TGE Anderson Saturday Morning Ride/s

After a great and cold ride in Anderson this Saturday morning, a group of us are grimaced over the blood flow moving back into our toes and fingers. We talked about what items of clothing worked really well in the frigid weather and what will not be used next Saturday morning. As I noticed that the ice that formed in my beard is slowly melting away and that the coffee tastes better than ever, we slowly looked at each other and remembered what was discussed a few days before, the idea of heading to Greenville and riding Paris MTN after we finished up the Saturday morning ride. We shrug off the doubt and head out towards Greenville. The idea that is has to be warmer than the 26 degree weather we were just riding in earlier warms our hearts a bit.

Once we get to Cleveland Park, we pull the bikes off the cars and start getting dressed. We change clothes to the noise of jokes and the howling of the monkeys from the zoo. We were welcomed to the beginning of the ride with a balmy 32 degrees. Then we are off, heading over to Paris MTN. It has been awhile since I rode Paris MTN and I have to admit, it sounded a bit daunting. While I lived in Greenville, this was something I did a few times a week, but now that I live in the rolling hills of Anderson, it seems like it is a lot steeper and longer than it did before. The three other guys I was riding with are on their maiden voyage. The nervous excitement of the climb was bouncing around in their heads. Once we take the turn onto Altamont, everyone says their last jokes and head up. Wow, I forgot how much painful fun and many great views that climb offers. Also, I forgot how fast the descent can be and how COLD! Once we got back to the cars everyone had smiles on their faces, no matter what pain they felt on the climb earlier. It was laughs and stories at this point. The stories about that dog chase, the wall (the last pitch on Altamont Rd.), the cold and (most importantly)trying to decide where we were going to eat lunch.

What a great and cold day. No matter how cold it was during those rides it was great to get on the bike. Whenever you can, bundle up and get on your bike.