Syrupmaker

I have always rode bikes sometimes more or less in my life. Now at 52 I do it for my health and I like how it makes me feel. I have a Merlin Solis that I ride about 4 times a week with some local guys. We ride 120-130 miles a week, right now, around the beautiful rural area here in SW Georgia. We did the BRAG ride last year and intend to ride it again next year. We ride year round and are always looking for other riders to join us. I like to do my own work on my bike and find it rewarding.

RonH

Welcome. Cairo is a great place for riding. I was there in early Nov 2006. It's one of the many places on our list of retirement areas.

Syrupmaker

Thanks for the welcome and comments about Cairo. We have been here 29 yrs and lived in Atlanta in High School. Great place to retire as well. Warm most of the year and only one Hurricane in 29 yrs compared to Florida.

East Hill

What kind of syrup do you make, and what bugs have you got?

Welcome to BikeForums!

East Hill
Forum Moderator

Syrupmaker

Cane syrup is made here and was once a big deal but now is a dying art. The name Syrupmaker is the mascot name for the high school. Very unique don't you think.
My nick name at work is Bug Man. I work at a large wholesale nursery, for 29 yrs, called Monrovia. My department attempts to control the insects and hence Bug Man. We have lots of bugs here in South Georgia. Thanks for the welcome.

East Hill

Yes, a unique name! I have not only heard of Monrovia, but you've probably touched several of the plants I have in my garden .

East Hill

tomg

welcome!
my dad was from Elberton/Washington area of N/E Georgia, the "Granite capital of thre world". His military tombstone is also granite, hopefully at least from America!
i road bicycle around elberton area, been there many, many times as a child, and remember HEAT in the summer, humidity, pine trees, granite table, and watermelon with BBQ/pit pork! these are flavors and diversity i cherish!
i am working towards 4k (3.1k now) miles this year. your 120-30 miles per week make me envious! right now, my milage comes from commuting mostly.
welcome x2!!

Syrupmaker

If you are on the East Coast then I may have touched some of your plants. Our nursery is one of 4 that Monrovia operates in the US. In the east in addition to the one in Georgia there is another location near La Grange, NC.

Syrupmaker

Tomg

I have been through Washington before. Its a beautiful small town. BRAG is supposed to go through there next year I think. We were having trouble finding Hotels to book for the ride there.
I am originally from Toledo, Ohio but have been in the South for over 30 years.
The weather is challenging to say the least. I have worked outside my whole life so I am used to that. We can ride all year long, most of the time. The cold weather bothers me more than the heat. You didn't mention the bugs man? It's cold now so they have given us a break.
Thanks for the welcome.

billbass

I was born in Cairo, and lived in Thomasville for several years. I can tell you Cairo, and Thomasville have some of the biggest damn spiders you'll ever tangle with. Nasty things with bad attitudes!!!
There used to be a pickle plant there too (Cairo). I'm guessing it's long gone.

Syrupmaker

Those spiders are Banana spiders and they are largest in the fall. They don't bite so they are just creepy when you run into one going through the woods without looking. Their webs are strong too. I'd say 3-4 inches in diameter easy. There are lots of bugs to eat down here.
Rodenberry's Pickle plant was bougth our by Dean Foods then they closed it not long after they bought it. Same for a small town. There is an attorney named Bill Bass in town as well.

billbass

Those are the ones!! Those, and the giant garden spiders. I just googled them, and they are as big as I remember!! Yeeuck!!!!!!! My Billbass is as in bass guitar, which is what I do for a living. They used to make moonshine on weekends in that pickle plant. Anyway, welcome! Go Cairo!
Billbass