Day 4 - War Eagles Baby!
We had an early start today, anticipating a long day on the road. Bag drag was 6:30 a.m., and we were riding by 7:00 a.m. So far, we have had the convenience of breakfast at the hotels, and that helps, particularly when there is an early start. The temperature was 55 degrees, and many wore coats or two jerseys. Oxford, Alabama is on the Choccolocco Creek which brings up the question: is this named after Oxford, England or is this where the oxen forded the creek?
Regardless, we started our ride by climbing up out of the valley. We had five breaks because of the many miles to be covered this day. The first was at the Shinbone Valley Fire and Rescue station. We were met there by husband and wife Travis and Dana Strickland and Josh Davis. If you want to know more about Shinbone Valley, you can buy and read the book "Shinbone Valley: Stricklands and Elders". It is available through Google Books.
Throughout the day, we enjoyed endless roller hills. After several miles of these and after passing Tater Hill Mountain, we had a break in Lineville, Alabama, at Lineville Baptist Church. Executive Pastor Jeremy Martin, a Navy Veteran who served the aviation community as a weapons officer, met us. His son, Junior Executive Pastor Noah Martin, was with him. Rolling further along, we stopped at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. This preserves the location where, in 1814, Major General Andrew Jacksons army attacked and defeated Chief Menawas Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River.
We were provided a potluck lunch at a picnic pavilion prepared by Eagle Creek Baptist Church, led by Pastor Wesley Price. Miss LeeAnn Moran was in charge of the food. The table with the meal was approximately 20 feet long. The beverages were on another table and the desserts were on a third table. The riders agreed that every dish they tasted was the best they had ever had. Others expressed the hope that Alabama Baptists will be in charge of the food in heaven. Between bites of fried chicken, U.S. Park Ranger Barclay Smith briefly summarized the battle. T
he National Military Park was down by the Tallapoosa River. We began our afternoon by climbing, coasting down, and then climbing, and then coasting, ad naseum. Fortunately, we had wonderful weather. At lunch, the temperature was 79 degrees. We all had shed our coats and extra jerseys. There were no clouds, but we were shaded from the sun by the trees on either side of the roads. We have learned that water and cell phone towers are always placed at relative heights. Passing one of these indicates we can expect to coast down, at least for a little while.
The first afternoon break was at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville. Glenda offered a variety of snacks, and she was disappointed that our SAG team didn't take very much. Our SAG team had purchased many provisions for the week. Thanks to the generosity of the Alabamans, there is some concern that there will be significant leftovers. One of the riders had been experiencing difficulties with his rear derailleur, which was solved at this stop. With the continuous rise and fall of the landscape, there was some concern that the riders might become seasick. Fortunately, as Navy veterans, we all have our sea legs.
The final afternoon stop was at Hodges Vineyard and Winery. We met people from the Auburn Student Veterans Association and the NROTC unit. Some of these joined us for the ride. We were escorted by Marine Corps veteran Lee County Deputy Kendrez Richardson and his partner Brooke Walton. Joining them also were Auburn city and Auburn University police and firetrucks. We were escorted the entire final 12 miles. Tonight, we are staying at the Auburn University hotel, The Graduate. For dinner, we walked to the Auburn Football Stadium, where we were greeted by Aubie, the Auburn Tiger Mascot.
Dinner was in the Anderson/Thorne Tigers Den dining area at the stadium. We visited the football team locker room and walked onto the football field. The meal was provided thanks to the efforts of Aubrey Mitchell of Auburn University, Paige Thornton of The DAE Compound, and Navy Veteran Lisa Wilton of Wilton's Catering. As usual in Alabama, the food was excellent. The riders appreciated the shuttle back to the hotel. Loretta presented a Quilt of Valor to Paige on behalf of the team. Hurricane Milton is nearing Florida tonight. One of the riders lives on the west coast of Florida and has left the ride to prepare his house. The hotel here is very full; we were told that many guests are fleeing the path of the hurricane.
Statistics:
96 miles (although one overachiever insisted on going an additional four miles for a full Century Ride);
5630 ft of climb; no flat tires; no falls; limited interaction with dogs.
Totals: 271 miles and 13,490 feet of climb.
Tomorrow's ride is shorter and, hopefully, less challenging: 81 miles and 3420 feet of climb. Bag drag is at 7:00 a.m.