Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Bear Affair



After a quick discussion on what we should do for our Saturday entertainment, Wifeunit and I decided to get up early and drive the 90 miles to Rolling Fork for the Great Delta Bear Affair. There would be arts and crafts for her to browse and a choice of a 5k run, 30 mile bike or 60 mile bike for me.


I opted for the shorter bike ride in case my legs were still tired from Friday's run, and 4 hours of arts and crafts would test even the Wifeunit's legendary browsing endurance.



There were about 30 riders, some from Jackson Metro Cyclists and from Greenville and other Delta towns. I fell in behind the main group to see if I was able to hang with them. We were out in the flat countyrside, no hills and light traffic, turned south at Grace, cruising at a 20-22 mph pace. I was keeping up well until we made a turn onto Hwy 1 and the pack strung out into 3 or 4 smaller groups, including my group of 1 in the rear. I guess the strongest riders in front decided to test the rest of us on that stretch of highway through Mayersville. I caught up at the rest stop, which was also the turn-off for those doing the 30-mile leg. The 60 mile riders continued ahead to Fitler and Onward, then back north through Cary and back to Rolling Fork. I was the lone rider to choose the 30-mile, or at least any others were still far behind.



It was a new experience riding completely alone on a narrow road in Issaquena County. I had directions and a map, so there was no danger of getting lost, but I had no idea what the road ahead of me would be like. Well, if you're from that area you would guess what was ahead - cotton fields and an occasional farm house. Fortunately, I was able to sneak past a few large sleeping dogs, my only real concern. When I got to Hwy 14 to turn east back to Rolling Fork, a Sharkey County Sheriff's deputy was waiting at the intersection and asked if I was the last rider. I told him I was actually the first of the 30 mile group, but maybe last, too. I guess he couldn't decide what that meant, but he escorted me in his patrol car the remaining 4-5 miles into town. That was great not having to worry about the traffic blasting by from behind.



By the time I arrived back at the car, Wifeunit had already become bored with the festivities and had been reading at the nearby library. So we loaded up and were back home before 1 pm, napping the afternoon away.

2 comments:

Tea said...

It's funny. When everyone is ready at the start, it seems like there are so many people. But once everyone becomes separated, you're out there by yourself.

During my half ironman, I talked to one Sheriff and told him that I couldn't decide if I was in first or last place. :)

KayVee said...

How's the half marathon training coming? I'm curious to hear how the 9+ mile run went...you can do that, 13.1 is no big deal!