New Years Day Ride - Trail of Tears
01-01-09, 08:10 PM
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New Years Day Ride - Trail of Tears
Cooked the beans & ham. Washed the Spinach. Soaked the Black Eyed Peas to cook later, and got the Jiffy Mix out and ready to bake. I had no intention of riding, but something said "GO", so I went.
It was in the upper 30's here in So. IL. I layered up, loaded up and took off. About 10 minutes from my house is the Trail of Tears State Park. The park sits on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest and sits in a valley with ridges on all four sides. There is a double track fire trail that runs the entire rim of the park. The gates are closed this time of year, so I was completely alone. The total ride was just short of 20 miles. I think last nights champagne and snackies hung around today to prove to me that I can't have it all. I swear the entire ride felt like quicksand. But, suffice to say, It was still Wonderful.
Below are some pics (Beanz, you have inspired me)
Ride Stats
The Park Entrance
The Start - STEEP!!!!!!!
The Trail - Mostly Gravel, some dirt.
The face of pain
More Trail
These shelters are every mile along the ridge. You can camp in them. Fireplace and tables inside. $5.00 a night.
This is an understatement. This Drop-off about burned my discs out. Maybe a full mile of steep downhill.
February of 2008 an Ice Storm dropped thousands of trees in this area. Here is a warning.
Done
It was in the upper 30's here in So. IL. I layered up, loaded up and took off. About 10 minutes from my house is the Trail of Tears State Park. The park sits on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest and sits in a valley with ridges on all four sides. There is a double track fire trail that runs the entire rim of the park. The gates are closed this time of year, so I was completely alone. The total ride was just short of 20 miles. I think last nights champagne and snackies hung around today to prove to me that I can't have it all. I swear the entire ride felt like quicksand. But, suffice to say, It was still Wonderful.
Below are some pics (Beanz, you have inspired me)
Ride Stats
The Park Entrance
The Start - STEEP!!!!!!!
The Trail - Mostly Gravel, some dirt.
The face of pain
More Trail
These shelters are every mile along the ridge. You can camp in them. Fireplace and tables inside. $5.00 a night.
This is an understatement. This Drop-off about burned my discs out. Maybe a full mile of steep downhill.
February of 2008 an Ice Storm dropped thousands of trees in this area. Here is a warning.
Done
Last edited by jboyd; 01-01-09 at 10:15 PM.
01-01-09, 08:15 PM
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Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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Looks like I need to throw some Cyclocross rubber on the FG and come ride that trail. 
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
01-01-09, 08:18 PM
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01-01-09, 09:35 PM
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That looks like a great ride. Thanks for the photos. If I'm ever out there I'll have to ride that trail. And camp in one of the cabins.
BTW, the 'face of pain' photo isn't every flattering. Some angles should be avoided by folks with multiple chins.
BTW, the 'face of pain' photo isn't every flattering. Some angles should be avoided by folks with multiple chins.
01-01-09, 10:10 PM
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Where is the love?
Here is the bad news. You jacked with my self esteem so bad that I went and changed the pic and the 2x chin is still there ;-)
Last edited by jboyd; 01-01-09 at 10:18 PM.
01-01-09, 11:42 PM
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Yes Yes Yes Rider pics! Nice trail too!
...Get out there and ride, is all that matters.
...Get out there and ride, is all that matters.
01-02-09, 12:27 AM
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Face of pain?? Where's the look of anguish, the tears and gnashing of teeth, the fish outta water gasping for air?? Looks like you were almost enjoying yourself! Nice picolas, thanks for sharing. Great way to start the new year, eh?
