Hotlanta

It’s been way too long since I’ve last cranked out a blogpost. I’m certainly sorry about that. As I mentioned in my last blog post, it can be awfully difficult to find time to blog at the end of these long days of riding. On top of that, most nights recently, I’ve been spending stealth camping. Which means even if I could find the energy, I wouldn’t have internet access. Bummer. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to fill you in on all of my adventures.

Honestly, I’ve been flying with my miles as of late. Just grinding. Up until now, the riding that I’ve encountered thoughout the month from hell hasn’t been too difficult terrain wise. I had some tough segments in Kentucky, Alabama, and one could argue a small part of Georgia. However these past few days of riding in Tennessee and Kentucky have been the hardest terrain I’ve experienced since Colorado. That’s 5000 miles ago.

The heat continues to shine down on me. Just gruelling. Hot, humid, and did I mention hot? Fortunately, when you’re biking, you get a slight breeze that assists in keeping you a little bit cooler. But it doesn’t keep the sweat from dripping off of you. My jersey gets soaked. My gloves are wet. My sunglasses drip with sweat. There’s no stopping it. When you climb up a tough hill, you feel the sweat dripping on your legs, on your brow, on your arms. Everywhere. There’s no stopping it. You can’t stop a tsunami. Nor can you stop this sweat.

The ride into Atlanta, was you guessed it, HOT. It was a long ride, over 120 miles. Atlanta isn’t the greatest bike cities, so I’m always cautious riding into it. Fortunately, I somehow dodged traffic and google helped me direct a great route that delivered me to Atlanta in good time. Turner Field. Ballpark 15. Halfway done, over halfway if you’re counting mileage.

Somedays, while I’m eating lunch, I’ll take out my pocket map that I carry around with my route. I just stare at it. I ponder over the miles I’ve ridden, and baffle myself that I’ve ridden my bike all that way. It’s crazy to think how far I’ve come. How much I’ve seen. It really is surreal to think that I pedaled all that way. Still, I have a few thousand miles remaining. However, I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have a few more days of riding to complete the month from hell. From June 26th to July 27th I will have ridden well over 100 miles everyday. I’m so close I can taste it. After this stretch the mileage decreases and the off days increase.

 

Atlanta is a great city. Many of the buildings from the city’s hosting of the Olympics still preside throughout the town as the city proudly boasts it’s past. Turner Field which is only 18 years old, is set to be replaced following next season by a ballpark to the North of Atlanta in Cobb County. The move has brought plenty of scrutiny, which argues that the Braves don’t need a new stadium. I tend to agree, Turner Field, was great. A beautiful place to watch a ballgame. Very fan friendly and just a pleasant atmosphere. What the move comes down to is money. The Braves want more control over the revenue in and around the ballpark. Currently the City of Atlanta has most of that control. There is also no bars in the surrounding area of the ballpark. The team wants a better pre/post game atmosphere. Thus, the move, to the Braves, makes sense.

 

The Braves took on the Cubs. With all of he young talent the Cubs have on their lineup, it’s fun to watch them play. They just called up another stud in their catching prospect Schwarber.

He impressed the Atlanta faithful with some solid basehits. However the Braves got the win. The home team has been prevailing a lot as of late. I haven’t seen the home team lose since Houston. Crazy!

I got to see some more postgame fireworks too. I saw one showing in Arlington at a Rangers game. At first, I thought the idea of fireworks in the ballpark wouldn’t be that great, but it was amazing. So Turner Field with fireworks? Count me in. The showing was synchronized to various songs to add further excitment.

The Braves themselves even gave me some coupons for the concessions to get some ballpark calories in me before I headed out in the morning. I’ve always admired the Braves, partly because they have a rich history during their time as the Milwaukee Braves, and partly because they were always on the TV at my grandpa’s farm when I’d be visiting. Either way, it was great to experience a ballgame in Turner Field.

A big thanks to my host Luke who allowed me to crash at his place over the day in a half I was in Atlanta! He spoiled me with meals, showers, and even some beer! Plus, I wasn’t camping, so that’s the most important thing. Did I mention AC???

I just crossed into Kentucky today. It’s my second time biking through the state, but a completely different part of it. Tennessee and Kentucky aren’t my most favorite of states to bike through. Scenery wise they’re great. However, the roads just are not that bike friendly. They love to put rumble strips everywhere. I mean everywhere. Often, they’ll only give you a few inches of shoulder, and they’ll decide to lay a rumble strip down on it. Thus, as a cyclist you’re forced to ride in the lane of traffic, which is not only dangerous for you, but also for the motorists. Hopefully, Ohio has a little bit friendlier roadways.

I continue to trek onward. I’ll make it to Cincinatti tomorrow. I told you earlier, I’m flying. Pounding out the miles. Day after day. Plus, the ballparks are beginning to get a whole lot closer together now. So that’s a big plus. So be sure to keep following along. There’s a whole lot more excitement to come.