Well, our vacation has come to an end. A sleepy, sleepy end.
Nathalie and I took off in the car loaded with our dogs and some road bikes to visit some southern points to kick off the new year.
Our first stop was to spend a few days in the town we both recently moved from: Gainesville, Florida. I got to check off things on my admittedly small checklist right away after our arrival. I went up to the shop of my most recent employment, Bikes and More, to drop off a twelve pack of beer. Upon walking in I realized that this place had become pretty much the best shop in town. One, in the fact that it’s an easy place to walk into where you as a customer or browser is timely helped in a calm manner, and two, as far as stock, there is very little need to shop elsewhere. Paul has really made his shop a do-all place. He has hand picked some of the best folks in town to staff the place, including two of my favorite mechanics in Gainesville: Brian B. and Dave L.. Seeing these two in an environment where they are well taken care of and happy is a great sight indeed. I know first hand that Paul has a fantastic way of employing people by way of giving folks a position of influence. It’s refreshing. Anyway, the place is off the chart.
Paul also lent us a par of mountain bikes so me and Nathalie could hit one of our favorite riding spots, San Felasco. We rode two and a half hours through the dense tangle of live oaks and brambles on sweetly twisting trails. I forget how much I love that kind of riding, fast and constantly turning, pedaling all the while. I rode an old friend’s rigid 29′er and Nathalie rode Paul’s Spooky Darkside. What a sweet ride it was.
The new year found us with old friends in a not too overwhelming party. The kind where if you stay in one place for the night, most of the people you wanted to see will come past. It was also an easy enough time to be be able to actually have a conversation and really catch up. I got to get out on the road bike with Mr. Arena who, along with his partner Jenny, introduced me to playing Wii sports. Much fun was had.
In a trip that couldn’t have gone smoother than if there was actually a plan to adhere to, everything was accomplished in an unhurried time. All food related desires on the list were checked off, usually simultaneously catching up with friends. All riding was perfect. In weather that found me in wondefully comfortable in shorts, base layer, and jersey, I was able to revisit some lime rock roads and the gently meandering country rides I am so fond of. We even got some business done selling a few of our wares to friends who were interested. We also have some business cards coming care of Dru who does NOGO graphics. Cool.
We also split up the return drive with a stop in Atlanta to spend the night with some other friends. Over a wonderful dinner with beer and wine we stayed up late convesing around the table until our eyelids could barely be lifted. The next morning we set out for the drive home, somewhere around a thirteen hour drive.
Now I have to start getting ready for the trip to the west coast. Â
