Chattahoochee, I'm Not Crazy

I had been waiting anxiously for this ride. It was a Silk designed route that was supposed to take in "every hill in Chattahoochee twice". We did not achieve that goal, but I didn't hear any complaints. After 88 miles, which included some dirt roads and an aggravating return trip head wind, I think we were all glad to see beautiful downtown Havana again.

You know where Chattahoochee is right? Or rather what it's famous for? It's the home of the Florida State Mental Hospital and a correctional institute. The city is located in West Gadsden County on the banks of the Apalachicola River and sports some serious elevation changes (for Florida at least).

Urban sprawl has missed it, no new subdivisions or strip malls. With Lake Seminole on the North, the river to the West, and an abundance of rolling hills I could never figure out why more people don't live here. Oh yea, jobs, if you don't work for the state there's really not much to do here to earn a living. Still, it's a pretty place.

Not as pretty as beautiful downtown Havana though and that's where we met at 9:00 on a cool Saturday morning. There were the regulars plus a couple of faces I didn't recognize. The trip started with some slight mechanicals on one of the bikes, I won't mention whose, but after BW got it tuned up there were no problems.

Unless you count BW's flat.

On the way out we had a good tail wind. BJS got pissed because I took us off route and it messed up his Garmin, I assured him it wouldn't be the last time, and I was right.

We stopped for a water break in front of the hospital, then rolled through the grounds to get to the first clay road section.

I love clay roads. The sandy spots got my attention and I still don't trust that skinny tire at any kind of speed but I smiled the hole time we were on dirt.

Heading back into the wind everybody was getting tired. I was trying to remember all the roadie rules I had just read the day before. I kept hearing "Norman, get on that wheel!" As well as other less polite insults. Every one took their turn at the front and when BJS pulled over and let me pull we were just outside of Havana. I kept my eye on my speedometer and tried to keep the same pace as BJS was running. I had thought about sprinting for the city limits sign but BW got the jump.

Right after we got into town one of the new faces rode up beside me and gave me a little grief for my excessive pace during that last pull. Really? After 88 miles you have to do that? I don't know that guy very well so I'll reserve that rant for another time.

Anyhoo after we got cleaned up we met at Joanies for beers and food. This ride set a new personal mileage mark for me by 10 miles. I want to do more of these. All the roadie rules aside I had a great time.

Thanks Silk!