Ocean to Ocean

This journey is a journey of many parts, many places and many people.

Its aims will now be well known to regular readers of this Blog.

In addition to the Foundation's objectives we also have the clear  target of biking from the Pacific across the States to the Atlantic.  Dear Reader it is with the very greatest of pleasure and satisfaction that I can now post the Blog that confirms the fact that Tom and Alvon have cycled over 4,000 miles across this great country to arrive at the Atlantic.

I am typing this on the strip of sand that is known as 'The Outer Banks' lying offshore from North Carolina.

You will not need me to define the needs of riders over such an epic ride.  Wind, rain, heat, crazed dogs, crazed truckers, lack of sleep and more have all played their part in making the ride one of the most memorable and demanding times for us all but for the riders something more than just hard work.

But let the pictures tell the story, this, sunset, 20:30 last night here in The Outer Banks, NC.

Dahlonega is in Georgia

Yes it is, Dahlonega is in Georgia, so the blog is in reverse, I would like to tell the avid reader about our ride into and our stay in Toccoa.

But first a small test.

Here we have a picture of something, yes its brown that has no bearing whatsoever on the purpose, but here is the question what is the purpose of this brown thing?

I have smudged out the company names that would say what it does. But what does it do or what would you use such a thing for.

Moving on...

and now for the important stuff.  People

The rides and organisation around Dahlonega was organised for us by a remarkable woman, Jeanette and very ably assisted by her good friends Julie.

We have met so many remarkable and good people on our journey and both of these two remarkable women were great company, hugely supportive, helpful and just, well, good to be with. Many thanks.

The were able to organise a very good and comfortable overnight stop for us in the beautiful home of Betty and Bill,

Again, what can one say except, many thanks, we enjoyed greatly your hospitality and welcome that you gave us.

Betty makes parasols and umbrellas.  Very good to help with rain if biking....

The town was host to a very good naming ceremony.

As we have gone across country we have noticed the number of elections for Sheriffs and other public appointments.  In this part of the world its the same.  So folks your chance to view the potential, fist Sheriff...

and for the judge....

The American Food Culture, I know I have spoken of this before on this blog and for good reason, it is hard not to be impressed with the quality and quantity of food that is available in the States.

In addition the names are very inventive, I think I can understand what is meant by this type of burger but I am not sure...

Charbroiled is a word we just don't have in the UK and, well thickburger is a new one as well, I guess it mean a B I G burger cooked over charcoal.  If you know please drop a note on the bottom also the quiz picture.

As we left Dahlonega we saw this rock, part painting, part sculpting in the garden of a house owner in the town.

The paintings are in recognition of those killed in the 9/11 events.

From our pint of view it was interesting to see the text, "From shining sea to shining sea'

and finally folks.  TVK enjoys a monster ice cream,

Jelly Fish?

Chattanooga.  Tennessee.  A truly great city.  One thing we don't get to see on the trip is cities.  Cities and Bikes are just not compatible.  But as we have gone across Tennessee Chattanooga has been one city we needed to venture in, Nashville has been another. Both have been great, not least of all because we have happened to be there when they are having some music extravaganza going on. In Nashville it was the world famous CMA.  (Country Music Awards) and in Chattanooga the Betty Smith Strut.  So what is this. Well its not world famous for sure but in the city it is well liked, its loved.  The downtown (City Centre) is closed to traffic from 18:30 thru (till) 20:30.  Bands play and people, yes you have it, strut.  A great atmosphere, great music and, well here are the photos.

If viewing on a smart phone you may not be able to read the words on the shirt....Cancer picked on the wrong bitch.

Its comforting to see that our welfare is being watched over by the guardians of the what is right or wrong in the form of this gentleman.  It seems, according to the placard that we need to be very careful of both Used Car Dealers as well as Liberals, and, wait for it, Hotheads.   What a great country that whatever you view you can express it.

But Chattanooga is not just music and Strutting. Oh no.  They have a world class aquarium. Massive with many salt and freshwater fish, they enjoy swimming around.  They also have that other sort of fish that we love to see but not be in the sea with,

Enjoy.

More Police

Dear reader, something new on this blog, I normally go a day at a time but today I will continue the blog of yesterday and some from the following day, why?   Well I just love pictures of America's Finest, the police. in fact the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Always courteous and helpful. And when you come onto 140 of them in one place with the Harleys they ride what can you do except take some photographs.

Great guys and here to police the concert, but also interesting to hear about Crystal Meth. Across the country I have been surprised and interested to see the amount of concern shown on the many 'home made' and public posters saying stay away from the drug.  These guys were able to fill some of my knowledge gaps. This is not good stuff.

 For more information follow this link.  But this is not for the faint hearted - beware!   Click here for info


All these images taken in or around the town of Manchester, TN, a proud town and patriotic....

Lots of pawn and gun shops in this area...this one had some interesting customer advice...

And speaking of signs, the RV site with toilet paper notice has more advice as you leave the loo...

Problems come in three's

Dear reader, they do say that you should never start anything with an apology, so first I apologise.

No wifi has given me problems in getting the blog both written, for which a good connection is essential and posted which helps.

But here we go, a delayed blog.

Choosing the subject was not difficult.  We had a difficult day the other day.  Let me tell something of it.

It started well enough but soon went downhill on the sudden realisation that I had lost a vital bit of kit, the iPhone. My iPhone.  Tom had been looking at it at breakfast but since then nothing.  He must have I thought.

Then the cable that allows Tom to change gear on his bike broke.  Problem no 2.

We had agreed to meet at a certain point but due to the cable Tom and Alvon needed a bike shop.  They went directly as best they could to one.  Of course I had no idea about this as I had no means of contacts.  This is  starting now to be a problem.   I manged to find wifi in a Children's Activity Centre.  I called Alvon from the iPad and via Skype.  He advised me where they where. He said Naples Road.

Punch Naples Road into sat nav only (GPS in the US) to find out that there is no Naples Road anywhere in Nashville.  Back onto iPad and Google. Try Maples Road.  Yes they were there

Then was the phone there?.   No iPhone with Tom. We all rip the RV apart, call the phone etc. No phone.

So Apple software steps up, with Apple via the net and another Apple device you can ask it to tell you where your phone is...yes amazing isn't it?  And its in the RV, back to to the vehicle and sure enough its there, Sound turned off and in a bag.

So going well.  Here is the bike shop where the bike is fixed....

And why is it the blokes that work in bike shops are always just so great, often with beards and always happy.

So off we go, to continue the route.  I go to set up the RV and go to the big camp site at Manchester.  Now we never book, or seldom do, out in the sticks you just don't need to but this weekend in Manchester, maybe a two horse town, is host to one of the biggest country and rock festivals in the US, Bonaroo,  like Woodstock we were told.

85,000 people there and no space for an RV. We were advised to go to Nashville, having just cycled the 74 miles to Manchester that was not going to happen.

We did get somewhere in the end that was just great, in the trees and with a pool. here is the pool but hey what a day.

This is not the most 'up market' of sites bit it did have a great line in signs...

The next day started wet, it was was raining cats and dogs.  Tom was prepared though, this from the Goggle site and 101 things to do with a bin bag  (trash bag)

The next day saw the rains and two tyres (tires)shredded by glass, and did I mention the dogs, a bad day for feral dogs.

One thing that was good for me at least, chance to get a good shot of an old car....

Have a good 'un y'all.

CMA

The week that is the Country Music Awards is a very be=if=g deal indeed for music lover of the country kind.

This takes place in Nashville during the week we were in Nashville, we were there on the Friday of he CMA week the 8th.

Tickets to the CMA are like hens teeth and just not available to late arrivers like us. and in fact we are so 'cream crackered' by the evening we would be falling asleep at the event.  In fact for us the best thing we could hope for happened.
 Let me explain, Alvon is a keen Fiat owner and renovator of the cars, he knows of another Fiat devotee in Nashville, John, who very kindly came over with his wife, Beth, and took around.  A great place to be, Nashville in the evening during the CMA week. The place was humming, a great atmosphere and lots of live music going on.  Lots of people to photograph. So here are the snaps.  Most self explanatory so let the photos speak for themselves.

A chess player to take on all comers..

  The AT&T building reflected in the bonnet of  an old Plymouth convertible

 Yes Alvon spotters, its him!

And the best to last.....

 By the way he's checking his phone!

I guess you think its nothing but swanning around and going to pop concerts, in fact pop concerts were to pay an important part of the next day or so, more on this to follow dear reader. On this day we had a conference call at 09:00.  It would be good to have a team to deal with all this stuff, but the sea2sea operation runs on a shoe string and is staffed completely by volunteers who do a great job.

Here is Tom taking the call on the iPhone (of course)