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4/26/08
day 9
Summerville
Total miles: 380
Miles: 16.23
Aver MPH: 8.2
Biking time: 1.57.43
Total Time:
Top speed: 15.5
Camp cost: |
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The plan today was to sleep until noon. Get up and eat and then take a nap. Didn�t work though. We were both up by 7:00. After eating the hotel breakfast we biked into town. There was a farmers market down one of the main streets and we spent the morning sampling fruit and rambling around. By late morning we went for a slow ride through some of the historic neighborhoods and even went through the local museum. We had lunch at a neighborhood Greek Restaurant and then headed back to the hotel. Back at the room we decided to pack up some stuff and mail it home. We had brought with us some cold weather gear that we felt like we would not need so we shipped it back. We mailed back the base to the tandem talk. Didn�t need that anymore and we shipped a few other things. It all came to about 10 lb.s of unneeded items. After a trip to the post office we went to a local sports store and bought Susan some new biking pants. Then we just vegged out at the room until supper. We walked to over to a Ruby Tuesdays and ate. We then came back and just enjoyed the room with its AC, soft bed and TV. |
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It was with some trepidation we left the hotel this morning. We were leaving a bed, pillows, AC, and 4 walls and a roof. Tonight�s forecast is for an 80% chance of thunderstorms. We have been really lucky with the weather. Every day has been gorgeous. Today the forecast was for scattered thunder showers during the day, and a thunderstorm rolling in tonight. It looked like a change was coming.
We rode one of our easiest rides today, with overcast skies, but no rain. We did our grocery shopping as we were leaving town and we then had about 18 miles of alt 17 to Moncks Corner. The Sunday morning traffic was much nicer than the Friday afternoon traffic coming in to Summerville was. In Moncks Corner we took a break then headed out through the Francis Marion National Forest.
It was very quiet and we really enjoyed it. It was incredibly rural and we saw very few cars as we pedaled along thinking this is how a bike trip should be. We arrived at the camp site under hot clear skies about 1:30.
Because of the rain possibilities we rigged a tarp over the picnic table so we could cook and eat in the dry when the rain arrived. By 4:30 it was is still clear and hot. The camp host came by and told us the rain was coming in later that night and should move out in the morning. We hoped he was right. If it was going to rain all day tomorrow we might change plans and head for a hotel in Litchfield. |
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4/27/08
day 10
Summerville to Buck Hall
Total miles: 431
Miles: 50.16
Aver MPH: 13.0
Biking time: 3:52:57
Total Time:
Top speed: 27.5
Camp cost: $30.00 |
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Enjoying the waterway |
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Setting up the tarp, with no trees! |
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4/28/08
day 11
Buck Hall to North Litchfield
Total miles: 478
Miles: 47.8
Aver MPH: 13.8
Biking time: 3:27:26
Total Time:
Top speed: 38.0
Camp cost: $139.00 |
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We got up this morning expecting the worst, but the skies were only partly cloudy. The wind had picked up and it had the feel of changing weather. We didn�t eat breakfast. We packed quickly and started out. We passed an early morning camper walking his dog and he yelled to us that we would make Georgetown with no trouble with the wind we had. He was right. We pulled onto hwy 17 with a direct tailwind. We were soon pedaling along at 16-17 mph. This is an unheard of speed for us, especially with our load. It was a good thing too, because I had an error in the queue sheet and Georgetown was eleven miles further than I showed. Ouch! That cut hurt, and I can promise you my stoker did not take it well. Susan hates extra miles worse than close traffic. With the tailwind and flat terrain we made the 30 miles to Georgetown in two hours. I couldn�t believe by 10:00 we were sitting down in a restaurant having breakfast in Georgetown.
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Next to us sat a couple that lived on a boat. They followed the weather like a religion. They ensured us there was a bad storm coming. As we ate we debated about getting a hotel in Georgetown and calling it a day. The biggest problem would mean going a different route to get to our next destination; a longer route. I actually argued for it because of the traffic worries I already had about the road to Conway the next day. The route tomorrow was already 73 miles and this would add about 7-8 more. It was about then the couple told us the storm was not coming in until late that afternoon. That was all Susan needed to push the �stay course� choice. So after eating we headed for Litchfield.
Now to get to Litchfield you have to pass the Hammock Shop and all its related stores. Now Susan�s logic became painfully clear. After an hour or so we pulled out of the Hammock Shop and started looking for a hotel. About a mile from where we had planned to camp we found one. As I lay in bed watching TV Susan headed across the street to the mall and a pedicure place. The sky looked like a downpour any minute, but in a light sprinkle she decides its time to get her feet done. Go figure.
She calls around 5:00 to tell me there is a wings place there and that�s all I needed to brave the weather. While having a beer and a plate of wings and ribs, what a dinner, we talk about tomorrow. It�s a long day tomorrow so we decide to pack tonight and to get up early and leave around 7:00-7:30. After eating we do our grocery shopping and head back to the hotel. As we walk over we both notice the sky is cloudless. Now, on my trip 5 years ago I got rained on when there was only a 20% chance. Today we rode in an 80% chance and never felt a drop. Not bad.
Oh, and the cut today? All that stuff we mailed home. Susan has managed to replace it with junk purchased along the way. She said she was helping by lightening her credit limit. |
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One of the little communities along the way |
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4/29/08
day 12
North Litchfield to Pee Dee
Total miles: 562
Miles: 83.95
Aver MPH: 11.1
Biking time: 7:32:36
Total Time: 9:45
Top speed: 26.0
Camp cost: $15.00 |
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We pulled out of the hotel at 7:15 on to hwy 17 and morning traffic. Fortunately we found a bike path that took us to Merrell�s Inlet. In Merrell�s Inlet we found our road to Socastee. It was not too bad. In Socastee we got on hwy 544 just before the bridge over the inter-coastal waterway. |
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As we were riding up to it I had a bad feeling. This is the main road to Myrtle Beach and it is loaded with high-speed traffic. Most bridges have a 3�-4� shoulder but this one didn�t look like it did. It was hard to tell since it was curving away from us as we rode up to it and I battled with myself as to what to do. There was no other road choice for dozens of miles but this looked really scary. As the road was slowly disappearing I thought about pulling over and trying to hitch a ride over the bridge. I knew I would have to do it soon because we were running out of space for a pick-up truck to pull over, and before I knew it I was on the bridge. Like all bridges over the inter-coastal water way it is really high to allow for boat traffic. The road is 4 lanes with only about 12� of shoulder right of the white line. The traffic gave us no consideration as it went by at 60-65 mph. Once we were on it we were committed. There was no way to turn back or even stop. We slowly climbed to the top and quickly got down the other side. The whole experience lasted about 10 minutes. As soon as we got off the bridge a 4� shoulder spread out in front us and I pulled over and stopped. We were very grateful to be off that bridge. It was the most dangerous thing I believe I have every intentionally done. The next 8 miles into Conway was not enjoyable at all. Even with the shoulder the speed and noise of the cars and trucks zooming by was unsettling. We finally came to a road that took us into town and off hwy 501. It was the business route and a little longer but the traffic was much less and much slower. |
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We ate lunch in Conway and while sitting in the restaurant Susan mentioned the flags on our bike and trailer. They were whipping in the wind. We both knew from the weather channel that there was a wind advisory today with 20-25 mph winds from the northwest. Getting to Conway the wind had been a nuisance, but we had been focus on other problems. Now it looked like it had picked up, and the bad news was we were headed dead into it; northwest. From Conway we still had fifty miles and we were not looking forward to it.
As we pulled out of Conway and onto the back country roads of the low country, we relaxed some, but it didn�t take long for the wind to start to wear on us. Hills maybe hard and long, but they do have a top. There is a finish point. The wind ever stops. It is relentless when it is blowing like it was then. As you pedal through the constant resistance you began to notice the noise as well. It roars through your helmet and seems to amplify. You can�t talk to each other any longer and it just becomes you and the wind. You are in your own world of continuous noise and pain with only the turns on the route sheet to break the monotony. We were usually making turns every few miles but today we had three 8-9 mile stretches which made it even tougher. At our speed it meant riding for an hour or so before a change. It was not a fun day but after 84 miles it finally ended. |
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Taking a much needed break (look at the flags) |
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Around 5:00 we pulled into the Pee Dee SP. As we approached the ranger�s station we saw a big chalkboard hanging at the door. On it was the weather forecast for the day. The temp was forecasted to be 41 that night. I could not help but think about that cold weather gear we had shipped home.
We got a nice site and unloaded the trailer. We looked for some firewood but there was none. I jumped on the bike and rode back to the ranger�s station pulling our empty trailer. Most campgrounds sale firewood and they sold it here too. I purchased two bundles. They are about the size of an arm load and are dry oak that burns well. When I pulled back into our site Susan is still sitting where I left her. It was then I wished her a happy birthday. Today is her birthday. She looked up and said this was the birthday from hell. I thought she took it pretty well. |
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Finally here!! |
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The best part of the day |
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