Georgia Wilderness Society
Biking the Local Backroads
How to beat the Corona virus (well for a few hours). On Sunday 7 GWS types did the Maynards Mill Road Bike Tour in Monroe County. Maintaining a strict 6 (5? 4? 3? 2?) foot distance, we sought adventure and exercise along a beautiful 19-mile jaunt, with flowering wisteria, dogwood, iris and azalea. A few easy hills and slight headwind on the return were the only obstacles. Along the way, we saw osprey and nest atop a microwave tower and explored a post-Civil War farm cemetery. We talked about how the farm woman buried there (1878-1962) had survived the ravages and hard times of post war Georgia, all the rampant diseases of the times, and the Great Depression. We, too, can survive this. In respect for her, we place a branch from a nearby flowering bradford pear on her gravestone. Our healthy riders included Tom Payne, Lynn Rivenbark, Shirley Williams, Margaret Clay, Jo Scott, Terry Ross, and trip leader Bonnie Gehling. Many thanks to the latter, for a wonderful break from all the bad news. Oh yeah, we passed a picturesque barnyard with romping pet bunnies, grazing horses and mules, and a loose heifer wandering around the site.
Terry Ross
Maynards Mill March 2020
