Cave Spring Two Day Self-SAG

The two-day self contained ride to Cave Spring was held this Mothers’ Day weekend (May 9 -10) to the delight and pleasure of those participating. Organized by Larry Kloet, a veteran SBL ride leader, the road selection, ride maps and Cave Spring accommodation recommendations were top-notch. This 100 mile, round-trip ride started and ended at the Silver Comet Paulding County Chamber of Commerce parking lot (Mile 19.4). This location was a convenient meeting location and offered excellent free weekend parking.

Bike Tour May 9 - 10, 2009 @ Yahoo! Video

The age of the thirteen riders ranged from the twenty-something crowd to time-on-my-hands-something crowd. All riders were fairly experienced with sufficient touring gear to self-SAG their gear. Recommended accommodations at Cave Spring ranged from a $12 per night campsite to the $40ish accommodating Creekside Inn to the $80 restful Tumlin Bed & Breakfast. My wonderful wife opted not to ride, but opted in for the gourmet dinner and evening at the bed & breakfast, which provided riders a choice to have their gear SAG’d.

For those looking to add a self-SAG tour to their riding experience, this ride should be moved to the top of your list. Both days are punctuated with rest stops including lunch at Frankie’s Restaurant in Rockmart and as many opportunities as you care to take to stop and smell the honeysuckle along the way. On day two, there are about 10 – 12 miles of hill climbs out of Cave Spring. Granny gears, patience, walking or any combination will render these obstacles moot. Both days included substantial mileage on the Silver Comet. Larry’s road selection also put us on miles of low traffic, smooth Georgia roads. This ride could be the motivation to purchase some touring gear. Heck, how hard is it to carry a tooth brush and change of clothes? Some wonderful spouse may even provide SAG support.

I have not ridden this part of Georgia for quite some time and it was nice to see that time has, indeed, stood still here. It always amazes me that just a few miles outside the maddening hubbub of Atlanta there are miles of quiet, peaceful and scenic rolling roads. Our recent rains also turned grasses and vegetation into a luxurious, lush green. Spring planting sprouts were bursting upward from furrowed fields. The smell of full bloomed honeysuckle filled the air. It is for such experiences that we ride our bikes.

We toured this marvelous landscape sometimes as a single group, but more frequently split into two or three riding groups, all averaging between 10 – 15 mph. We collected in Cave Spring, each retiring to their selected accommodation.

The Tumlin Bed & Breakfast, operated by the ever-affable JC, provided a gourmet dinner choice to our stay. Other choices in town included a meal of red meat and beer at the steakhouse or a plate of Bar-B-Q at the Chrome Cowboy. However, JC’s five course meal ending with dessert selections of chocolate torte or crème brule won our hearts and recommendation.

Any day you ride your bike is a good, but some days are better than others.