Today was our first day of exclusive rain riding. It was no fun. We were planning on going about 60 miles form Blacksburg to Wytheville, but got lost enroute and probably went about 8 miles extra. Upon arriving at Radford, VA I decided something had to give and consulted the guys. After only 30 miles today, we decided to stay here for the night and then press on to Rural Retreat, VA tomorrow (about 59 miles I believe). We will camp there and then go on to Damascus the next day, which will be about a 50 mile ride. Damascus has a fond place in my heart as I remember being a rather novice AT hiker and arriving there for calzones after reading about them in every shelter logbook. It will be nice to revisit a place from my scouting days. So...the rain forced a slight modification in plans, but we are staying at a super nice La Quinta for only 60 bucks (the kid at the desk hooked us up with the AAA rate since we are being so insane and riding bikes across the country). I'm not totally unhappy with the change in plans, although a setback is never something I like ( I suppose I enjoy sticking to a plan a bit too much...perhaps my father's influence?).
As I mentioned, riding in the rain is no fun. Riding in sunshine may give me a ridiculous biker's tan, but I can fix that with one day shirt off (don't worry, I wear sunscreen mom). Riding in the rain on the other hand is just plain miserable. Wet gloves, heavy shoes, a soaked flapping rain jacket...all pretty unpleasant. Not to mention that when you're climbing hard you go to brush the sweat off your brow and its completely pointless.
Also, I'm writing this from Radford Universitiy's library...pretty nice place, I never realized it was so large although I had heard of the place before. We're about to go to a local bar/restaurant joint and see what is going on, but I'm sure we'll all be lights out by 12am, per usual. Can't live much of a night life when you're riding 60 miles a day!
No photos for this post due to the weather, but tomorrow is supposed to be better, so keep tuned! Much love to all of my avid fans ;)
About Me
- Bobo
- What started out as a little sabbatical after college has become a never-ending pursuit. My first cycling trip was a trans-USA trip in 2007. This was followed by a 13 month, 18 country expedition in 2009. I'm now saving and plotting for something even bigger and better!
3 comments:
Hey "Robert J"!!!
come'on...guts it out!!! remember, this is an "adventure"... not the "Club Med"!
"keep the faith"...
xoxo aunt pat
Good to hear you all are doing well.
How many parts did you have to upgrade to get that new chainring?
Let me know if you have any more mechanical questions.
whoa I was riding my Hawg in the rain yesterday, too. Sucks, especially since the weatherman called for a 20% chance of rain....I was at Thornton Gap on Skyline drive....
Post a Comment