Day 8-And more rain-Almost to Rosedale-Kentucky or bust

He said: Day started great with the sun at my back and a downhill ride. I had 25 miles in by breakfast-that's the good part. Rode through downpours 3 times to get the next 30 miles before calling it a day. No pictures, no sun. Big riding day tomorrow if we want to reach our camping destination. 55 miles.
She said: The day started with the promise of being super. Met for a nice breakfast in Damascus and then the skies opened up. Paul rode through the downpour, I found him waiting at a little General Store soaking wet. We took a ride to a little bakery in Lebanon, Va. and checked out weather.com-it looked promising for a few hours of clear skies, so back to where we had left off, when it started raining again, we stopped at the Hayters Gap library. Karen the branch manager was delightful-we had a nice visit and Paul took off again. For all you Trans-Am riders-the library there is newly renovated and Karen is terrific. I rode ahead - 4 miles of switchbacks straight up the mountain. I found a place to pull over to make sure it didn't start pouring for his ride up. Somehow he snuck by me while I was waiting-when the skies opened again-back down the mountain I went looking for him. After a few frantic phone calls on my part (bad cell service in the mountains), and calm ones on Paul's part, I learned he was about 10 miles down the road on the other side of the mountain. Soaked to the bone, and with no hotels on route-we took a ride 7 miles off route to find a place to stay. Being the purist he is, I will deliver him back to where we ended the day and take off again tomorrow-if the weather cooperates we should make it to Kentucky.

Day 7-Can't all be nice-but Troutdale is

He said: Finally got some bad weather during the day. Started raining about 9:15, and rained off and on until about 2. Farms turning from horses to cows. Not so picturesque today until we got closer to our destination. Had lunch with a fellow east to westerner, Matt Del Preore from NJ. He’s riding fully loaded, unlike some of us. I like being supported. Had to get my derailleur adjusted by Dean’s bike in Marion-thanks guys. The weather broke, the sun came out, and the day just got better and better. The ride up to Troutdale from Sugar Grove looked tough on the map, but it was ok. Stopped at Jerry’s Kitchen and Goods for dinner and supplies-it’s right down the street from the Baptist Church of Troutdale. Great home cooking, friendly people, everything you need at great prices, don’t miss it! The facilities provided by the Baptist Church are unbelievable. Clean bunk house with lights, pillows, cushions, supplies, terrific showers fully stocked with supplies and towels and a great view! Sat out on the porch, rocking and reading in complete quiet. No TV, no phone, just peace and quiet. No cell service here-definitely no phone. Tomorrow off to Council. We should be in Kentucky by Friday-our second state! Today we were close to North Carolina, tomorrow we will be close to Tennessee. 92.5 miles today.
She said: Worked for awhile in the morning and took off to find Paul. It started raining not long after I hit the road-got a call to watch for a turn onto 787 which I found out later Paul missed once and somehow got back on track. It didn’t have one of those helpful “76” signs. I made the turn and found the route easier than he did….too bad I was the one in the car! Found a breakfast place so Paul could get some bacon and eggs in the mid-morning. I stopped at the Visitor’s Center in Wytheville-had a nice chat with the 2 ladies working there and got our Virginia is for Lovers bumper stickers for free. Good deal. Met up with Paul and another biker for lunch. We parted ways and then met back up at the bike shop. Maybe we’ll cross paths with Matt again in our travels. We are staying at a terrific hostel in Troutdale-the Appalachian Trail goes right through here so hikers and bikers use the facilities-we’re here alone tonite though. It is very peaceful -enjoying the tranquility. Another beautiful day in the mountains.

The fog over the mountains

A real cow parade

Getting a tune-up

On the front porch of our home for the night

The view

Day 6-Rain

We said: Our first map is done! You can see the terrain Paul cycled through from the profile map pictured above. Each horizontal line is 1000'. Forgot to mention yesterday about my early food search. Hadn't had much to eat before I left, and was looking forward to my first stop 30 miles away in Buchanan. Approaching Buchanan, I saw signs for "Home Cooking Ahead", but I guess everyone was home cooking, because there was no place to get anything to eat. Directed to a fruit and vegetable business, I got a cinnamon role at a reduced price, and the very nice lady gave me a free banana, and told me if I wanted more to help myself. Southern Hospitality. Rain day today, so we took a ride to Blacksburg, the home of Va Tech. Beautiful campus. Paul is finding it hard to find a place to sit down and get some good bacon and eggs-we could only find a vegetarian restaurant that served full breakfasts. Went to the library, Sharon worked, Paul slept (he said just like when he was in school), we're doing laundry, and will make it an early night to get started back on the road again. 0 miles.

Day 5-Longest day yet-Christiansburg,Va

She said: I've been entering my stuff first, so the weary peddler can just dictate without influencing my entry. I worked the whole morning, so Paul got quite a head start and I met up with him after 70 miles or so. Gave him fresh drinks and we agreed to meet in Christiansburg. The last 25 miles or so were through a beautiful valley with lots of farms and the mountains on either side. I don't think I quite captured it on film. My giggle for the day was passing a Chicken Crossing sign-there was no place to pull over and get a picture though. I work for a non-profit organization "The Last Greeen Valley". We are stewards of the only dark spot on an evening satellite image of the east coast from Boston to Washington. Riding through these beautiful mountains reminds me that there are places in our country that are unspoiled and where nature abounds. For me, that is one of the reasons we are taking this trip-to appreciate the beauty of what this country has to offer.

The Catawba Valley

he said she's not typing for me, she is in the shower. today was another good day, not quite as scenic but still nice. pushed to get to Christianburg so i wouldn't have to stay in a bed and breakfast, which was all that was available at the last town before here. i'm gone before breakfast so i would have been staying at a b. We had showers again last night and it was really foggy so i didn't start until about 7:30. Cleared up late morning and was sunny the rest of the day. i have to buy an Audubon book so i can tell what these birds are down here , saw bluebirds and these yellow and black birds and a bunch of cardinals which i think might be the state bird. there are some big rocks around here that don't quite look real, kind of like hollywood rocks , but they are. with all the beautiful sights we are seeing , the best one i see is when sharon drives by and smiles. i wonder how long into this trip it will be before she drives by, smiles, and just keeps going. (i know she reads this) gonna go eat and find a bookstore. glad to hear everyone at home is doing good. 93 miles.



These are the route signs from the original Bikecentennial in 1976. They really help on all these back roads. Our maps are great with plenty of detail for all the turns, but it is reassuring when you see these and know you are on the right track. You don't want to ride any more than you have to each day.

This is now a bed and breakfast way out in the country. Circa 1740, it is in fantastic shape with all brick and stone everywhere.

I believe this is a train trestle, very narrow at the top. I actually rode under 2 of these today-the first one was a steel structure, with the supports in people's backyards. How would you like that to go overhead at night?

Day 4-Over the Mountain

She said: Left Afton about 9 am and wasn't sure where I would catch up to Paul. He had a big day ahead-climbing 2000 feet in about 12 miles-he wouldn't be going at his regular pace. The Blue Ridge Parkway was beautiful. About 9:45 I caught up to him on the other side of the mountain-30 miles into his ride. We met up in Lexington about 11:15 the first time-but I'll let he said tell you about that. Spotted a biker loaded with panniers and found out he was eastbound trying to make Afton for the night. Good luck Carl-hope you made it. Got a hotel room for the night (living in luxury) and took a drive to the Natural Bridge (see pics below). It was nice to do a little site seeing. Another great day on the road.

He said: Got over the hill today-thought it would be worse than it was. Beautiful ride. A three mile downhill to Vesuvius-glad I wasn't going up that one. Much of the ride after that followed a river and it was pretty flat. It looked like there was wind damage from some of the thunderstorms we've had the last few nights. We've been really lucky with the weather, any storms we've had have been at night. Heading into Lexington, I got to go up the same hill 3 times. I came to an intersection, went to check my map, and it wasn't there. I had to back track-found it, turned around climbed the same hills over again, lost it, turned around, found it, put it in my backpack instead of my pocket, and was all set. Finished early and spent a pleasant afternoon site seeing and touring Natural Bridge. 58 miles.

The first overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway

Pretty cool, huh?

Took a lot of climbing to make it here from there.

Natural Bridge

Day 3-Made it to the Cookie Lady!

Paul and June Curry-The Cookie Lady

She said: Took an 8 mile bike ride around Mineral before heading out. Paul left about 6:45, I left at 8:30 and we met up at a small restaurant (not on purpose) for my coffee, Paul's Gatorade and crackers. The landscape started to change dramatically approaching Charlottesville (home of UVA) as the mountains appeared in the distance. The weather forecast for the area was for afternoon thunderstorms, so we weren't sure where we would stop for the day. It looked ok when we met in Charlottesville around 11:30, so Paul decided to push on to Afton. Afton (home of the Cookie Lady-and saint to bike riders) is partway up the start of the first big push into the Appalachians. He was happy to get here instead of having to do all of that tomorrow. I stopped at a peach orchard and ate a delicious donut peach fresh off the tree. Paul pulled in and had ice cream (see pictures below). The bike house in Afton is unbelievable-every wall is covered with post cards, notes, and bicycle memorabilia from 33 years of bikers stopping here. I don't think the pictures will really capture it, but I tried!

He Said: Kept seeing these signs on the newspaper boxes for the Daily Progress, thought it was appropriate. Also saw another live snake-good size ones. Got chased by my first two dogs, and I'm not even in Kentucky yet! The first one was pretty old-I could see his hearing aid-and he still almost caught me. The second one was younger, but noisier, so I had a head start. More beautiful country. The ride today was a lot like home-up and down, up and down, except at the end when it was all up as I got in to Afton. On the way in to Charlottesville a nice guy named Cody passed me going down hill. I caught up to him, and I think I just drafted off him. That's the first time I've ever done that. It was much easier peddling with someone right in front of you. Too bad he wasn't going to Afton. Then we met the Cookie Lady. What a great lady, great stories, and more southern hospitality. Why are the people in the South friendlier than the people in the North? Or shouldn't I generalize? Weather has been ok-90's and humid, but now that we are getting up there-supposedly the humnidity should drop. Just got off the phone with my friend Steve V from home, who's been looking after work for me. He told me to enjoy myself and not worry about anything at home-I assured him I wasn't! Thanks Steve. 82 miles today.

Appalachians in the distance

Eating ice cream before the last push to Afton

In the bike house

day 2

Last night in Glendale-our bed for the night.

He Said: another nice day on the road. starting to go uphill a little. we are starting to get in sync now. our routine is becoming something like this get up at 5:30 , roll up the sleeping mats and stuff them into their bags(much easier with 2 people), roll and tie the sleeping bags, eat a bagel or apple and drink some juice. take care of bodily functions(she said i shouldn't mention that but a routine is a routine), load sharons bike on the car and get on my bike and go. i'm usually( that sounds stupid after only 2 days) offbetween 6:30 and 7. today we met around 9:30 for my second breakfast and sharon's coffee. off again and into mineral around 1. We met Charlie and some other hospitable volunteers and were able to take showers!(felt great) the ride was really pretty today especially thru Ashland to Scotchtown( which is the birthplace of Patrick Henry ...... see it's not all just fun and games) We had our big meal at 2 , and are doing laundry. Kind of like being home except I am actually helping. It's great having Sharon along , wouldn't feel the same without her. that's it for now Oh yeah-85 miles

Bumpass, best town name so far. Sharon at work (and it's a Saturday)

She said: Left Glendale about 8:30 to catch up to Paul for his mid morning meal, and my morning coffee fix in Ashland. Stopped on my way to Mineral (our stop for the night) at Scotchtown (where Patrick Henry owned one of his 13 homes). Had a very informative and fun tour of the home and grounds. The route to Mineral was very much like home-rural tree lined roads with lots of curves, but less hills-though the hills are starting to appear more often. Got to Mineral about 12:15, unloaded my work chair and computer, went to work and waited for Paul to arrive. Lunch, got into the fire station (thanks to the Sheriff), took showers, met Charlie (pictured below) who showed us the lay of land-we will be inside tonite-no camping, as Charlie informed us there are thunderstorms predicted and the water tower next to the fire station is somewhat of a lightning rod-thanks Charlie! Another great day-can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Patrick Henry's home. Paul and Charlie outside Mineral FD

The next am

V

Slept well.We had spotty internet connection last night, so couldn't put up all our pics fromyesterday. So, here they are: Victory Monument, our home for the night at Willis Church,Williamsburg, and Paul dipping his tire.

day one

and so the journey begins. i type slower than i ride a great start to this journey. left yorktown around 7 with the mandatory picture at the monument and dip in the ocean. probably shouldn't have gotten completely submerged but my exuberance was out of control. met three very nice people in williamsburg( trying to get back to the colonial parkway) and the ride and scenery were great all day. the willis church road had a detour which brought us through a civil war battlefield area.(i wasn't lost) i ended up about a mile past the chuch at a convenience store at the same time as my lovely wife sharon got there( she knows how slow i ride) While we were standing there a gentleman asked if we needed a place for the night and brought us straight to the church. talk about southern hospitality! we grocery shopped in the pm , ate our pb&j supper, and then enjoyed a surprise visit from my uncle leonard and aunt lois who traveled from d.c. just to say hello(and share some delicious melon).so now its time to get ready for tomorrow. looking forward to another good day on the road. oh yeah she said i have to give my mileage .68
She said: Worked in the am and took off for Williamsburg. Met a wonderful woman in the shops and bought a doll for our great niece and sent it on for her first birthday-sorry we will be missing that party. The drive was beautiful from there and met up with Paul at the perfect time. Met Louis at the convenience store-a deacon in the church where we are staying tonite-a terrific guy! Great accomodations, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings-on to Mineral Va.

She said: "This week's the week"

Ben and Meaghan's wedding went off without a hitch-the Benson house is a day away from CO-so this is really happening. It looks like we are a "go" for a Wednesday departure for Yorktown and Paul will start riding Thursday. Not bad-only 3 days off from our predicted date. Thanks to all our subcontractors, Josh and Jeff, the Bensons, and everyone who pushed a bit to make sure we could leave. After the Marine Corps picnic today, we will load up the Mini to make sure we can fit all essential supplies, and then I will feel like we are really doing this. I hope everyone keeps in touch-we have a Skype account-so if anyone else has Skype and wants to "talk", please call. We will miss everyone and want to share all our exciting experiences with you. As Paul will attest, I am a planner-need to know all the details ahead-well this trip will be anything but that, so as I head into the world of the unpredictable I am a little nervous-I can't imagine how Paul must feel. The "he said" will have to share that with you!