Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Monday 7/30/18












Vesuvius to Charlottesville

I did not have access to a microwave and short of peanut butter for sandwiches. I packed up and was going to have breakfast at Gertie's in Vesuvius. I was few miles short at the campground. The stream along the road was flowing against my direction of travel. I was gaining elevation as I approached the Blue Ridge Parkway. So the road had a slight incline giving a bit of resistance. Getting to Gertie's I had the Gertie's special, 2 pancakes, 2 eggs and 2 strips of bacon. I rarely eat breakfast out, so a treat when done. Oatmeal is more my style.

Pedaling out of town, the road immediately turned up. After about an hour of a combination of pedaling and walking, I was on the Parkway. On the Parkway, I finally had cell reception and called Joyce and my Mom. A motorcyclist soon stopped. I assumed for the scenery. As I approached to say hi, the person addressed me by name. The man's name was Dave and he had been watching my tracker. He offered me a container of cold watermelon which I was soon feasting on. He liked to try and meet as many of the racers as possible. After finishing the mellon and some road tips from Dave, I got back pedaling.

 I had about 30 miles on the Parkway and it was hilly. It was also occasionally misting and the cloud cover was low. Some of the overlooks I could see the panaramic view well. Other times the clouds were at road level and it was a swirling mist.

The Parkway was a beautiful 30 miles. Some had unmowed fields of wild flowers. Butterflies were thick. Other sections were forest. Occasionally there were the overlooks. It was always changing and the hills forced me to slow down and appreciate all of it. Close to the end I saw a black bear in the road. As I approached, the bear retreated to the forest. Getting to that spot, I saw two Cubs that had climbed trees for safety. Like squirrels, they had their bodies on the backside of the tree and were peering around to check out the threat. I picked up the pace some knowing the mom was near and nervous. With so little traffic, it was just me and the bears.

As I reached the end of the Parkway the sky got very dark and a gust front blew. I stayed below an overpass for several minutes to avoid a possible downpour. The wind stayed Gusty but no rain. I mostly coasted the couple miles to Afton. There I saw the sign for the famous ‘ cookie lady of Afton’, Joan Currey. This is sacred ground for TransAm cyclist. As I looked at the home, Victoria, quickly appeared and again greeted me by name. She said the home is never locked and invited me in. The pictures I took represent all the rooms. Her kindness touched thousands of of cyclist. All the postcards and letters she received she displayed on her walls. Amazing place and now a hostel for cyclist.

Stepping outside it looked like the clouds were breaking up some. Only 4:30, I decided to try and make Palmyra. The 30 miles to Charlottesville was a steaplechase of local roads rather than using the more direct 250. I made Charlottesville but it was too late to do the additional 20 to Palmyra. I went to the Kroger store for some supper groceries and then a city park for the night. An overall very nice day of cycling but just wish I could have reached Palmyra and the church hostel there.

Days miles about 75 with 3000 feet of climbing.

Sunday 7/29/18












Troutville to Vesuvius

Another unique day at the race. Mostly filled with good riding and experiences. The Troutville park was right next to the railroad tracks. I only recall a 0300 wakeup by the train crossing blast. At dawn a friendly park volunteer showed up to tidy up whether there were cyclist campers or not. She did ask if OK to use the leaf blower to clean the shelter building. Go ahead I told the friendly  lady.The sun is up, so should be I.

While eating breakfast, I worked on finishing yesterday's note. I  did some bike maintenance for the final miles of the trip. I am on map #12, the final map.  Some early heavy clouds cover was clearing and I  got pedaling about 10:00.

As I was a couple miles from Buchanan, I was admiring an attractive property, when I heard a man standing near the end of the driveway speaking to me. I turned around to talk to him. It seemed he was wanting more than hi. His name was Ken Mootey and he was interested in bicycle touring. He said he had not eaten yet and would be glad to include me. It seemed rub to refuse the offer so I accepted his generosity.

We had a good meal of waffles and country ham. We discussed bike touring and the many options. Ken was reluctant to tour solo as I mostly do. I told him to check out the Adventure Cycling options. He had a wonderful home and I suggested that he consider being a Warmshowers host. He could tour vicariously through his guests. It seemed a waste to have an inviting home right on the TransAm and not do Warmshowers. We talked about our former work lives some. Ken had a series of businesses starting with construction equipment rentals. As consolidations occurred, he was always happy to sell out at the right price. A business smart guy! We exchanged contact information, I took a picture of us for my notes, and I got pedaling again. I thought a bit about the time visiting verses the miles not riden, but decided accepting hospitality was just as much part of the experience.

The afternoon and evening miles were amazingly pleasant and beautiful rural scenery. The first several miles out of Buchanan were paralleling the I-81. Noise and not pleasant. Made a turn onto Plank Road, and it was quickly country. Passed by a mill from 1740 and the remains of a railroad bridge built in 1790.

Lexington was interesting with the Virginia Military Institute. Very fortress looking buildings. Pedaling out of Lexington I stopped at a convenience store with a stuffed lion out front. Soon I was pedaling on South River Road on the way to Vesuvius. A very little traveled road with the road sandwiched between the river and railroad tracks.

I stopped at the Mallard Campground for the night. The shower was hot and I slept very well under their pavilion building.

Days miles about 60.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Saturday 7/28/18











Draper to Troutville

I set my alarm for 0630 to accommodate my Warmshowers host normal waking time of 0700. I got my morning cleanup and packing done by 0700. I think Pipi wanted out for her business because she was barking. I got my usual instant oatmeal made and Jennifer made me coffee. We talked about her carreer as a nurse because Joyce is a retired nurse practitioner. Finishing eating I got the bike packed and a picture of the Browns with Pipi.

The 30 miles to Christiansburg  was mostly the old Highway 100 before the I-81 was built. Not bad riding and some felt almost rural. A locals road with not too much traffic. Being Saturday morning helped with few commuters. People are more relaxed about errands than getting to work on time.

I made a longer stop at Radford for a community event commemorating the life of Mary Draper Ingles. They had folks dressed up in Revolutionary War era garb and explaining daily activities to visitors. I watched some blacksmithing being done and was given a nail I watched being made.

It was all interesting and I took some information for a possible future trip to DC. Would make a nice future trip with Joyce.

Nearing Christiansburg I was getting very hungry. First thing in town I see a Pizza Inn and the sign flashing 'buffet now’. I grabbed my wallet and phone, and nearly ran in. They had a good salad bar so I got plenty of vegetables with my pizza.

The final leg of the day was about 40 miles of cycling in the Roanoke and Catawba Valleys. Very beautiful scenery and a twisty curvey rode. Some flat sections of road but mostly hilly. It was not fast riding but did not need to be with the scenery.

I made Daleville and got to shop in a Kroger's store for my nights food. I appreciated being able to buy some familiar products like Kaski granola bars. Being told there is usually hikers where I would camp, I bought some extra cherries and strawberries. Getting to the city park in Troutville, I was the only one there. I was disappointed having the extra food but an easy problem to solve. Eat in the order of most to least  perishable.

About 75 miles of very fine cycling.



Friday 7/27/18








Troutdale to Draper

Woke up about 0645 with bright sun coming in the bunkhouse windows. Made my usual oatmeal but somehow forgot the powered milk. Caught it up later when I bought a few things to make my lunch and added a pint of milk. The coffee maker looked unkept so I decided to get gas station coffee at Sugar Grove. Thought that would be safer hygiene wise!

I got on the road about 0900 and made good time getting to Sugar Grove. The modest hills were well graded. Most of the miles were forested and little traffic. Making Sugar Grove I dropped off an Enlace brochure and made my coffee stop. I had also stopped at General Dollar and got more instant oatmeal and a large chocolate bar. Drinking my coffee and doing the math on the large chocolate bar, I wondered where the 1200 calories disappeared to?

The miles were rolling to Rural Retreat and quiet. Not much traffic at all. I made it to Rural Retreat about 1PM and got a few things for my lunch at Food City. I thought I would eat down my food sachel some and just get down to breakfast food. Less weight, more miles or at least easier miles.

While eating my tuna fish sandwichs I looked up Warmshowers host and saw one at Draper. That was about 40 miles more riding and would make a good day. I contacted the hosts, Jennifer and Curtis Brown. They were available so I had a plan for the night. Plus I was more motivated to keep moving knowing they would be waiting for me. 

Some of the afternoon miles were busy highways and on access road along I-81. The final 6 or so miles to Draper was very scenic, small hills with great views of an agricultural valley.

I arrived at the Browns home at 6:30. I had told Jennifer about the SpotTracker so she was waiting as I came in the drive. After I showered, we enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti and conversation. They have a small vinyard on the property and are just getting licensed to have sales. Another unique way to have a challenge as a young retiree.

After eating they ran some errands leaving mein charge of Pipi the pooch. Not bad work and did some notes on the side when not petting Pipi!

The spare bedroom wason the basement, so cool and quiet for a good sleep.

Days miles about 60.




Thursday 7/26/18
















Rosedale to Troutdale

It was a pleasantly cool night and I decided to sleep under the picnic shelter with the bike. I guess it was just the highway noise and I did not sleep that well. Last time I woke was close to sunrise, so I just got up. I had the eggs, so made two fried egg sandwiches on toast a well as my usual oatmeal. With a church kitchen at my disposal I can eat well, or at least better.

It was foggy again,  so I took my time eating and packing up. After 0830 it looked safe to pedal off. I had about 35 miles to Damascus and one big hill. Thankfully it was a more gradual grade, so relatively easy to pedal up and modest braking descending. It was a pretty route also. Very few cars and Rocky outcropping where it was cut into the hillside and a rushing stream on the other. The sound of flowing water is always a treat when cycling. No cars to distract, just the quiet forest and the sounds of the water flowing over rocks. What an experience! Cycling quiet backroads there is always some sound of nature; the wind, birds and even insects singing their songs to occupy the stillness.

I stopped at Meadowview at a small grocery. In the south these places are more restaurant and sell groceries as a side business. I was just going to get coffee but a customer gave a rousing testimonial about the chili coleslaw hot dog. Not wishing to miss out on this Southern culinary delight, I went back in and ordered one from Miss Betty. I was not disappointed, it was pretty good! And it got me the last 15 miles to Damascus.

I found the bike shop but the mechanic called in sick . They sold me the new plain post cantilever brake shoes and loaned me the 10mm wrench to do it myself. Finishing in about an hour I decided I had time to eat at a pizza place with an OK salad bar. I also got a calzone with double hot peppers that was pretty good. But when cycling, most anything is pretty good! I had decided Damascus is a busy place and that I had time to make Troutdale. About 25 miles with a big hill to cross. Troutdale also has a church run hostel and I thought I could get there by 8 PM.

The ride was exceptionally nice. The big climb was not steeply graded and went thru deep forest and had a stream most of the way to Troutdale. There was a long mostly flat tabletop plateau that was wonderful cycling in the cool evening. There were two interesting churches I took pictures of. One made of stone and the other log cabin style. I wished one of them were a hostel as each was so unique in appearance.

The hostel at the Troutdale Baptist Church did look like it’s name, The Bunkhouse. Up on a hill with a beautiful view and showers a short walk at the church. I did not have the use of the church kitchen but did fine with the microwave at the bunkhouse. I had a baked potato, sliced zucchini and green pepper, corn on the cob and a piece of chicken. Desert was a bag of microwave popcorn from the bunkhouse stock. Many of the hostels, not close to a grocery, church members will stock with non-perishable food items.

After eating, I took the short walk down to the showers. Some of the hostels have outside cold showers. I was looking forward to a hot shower to relax tired muscles.

With bath done, bed made, I was tired and slept very well on my plywood bunk.

Days miles about 60 with a little over 3000 feet climbing.