30 miles
Well, we went in search of warmer weather and let's just say we are headed in the right direction! It was 66 degrees and overcast when we started out this morning. By the time we ended the clouds were breaking up and the temperature was very comfortable. We were actually very happy that we even got to ride because the rain chances had been very high for today. We thought we would be taking a rain day and wait for tomorrow to ride. But, surprise, the weatherman was wrong!
We started out in Hattiesburg on the campus of the University of Southern Miss. The trail is 40 miles long but we knew we wouldn't get to ride the complete trail since we didn't have anyone to move our car to the other end. So we rode out 15 miles, turned around and came back. The trail was extremely nice. Very wide (a minimum of 10 foot wide) and the surface was asphalt. So our average mph was higher today than yesterday. Yesterday we averaged 11 mph, today 15.5 mph.
This trail was part of a tree identification program so the section we rode had identification signposts labeling some trees. I saw some trees I had never heard of. It was quite interesting. There were many areas to stop and rest and enjoy the scenery. The scent today was just as wonderful. Again, I smelled honeysuckle but today it was mixed with aroma from the pine trees and the after rain fragrance.
We did have a near disaster with a squirrel. We were clipping right along (15 mph) and a squirrel on the side of the trail couldn't decide which way he wanted to dart. At the last second he shot out toward us on a collision course with our front tire. Right before our tire would have hit him he changed directions! Clay said he was sure we were going to go down. Too close for my comfort level!
One other interesting thing happened. When we finished and were loading our bike on the car a reporter for a local TV station came up to us. She asked if we had ridden the trail. She said they are getting ready to expand the trail and her station was going to run a piece about it. We told her we were from Illinois and that we were riding a trail in every state. She asked if she could ask us a few questions on camera about the trail and what we thought about it. So, I guess tonight or very soon we'll be on the news in Hattiesburg! Why do things like this have to happen to me after riding 30 miles and having helmet hair!!!
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