The Sasquatch Ride is a lot of excellent dirt road riding in a great, chill social setting. Ray and Tina Egan do a fantastic job of putting it on. There are several route lengths (30, 60, or 100 miles), the food is delicious, there is live music, and it's just good people. Last year I had fun but wasn't feeling well at the Sasquatch Ride and didn't get to fully partake; this year I felt great and had a blast!
Saturday
I opted for the 100-mile route. About 10 miles in, I had the chance to turn onto the 60-mile route. It was slightly tempting, given the near 100% chance of rain that afternoon. However, I had set my sights on 100 miles, and the rain didn't look too bad (only about 1/4 inch was predicted). Besides, it's always easier if the rain starts during a ride rather than having to start in the rain.
I was very happy to get with a group of five other riders: my friend Monte; Bill from Warner Robins; and Canaan, Chad, and Mike from Louisiana. We headed north on the extra loop of the 100-mile course, which allowed us to see much more of Jasper County (my home county).
Although I didn't take many pictures myself, someone posted these beautiful photos from the ride:
Several earworms stuck in my head throughout the day. It started with Cake: "He's going the distance...He's going for speed..."
We approached the first rest stop at about mile 27 at the northernmost part of the route. A high school mountain bike team (NICA - National Interscholastic Cycling Association) from Warner Robins sponsored this rest stop. They greeted us enthusiastically and provided much appreciated refreshments. Also, they were playing Christmas music! Before Thanksgiving! Jingle Bell Rock became my new earworm as I continued riding.
As we rode through Monticello, my hometown, we made an extra stop at CVS. I chatted with Chad.
He described riding to the North Shore. I assumed he was talking about New Jersey because of his accent. It turns out he was referring to the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, and he's from Louisiana! I love and appreciate Southern accents in all their varieties, but this Cajun accent was new to me. We both had a good laugh later when I told him about my misunderstanding.
At this stop I also learned Canaan's name. Up to then, everyone had referred to him simply as The Kid. He's only 14 but has already made quite a name for himself in cycling. This summer he did Trans North Georgia (TNGA), keeping up the whole way with Mike. Canaan/The Kid finished something like eighth overall! That's insane. When I was 14, I was doing well not to trip over my own two feet.
As we left CVS, I had a new earworm: Land of Canaan by Indigo Girls.
We rejoined the 60-mile route on Smith Mill Road in western Jasper County. From there, we rode south, parallel to the Ocmulgee River. The next rest stop was at the public boat launch on the river. This was a party stop.
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| Bill's bike in front of the wanted posters |
The snacks were outstanding, too, including homemade jerky and these blackberry and raspberry bars that were just delicious. The bars had a hint of salt, which made them extra flavorful and provided a few electrolytes. Apparently, it's some kind of pro cycling recipe.
As usual, the hourly forecast from The Weather Channel was right on. The rain started while we were at this rest stop. It was intermittent at first.
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| Mike, Chad, and Canaan between rain showers |
Although it wasn't a cold rain (the temperature was in the 60s), I was getting chilled as I sat under the pavilion at the boat ramp. Monte and I rolled out before the others so we could get our blood moving again. The hardest rain was over about the next 10 miles. Then it let up, and the rest of the ride was great.
The creek crossing was at mile 85. At least I knew to expect it; last year it was a surprise! Monte asked if I wanted to walk through the water or try the rocks, a shallower spot slightly downstream. I chose the closest spot through the water. Creek crossings on bicycle rides generally don't faze me. Besides, I was already wet, and I thought the rocks might be slippery.
The final rest stop was at the top of the hill just past the creek crossing. To be festive, I split a Fat Tire beer with Monte. Also, a cute little girl, about four years old, gave me a bag of chips. I wasn't hungry after the excellent tacos at the lunch stop in Juliette, but you don't turn down such hospitality. I stuck the chips in my jersey to eat later.
I enjoyed and appreciated all the rest stops. I wanted to award all of them the trophy:
Neither Monte nor I was interested in the last part of the route, which included some single-track through Dauset Trails. So we took a slight detour back to Indian Springs. The 100-mile route was actually about 94 miles, and Monte's and my detour reduced us to 88 miles. I had already planned to ride six extra miles to get 100 miles. Now, I set my mind to riding an extra 12 miles.
I did an out-and-back stretch on nearby Mount Vernon Church Road. The sky was clearing, and the sunset was glorious. I didn't mind the extra miles a bit. I got back just as it was getting dark.
I waited until I got home later to take shower, but I changed into warm, dry clothes in the meantime. The rest of the evening was fun and relaxing: BBQ, visiting with old and new friends, and live music by Kurt Lee Wheeler Music. He was a great singer and guitarist, sometimes accompanied by a harmonica player. I especially liked his unique rendition of Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones, even without Merry Clayton's co-vocals from the original.
Also, I won a T-shirt as a raffle prize! I really like the Ride Local motif.
This was on top of the totally cool ride T-shirt:
I headed home relatively early. Robert was already in bed, reading, and so I'm glad I at least got to say hi to him. I missed riding with him and the other guys at Peach Peloton that morning. However, they sure missed out on a great Sasquatch Ride!
Sunday
I headed back to Indian Springs the next morning for a shorter ride. Sunday was much less structured. I didn't want to ride single-track at Dauset, and I didn't want to do the ride to Fresh Air. I can have Fresh Air BBQ anytime, but it's not often I can get Tina's delicious gumbo. I had really been looking forward to Tina's gumbo for Sunday's lunch. By the way, as I chatted with Chad the previous evening, I mentioned how much I was looking forward to Sunday's gumbo. Then I stopped, looked at him, and said, "Oh, I guess you're not as excited about having gumbo here in Georgia." We both laughed.
I'm glad I had uploaded the 30-mile Little Squatch route to my Wahoo before I left home that morning. Another guy named Andy was looking to ride a similar distance, and so we joined forces. Both of us were glad for a riding companion.
Although it was cooler than the previous day, the sky was bright blue and cloudless. It seems like it took a long time for the leaves to turn this year, but since they did, they have been spectacular. It was truly a beautiful morning to ride. The route was about 50/50 paved and dirt. We finished it in just under two hours.
I changed clothes, and just as I was entering the amphitheater meeting area, the gumbo arrived! Tina had made some with shrimp and some without. I chose the batch with shrimp. Fish and seafood are my favorite meats.
Several of us discussed over the weekend the fact that registrations for the Sasquatch Ride were down this year. We don't know why. Everything about this event is wonderful - the riding, the food, the people. Could it be the price? $75 for five meals, snacks, and free tent camping seems very reasonable to me. Also, the net proceeds go to charity. I suggested to Ray that he advertise to cyclists who do the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). If any of them like dirt road riding, the Sasquatch Ride would be perfect for them because it's like dirt road BRAG. See how much fun it is?
Awesome write up !! Thank you
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