Matt Stoltz is on a 1700 mile bike trip from Wisconsin Rapids, WI to West Palm Beach, FL to raise money for the International Alliance for Youth Sport’s “One World. One Team” campaign which helps provide sports equipment to children in third world countries.
By Matt Stoltz
July 16, 2012
Nashville, TN–It’s been a few days since I last posted a blog entry. I apologize for that! It’s been a hectic, chaotic past few days. Though it certainly has been fun! It started with Friday morning as I biked from Central City, KY to Adairville, KY. Luckily I had advanced ahead of schedule the day earlier, and I was able to bike past my scheduled stop and into Springfield, Tennessee, about ten miles over the border. It was a cool day, one of only two on the trip, though the rain came and cooled me off even more.
On this day, the dogs were after me. I literally was chased by over 22 different dogs throughout the day. They would come out of nowhere, and it is frightening because as a biker, I can’t tell if the dog is friendly, or if it wants to chase you off it’s property, or even attack you. I always tend to pedal a little faster. Though one puppy was extremely cute as it dashed the other way down the road from where I came, rather than chasing me. I didn’t mind that one bit!
Unfortunately, as I rode the last ten miles into Springfield, TN I got rid of my phone and Ipod to Mitch as I was worried about the phone getting wet with the heavy downpour that was currently occurring. I had no turns, and I figured if Mitch drove about ten miles ahead it would be easy to find him. Boy, was I wrong. I ended up not being able to see Mitch, and rode a few past miles his stop. On the other hand, Mitch was wondering what took me so long, and decided to drive ten miles back into Kentucky to ensure that I didn’t have a flat. By that time, I was able to use a phone at a local US Bank to phone Mitch and inform him where I was. Little did I know that there was two US Banks in the small town of 15,00o in Springfield, TN. Eventually, Mitch found me, and we advanced to our appearance for the afternoon.
On to Tennessee!
Our appearance was at The Depot, a small restaurant located along the busy train tracks of Springfield, TN. It was a great small restaurant that truly provided the small town feel. It was great to meet some wonderful Tennesseeans? Mitch and I both tried oysters for the first time, it was an awkward feeling as the first slid down your throat, but eventually we figured out how to eat them tolerably with hot sauce and horseradish. The waiter at the restaurant was actually from Kenosha, and it was great to talk about the Wisconsin ways. Interestingly, though she had just moved from Wisconsin about two years prior, she had clearly developed an accent.
The hills of Tennessee are truly a sight to see, it is an absolute blast to bike through them. They are similar to the hills of Kentucky but it is just extremely scenic and relaxing to ride. It is also my first time in the state of Tennessee, though I will have to admit, the drivers here are similar to those from Illinois. I wouldn’t necessarily call that a compliment!
Thanks to the help of Becky and Bill, the great couple and family we stayed with in Vincennes, IN we were able to stay at their parent’s house in Adams, TN only about 40 minutes from Nashville. We arranged to stay at their place for the next three days, which is a great relief to not have to pack, and unpack everyday for the next few days. They have a beautiful home, with an extremely refreshing pool. The pool is an unbelievably relaxing way to wind down the day. They cooked great meals for us, and made us feel right at home!
On Saturday, July 14th, we rose early and had a great breakfast cooked for us that included eggs and ham. The plan was to ride the scheduled 30-40 miles South of Nashville. However, mother nature had different plans. As I rode the beginning of my route, it began to rain, and before long it began to downpour. Absolutely downpour, it was more than raining cats and dogs, it would be more accurate to call it raining horses and cows. The rain wouldn’t let up either, it just kept coming and coming and coming. Luckily, I found refuge underneath a gas station overhang, where I met some nice people who were stopping to buy gas. I even was fortunate to meet some other riders from Nashville, who bike for a cause of Ride for Reading! They were great as they helped provide me directions for my route.
In the long run, we decided to postpone the ride due to weather, and make up the remaining 20-25 miles on Sunday morning, a scheduled off day. We then, navigated onto downtown Nashville, where we were excited to tour the city!
A great pic of downtown Nashville!
While I was in downtown Nashville, Mitch and I were representing Wisconsin with our great Wisconsin gear. Throughout the day I had over 25 people come up and talk to me not only how great the state of Wisconsin is, but also the University of Wisconsin. Nothing but compliments all day long, and I was even fortunate enough to find some Wisconsin graduates in Atlanta who would love to put me up for the day! Once a badger always a badger! On Wisconsin!
Mitch and I also met two great girls from Michigan, Janna and Emma. We spent much of the day touring downtown Nashville, the bars, saloons, boot shops, and much of the history that Nashville has. We even walked by the state capitol which was closed for renovation. Nashville also proudly exhibits a beautiful public library with a tremendous courtyard. We scoured the shops, and live music of downtown Nashville, and enjoyed a great dinner at a local saloon. The day certainly drained us, as we wound down the night. As we were leaving Nashville, the rain that returned in the evening put a beautiful rainbow right over downtown. A truly spectacular sight!
The rainbow over Nashville!
On Sunday, our scheduled off day, we were forced to ride due to the chaos mother nature provided the day earlier. Thus far on the trip, I have yet to have a complete off day. Though, I’ve had a few small days, I’ve biked for the last 15 days. Muscularly I am handling the physical fatigue of the trip. My training has prepared me very well for the trip, and I’m getting ready for the second half of the trip.
The short twenty five mile ride was a busy one for the day, as there was a lot of traffic, and the drivers in Nashville aren’t necessarily the most familiar to handling cyclists. Though the city has been installing many more bike lanes and attempting to make the city significantly more biking friendly.
Following the ride, we made our way to a short stop to the Nashville Biking Lounge, which graciously let us stop by for a short time. The small bike shop was centrally located in Nashville, and had some interesting designs for bikes that were entertaining, creative, and functional.
We returned to Mary and Bob’s for an afternoon of relaxation. Which is certainly welcome. Their pool provided a great swim for myself and Mitch as the summer heat of Nashville was getting to us. Though unfortunately, nobody could help my tan lines that I have developed from my riding. When you spend all day in the heat, with a bike uniform that doesn’t move, tan lines are unavoidable. They are pretty gruesome, check them out.
Let me know if you can find better tan lines anywhere else!
Well, I write this sitting in the beautiful home in Adams, TN. It has been great to visit Nashville, TN and experience the greatness of Tennessee. Tomorrow I’m off to a small city in Tennessee before I head off to Hunstville, Alabama on Tuesday. I’m almost half way on the trip and can’t wait for what the rest of the trip has in store. Meeting more great people, seeing more great scenery, and pedaling my way further south to West Palm Beach!
Keep on liking the page for my trip on Facebook, “One World. One Team. One Ride.” Also please donate online at iays.org! Any little bit helps and can truly influence a life of a child. Thanks for all the support!
Over 800 miles down! Many more to come! Just keep pedaling!
