Just when I start thinking, yes, I am a badass city cyclist, something comes along to humble me. This is probably as it should be. My most recent lesson in humility was 8th Ave. South. I have always avoided this most direct route to downtown, preferring instead to go a couple of miles out of my way to take the Music Row bike lanes, since it’s a steep climb on a busy road. But on Saturday I had a friend along who needed to go that way to get out of town (more about that later), and I figured it was a good time to try a new route.
I would post a picture of the hill I was facing, but they never look as bad as they feel. Let’s just say it is the kind of hill that has a reservoir at the top of it, and a Civil War-era fort, and the climb lasted for at least three long city blocks. We made it to the top but I spent a lot more time in first gear than I expected to — and had to rest for at least a minute in front of the Scientology Center before moving on (luckily no one came out to recruit us).
But! It was all worth it when we got downtown and the Bat got her first glimpse of Elvis (yes, if you’re wondering, he IS from Memphis, not Nashville — but we have kindly provided several statues for drunk tourists to pose inappropriately with).
Blue . . . Batavus . . . ooh ooh ooh
On the way back, I detoured through Hillsboro Village for another meetup, going down Demonbruen and up Music Row, which provided more photo ops. Enjoy scenic Nashville!
On the Demonbruen viaduct, looking at Union Station
Admiring "Musica" from the roundabout. I have always wondered if the name "Buddy Killen Circle" is someone's idea of a joke.
The Bat in front of Sony's offices.
October 29, 2009 at 09:32 |
Thanks for the short trip home. I lived in nashville as a youngster (back in the 60s, thankyaverymuch), before the Interstates were even complete. Even though I still have relatives there, I’ve rarely visited in the past 25 years, so it’s kinda nostalgic for me to see those shots.
November 4, 2009 at 09:32 |
You should come back to check on le Peug! :)
October 29, 2009 at 09:40 |
I love this! You see so much more on bicycle, don’t you?
October 29, 2009 at 11:06 |
LOL Next time Ashley and I are going to Frugal MacDoogal’s I expect to see you riding over this same hill. We’ll meet you at the Scientology Center if you’d like to come along!
November 4, 2009 at 09:33 |
Count me in! Seriously, let me know next time you guys are up here.
October 29, 2009 at 17:53 |
Aaaahhhh, the Scientology Center. So much material there….must resist…..must practice tolerance… I used to get copies of Dianetics for free from the recruiters that hung out in UN Plaza here in SF. They always managed to be there at the same time as the Moonies. I used to ask them if they had a competition going for recruitment.
Nice to see what my Bat would look like in the South : )
October 30, 2009 at 00:55 |
I still say, yes, you are a badass cyclist. :) Granny gear or no, you zip up those Nashville hills way faster than me!
I’m quite fond of the Elvis statute; good memories of me and my sisters and funny poses. Is he dressed up for Halloween? His pallor looks odd, even for a cheap tourist statute.
October 30, 2009 at 03:29 |
I find it really cute that the Bat and the smurfette are both in our lingos. west, midwest to the south.
A pair of friends, a few bikes – we all understand each other. he heee
Sweet set. Now when aer we meeting up again?!… Feel free to come when you wanna avoid the snow, the only thing people complain out here are hills and the weather getting closer to 45°, if that. Just saying… ;)