Rain,. Rain, GO AWAY!!!

Well with severe weather in the area and the possibilities of flooding in some of the areas I was supposed to travel through, I decided it would be best not to push it (Especially because I had been soaked through the last few days). So today I watched the rains come down in sheets outside my window. I was reluctant to give up another day, but it seemed like the best option. Tomorrow I will try to wake up early and get in a good push in. And then...On to Kentucky.

I thought tacking was a sailing term...

Ride Time: 4:05:30 Distance: 45.28
Average Speed: 11.1 MPH Max Speed: 35.0 MPH Avg. Temp: 77 degrees

After once again trying to wait out the rain and the gloom it brings I got off to a late start at 11 AM. I really don't like riding with the gray skies, and tomorrow isn't looking promising either. The morning ride was a battle as the rains also brought with them a menacing headwind. When I stopped for lunch I met a very nice couple from CT who are doing a supported ride to the West Coast. We chatted for a while before parting ways and trails after lunch. Meeting them really gave me a nice pick-me-up, as it can get a little lonely at times out on the road. Stopped in at a bike shop topped off my air and off I went. I decided to stay on US 11 all day to cut out about 30 miles and a few mountains. Other than another dog chase, nothing too interesting to end the day (This one was about .5 seconds from getting maced, but he decided to give up the chase). I ended up in Glade Spring, VA. Ate some Italian food, did a batch of laundry and now just relaxing in room. Tomorrow will depend on the weather as there are some severe weather warnings in the area that might keep me inside tomorrow. However, Saturday is looking like SUNNY SKIES!! Until tomorrow, Good night and Good luck

Plums are to Prunes as Matt is to...well Prunes

Ride Time: 4:47:41 Total Distance: 53.38 Miles
Average Speed: 11.1 MPH Max Speed: 35.7 MPH Average Temp: 75 degrees

I got soaked today, and my fingers and toes are still pruned. I wanted to get an early start, but the morning rain delayed my start. Closing up camp in the rain was a slow process, since I was trying to keep all my gear dry. Breakfast was at the local Waffle House where all the waitresses and customers couldn't have been nicer (They even let me charge my phone as my food digested). After topping off my liquids and doning my rain gear I got on the road. I have to say I found out that a succubus is not a mythical creature, it is the gloom of a rainy day. I just didn't feel like continuing on. However, I did and it was worth it. I met Ed and Keith, two separate bikers on the last leg of a cross-country journey (PS Ed, Keith is only about 7 miles behind you if you check this), and seeing them really encouraged me to go on. Today wasn't really a sightseeing day as the only thing I consistantly saw was the rain in my eyes. However, I did have my first two dog run-ins. First was a beagle-mix, I was going up hill so there was no avoiding him. However I used my bike to separate myself from the dog. Apparently I had gotten between him and his house, once we were on the right sides again he calmed down and trotted away. The second incident was about 10 miles from my destination. I saw the german shepard in the yard, when he started barking I was going downhill, but it was the little dog in the bushes that I missed. He came running out into the road, and was about to get a face full of my heel when I think his electronic fence finally kicked in (and possibly he knew that being in the road was a bad idea). I need to start carrying my mace in a more accessible place. Once I made it to Wytheville, I got a great rate at a motel and a stomach full of mexican food for under $10. Now I am sitting in my room trying to dry out my wet gear. Tomorrow on to?

Fifty is Nifty....

Ride Time: 4:43:28 Total Distance: 54.76
Average Speed: 11.6 MPH Max Speed:P 35.7
I know most people celebrate their first 100 mile day, but I'm getting closer. For the first time this trip I have gone over 50 miles in a day. Tomorrow I am aiming for about the same. I left the hotel at about 9AM this morning and spend the large majority of the time since then in the seat of my bike. Although I did for the first time try a Sonic drive-in, I like the Cherry Limeade. Other than that, the day was pretty uneventful. However, I did learn that just because a road is on a map, doesn't mean that it is A)Completed B) Suitable for traffic. After following a "shortcut" a local told me (Which actually was a good one) I ended up an a gravel/dirt lane, which abruptly ended leaving me to hike the bike over a set of railroad track to pick the same road up on the other side. But it did save me climbing up a really big hill so I'm still not complaining about it. And then with 4 miles left in my journey for the day I hit another really big hill. With my legs already fatigued, it took me a little while to get up it. But once I did, it was an easy cruise into Christiansberg. Tonight I am staying at a campground/trailerpark right outside the actual part of the city. Encouraging news is that I did see a Cracker Barrel so I think I know where I am having breakfast. Tomorrow, I am going to try to push out another 50+ mile day. I think I only have about 3-4 more days of mountains and of Virginia for that matter. Today also put my past the 200 mile mark for my journey. Lastly, my gloves have left a nice square tan on the back of my hands. Until tomorrow....

Milleniae of geological processes....

Distance: 14.4 Miles Ride Time: 1:18:25

Avg. Speed: 11.0 MPH Max: 81.6 (Don't know what is up with this lately)

After the rugged night I spent in my tent last night, I decided a day of sightseeing was in order. So I headed down the road to the actual Natural Bridge exhibits and bought myself a combination ticket. First stop, The Natural Caverns (Pictured Left). This is the largest natural caverns east of the Mississippi (Or so they say). It was quite beautiful, but as always, I would rather explore things like this myself instead of with a guided tour (Especially one full of annoying children). After leaving the Caverns, it was on to the actual Natural Bridge. After walking down the path leading up to it I came upon the following sight:

Please notice the size of the tiny people in the picture, they are in fact normal size, it is the arch that is enormous. It is taller than Niagara Falls. About 20 feet up the right hand wall one of the original colonial surveyors carved his initials: G.W. Or as we usually refer to him, Mr. President, George Washington. After leaving I continued on to my hotel 11 miles up the road where I will spend my next day resting to recharge for the upcoming climbs as I continue through the Appalachians. As I sat on my porch drinking a cold beer I looked upon the following sight watching the lightning flash over the mountains and the cars roll by:

A little fall of rain, can not hurt me...

Well here is the morning update, even though the rain tried as it might, it couldn't defeat my little tent (Only some seepage through the main zipper). Also this morning when I woke up there were two apples sitting on my picnic table. The cabin next to my tent site must have put them there while I was up brushing my teeth at the main compound. By the time I had found them, they had packed up and left. But thank you for my delicious breakfast. Today, I think I will check out the natural bridge they keep talking about around here. Then on to....we'll see.

For every up there is a down....

Distance: 44.73 miles Ride Time: 3:53:50
Average Speed: 11.2 Max Speed 97.3 (That's what the computer says and who am I to argue)
Max Temp: 102
And this one was extreme. After leaving the cabin late this morning, I biked 11 more miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, once again climbing to above 3300 ft (twice). But then it came, the decent. Wow! I was on and off my brakes the entire time taking switchbacks at breakneck speed (Don't worry Mom, I only said that to make it sound cooler). I actually had to stop to let my brakes cool because they were heating up so much (I nearly burnt my hand when I went to touch them.) So the 4 mile decent into Vesuvius flew by (literally). When I got there it was decision time, camp or press on. And press on I did. On to Mallard Campgrounds near Buena Vista. But when I got there it was only 2 PM, couldn't stop there. Onto Lexington, well maybe not, ok onto the KOA Campgrounds in Natural Bridge, VA. After heating up two cans of Chef Bouardee (sp?) I meet my neighbors, both of which were very nice, and interested in hearing about my trip. Then when I finally got my fire going it happened, the skys opened up and let us have it. While hunkered down in my bunker, ok its only a one person tent but it held up well, I checked the radar on my phone; directly overhead all red, oh boy and a warning for 60 MPH+ winds, oh fun. But now the storm has passed, for now, another smaller one expected at 1 AM, but I have pushed all my stakes in deeper and I am ready to rock and roll, tomorrow a short day, I think, and then maybe a rest day, maybe.

I've been to the mountain top...

Total Distance: 38.51 miles
Ride Time: 4:02:23 Average Speed:9.5 MPH Max Speed: 37.0 MPH
"If this hill doesn't kill us it will surely break our hearts" Stony Jackson, Heartbreak Ridge.
Well that wasn't my experience today, although it surely could have been. I started the day in Charlottesville (Elevation 594 ft) only planning on going 20 miles or so, as to start climbing Afton mountain fresh tomorrow. However when I got close, I said "Screw it, I can do this" and started the climb. Each foot of the climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway was agonizing. I literally began to do it 1/10 of a mile at a time. However, during one of my breaks 3/4 of the way up I got passed by Mike (I think), a HS teacher from Houston. Well, we couldn't have that, so I chased him down and talked for a few minutes before letting him pull ahead so I didn't feel the need to keep up with him. It was during that break that I met a few people in a rest stop (Elevation 1825 ft) and talked for a bit (I gave them the blog address, so Hi if you are checking in). After they left I met 3 cyclists heading the other way to stay in Afton. However I decided to push on to Love. So I began climbing again, and it wasn't getting any easier. However, I eventually made it to the Raven's Roost Overlook (Elevation 3300 ft). So for those of you keeping track that is 2706 feet vertically (Just over half a mile). And every excruciating minute of it was worth it, because the decent was amazing. I don't know if the tears were from the 40mph wind hitting my eyes or the pure joy I was feeling but it made every grueling inch disappear from my mind (Almost). After making it to the cabins, I decided to make myself a feast to celebrate ahi tuna, mashed potatoes, a bottle of Snapple, and an oatmeal cream pie for dessert. It all tasted delicious, even if it was Chicken of the Sea and Powdered Mashed potatoes (PS I don't recommend these products on a normal basis, but today was an exception). Well see what tomorrow brings, but I am predicting a short journey because I'm exhausted.
PS: For those keeping tracking I passed the 100 mile mark today.

Everything Went Swimmingly.....

Distance: 38.59
Ride time: 3:17:49 Average Temp: 95
Average Speed: 11.7 Max Speed: 41.3
The morning started out misty, making packing up camp wet (especially when you leave you cell phone inside your sleeping bag and have to repack it). After a breakfast, I planned a new route to cut down a couple of miles off the trip. After a quiet morning of rolling hills, I stopped for lunch at a deli on VA Rt. 22. After lunch was when my raingear got its first of the day. Luckily for me I was along a row of trees and had time to get all my covers and gear on. Waiting for the rain to die down I set out again only to be dumped on by the second wave of showers. After pushing hard to get out of the rain I reached Charlottesville where I got a bike tuneup and will spend the night at a hotel due to the likelyhood of strong showers later on tonight. All in all, a good second day, tomorrow on to Afton, only a short trip, but I am trying to keep my legs fresh for the big climb.

Here I am again on my own.....

Distance Traveled: 39.5 mi
Ride Time: 3hrs 30min
Avg. Temperature: 92 degrees
Well, I completed day 1 and it was anything but easy. After leaving my parents in Ashland, VA, I set my sights on Mineral, VA. I left with an rush of adrenaline, and a slightly nervous feeling. I coasted along for about 2 miles then I hit a very steep hill that I had trouble climbing. And then it hit me, I had lost my breathe and it had nothing to do with exhaustion. What had I just gotten myself into, would I even make it to Mineral, could I still call my parents in time before they got too far and have them come pick me up. All of these and about 1,000 more thoughts came rushing though my head. But after calming myself down and getting to the top of that hill I pushed on for about 20 miles before even thinking about a stop. After a quick powerbar and some gatorade, I pushed on to Bumpass (Its funny no matter how you say it) where I grabbed some food and an iced tea. After topping off my waterbottles, I started the final push to Mineral. And I am happy to say I made it (in pretty good time too, actually I should have taken some longer breaks). Now I am sitting outside the Mineral Firestation, which will be my home for the night, planning my route for tomorrow, as the one I have takes me too far out of the way. Hopefully my navigation skills are up to par.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...

As many of you know, today was supposed to be my departure date.  However, in the vein of trying to plan out as little as possible for this trip, I already hit a small snag.  When I called Amtrak to talk to them about loading my bike into storage, I learned that this particular route does not allow bikes on the particular route...oops.  So instead of taking the train, my family will be driving me to Ashland, VA and I will begin my journey from there.  This will cut off one to two days from my trip because it is slightly inland.  I have now packed everything I will need (and probably a few things I won't), my added weight is 51 pounds, a full 14 pounds under my maximum weight.  Getting excited now.

It's the final countdown...

I have been spending the last two weeks organizing and making last minute purchases. Now it is time to pack all the gear, make any last minute tweaks to the gear, and get ready to go. Ain't nothin to it but to do it, and I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Free at last....

Well, I have completed my obligations to Checkpoint Systems. The only thing I have left to do is run the Tri-State Summer National and then I will be ready to go. Just making some last minute purchases for a few gadgets and parts. Pretty soon I'll be packing my bags and evening out my load. I will keep you updated on the progression of events. For those of you who are questioning why I am doing this, read the first few chapters of "A Walk Across America" by Peter Jenkins. Some of my reasons are different but my goals are the same. I want to see the how people across America live from day to day.