that I forgot a bicycle lock. I did not want to turn around, and decided to continue bicycling at modertate pace(so I could make back home if needed the same day). I set a goal of bicycling 100 miles during one day at the beginning of this year, and I was eager to reach it. First stop I've made was in Ila, Ga which is about 12.5 miles from the starting point. During this brief break I've contacted a friend over the cell phone and took few swigs of Cool-Aid I've brought with me. I was not tired, just deciding where I wanted to go next. I wanted to see the foothils of Georgia mountains, so I've continued on to Toccoa. Next pit stop was in Carnesville. There, I've bought 3 bannanas, and Gatorade and which I've consumed imediately in the parking lot of the grocery store. I've cought the first glimpes of Georgia's peaks right before arriving in Toccoa. This made my day!
In Toccoa, while browsing through a map at a local Exxon gas station,I found out that Hollywood is not that far away. I was also happy to notice that highway 441 runs right through it. This discovery delayed my decision of final course I would take for another few hours.
In Toccoa, I've took a left turn onto highway 17 and continued heading North. This was the toughest part of the trip. After few miles of what seemed like continues climb, I've decided to take another break at a picnic area. There, I've emptied the bottle of Cool-Aid completely and finished eating vannilla wafers which I bought in Carnesville. After the small feast, I layed down on the cement bench and rested for about an hour (dosing on and off). The moments I was awake, I watched the canopies of surrounding trees and listened to the sound they made. This serenity had intermission of cars zooming by, but it did not seem to bother me. When I left the picnic area I was still in rough shape. I had to get off the bicycle several times in order to climb some of the hills, but I enjoyed rushing down their slopes. Some of the hills I could have stayed on the bicyle, but I did not want to push myself too far. I was not in a rush and as longs as I was nearing my 100 miles goal (no matter how slow the pace was) I was happy !
In Hollywood, I've made another pit stop and checked a message which Marvin left. He informed me that his plans changed and that he is heading my way. I was thrilled when hearing this message, because now instead of taking highway 441 South home, I could continue the trip North. This was the most scenic part of the trip! First few miles were very easy, and the thought of setting a distance record was defenitely contributing to my adrenalin I had in my system. I've peddled on this HIGH for rest of the trip. When 441 started to wind and became more like the first part of highway 17 I slowed down quite a bit, but stayed on the bike. I did make two small stops before arriving in Mountain City. During both stops I have purchased something to drink. I've finished the ride on Blue Ridge Divide at an elevation of 2,168 ft. Not only I've managed to travel 80.5 miles one way way but I also climed over 1,300 ft... a perfect excuse why I did not reach my GOAL. :-)
June ?? Copperhill, TN USA Athens, GA USA 133.9 < 16 h Highway 68 to highway 5 to highway 52 to highway 138 to highway 53 to highway 129. While in Athens I've traveled by Lexington Rd., Barnet Shoals and few others. I did not keep a close record as I did with the trip to Mountain City.