Blueberry Bike Ride 7-21-15

On Tuesday, 21 July 2015, nine barn-burning Groupers ventured out on bicycles in Surry County to whip up the wind and try to cool things off. The weatherman was predicting a high of 96 degrees with a dew point of 77 degrees (oppressive!). Actually, it was overcast to start and did not become “hot hot” until after our stop for ice cream at College Run Farms. Bruce J (Bruce #1) and Bruce M (#3), Phyllis, Bill B, Tricia, Vic, Ted H, Page S, and Brian braved the weatherman’s threat and enjoyed a beautiful day on lightly travelled roads for a 26.5 mile ride. Well, the roads were lightly travelled until we stopped for ice cream. Maybe Surry County woke up from their naps, or it was the county going for ice cream as a natural body cooling mechanism—i.e. health food!—but Alliance road kept sending cars past us. I didn't know Surry County had that many cars.

Susan H did not want to ride but in true Tuesday Group spirit she came to socialize as we waited to start. After we saddled up she left for our lunch spot and turned into a bookworm until we arrived in raucous form to interrupt her concentration—she hid out in the air conditioned park offices! That’s cheating!!! We had decided to skip the Bacon’s Castle stop—this jaded set of Groupers had “been there, done that” and threw Bacon’s Castle under the bus. Actually there are no bathrooms at Bacon’s Castle and with the amount of water and other liquids we were drinking we needed bathrooms so we kept riding to Chippokes. Bruce J was the man of the hour as he knew where the air pump was in their maintenance shop to fill Tricia’s tires. Bruce then held court explaining the benefits of riding with air in your tires. Tricia kept racing to the front after that—it was like a kid when you take the training wheels off. Then it was on to College Run Farms. We know it was hot because not one of us decided to pick blueberries. Bill and I decided to apply to be sheriffs deputies when we saw two uniformed officers—yes, in uniform, with their police cars parked out front—out in the berry fields picking blueberries. Must have been checking for derelict chiggers or crooked ticks. After a good laugh, we headed back on the longest stretch of the day—not in miles, but in intensity as the temperature was heating up. We arrived at the Government Center and said our goodbyes, a good day with good friends that no weatherman can scare off.

Bill checked his truck and it was 104 degrees inside!

Brian

To view Bill B's great pictures click on the link: https://picasaweb.google.com/117475145040031402609/TuesSurryBlueberryJuly212015?authkey=Gv1sRgCKXzh7e9mOGKDw&feat=email