Graceland To Detroit: Sunny Day

Quick route follows Hwy. 82 to Detroit

Nice sunny Sunday... lo-traffic day... time to ride west. Initially, this rando route started at the local Avery 7-11/Shamrock Station and followed Hwy. 82 over to Detroit. Only one place in Detroit open most of the day and that was the Git-N-Go store/station. The mileage was a little short of the required 62.1 miles for RUSA certification. The Ms. suggested starting at the Family Dollar store in Avery instead. Good enough to surpass the 100km spec. The store opens up at 0800 daily, so OK in the shorter winter days.

Another later start, but the weather was warm and minimal clothing necessary. Gal at the Dollar Store looked around for something healthy for proof of start... mini Milky Way pieces for $1. good to go. Hah, hah! Rode westward on Hwy. 82 to the next door dog barking and getting excited as usual.

Brisk headwind and lo-traffic as expected all the way to Clarksville, where the route loops around the town before straightening out to a more NW direction. Just after passing the Bagwell turn, the bike lane nearly disappears for two miles, replaced by an additional vehicle lane. Fortunately, traffic swings wide seeing my rear Cygolite SuperPro blinkie... but the rumble strip dominates what little bike lane there is left. The lane suddenly widens and becomes smooth again on a short gradual downhill before Detroit.

Daytime visible Hotshot light works well

North East Texas Trail comes down from Bagwell and passes thru Detroit town. I detoured a bit and rode the Trail into town to the big "Welcome To Detroit" sign at the park. Next stop was the only place open today: Git-N-Go store/station. Friendly lady behind the counter asked about where I was riding, etc. Several customers pumping gas and buying take out pizza. Got my choc sandwich and rode over to the next door construction site for a break. Large commercial building for some business. Only construction around here. Tried to entice several small dogs to partake in my sandwich, but they wouldn't have any of it!

Before leaving town, took a photo tour of the local shops and school. Riding back east was a whole lot easier with the increasing tailwind. I was flying along now on the flats and the short hills were no match either. Made a longish photo stop at the two Roadside Memorials for William Becknell, "Founder Of The Santa Fe Trail". Interesting history of his family home here and cemetery. Made an additional stop at a isolated horse corral. Horse was a little spooky and didn't offer any photo ops! On eastward.

Decided to check out Clarksville town in lieu of doing the loop around town again. Quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Stopped at a burned out old mansion along Main St. where several kids were playing around.

Not a good idea to follow road into the smoke~!

Zip right along thru Annona, where I noticed lots of white smoke off to the south. Pulled into Liquor Store lot to check it out. Mmmm, looks interesting, I'll need to take a closer look. Rode over to the next road and turned toward the smoky fire. Grass/hay bale fire was evident as I proceeded down the smoky road. Crap, this stuff was getting real heavy, so I made a hasty retreat back to Hwy. 82. Not a good idea!

With the tailwind pushing me along, made the short trip back to Avery in short order. Chatted with the Family Dollar gal, now leaving work at 3:00 PM. Picked up 2 fruit bars (TIP: always get something for the Ms after a ride) and rode home. Nice day in the saddle with a few new sights recorded.


Graceland To Detroit Video



- randorides