48.81 mi
1,812 ft cumulative climb
5:04 hrs ride time
9.6 mph avg
95 F
I Rode Hwy 11E to Knoxville and picked up Hwy 70 in Knoxville.
I started the day looking for a place that might have a hat to help shade me from the sun. The closest place my GPS mapper directed me to was a mall about a mile from the hotel. I did not want to leave the bicycle unattended outside for fear of theft of my gear, so I wheeled it with me through the mall. By the time I finished visiting the last shop that might have what I needed a security guard approached me and said no bicycles allowed. I explained my situation and assured the guard I was on my way out. Fortunately, I did find a hat that seemed perfect for my needs directly across the street from the mall at TJ Maxx. [I later lost this hat. I'd like to record info about it here for reference. I'd like get another one someday]
place hat label image here
I also decided to send my cooking gear home. After my first experience camping and knowing how I feel after a day's ride, I realized I don't want to waste my time and energy cooking and cleaning up. I can carry snack or raw foods and pay someone to fix me hot meals. It's worth noting, I never missed having cookware the entire trip.
I found a UPS store that was on my route and sent back the stove and mess kit. I felt a bit lighter, mainly because of the elimination of the two fuel bottles. One more stop at the waffle house and then I was finally on my way.
Today felt very hot and humid. I not only put the new hat on under my helmet, but also a hanker chief to help shade my neck and ears. Looking back, the heat I endured during this part of the trip conditioned me to handle all that was to come. I felt relatively comfortable riding in temperatures ranging in the 90's with high humidity after getting acclimated.
I experienced my first flat of the trip as I entered the city of Knoxville. The east part of town looked pretty shady so I was glad to finally be rolling again. I had a bit of trouble with my GPS routing me through downtown and it was a bit stressful dealing with rush hour, but it really wasn't bad. Once I got onto Hwy 70, very close on the other side of downtown, cars were almost non-existent all the way to my motel.
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