a few days ago, I biked from selma to montgomery, following almost exactly Martin Luther King’s historical march back in 1965. going from one civil rights landmark to another in the space of a day was many things: an exciting ride (recreating a four-day march in four hours!), a somber reminder of how close this country is to its history, and an uplifting supplement to Obama’s victory in Iowa.

I reached a trip-high 100 miles not too far into Georgia that day, enjoying the rolling hills and well-marked bike lanes on state highway 96. The good times did not last: I got a flat at dusk and broke my only tire lever – a dinky piece of plastic that is essential for removing the tire from the metal rim of the wheel in order to access and repair the damaged rubber tube underneath.

Hitchhiking was quick and easy. No sooner had one car stopped than four more did as well. I was happy to see such a great display of kindness, until I learned that all were concerned for my safety in this corner of Georgia. Spent the night in a motel up the road run by a former Marine, and learned the ins and outs of rural Georgia. Crooked politicians, lumber interests, crack dealers… real eye opening.

With a ride to and from Walmart I was able to fix the bike on a Sunday, not a small feat in the bible belt. Poured it on for the next two days and reached Savannah, GA last night at around 7:30. New record (for me): 130 miles in a day.

So now, having covered ~700 miles in 9 days, I’m thinking of calling it quits. I have to be in DC next Wednesday, and the forecasted rain up and down the south Atlantic coast probably won’t help. But as usual I haven’t made up my mind…

I think the question is; what would College Bowl National Championship winning quarterback Matt Flynn do?

I think maybe this article sums up my trip pretty well, metaphorically speaking – although this one deserves special mention because of the lede: “Matt Flynn has a lot going for him these days, including being tabbed as a look-alike for People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.”

what can I say

thats what a construction worker yelled to me yesterday.

a road clean up crew guy just told me this today:  “go git some”.    that was my mantra for the measly 50 miles I covered from Demopolis, AL.  Go git it!  Go on, git some!   

But then I called it quits to stave off frostbite in the feet, and to do some site-seeing. 

I’m in Selma, AL.  It’s been slow going, getting all the kinks worked out and trying to adjust to sub-freezing temperatures.   Apparently it’ll be 70 this weekend, which is more what I had expected.  

Off to visit the National Voting Rights Museum, very apropos today.  

Hope ya’ll are staying warm.