Today's bike ride began at the Town Center Plaza in downtown Watkinsville, Georgia.

Pulling out of the Town Center Plaza put me on Barnett Shoals Road at the intersection with Georgia Route 15, the Greensboro Highway. Turning right would take me north toward Route 53.

This intersection has somewhat of an odd shape. The hard left turn seen above would put me on Georgia Route 15, the Greensboro Highway. I took the not-as-hard left turn onto South Main Street and headed toward Colham Ferry Road.

Turning left onto Colham Ferry Road took me south past the elementary school.

Colham Ferry Road is one of my favorites in this area.

Aside from a few rolling hills here and there, Colham Ferry Road is mostly flat.

Following Colham Ferry Road south took me past Bell Lake.

Bell Lake is a privately owned pay fishing area.

I'm not a fisherman, so I'm not familiar with this place. But it's well known in this area.

I stitched a couple of pics together to create a Bell Lake panorama.

I spotted a small cemetery near the town of Poplar Springs, Georgia.

This is the Aaron Bearden Cemetery at Hardigree Bell Road. The cemetery's namesake, Aaron Bearden, was born in 1802 and died in March 1847.

Aaron's death in 1847 is the earliest date of death recorded for this cemetery, which makes sense if the cemetery is named after him. Around 90 people are buried in the Bearden Cemetery. But curiously, Aaron Bearden is only person named "Bearden" buried herein.

The interesting part of this story is that Aaron's wife and four children are all buried elsewhere, (primarily in Madison, Georgia).

I can't help but wonder if after Aaron died in 1847, his wife packed the family up and moved to Madison, GA.

Bearden Cemetery, Popular Springs, Georgia.

The intersection with Astondale Road sat just past the Bearden Cemetery.

A large property sits at the intersection with Astondale Road. I turned right and headed west toward Bishop, Georgia.

I came across a long abandoned house along Astondale Road.

This house looks like it's been abandoned for many years.

Not only has the front porch roof collapsed, it looks like this entire side of the house is leaning.

What's left of the front porch.

The whole house seems to be leaning and sinking.

There were actually a few panes of glass left in the windows.

Interesting shot through the window of a vine growing in the house.

At this point, I realized that the house wasn't technically abandoned.

He looked like a king surveying his kingdom.

A not-so-abandoned house along Astondale Road.

The UGA Equestrian Complex sits further down Astondale Road in Bishop, Georgia.

UGA Equestrian Complex, Bishop, Georgia.

Astondale Road ends at US Route 441 in Bishop, Georgia. Turning left would take me south toward Madison. Turning right would take me back to Athens.

I turned right onto Railroad Street which runs parallel to US 441 through town.

Railroad Street is definitely the road less traveled.

I see why this road is named "Railroad Street" due to the train tracks next to the roadway.

However, it looks like a train hasn't passed through here in a long time.

The railroad tracks were completely overgrown.

One of the stars of the Bishop Historic District is the MacPherson House which dates from the 1890s. This house began life as a store operated by George Preston Elder. By 1897, records indicate the store had become, "a three room house." A major transformation occurred sometime around 1908 when the current front facade and porch were added. That was followed sometime later by a second floor addition. The beautifully restored home is currently a private residence.

The Bishop, Georgia Post Office was built in 1968 and stands on the site of a former wood-frame store from 1888. The store was torn down sometime after WWII.

The Frosted Lion Antiques building was actually built in two sections. The northern half (right side) dates from 1910, and the southern half (left side) was built a few years later. The building has served many purposes during the subsequent century. Frank Porter operated the Porter Brothers Store until his death in the early 1950s. The building also housed a dentist's office and a community gathering space. The south section served as Bishop's post office from 1951 until the current building, (left side of the photo), was completed in 1968. Frosted Lion Antiques has called this building home since it opened in the 1990s.

I followed Railroad Street until I came to Old Bishop Road where I turned right.

I passed by an auto repair facility and salvage yard along Old Bishop Road.

This is Wilson's Auto & Wrecker Service.

Wilson's Auto & Wrecker Service, Bishop, Georgia.

Old Bishop Road intersects with South Main Street in Watkinsville. Turning right would take me into downtown Watkinsville. I crossed South Main Street where Old Bishop Road becomes Harden Hill Road which will also take me into downtown.

Soon I ended up at the intersection with North Main Street in Watkinsville. The signal light in the distance in the photo is where I began today's ride.

Turning left onto North Main Street would take me to Route 53.

Watkinsville business district.

I rode almost 10 miles today !