BBQ Bass Ride

Today Robert and I hosted our annual BBQ Bass Bicycle Ride.  We’ve been having this ride for years.  I don’t remember exactly which year we started, and we may have missed a year or two early on, but regardless, we called this year’s ride the 17^th annual one.  Close enough.  It’s a great excuse to get on our bicycles simply to have fun.

BBQ Bass History

The BBQ Bass Ride has morphed over the years.  When we first started doing it, there may have been three or four of us, and we just rode a loop from Monticello to Hillsboro and back, for a total distance of about 26 miles.  We thought that was a pretty long haul!  We’d stop at Tillman’s BBQ in Hillsboro, roughly the half-way point.  Tillman’s BBQ was a great little place right on the railroad tracks in Mouldin Tillman’s backyard.  Unfortunately, Mouldin became ill and had to close his restaurant.  We’ve been to several other BBQ places in the years since.  A couple of years ago we even had Robert’s mother pick up some locally famous Fresh Air BBQ in Jackson and bring it to our house, where we had a picnic in the yard after the ride.

My friend John Fry, a classmate at Georgia Tech, has been to almost every BBQ Bass Ride.  Since I work in Macon these days, where John lives and also works, I run into him occasionally there.  However, for a long time I just saw him once a year at BBQ Bass.  Back in 2003 Robert and I printed T-shirts for ride participants.  John still has his and wore it to today’s ride:

Over the years the route has increased in length.  This year it was 72 miles with less mileage possible via shortcuts.  Also, more and more friends have joined us.  Today we had 27 people on the ride, and I enjoyed seeing each one.

The biggest (and admittedly best) change to the ride has been from the plain old BBQ Ride to the BBQ Bass Ride.  For the last few years, a SAG vehicle has followed the group, providing water, snacks, mechanical support, and – most importantly – Bass beer.  We schedule several rest stops in out-of-the-way locations along the route and take a break for a cold one.  It’s such a happy ride.

Pre-Ride

We invited everyone to come 30 minutes before the ride to chill at The Vanilla Bean, a wonderful coffee shop that has opened on the Monticello square in the past year.  With it being Saturday morning, our local farmers market was open, too.  I made sure to get some fresh peaches, which I do every week during peach season.  Also, FFA had homemade peach ice cream for $1 a scoop.  I got one to go with my Vanilla Bean vanilla bean tea:

The Chase

About 10 minutes before we were scheduled to roll out, I managed to get a huge gash in my tire.  Robert rushed home to get me a replacement wheel.  When he got back, I worked on changing my wheel out while he went over a few details about the route with the group:

Of course it was my back wheel, which is much more of a pain to deal with than the front.  I didn’t quite have it on my bike when everyone headed out of the parking lot.  Adam, who works at Bike Tech, was very nice to hang back and help me finish getting my wheel on.  He didn’t even mind riding just with me for about the first 25 miles while we chased back to the group.  We finally caught up when the group stopped to look at the Rock Eagle effigy:

(This photo is actually from my cycling visit to Rock Eagle back in April.)

The Chase – Part II

A couple of days before the ride, I learned that our route would take us within about a quarter mile of a lavender farm.  Even more exciting, a Lavender Festival was scheduled for all day today.  I thought it would be a lot of fun to stop to see the lavender field and maybe get some soap or other nice lavender products.  The other women on our ride thought this was a great idea, too.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get to stop there.  Even though I had told everyone where the farm was and called it out as we approached the turn, I was the only one who actually turned.  By the time I noticed that I was alone and that it would be better to stick with the group, they had gotten a pretty good distance ahead of me.  I had to chase back on again!

The group was going at a fairly fast pace by then.  I think that’s one reason the women who had expressed interest in going to the lavender farm didn’t realize that we had passed it; they were concentrating on hanging with the peloton.  I suppose it was kind of ridiculous for me to think that the testosterone-hyped guys in the group would want to stop at a Lavender Festival, even if some lovely smelling lavender would make them less stinky.  So, instead of the Lavender Fest, we had a Hammer Fest:

As I was chasing back on for this second time, I passed several signs that tickled my funny bone.  I thought, “What’s a few more seconds delay,” and so I stopped to take a few pictures:

Fortunately, it was only a few miles to the next beer stop.

Bass, etc.

For the first few years that we had Bass on the ride, Bass was the only beer we offered.  However, Robert started adding other varieties.  It’s still mostly Bass, though, out of tradition.  I decided to be a purist today:

This year we bought one type of beer especially for our friend Dale, a legend within the Macon cycling community:

Final Stretch

The group was still pretty much together at around mile 50:

After that, the front guys really threw down the hammer.  I stayed with them for a little while but finally had to back off.  Our friend Ronnie Bratcher, who had come down all the way from Cumming, rode with me for the last 15 miles or so.  He and I enjoyed talking and riding at a more civilized pace.

BBQ and Blues

At the end of the ride, we ate at Maw & Paw’s BBQ:

Maw & Paw’s opened on the Monticello square in recent months.  Not only was the BBQ delicious, we got to eat it at the very end of the ride!  If you have to get back on the bike after lunch, it can be a little tough to pedal the remaining miles on a stomach full of pulled pork and Brunswick stew.

We also had a special musical treat.  Henry Maddox, our local bluesman, sang and played his guitar while we ate:

ML&J Fund

Even though this wasn’t one of my century rides, A Year of Centuries was still on my mind.  When Robert and I put the word out about this year’s BBQ Bass Ride, I asked people to bring back-to-school supplies for the ML&J Fund.  Our friends were very generous to provide specific items that are needed: pre-K backpacks and scientific calculators.  A few people even gave cash or checks.  Thank you, everyone, for helping our Jasper County young people!

It was a great day, and I hope everyone will join us again for next year’s BBQ Bass Ride!

Dragoncyclists

I love dragonflies.  Actually, I love insects in general, but dragonflies are especially interesting and colorful.  What better reminder of summer?

A few years ago I went to a dragonfly class at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, a wonderful place right near my house.  First, we had a classroom session, and then we went out to one of the ponds on the property to watch and identify dragonflies.  I was hooked!  Later, I even purchased Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast, a great reference book.

This past Tuesday, I did my usual group ride, a.k.a. Tuesday Worlds.  One of the guys joined us a few miles into the ride.  I saw him on a hill ahead of the peloton, his slender silhouette hovering like a dragonfly.  All of a sudden it occurred to me just how much cyclists do resemble dragonflies.  Darting around in their colorful kits, they both fly.  Happy solstice!

Shining Clubtail

Eastern Pondhawk

Red-Veined Pennant

Common Green Darner

ML&J Clothing Drive

Now is a good time to clean out your closet!  Volunteers with the ML&J Fund are organizing a clothing drive to help students get ready for the next school year.  If you have any used clothing in good condition, please donate it to the drive.  The collection location is at Monticello Presbyterian Church, 246 East Washington Street, Monticello, GA.  Just about any size is accepted, from small children through adult, because clothes are needed for preschoolers through high school students.  Shoes and purses are welcome, too.  Clothes will be distributed on Saturday, August 3rd in the empty building space between the Bank of Monticello Operations Center and Robby Kelly’s law office on East Greene Street.

Last year I volunteered for a shift at the clothing drive.  It was amazing to see how well thought-out the arrangement was.  Clothes were neatly stacked on tables according to size and gender.  There were even some clothes racks for easy display.  Shoes were arranged in their own section.  I saw a number of very appreciative people find much needed school clothes for their children.  Thank you for your help with this year's clothing drive!

See You at the Hop!

Where do donations come from for the ML&J Fund?  Many people give generously through the community churches.  Other people place their loose change in the empty boots held by our local EMTs on area street corners on a Saturday morning.  Sometimes a donor will stop Mary Lou Jordan in the post office or grocery store and give her a check or a $20 bill for ML&J.

Organized fundraising events, however, are also an important resource for the ML&J Fund.  Mary Lou Jordan and Debby Kelly have come up with some terrific ideas over the years.  They have hosted a Chastain-style picnic band party, reminiscent of outings at the well known Chastain Amphitheater in Atlanta.  Additionally, there are some annual events, including Cookies with Santa and an art show featuring works from local artists.

In these lean economic times, Mary Lou and Debby can be particularly creative.  One of our fellow church members, named Carol, was scheduled to provide flowers for the sanctuary one Sunday.  Debby made a clever alternate plan with Carol.  Debby picked flowers from her yard, and Mary Lou – flower arranger extraordinaire – made them into a lovely display for church.  Then, Carol took the money she would have spent on flowers and made a donation to the ML&J Fund instead.

The most memorable ML&J fundraiser for me was in June of last year, during the three-month period between my crash and dental surgery.  Mary Lou, Jimmy, and Debby organized a Sock Hop that felt like stepping back into the 1950s.  Local resident Jane Hooper hosted the Sock Hop in her amazing garden.  Additionally, an old fashioned soda shop was set up in her bunkhouse, and there was a tent with a deejay and dance floor.

Attendees were encouraged to dress up in 1950s attire.  Robert and I took up the challenge!  His costume was easy: blue jeans; white T-shirt; loafers; and his black, leather jacket.  I wore a full, purple skirt that I made extra poofy with the crinoline slip from my wedding gown.  I even made it into a poodle skirt by printing a color picture of my mother’s poodle, named Peaches, and taping it to the fabric.  A wide belt, white shirt, Keds for shoes, and a scarf tied around my ponytail completed my outfit – almost.  The finishing touch was my grandfather’s class ring from Auburn, which I wore on a gold chain around my neck.  All the effort paid off because Robert and I won the costume contest!

As you can see, I had gotten pretty used to smiling with my mouth closed.

Then, of course, there was all that fabulout 50s music.  Even though it was before my time, I still enjoy the familiar tunes.  Robert and I know only about two dance moves, but we made the most of them.  The main thing I remember about that evening is that is was the first time after my crash that I really forgot about it for a moment while I had fun twirling with Robert on the dance floor.

ML&J by the Numbers

According to the 2010 U.S. census, Jasper County, Georgia has a total population of 13,900, including 3,475 below age 18.  Within this population, 2,609 people live below the poverty level; of these, 1,046 are below age 18.  That means that 19% of the total Jasper County population and 30% of people under 18 live below poverty level.  Clearly, the ML&J Fund for Children and Youth serves a great need.

Each year ML&J gives feedback reports to the community, telling how many young people and families were helped by the back-to-school supply drive and Christmas donations.  ML&J does everything it can to stretch the available resources to help as many children and youth as possible.  Here are some figures from the ML&J Fund from Christmas 2012:

# Applied: 554

# Sponsored: 479 (including almost 20 foster children and about 50 homeless)

# Families assisted: 185

# New families assisted: 82

# People, churches, and civic groups who sponsored families: 38

# Families sponsored by these 38 people, churches, and civic groups: 73

(This does not include Monticello Baptist Church, who provided for 66 children)

Donations of almost $26,000 were collected.  This includes a $3,000 Operation Round Up grant from Central Georgia EMC, $802 from our local EMTs' Empty Boot Fund, and over $400 collected at Circle K.  Additional funds, not included in the $26,000, were spent by the 38 groups and individuals above who sponsored families on their own.

Sixth Ride in A Year of Centuries – A Benefit for the ML&J Fund for Children and Youth

Century number six was a ride of thankfulness.  As always, I rode being grateful for my recovery from my crash, but yesterday I was also thankful that I was well enough to ride after having had a fever for several days earlier in the week.  I guess it was some kind of virus.  It was strange being completely off of my bike for three days, which is the longest stretch since the crash.  But I kicked some virus booty and had a wonderful ride yesterday on behalf of the ML&J Fund for Children and Youth.  I did the Wheels to the World Century in Athens.  (Having ridden in Rome last month, it seems fitting that I visited Georgia’s other city of antiquity this month.)

One Ride – Two Great Charities

When I participate in an organized ride as part of A Year of Centuries, I’m usually helping two charities: 1) my personally designated charity of the month and 2) the charity designated for the ride itself.  It’s a good thing because I get to leverage my own limited resources.  Yesterday, I got to ride for the ML&J Fund (my charity of the month in A Year of Centuries) and Women to the World (the beneficiary of the Wheels to the World century).  Even better, these two charities complement each other beautifully.  ML&J addresses the needs of children and youth, and Women to the World helps vulnerable and disadvantaged women.

The ML&J Fund is about meeting needs at the most grassroots level.  It is local people caring about local people.  The ML&J Fund provides basic things – clothing and school supplies – to impoverished young people.  If these young people’s physical needs are met, they can better focus on their education, which is the key to them making real, permanent change in their lives.

Women to the World also helps people, women specifically, build better lives for themselves.  It works with women locally in Athens and in a number of countries around the world.  The local program is called Partnering Ambassadors for Life and Service (PALS), and it helps women get their GED, find jobs, and learn other life skills.  Internationally, Women to the World helps women in countries including Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, and Kenya.  It goes into very remote areas that generally are too small to be served by larger NGOs.  A typical Women to the World project might be installing a well in a village.  The Women to the World mission statement summarizes its work well: “Rescuing women and children from poverty, dependency, and abuse.”

I had read about Women to the World’s work on its website before the ride, but I got much more of a sense of its realness from the ride volunteers, who also volunteer with the PALS program.  There was a rest stop at mile 50, where I had a conversation with a man who tutors women in math as they work on their GEDs.  As he described a typical woman in the program – in her 30s, unmarried, and with four children – really making strides in her life, tears came to his eyes.  What a privilege to be a part of this, even as just a participant in the Wheels to the World century.  I had been dragging a little bit on the first half of my ride, but this conversation truly energized me for the second 50 miles.

Wind and Water

Because I didn’t know anyone else there, I did the whole ride by myself.  Well, I did ride the first six miles with a group of guys.  Then, the two cups of Irish breakfast tea that I drank during my drive to Athens hit me with a vengeance.  I had to pull off into the brush for a nature break, and I never caught back up to the group.  It didn’t bother me because I was up for the challenge.  Besides, it was a perfectly lovely day for a ride!

The route was beautiful, mostly through farm country.  I even saw an old windmill that looked like one from Holland.  It was across a big field, and the lighting wasn’t great, but here’s the best photo I could get:

The second half of the ride went through Watson Mill Bridge State Park.  Traffic (including bicycles!) actually travels through the one-lane covered bridge:

I also took a picture of the South Fork River flowing below as I crossed the bridge:

It Must Be a Sign

Athens is one of the most bicycle friendly cities in Georgia.  As I pedaled on the roads leading out of and into Clarke County, it was quite gratifying to see so many signs like these:

Speaking of gratifying signs, I was very impressed with the road marking for the ride.  It was so easy to follow the blue arrows indicating the century route.  I didn’t refer to my cue sheet or paper map the first time.  It’s a uniquely fun feeling to ride along on unfamiliar roads and simply follow the pavement markings, not being concerned with getting lost.

I must admit, however, that as an REM fan, this was my favorite sign of the day:

When they were still in Athens, the REM band members often ate here at Weaver D’s, a meat-and-two restaurant.  Owner Dexter Weaver has a motto, “Automatic for the people,” which REM co-opted as the title of the Grammy-winning album.

Being in REM land, a number of their songs floated around in my head throughout the day.  The main one that got stuck there was “Shiny, Happy People,” which I thought of as my theme song for the day. 

Shiny, happy person

Jittery Joe’s Roaster

For someone who doesn’t even like coffee, I had such a good time at Jittery Joe’s Roaster after the ride.

It was even fun washing my hands in the restroom.  Check out this highwheeler in the sink:

As you can see Jittery Joe’s is very friendly to cyclists.  In fact, they even sponsor a racing team.

Our ride organizers put out some yummy post-ride vittles.  Who doesn’t love pizza and homemade pimento cheese?

We even had live music.  The guitarist/singer was great, playing all kinds of bluesy and folksy tunes.

And can you believe they even offered free massage?  I had never seen this at a ride!  A few minutes of work on my neck and shoulders were heavenly.

I started talking with the Jittery Joe’s manager about the operations there, and he offered to show me the roasting machines.  It was fascinating.  They have two 25-lb. roasters, but they have shifted to two 50-lb. roasters to keep up with demand.  This facility supplies all of the Jittery Joe’s stores and anyone who sells their coffee, including canisters.  There were a number of pallets of coffee beans waiting to be roasted, which the manager says is about a week’s worth.  They go through two tractor trailer loads of beans per month, more in the wintertime.  The beans come from 31 countries.  I learned that the medium roast beans come from the tropics, like Costa Rica, which I got to visit over this past New Year’s.  The darker roast beans come from Africa.

After buying some whole bean coffee for my husband (who loves his java!), I headed home with these words of wisdom:

ML&J Fund for Children and Youth

This month I am happy to be riding for the ML&J Fund for Children and Youth, which provides for needy young people in Jasper County, Georgia (my home) with back-to-school supplies in late summer and clothing and toys at Christmas.  Make sure to read more about the ML&J Fund in this month’s charity highlight at the top of this page.  I’ll be sharing additional information about this wonderful local charity throughout June.