Congaree Out and Back

This weekend was “Pig-on-the-Ridge” out in Ridgeway. I used to live out that way and my bike club was having a group ride to taste the delights of competition pork. [in no way related to the upcoming election] I had planned on joining them for the ride but decided to bail for a solo ride at the last minute.

I love rambling through the country, stopping for pics and snacks, seeing all the sights. A club member had told me about a light traffic route out of the city and I was eager to try it. I’ve been in SC for about 10 years and somehow never out to the Congaree Swamp so I took off on an incredibly crisp sunny Saturday for the back-roads and the swamp.  It turned into a glorious day.

First up I road out my driveway and into Jimmy Johns for a little pre-ride sustenance. That was the last meal I had till evening when my dh and I grabbed a bratwurst and beer at the Cock and Bull [great Pud!] luckily I stopped and got an apple and cliff bar on my way out.

The route out of town was far better then the one I use to get back to my old home in Fairfield County. Bluff road is a high speed road but traffic was moderate on Saturday and [most] drivers were courteous.

I’m always looking for good day rides. This one turned out that way. I cruised out past Owens field and found my way down to Beltline. Once I was on Bluff road the city quickly became a memory.  After a few more miles I hit Old Bluff Road which may become one of my favorite cycling roads. I think I ran into 3 or 4 cars the entire time. I went into a sort of auto free zone.

Some days cycling are better then others – and some are fantastic. I’m not sure why things go the way they do but this day was on the surreal side for me. I kept looking up at the forget me not blue sky pushing it’s way through the trees with dappled sunlight.

The road was long and level and I found myself standing on the peddles breezing along – sun shinning – heart singing – laughing out load. It was a good day. I spotted a sign and a shady grass-lane claiming to be canoe portage and rode it down to the waters edge. The yellow river looked wholly isolated from the road above and the city behind it. Some parts of the South strike me as so old – how many bare feet have stood on that bank I can not guess.

I took my cycle-computer off my bike some time last year. The result is I never now how far I’ve gone, or exactly how close I am to my destination. I pushed on toward the Swamp not knowing how much longer it would take to get there; but when the road is level it doesn’t take that long regardless, and I pulled into the national park long before I was ready to start heading home.

Longer bike rides always impress me as several mini adventures rolled into one. There are so many different stages to a long ride – mindsets – energy levels – weather changes – that  break it up into separate bits in my mind. Without anyone riding beside me I let my mind escape into the sun, road and trees. Are colors really brighter on a crisp day, and why does the sun shine through the trees in beams of light on days like that? Sometimes I can’t help swerving back and forth on the road just like I was ten again – standing up on the peddles with my head tilted back – I’m long gone.

I wanted more so I rode past the swamp down that back road. I ended up out on Bluff Rd proper again and continued on past fields and old farms.

When I hit hwy 601 I thought it was time to turn around. Normally I like to ride a “loop” but instead of heading down the 601 I opted to turn around and do an “out-and-back”. It was such a pleasant ride I had to do it again in the opposite direction. I was surprised at how many things I had not noticed on the way out. It was a little like a new ride. Maybe it was just the day. One of those great days, when you know it’s gonna be good to the last drop. As the sun started to sink so did the temp. but I ride out loaded and just pulled on a layer of wool.

It was a little sad as I rode back into the city but my dh rang my cell to let me know he had a hot bath ready and waiting. A perfect end to a marvelous ride.

Google Maps claims it was 74 miles; I find that hard to believe although it was a FLAT ride and that’s so much easier to do.