HOME	DAY 1	DAY 2	DAY 3	DAY 4	DAY 5	DAY 6	DAY 7	DAY 8

	Today's ride, although short, was some of the most fun I have had on a bike in a while. We are not known for snow here in the south and it has never snowed any substantial amount on Christmas as long as I have been alive. Today that all changed. We currently have about 3 inches of snow on the ground with more coming down every minute. After Christmas morning my family and I made our way through the falling snow to my Grandmom's house. My Grandmom lives back in the woods in Alabama, where the pavement ends and the gravel begins. That gravel road leads up towards the highest point in Alabama, Mount Cheaha. That snow covered gravel road was my route. As I slowly climbed up the snow covered mountain, I soaked everything in. This was the first time I road my bike any significant distance in the snow and I greatly enjoyed it. Everything was still except the falling snow. The only sound came from the quiet chatter of a spinning chain and the clunk of the shifting gears. It was awesome. While the ride up was relaxing and quiet, the ride down was quite opposite. Half in control I barreled down the hill, hands becoming more numb with every passing second. On the steeper sections I would transition to the thicker snow to aide in the breaking. There were many near tumbles with only one being successful. Bruised shin and a face full of smiles was my gift from my bike this year. I live for the rides that make you fall in love with the bike all over again and today was that day, all 6 miles of it. See the route »