4/23/08 day 6
Aiken to Rivers Bridge
Total miles: 281
Miles:  59.28
Aver MPH:  11.4
Biking time: 5.10.36
Total Time: 9.0
Top speed: 30.9
Camp cost: free
The little Red Pottery Barn
We both slept well last night.  The tension and stress of Aiken had drained away as we ate breakfast and had a cup of coffee.  By 8:30 we were slowly making our way out of camp when an older gentleman came rushing out of his RV with a camera in hand.  He asked if he could take our picture and even had us ride by for an action shot.  He wanted to know everywhere we had been and was really excited about our trip.  As we finally saddled up and started to pull off he quickly asks where we were headed that day.  Susan told him Rivers Bridge State Park.  He then got a glazed look in his eyes as he looked off in the distance while he rubbed his chin.  �I thought they closed that campground, �he said.  Susan immediately started the interrogation, �of me.
What do you mean it�s closed.  Where are we going to stay? Why are we headed that direction? What are we going do?   I quickly moved to ease her fears by telling her, �of COURSE I check the web site�, and �they CERTAINLY had camping�.  I mean, I stayed there 5 years ago didn�t I?  I had check the site too,  �.5 years ago.  But no way would they close a state park.  No way.  So, with Susan constantly badgering me all the way to Barnwell about the park, the next 28 miles was worst than being water-boarded. 

Right outside Barnwell is the �Little Red Barn Pottery�.  We of course just had to stop.  Susan needed to unload some of that excess cash she was carrying so she could lighten our load.  While conversing with the shop owner during her purchases she asked about Rivers Bridge State Park.  The shop owner assured her it was opened.  She went on to say there was a ranger there and that her family had recently had a picnic outing at the park.  So with a smug smile on my face we pedaled on towards Barnwell. 

In Barnwell we ate lunch and did some grocery shopping.  We then did my least favorite chore, laundry.  After that we found the library and went in to check our email.  Of course we could not get a computer because we had messed around and it was after 3:00. While I checked my email with my palm�s wifi Susan talked with the librarian about our trip.  She had seen us ride up was asking her about it.  Susan told her we were headed for Rivers Bridge, and did she know if they were still opened.  The woman said she was the president of the local Historical Society and worked closely with Rivers Bridge.  Rivers Bridge is site of a Civil War battle in SC.  She said it was opened and she pulled out some info about it and began to read it to Susan.  She did mention that they don�t call it a State Park anymore, but Rivers Bridge Historical Site.  She also mentioned how it was funny but they don�t say anything about camping in the brochure, but she thought she remembered a camp site there.   None of this was very satisfying to Susan so I told her to call the place and find out for herself.  She did and she got the reservation service the state uses for handling their camping reservations.  The woman on the other end told she could not make a reservation for her because they could not process same day reservations and Susan would have to handle them at the park.  Susan asked if this meant they were full and the woman told her no.  Now, none of the information we have gathered has said we could camp, but all of it has implied that we could.   So, with a much better feeling, we headed off late in the afternoon to do those last 25 miles to Rivers Bridge.
The last 10 miles or so at end of any day is always a little stressful.  You are tired.  You�re not quite sure how far away the camp is.  Our queue sheets get us close but not exact.  You are always wondering if you missed a turn.  We were also in one of the most remote areas we had been in to date.  There was nothing around us but forest.   We had these worries, as well as the nagging doubts about the park, as we finally turned at the sign that said, �Rivers Bridge Historical Site�.  That bothered me.  Why didn�t they call it a state park anymore?  A few more miles down the road and we came upon the entrance.  Park opened form 9:00AM to 6:00PM daily.  The brown gates were pulled closed and pad locked.
I didn�t even slow down as we rode through the narrow opening between the post and the ditch.  Susan was pounding on my back wanting to know what I was doing.  I was going to find that campground I told her.  It was d�j� vu.  I saw the shelter I had stayed under because of rain 5 years before.  I even saw the road to the campground, but now it had a load of dirt poured across it as a blockade. 
The �old� campground had even been planted in trees that looked to be at least a few years old.  We both just stood there pondering our next move.  That�s when I saw the dirt drive with a sign saying �private residence�.  I told Susan to get on and I started down the drive.  At the end was a small house with a ranger�s truck in the driveway.
After ringing the bell a few times the ranger appeared.  I told him our problem as he listened politely.  After I finished talking he told me that the campground had been closed about 4 years ago and that there was a private campground just down the road.   Susan asked how far that was and he told her about 6-7 miles.  We both almost dropped.  It was close to 6:30 and we had just ridden almost 60 miles.  I guess the looks on our faces sold it because he immediately commented how we looked like we needed a place to stay so we could stay in the picnic shelter.  He would even leave the bathrooms unlocked for us.  There were never two more thankful folks in that Historical Site.  Later that evening he came down to visit and told us we were not the first bikers to show up at his door step and because of the remotest of the area he usually let them stay if they didn�t think they could push on to the private camp.  I found this to be the norm with the State Parks.  All the rangers we spoke with were helpful and nice.  That night we even had our second rain shower but we were high and dry under the shelter.
Camping under the shelter
NOTE ABOUT THE STUFF WE CARRIED
Our bike looks like we were moving and carrying it all with us.    We are almost.  The trailer and its load weights 56 lb.  The two front panniers weight in at 23 lb.  The two small panniers and trunk on the back vary depending on groceries and other things that change daily, but probably weight from 10-20 lb. at any given time.  It is a load that makes itself felt on the hills we climb. 

The front pannier on the right holds all of our cooking stuff; pots, stoves, cooking utensils, wind screens, and lighters and matches.  The one on the left holds things we might need during the day.  Things like our rain gear, jackets, wallets, Susan's wrap she wears when off the bike, camera and a water proof bag incase of bad weather.  On top of that pannier in the bungees is our map and a pair of shorts I put on when off the bike.  We are both a little uncomfortable walking around in public with all that spandex.  I don�t look much like Lance Armstrong in his biking clothes; more like the Michelin Man.
The two small back panniers carry our groceries.  One side has our staples, salt, pepper and all that stuff, plus overflow groceries.  The other side has the day�s food plus the items we have to buy in bulk like grits, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and such.  We also buy 6 packs of Snicker bars and keep them there.  The trunk carries quick grab items like glasses, hats, sunscreen, cell phone, and snacks.  We each have a pocket for our own stuff; brushes, Chap Stick, Kleenex, my chain stick.  Oh yeah.  That is a very import tool.  It is a little stick I found that works great for putting the chain back on without getting your hands greasy.  A great tool and a must have for any biker ;-)   We also put Susan�s daily purchases in the trunk.  The trunk can expand, and she has been known to have it expanded it to the max.  Then comes the trailer.

The trailer carries everything else.  Zipped tied to the underneath is a share trailer tire.  Under the bag are the tent ground cloth and a tarp.   The tarp is on top of everything if there is a chance of rain.  Then comes the bag with our clothes, sleeping bags, our electronic bag (phone, Palm, and Ipod chargers, flash lights, radio, extension cord).  We also have a candle lamp, pillows and all the little things that make life on the road bearable in there as well.  On top of the bag are our Thermarests pads, the closed cell pad with our tools wrapped inside, the tent and tent poles, and a spare bike tire.  Bungeed to all that are our rubber shoes and flip-flops.  Along with all that we have 5 water bottles and our stove fuel. Yeah, we do make a site.
4/24/08 day 7
Rivers Bridge to Givhans
Total miles: 343
Miles:  61.93
Aver MPH:  11.6
Biking time: 5:18:20
Total Time: 8.0
Top speed: 27.0
Camp cost:  $14.99
Edisto River at Givhans SP
This morning we awoke with a new plan.  The route today was to Edisto State Park, 72 miles away.  Since the last two days had been a little stressful I proposed we instead shortened the day by riding to Givhans SP.  This would mean an even shorter route the next day to Summerville where we had a hotel waiting for the next two nights.  Susan agreed, and we began loading up.  Well, remember the theme of this trip; a trip of a thousand cuts? 

We started the day with a cut.  Susan�s glasses lens popped out.  Both of them and hers are molded frames.  I could not get either lens to stay in place so I found another great use for duct tape.  I admit it didn�t look too great but she could see, and since she did not bring her extra pair she really couldn�t argue.  Anyway, we decided that the 55 miles to Givhans sounded much better than the 72 to Edisto so off we went.
We had eaten breakfast before leaving and it was a good thing.  We rode over twenty miles before we ever saw a store.  It was at Sniders Cross Roads that we finally took our morning break.  Again we talked with a few folks that walked over to where we were sitting to see just what we were about.  From Sniders Cross Roads it was only another ten miles to Walterboro and the Cracker Barrel restaurant there.  I had Uncle Hershel�s Big Breakfast.  It was pretty good too.  After eating we at last found a library with open computers and sent out an email.  We then started off for the last 25 miles of the day.  That was until we missed our turn In Cottageville.  Then it became our last 32 miles of the day.  Another cut, and a little deeper than most. 

We pulled up in Givhans around 5:00 and set up camp.  Givhans turned out to be one of our favorite parks.  We had a nice site in the grass under a big tree and we were right across from the bathhouse.  That is always a big plus for us.  It shortens those midnight runs to the bathroom.  After setting everything up we rode a short distance out of the park to a local panty to get some cold drinks.  While there Susan picked up a lottery ticket.  As she got it she said if we win she was going to rent a limo to carry us around.  The guy behind the counter said if you win maybe you can buy a car.  He assumed we didn�t own one because you would have to be nuts to ride a bike this far.  I guess he was partly right.
Which side is up?
4/25/08 day 8
Givhans to Summerville
Total miles: 343
Miles:  61.93
Aver MPH:  11.6
Biking time: 5:18:20
Total Time: 8.0
Top speed: 27.0
Camp cost:
The next morning we had 25 miles or so to ride to Summerville so we slept in.  After eating we then walked around the park some and did a little exploring.  Givhans is on the black water of the Edisto River and is a big canoeing area.  The river is slow and lazy through here and is really pretty. 

We finally pulled out around 10:30.  Today we had another very bad road.  It was narrow and crowded with trucks.  We finally white knuckled our way into Summerville and pulled into the first laundormat we saw.  I noticed a hardware store as we pulled in and because Susan hated her ducted tape glasses I went in and got some superglue.  As we were doing laundry I proceeded to untape her lenses and glue them back in.  Working as careful as possible I managed to get superglue allover them.  By the time I was finished they were pretty much frosted lens with only a small peep hole in the middle of each lens.   I thought it looked better than the duct tape but of course Susan, who is never happy, didn�t like�em much.  Like I always say,� She would complain if you hung her with a new rope�.   Just another little cut.

By the time we had eaten and messed around it is about 3:30.  Our hotel was actually and 2-3 miles out of town at the intersection of hwy 17 and I-26.  I also needed to find a bike shop to buy some more ridding shorts.  A bike shop was along our route just down the road so we started on our way.
Now this shop has a full plate glass front and we pulled right up to the door.  I�m taking off my helmet and gloves and getting my wallet while Susan just walks in.  A minute later she walks back out.   She says there are five guys in there.  When she walked in they all look up at her and she says hello.  They then just turn back to what they where doing and totally ignore her without even speaking.  All right I think!  This is going to be a great bike shop because everyone knows how arrogant and rude a good �go fast� bike shop is.  Not only do they not speak when I walk in, they never even mention this bright orange tandem pulling a single wheel trailer stacked sky high with stuff parked at their door.  I am waited on by a guy my age with two earrings, bald headed with a ponytail.  I finally met someone that looked dumber than I did.  After paying we walked out and loaded up and pedaled off.   Only at a bike shop could we pull up and no one show the least amount of interest in what we were doing. 

After battling 6 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic we finally pulled into our hotel.  Our hotel is in a mall complex with every store you can image including a Walmart Super store.  Friday afternoon traffic here was a nightmare.  At least it was slow.
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