Day 3 - Alabama is pretty amazing
This morning, the temperature was 70 degrees when we gathered for our briefing. We had blue skies and no clouds. As with last year, we start the day with 22 push-ups in memory of veterans and family members who have been suicide victims.
LT Clifford Heard, head of special operations for the Gadsden Police, joined us for the escort out of town. Sargeant Ford and Officer Burgess, who had escorted us into town yesterday on their police electric bicycles, joined us. They were assisted by Etowah County Motor Deputies McClellan, Davis, and Rowan on their motorcycles. They told us where there was a divided highway that they would escort us in the left-hand lane, and that "it will belong to you". One of the riders asked Officer Burgess about the condition of the roads, and he replied that they are excellent. The rider followed up with the question of who to call if they were not: could he call Officer Burgess? He replied, "Call 911"!
They escorted us eight miles to Maraella Vineyards and Winery, where we stopped for water and snacks. The winery owner, Scott Lee, met us and gave us a short history of the winery that his father had started. We also thanked the officers for their assistance.
The history of the area is evident in the buildings, structures, and signs. We see abandoned log-constructed barns, abandoned wood trestle bridges, and signage such as "Cemetery, 1840." Some farms boast signs as Alabama Century and Heritage Farms. These are recognized by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries as operating farms that have been owned by the same family for over 100 years, and that possess interesting and important historical and agricultural aspects, including one or more structures at least forty years old.
At lunchtime, the temperature was 85 degrees. The sun was more intense than yesterday, and we felt the heat.
We were hosted at American Legion Post 57 in Jacksonville, Alabama. David Hall, the Commander, arranged for hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, cut fruit, and cake. The building features exterior murals showing the wars and conflicts, with each mural having a QR code to a website describing the events of the mural. A goal of the Post is to host educational events for children and teach American Military History.
As we rode south through Anniston, Alabama, we stopped to refill water bottles from the SAG truck. Marcus Tillman, the Anniston Recreation and Trail Director, saw us and stopped. He had been contacted by Officer Burgess, our morning police escort, and advised that we would be passing through Anniston. Marcus rides bicycles and told us bicycling is popular in this area. We had ridden several miles on the Chief Ladiga trail, and we learned that in several months, an additional portion of that trail will open.
We rode through old downtown Anniston and found it to be well-preserved. The retail stores have all closed, but many buildings are being used by professionals, antique stores, and local government. Several buildings, such as Western Auto, Rexall Drugs, and H.S. Kress, retain their original signage. The H.S. Kress building has the original three-story tiled art deco facade with signage of H.S. Kress and Co., 5-10-25 Cent Store.
Further along, we passed what was certified in 1982 by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest chair, belonging to Millers Office Furniture.
Statistics: 50 miles; 2160 ft of climb; no flat tires; one fall; limited interaction with dogs. Totals: 175 miles and 7860 feet of climb.
The ride tomorrow is the longest for this year, at 97 miles and 5340 feet of climb. Many of us are turning in early, as our bag drag is at 6:30 a.m.
- Darren Anderson