Today's bicycling adventure provided the first opportunity for me to use the trailer hitch and bike rack I installed on the Z4 last weekend. I bought a trailer hitch and bike rack specifically for this purpose - to drive somewhere and do some exploring on two wheels. Today's trip took me to nearby Watkinsville, Georgia and Georgia Route 53. Though not particularly wide, Route 53 is relatively flat and not as heavily traveled in this area. The Colony Square Plaza in Watkinsville provided a perfect place to park.

From the Colony Square Plaza, I headed west on Georgia Route 53 and soon happened upon the Oconee County Veterans Park and Memorial.

The Veterans Memorial was dedicated in July 2008.

Names can be added to the Wall of Honor.

The Veterans Park also has several sports facilities. Soccer was the activity of choice on this day.

Further west on Route 53 is the North Oconee County school complex that features Rock Branch Elementary School and North Oconee County High School.

Stadium at North Oconee High School.

Route 53 is filled with farms in this part of Oconee County.

Farm along Route 53 in Oconee County.

Washington Farms sits further west on Route 53.

Washington Farms is well known in this area for its "Pick Your Own Strawberries" activities and corn maze in the fall.

Washington Farms along Route 53.

Washington Farms along Route 53.

The intersection with Lane Creek Road sits just west of Washington Farms.

I turned left onto Lane Creek Road.

I encountered some traffic on Route 53, but nothing that I would call "busy." Lane Creek Road, however, was empty.

I then arrived at the intersection with Cole Springs Road.

On my right was another large farm.

Turning left would take me back to Route 53.

I turned right and headed past the Lane Creek Plantation development and the Lane Creek Golf Club.

Lane Creek Plantation and Lane Creek Golf Club.

Lane Creek Golf Club.

Cole Springs Road took me through the town of North High Shoals to the intersection with Georgia Route 186.

I turned left onto Route 186 heading east toward Bishop, Georgia.

Route 186 was empty today.

I love the front yard !

I passed by the Pine Lake Campground.

Pine Lake Campground, Bishop, Georgia.

Route 186 ends at US Route 441, the main thoroughfare between Athens and Madison. Turning left would take me back to Athens. Turning right would take me south to Madison.

My plan was to turn left onto Union Church road which sits directly behind the Golden Pantry convenience store.

I passed by a horse farm on Union Church Road.

Horse farm along Union Church Road, Bishop, Georgia.

I saw at least 4 horses here.

They looked at me briefly before going about their business.

Union Church Road eventually intersects with Route 53 at the Oconee County High School complex.

Once through the high school complex, I turned right onto Route 53 and headed back to the Colony Square Plaza and my car.

I began this bicycle riding journey in September 2017 with the goal of completing one 2-mile lap around my neighborhood no matter how long it took me, (and that first lap took me a while !). As my strength and endurance increased, so did the length of my rides. Nine months after I started this journey, I finished a 19-mile ride and didn't die !