West to Louisville...

After waking up in Lexington, I took a quick trip to the University of Kentucky. After a quick trip to their bookstore it was on to Louisville. Keeping with the theme of this trip it was pouring rain most of the day. However I didn't let this stop my day today. After dropping the bike off at the shop I found a small diner to eat lunch in, turns out that diner is famous for their "Sweet Daddy Burger", the guy that runs it was even on Letterman to serve it up. I didn't try that burger but the one I did try was HUGE (but I demolished it!). After that I headed to Main St. to check out a few of the things their including the Muhammad Ali museum as well as the Louisville Slugger factory. The only thing about the city is that it seems like a ghost town. I realize that today saw some of the worst storms the city has ever seen, however I still expected more than the 50 or so people I saw out tonight, it was eerie. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some better weather for travelling.

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?

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.

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.