With the temperature again in the 30s in the morning, I kept busy around the house until things warmed up a bit. It is amazing how much longer it takes to get ready when the weather is colder, not just in getting dressed but making preparations, figuring out what to take or not take for changing into later.
I parked at the church at Morningside and 15th Street, looking forward to a good length ride in temps nearing 60 and a low wind.
Riding every day and so many miles, I like to find new routes. I was very excited to have discovered Wash CORD 38 and Jon Johnson, who told me about that road, mentioned that another road, running off of 38 and connecting to Hwy 74 had recently been paved. My plan was to take Black Oak to Hwy 74 and keep a lookout for CORD 108.
A really beautiful day for riding with hardly a car going by on the back roads. Hwy 74 was a gem I came across a couple of years ago and it's still a joy to ride down. At one point, I noticed bright yellow in my mirror, the distinct sign of a bicyclist. He was gaining on me quickly on a straight-a-way and as he approached I turned my head to greet him. I was rather dismayed and perplexed when he zipped by, his head and eyes fixed forward, and didn't make any sort of acknowledgment, not even a slight nod of the head or a tiny raising of a finger.
A bit further on, there was a commotion up ahead as a gaggle of three or four dogs gathered in the middle of the road. I quickly realized that one of the dogs was a stranger and that the other three were defending their territory. The intruder was momentarily pounced upon and then the three hound dogs retreated to their yard. As I came closer, the intruder came toward me. I first interpreted his fright for meanness but then saw he really wanted attention.
I stopped and petted him for a few moments and he quickly won my heart and I feared that he had been dumped on this country road.
He really pulled on my heart strings when I continued riding and he followed after me for at least a half mile.
I seriously considered riding back to the van with him following him but I was 17 miles away and would have had to led him down some roads with too many cars.
For about 2 -3 miles on Hwy 74, I kept passing realty signs from the same company on both sides of the road; the first one said LOT 15 and they worked their way down until I got to LOT 1. I guess this sort of thing is inevitable but it did not bode well for this peaceful little valley.
And, then, CORD 108. Why do I make such a fuss about this county road that I even title today's posting with its name? Is it because the road is another incredible gem? The road is pretty but there is another feature that gains it such recognition. For those locally, CORD 108 enter Hwy 74 about 3 miles off of Hwy 71. It is in the middle of the steep descent where the road turns sharply to the left - CORD 108 takes off to the right. But, I was coming down Hwy 74 from the north or east, so 108 was on my left.
I have encountered many a hills over the years: 22 miles of straight ascent on Mt. Lemmon outside of Tucson, AZ, one rolling hill after another in Alabama on the AR - GA trip, steep grades in Arkansas itself coming out of Jasper, Ponca and in the Mulberry area plus some short but very steep grades just around Fayetteville. But, I have never come across a grade so steep and for such a length of stretch road as the climb of CORD 108 going up from Hwy 74. If someone wants some very intense hill workouts, go up and down this monster a few times. What an exhilarating feeling getting to the top.
Washington County Road 108. From the top, looking down on the more modest part of the climb.
The road itself was quiet with a few dogs, all bark and no bite with even some almost willing to approach close enough to pet. About halfway along 108, the newly paved portion of the road made itself apparent with more loose gravel. Dorothy, take note: by Spring it should be well packed down.
108 came out just by the Sunset Cemetery, which is about 6 miles from where CORD 38 meets Hwy 71. I didn't have time to take 38 to where the pavement ends so I headed for Hwy 71.
Riding along the ridge, trees were already losing many of their leaves giving a hint of the vistas to come in the winter. And, yet, some hills were still bursting with subtle colors.
An equine friend spotted in the woods off to my left at one point.
After all the climbing, the four mile descent on 38 back to Hwy 71 was heaven. And, once on 71, enough of a tailwind to make the journey home go very quickly.
4 November Ride: 4hrs 26mins. 52.26 miles. 51°-59° Miles YTD: 8,404.79
Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year: 27.99
Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to: Biking for Food, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.
To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.
To see postings before 15 August 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike2.blogspot.com
To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com
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