August 19, 2016 – Sunny, 85 degrees

Miles Today: 67

Miles to Date: 14,817

States to Date: 41

 Truth in blogging: I am getting too old to drink beer at local bars with Millenial’s and then pedal hard the next day. Sure, I had elevation climbs and a steady headwind, but too much beer and too little sleep made the cycling harder.

The first leg took me through Athens verdant neighborhoods and through a series of small siding towns along one of the main railroad lines climbing to Atlanta. However, from Lawrenceville to Decatur, I simply persevered thirty miles of exurbs and suburbs and ever bigger, gaudier houses.

I did take a break to snack up at Aldi, a Costco meets Trader Joe’s chain I’ve seen along my routes but had never visited. Funky foods in cardboard cartons with a friendly staff.

Despite the slog, my endorphins eventually kicked in. I arrived at my hosts, showered, and enjoyed a wonderful evening sharing stories with Laura and Mike, a truly thoughtful pair who gave me a fascinating introduction to Atlanta.