Miles 81.34 Total miles 263 Avg per day 66 miles
Elevation gain 6388 ft Max Speed 40.1 MPH Temp 74 degrees Time 6:09:34
The past week has been very hectic as we prepared for our trip. Last Thursday we left for Morgantown and Joey's graduation from WVU. We did not return home until late Monday night. After unloading and putting away all his belonging from college we were able to concentrate on packing and getting ready for the cycling journey. Tuesday was a bee hive of activity; doing laundry, packing, getting the house ready and running errands. Definitely could have used more hours in the day. We left Richmond at 8:10 this morning, making it to Scottsville and departing on our bikes at 10:45. The weather was overcast and cool in the lower 60's, a bit of a chilly start as we rode along hilly country roads with very little traffic. About an hour into our ride a turkey vulture hiding in a tree decided to take flight as soon as I approached him. Kelly screamed from behind as the bird almost took off my head.
We arrived at the intersection of Route 29 and SR 655 at 12:15 after 34 miles. Joey was waiting for us with a disgusted look on his face, with surgical gloves and a sponge in hand. I thought he was going to tell us he was going home except all he said was "look at the dog." As Joey was driving down Rt 29 Roxy had an accident, so Joey was left cleaning up the mess. Now Kelly understands why I had her place a plastic tablecloth and two sheets on the back seat. I can not thank Joey enough for being so patient and understanding with Roxy.
From here we rode up Route 655 toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. There was a 1-2% incline for approx. 8 miles until we hit the steep stuff, 4 miles from Crabtree Falls and another 4 miles to Montebello. We met Joey at Montebello Store for a quick break, then continued the final 4 miles up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This route was very steep with prolong inclines reaching 14%. I had trained on this climb last fall and never completed it with less than 3 stops. Kelly and I completed the climb today with some pain but no stops.
Once at the top we experienced an exciting decent of four miles over many switchbacks into Vesuvius. Our top speed on the decent reached 40 MPH, it could have been faster except we were always braking for the next hairpin turn. It wasn't until after this decent Kelly decide to tell me about the "emergency brake" procedure.
The last part of the day was a 20 mile ride into Lexington home of VMI and Washington & Lee. Much of this was along the South River, a very scenic ride with fields and wild flowers covering the roadside. As we approached Lexington we came onto a country store offering $.99 Pepsi, 2 for 1 chocolate covered raisins and candy orange slices. This is not something we would normally eat, never mind purchase, but, we figured we burned enough calories so why not.
After a long 81 mile day, we are exhausted but even more excited for the next days journey.
So, we are in the Sleep Inn in Lexington, everyone is clean, fed and ready for for another day tomorrow.
Kelly on a slight downhill grade
Approaching the Blue Ridge Mountain and our climb
This time we are on the correct side of the sign. We love the downhill
Snacking on candy orange slices
Love that Pepsi
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