We were both relieved to get on and do a few big days now we're out of the hills. Although still rolling hills it's been far better than East KY & Virginia and apart from the odd downpour the weather has finally given us a little bit of a break (although still in the 90s).
Early start tomorrow hoping for another big day with the aim of getting ahead of schedule in case the mountains in Missouri turn out to be tough.
Sorry but not much else to report....oh except tonight was our first chance for a beer in over a week as Kentucky up to now has been "Dry". A couple of buds in frosted glasses washed down our second dinner very well.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Days 6 - 11 (4th June - 9th June)
Day 11 to Berea, Kentucky - 59 miles
Finally out of the mountains. The warm welcome and pleasant university town of Berea was the obvious choice for a much needed rest day.
Special thanks to Janet who came out into the heat to ask us what we were up to, found us a local (very luxurious) hotel and bartered us an incredible price to stay. It was some much needed mothering which we, at that point two very bedraggled washed out boys, both really appreciated.
Day 10 to Boomeville, Kentucky - 60 miles
Another disappointing mileage was largely down to one of Dan's so far successful short-cuts going horribly wrong. A dead-end 8 miles downhill on a gravel track (marked as a link-road on the map) isn't a fun place when it's approaching 100 degrees and you're being heckled by hill-billies.
Luckily we managed to meet a very nice a self-confessed hill-billy called Eddie who agreed to move his assault rifles (which were for deer hunting?) aside to put the bikes in the back of his pick-up and return us to the point where we left the road. Despite losing about 2 hours and a lot of energy we both considered ourselves very lucky to be out.
Day 9 to Hindman, Kentucky - 80 miles
Not much to report except much more of the same - endless mountains. Glad to make up on the mileage for the disappointing Day 8. Joe also uttered "this is the least enjoyable thing I've ever done" for the first time - a catchphrase that he would be groaning repeatedly in Days 10 & 11.
Day 8 to Breaks Interstate Park - 41 miles
The 41 miles we managed on day 8 is testament to the difficulty of the cycling around the Virginia/Kentucky border. The thermometer once again rose up to 100F and the hills continued to rise. The distance between each 3000 foot peak of the New Appalachians decreased, and we began to dread the downhill sections because at the bottom the climb would begin again.
Unflattering as it may be the photo above really gives an idea how we were feeling on day 8.
Neither of us has a very clear recollection of this day - but by four o' clock we decided to cry defeat and cycled into the Interstate Park to camp amidst the cicadas, who had emerged from their 17 year dormancy period.
Day 7 to Rosedale - 73 miles
We headed West towards the heart of the mountains early in the morning of day 7, and despite heavy legs and blistering heat yet again made steady progress throughout the day. The terrain became increasingly unforgiving, with steep gradients and poor road conditions, but we pressed on and by half six the mileage for the day was respectably in the high sixties.
Eager to get the most out of a hard day, we decided to press on past a campsite to treat ourselves to a motel for the night, and the final hour was fuelled by the thought of a hot bath and cable TV...
To say the motel was a bit of a disappointment would be to refer to the Appalachians as 'a few little hills.' Our arrival at a small group of roadside shacks was greeted by a gaggle of grumpy drinkers on the curbside and the comforting clanging of a broken air-conditioning unit that we were assured by the very friendly owner had been in that state of disrepair for some days. The room would have drawn complaints from inmates in Third World prisons, the local 'restaurant' proved to be a counter in the nearby petrol station, which of course had closed thirty minutes before we arrived, and the room had a worrying 'annex' in the corner - an unlocked door leading to a room with no glass in the window. But at least we had two microwaves.
We managed a good night's sleep though.
Day 6 to Wytheville, VA - 57 miles
The tiredness and the heat really took their toll on day 6, with the 100F temperatures cooking us both on the roads, despite factor 45 sun block.
Points were accrued on the pattie counter with two Tex-Mex burgers (double patties smothered in chili) at a grotty little petrol station, and this looked like being the high point of the day...until we met a great couple also doing the Trans-Am trip, Mike and Carolyn.
Under their guidance we stopped for a free night's camping in the public park in Wythville, and it was brilliant to sit up chatting about the route and getting some much needed advice about the trials to come.
Finally out of the mountains. The warm welcome and pleasant university town of Berea was the obvious choice for a much needed rest day.
Special thanks to Janet who came out into the heat to ask us what we were up to, found us a local (very luxurious) hotel and bartered us an incredible price to stay. It was some much needed mothering which we, at that point two very bedraggled washed out boys, both really appreciated.
Day 10 to Boomeville, Kentucky - 60 miles
Another disappointing mileage was largely down to one of Dan's so far successful short-cuts going horribly wrong. A dead-end 8 miles downhill on a gravel track (marked as a link-road on the map) isn't a fun place when it's approaching 100 degrees and you're being heckled by hill-billies.Luckily we managed to meet a very nice a self-confessed hill-billy called Eddie who agreed to move his assault rifles (which were for deer hunting?) aside to put the bikes in the back of his pick-up and return us to the point where we left the road. Despite losing about 2 hours and a lot of energy we both considered ourselves very lucky to be out.
Day 9 to Hindman, Kentucky - 80 miles
Not much to report except much more of the same - endless mountains. Glad to make up on the mileage for the disappointing Day 8. Joe also uttered "this is the least enjoyable thing I've ever done" for the first time - a catchphrase that he would be groaning repeatedly in Days 10 & 11.Day 8 to Breaks Interstate Park - 41 miles
The 41 miles we managed on day 8 is testament to the difficulty of the cycling around the Virginia/Kentucky border. The thermometer once again rose up to 100F and the hills continued to rise. The distance between each 3000 foot peak of the New Appalachians decreased, and we began to dread the downhill sections because at the bottom the climb would begin again.Unflattering as it may be the photo above really gives an idea how we were feeling on day 8.
Neither of us has a very clear recollection of this day - but by four o' clock we decided to cry defeat and cycled into the Interstate Park to camp amidst the cicadas, who had emerged from their 17 year dormancy period.
Day 7 to Rosedale - 73 miles
We headed West towards the heart of the mountains early in the morning of day 7, and despite heavy legs and blistering heat yet again made steady progress throughout the day. The terrain became increasingly unforgiving, with steep gradients and poor road conditions, but we pressed on and by half six the mileage for the day was respectably in the high sixties.
Eager to get the most out of a hard day, we decided to press on past a campsite to treat ourselves to a motel for the night, and the final hour was fuelled by the thought of a hot bath and cable TV...To say the motel was a bit of a disappointment would be to refer to the Appalachians as 'a few little hills.' Our arrival at a small group of roadside shacks was greeted by a gaggle of grumpy drinkers on the curbside and the comforting clanging of a broken air-conditioning unit that we were assured by the very friendly owner had been in that state of disrepair for some days. The room would have drawn complaints from inmates in Third World prisons, the local 'restaurant' proved to be a counter in the nearby petrol station, which of course had closed thirty minutes before we arrived, and the room had a worrying 'annex' in the corner - an unlocked door leading to a room with no glass in the window. But at least we had two microwaves.
We managed a good night's sleep though.
Day 6 to Wytheville, VA - 57 miles
The tiredness and the heat really took their toll on day 6, with the 100F temperatures cooking us both on the roads, despite factor 45 sun block.
Points were accrued on the pattie counter with two Tex-Mex burgers (double patties smothered in chili) at a grotty little petrol station, and this looked like being the high point of the day...until we met a great couple also doing the Trans-Am trip, Mike and Carolyn.
Under their guidance we stopped for a free night's camping in the public park in Wythville, and it was brilliant to sit up chatting about the route and getting some much needed advice about the trials to come.
Now in Kentucky.
Sorry for the lack of updates over the last 5 days. We are still alive but have had a fairly eye opening 6 days hanging out with the hill-billies and haven't seen a computer since we left Christiansburg. R]It's rest day tomorrow in Berea (a town with internet and everything) so full blog update hopefully to follow shortly
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Day 5 to Christiansburg, Virginia (80 MIles)
Just a quick post as it's been a real toughy today. A good morning was followed by a miserable afternoon where we spent the majority climbing large hills in the rain.
Spirits were dampened further when we hit Roanoak and had our first taste of American road rage (from a very fat man in a 4x4). Joe fell off as a result of his antics. His prized jacket hasn't faired too well but apart from that's he's fine but after so much warmth and welcome in Virginia it was a real shame.
On arrival at our stop for the night we discovered that the rain that we'd been soaked by all afternoon was part of a storm that generated the first tornado in Roanoak since 1973. Hopefully it got the fatty in the monster truck.
Spirits were dampened further when we hit Roanoak and had our first taste of American road rage (from a very fat man in a 4x4). Joe fell off as a result of his antics. His prized jacket hasn't faired too well but apart from that's he's fine but after so much warmth and welcome in Virginia it was a real shame.
On arrival at our stop for the night we discovered that the rain that we'd been soaked by all afternoon was part of a storm that generated the first tornado in Roanoak since 1973. Hopefully it got the fatty in the monster truck.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
31st May - 2nd June (Days 2, 3 & 4)
Day 4 - Lexington, Virginia - 65 Miles
After a long day yesterday and a bit of beer tasting in that evening (coupled with an excellent 16" Pizza) it wasn't too much of a suprise that we overslept and weren't on the road until 10:30. The cycling was good but too much stopping and distractions (such as the 88 Year Old "Cookie Lady" of Virginia - very famous apparently. Worth a google perhaps?) took it's toll on the milage.
After two disappointing days on the milage front we were keen to have a big one and put a dent in Virginia. Despite having to cycle in sweltering heat and through a rather large thuder storm we we're very happy to roll in to Charlottesvilles with the day's milage behind us. Nice to know what we can aim for on a good day.
Day 2 - Aquia, Virginia - 35 Miles
Bit of a rubbish day. Didn't set off until the afternoon, ended up in a really grubby campsite and had a really terrible night's sleep in the hottest tent in the world. Too hot...
After a long day yesterday and a bit of beer tasting in that evening (coupled with an excellent 16" Pizza) it wasn't too much of a suprise that we overslept and weren't on the road until 10:30. The cycling was good but too much stopping and distractions (such as the 88 Year Old "Cookie Lady" of Virginia - very famous apparently. Worth a google perhaps?) took it's toll on the milage. We had a couple of firsts to day though.
1st time...
someone chased us out of a restaurant to get their photo taken with us (an excitable chap from Kentucky -Ernest, if you read this post they picture or send it to us. Thanks again for your support), we had a puncture (on Miguel the bike formerly known as "the Beast") & scale had to scale a mountain.
After two disappointing days on the milage front we were keen to have a big one and put a dent in Virginia. Despite having to cycle in sweltering heat and through a rather large thuder storm we we're very happy to roll in to Charlottesvilles with the day's milage behind us. Nice to know what we can aim for on a good day.
Day 2 - Aquia, Virginia - 35 Miles
Bit of a rubbish day. Didn't set off until the afternoon, ended up in a really grubby campsite and had a really terrible night's sleep in the hottest tent in the world. Too hot...
Saturday, 31 May 2008
And so it begins...(Union Station, Washington D.C. to Route 1, South of Mt Vernon Estate - 28 miles)
Thankfully the bikes were waiting for us at Union Station in Washington. A little less fortuitous was the fairly extensive damage each bike had sustained during the long trip from Heathrow. We found an excellent bike shop - Capitol Hill Bikes - where the beasts were treated to a (rather costly) spruce up.
The long delay meant that our first tentative pedals in the US were along the streets of the nation's first city during rush hour, but Washington is a really lovely place, and having passed the major landmarks we slowly made our way out of the city on the Mount Vernon bike route. This picturesque trail took us through old town Alexandria, and spirits were pretty high...
By 10pm, and the last of the light long gone, we were still about 10 miles from our intended destination, but fortunately we hit a great motel on US1, and after an enormous meaty pizza hit the hay for the first full day of cycling.
Leaving NY
After four hours sleep we hit the Subway at 7am for Penn Station to get the Amtrak to Washington DC. We had taken our bikes to Penn St the previous evening to get them on the 3am haulage train, which proved more than a little tricky.
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