The Journey Begun

I write from my home after the first successful day on the road, from Sewanee, TN to Huntsville, AL (~60miles).

Yesterday afternoon, my father dropped me off at Sewanee, my academic stomping ground. I was joyed to see the light barely pouring through the tree tops, the heavy late spring rains brought about serious leaf density. Everywhere I looked was some shade of green. I spent the night in a rented shack-of-sorts known as the "Flea Market" on Morgans Steep with friends Elspeth Iralu and Laura Candler. A one room cabin with a bathroom, it was a cozy nights sleep and a great way to begin.

This day I was blessed with cloud cover, 60 degree weather, and no rain. I found out that pedaling a bike with 25-35 lbs of gear and food is harder than you think. I ate massive amounts of granola, bananas, walnuts, and left over steak from the night before. I was chased by 4 dogs, honked at zero times, and was very surprised to see armadillo roadkill. Who knew cars were fast enough to take out speedy armadillos? Who knew Tennessee even had armadillos?

Every time a dog chases me, my first thought is, "okay, I will strategically lure him out into the peril of oncoming traffic - that way, fate will catch up with him, he will learn his lesson, and the world will be rid of one more angry rottweiler." Then, I regret these thoughts and suppose that I too would chase and pose harm to cyclists if I was a canine with no ability to understand humans and their silly two-wheeled adventures.

Also concerning roadkill, why is it that I see more turtle roadkill in the spring than any other season of the year. In the past month of training rides, I have seen at least 8 dead alligator snapping turtles, those big reptilian monsters you only see in bad dreams.

I am trying to come to terms with the physical burden I am taking on my body. With daily mileage, temperatures, humidity supposedly rising in the coming days, I anticipate greater and greater challenge.

Peace,

T. Carson Wright