Pinehurst and beyond

Well, here we go to the east to visit the Blasingames, who are attempting to relocate to North Carolina. Don's brothers, Dave & Lee live there and there's golf, so maybe it'll work. On our way there, we biked a few miles in Tennessee, on the Natchez Trace, and then in North Carolina & then to Pinehurst. It was a good visit & I broke in my new Cannondale, Supersix, with miles in TN, NC, WV, PA, IN & IL. The rest of the trip was up to Pittsburgh, PA & some more biking, visiting old friends & eating! It was a great trip & KK enjoyed being with her old tennis buddies as they went over to Cinicnnati & a pro tourney. Then there was the episode wher we had to retrieve the Turks car keys and meet them half way from Cincy to Pitt with the keys-Jerry lost them on a rollercoaster ride at King's Island. I mean, what are friends for anyway? They were eventually found but way too late for their return trip to Pitt. I ended up with over 400 miles of riding when we got back home on August 23rd-one day after our 48th wedding anniversary! See you in Colorado!

Sat-August 20th-The Final Climb

Our last night on the road at a so-so Super 8 in Lynchburg, VA...at least George could do some more laundry. A pretty lousy breakie to start our day, so it's pack up , load up & head back to the Parkway. It's a 20 mile drive back to James River & the start of the ride. George & Don will start from here and I'll drive to the end (MM -0-) & head back south to meet up with them. They're at the lowest point of the Parkway, 630 feet and will have some good climbs today. They're off about 9:45 & I head north for Rock Fish Gap..62 miles away. I get there and the Ho-Jo's, gas stations & motel are all closed down, but people are parked all over the place, so I do too. Kind of eerie, but I talked to some bikers and it's pretty safe. Off I go and it's a climb to start for me too & lots of bikers, hikers & even some gals picnicking. I get in about 23 miles before running into the pair and I even took a short nap along the way. Back to the north we go & a short stop at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center & only 6 miles to go! YEA! We made it and no problems with the car or contents. Load up the bikes, dress for the trip back to Pitt and off we go. What about dinner!!!?? Some discussion & it's Chilli's in Staunton, VA, and it turns out to be a good choice. No waiting & a good meal. Oh, I road 40 miles today & climbed 3700', George & Don both had 64 miles & 7200' of climb. We all averaged over a mile of climb every day and Don had more miles than me or George, with over 500 miles. All-in-all, it was a good trip, with everyone getting the miles & climbs they wanted & some excellent planning by Don..THANKS!!!

The Peaks of Otter

Wow! My average per day for August has now gone up to 35 miles & climbing! Not too bad for an old guy. Anyway, we're up about 7:30 & start packing on a cool,cloudy day. We take most of the stuff down to the car & then go for a breakie at the Holiday Inn restaurant-not free this time-and it's a buffet, with a waffle & omelet bar. It's a good start to the day & lots of food. Load up the bikes & a short drive up to the BRP, where me & George will head north toward the James River center..about 62 miles & Don will drive up there & park the car & head south . Once again, he'll have as many miles as we do. Rain is in the forecast , but maybe we'll get lucky today. Off we go & a few stops for pics & views and snacks, before rolling into The Peaks of Otter store where I find a "Big Bopper" ice cream sandwich..FAB! (It's almost a meal!) We did get some sunshine by 1:00 & man, did it feel good! Then over to the Peaks of Otter lodge for lunch & is it great! I had a veal meatloaf sandwich & mackies & George had the fried green tomatoes & quiche, as we watched a family fish in the beautiful lake. Nice view from our table of the "Peak" too! Don shows up just after we ordered, but decides to go out and get more miles..go figure. Then we all meet up and head north & some tough climbing-one of six miles- and then the final descent to the James River-a 13 mile downhill at speeds of 30-40 mph! My average speed went from 10.0 to 11.5 on this portion! 63 miles for me today & 5900' of climb. Don had 62 miles & 7500'; George had the same as me. We load up the bikes for a 20 mile drive to our Super 8 motel in Lynchburg, VA. We made it, and now some showers & a walk next door to Macadoo's for supper. Really good burgers, sandwiches, nachos & brews..a good choice & no driving. Back to the room to journal, blog & discuss tomorrow's route. It's our last day & I will drive up to Waynesboro...MM -0-(Mile Marker zero) and ride back. The Skyline Drive starts here, but we're going to drive back to Pitt today. I have 386 miles for the week & 40,900' of climb. Don has 466 miles & 51,000', George 359 miles & 41,000'. Don will easily get his 500 miles for the week & then some. Don is out for the night at 9:30.

Thunder-ration

Once again, we slept in until 7:30 & good sleeps too! A very light breakie here at the Day's Inn, but we take fruit too, for the ride and after loading up, Don & I take off for the BRP. It's George's time to drive & he will head for Roanoke & our hotel for the eve..a Holiday INN! Will he park on the Blue Ridge or go to the hotel? Up to the Parkway at MM 200 & off we go, northbound for MM 121. It's a beautiful day, but storms are predicted for the afternoon-40% chance. (Sunny & 75 at the moment-9:15) We stop for a few pics, some historical markers & a pretty long break at the Mabry Mill, where we have a picnic by the mill pond & a few ducks. Be sure & get more water & back on the road, hoping to meet up with George about 55-60 miles up the BRP. But first, we stop at an overlook-of which there are many-and Don finds a woman in need of help. it's Juanita, from Floyd, VA & her car is dead & wants us to call, but we don't have any service. We go on to the next area, where Don finds some Park workers & calls the number she gave us & they will go up & check on her. OK, a good deed! Off we go and here comes George at about 64 miles & now we're together & the car is at the Hotel. It's been thundering a lot & we've apparently missed some rain, but it's getting darker & more thunder. As we approach the massive 11 mile downhill into Roanoke, it starts to rain, so we stop & put on our rain gear, but it gets much harder & we stop to try & get out of it, but the lightning is really bad. About 45 minutes later, it lets up & off we go downhill, with our brakes on, being very cautious, but finally ,shaking and all, we get into town & take the route over to the huge 5-story hotel. We get a few rags to clean the bikes, check in & hit the showers. Today's stats: 86 miles & 7400' for me & Kirkwood. George gets 44 miles & 4920' of climb & we're pretty wet after all that, and I think there was some hail too, but not while we were riding. Off to supper, after some good Ole' boys jump start our car-we left the lights on!- and we pick a great spot! Montano's International Restaurant, and talk about beer choices! let's have a local micro-brew! The food is FAB! Spaghetti, with clams(me), spaghetti with meatballs (Don), George had the shrimp Montano & a great waiter, Chip. Back to the room to blog, check the weather & plan for tomorrow. (Can't even get dem Stillers on TV.) It's 9:30 & we're still up! Kirkwood will be gone real soon.

Detour-King of The Road

YEA! Pay day for me & the Mrs! It's my turn to drive today so I may check out a bike shop for a look at my bad wheel. I discovered yesterday that my rear wheel was fractured, so it's probly a new one for me, so I can finish the trip. We do sleep in 'till 7:30 & slowly start getting around, packing, dressing & loading before strolling over to the Winner's Circle for our "free" breakie. We all pick the pancakes, sausage & coffee..George throws in a couple of poached eggs ($2 extra!). Back to the room to finish loading & up to the Parkway. There's a major detour due to construction 10 miles north of us, so they'll have to ride off of the BRP & back, and about 10 extra miles...Kirkwood loves that! (Plus, they see a FAB trailer for sale or rent. I saw it too and it was a cute very old & small camper.) I head out and stop a few times for pics, views & construction, before getting to the Days Inn in Fancy Gap, VA just before noon & the gals at the desk help me out with directions to the bike shop & off I go to Mt Airy, NC for the Foothills Cycling Center & what a neat shop & owner! He was great & even had two options for me..an older & better wheel -Titan Aluminum-or a Bontrager-new. I chose the Titan, so he fixed it up & even included the tire & tube for 82 bucks! UNBELIEVABLE! So I got a set of cleats too & was on my way back...THANKS A MILLION! I'm back at the hotel & check into the room & unload the stuff by 2:15 & on the bike by 2:30 & headed up to the BRP. (I even managed a Subway sand on the way back.) I don't even make it 9 miles when I run into the pair & they can't believe the wheel story. I'm going to stay out for a few more miles & Don decides to go with me..so what's new? George goes on to the motel & we ride south to Cumberland Knob, get water, restroom & head back to MM 200 & to the hotel by 6:00. I end up with 40 miles & 3500'; Don has 92 miles & 6750'; George 69 miles & 5260'. I clean my chain, while Don showers. And after my shower we're off to supper in Mt Airy, right down Andy Griffith Parkway at "13 Bones"a cute, and good restaurant. I have chops with JD seasoning, Don has BBQ chops & George has Baby back ribs..which he eats with a knife & fork. (I might add here that he also ate Buffalo chicken wings with a knife & fork!) We did pass some garden shops that had massive pink flamingos for sale, but a little too large for our car...sorry KK. Back to the room by 9:00 & some blogging, e-mails & movies. Rain tomorrow? 40% chance. Off to bed about 10:30.

Lin Cove Viaduct

A good sleep by all & a pretty good breakfast at the Spruce Pine Inn, run by a Christian Organization in the town, plus some extras we take for lunch. Load up the bikes and drive the 6 miles back up to the BRP by 9:30 & Don takes off to the north in the car. Our destination today is Mile Marker (MM) 257. George & I mount our bikes and away we go! We stop for a few pics, water, rest & some beautiful overlooks. Our first wild life! A deer bounds in front of us at one point, but we miss him. We do see a lot of cyclists today & most headed south. There's a lot of auto traffic today too and oops, George has a flat! And while he is fixing it, Don comes rolling by, so we all head north together & climb, climb, climb. We have mostly snacks & food we got at the Inn to nourish ourselves, as there are no restaurants on the Parkway & our lovely Park Service charges 2 bucks for a small bottle of water. It's another tough day of climbing, but also some huge downhills at 42 mph. I end up with 76 miles & 9100' of climb; Don has 78 miles (and he drove!) and 8560'; George ended up with 76 miles & the 9100'. Put the bikes on the car & a drive to West Jefferson, NC & our hotel- a Best Western Eldreth Inn. It's pretty nice & a big room, ground floor & a restaurant included. No phone service, but wifi is good. Check in, shower & go over to the Winner's Circle restaurant for a great meal..pasta, with chicken, salad bar & good service! Back to room to blog, check mileage, climbs & George goes off to do laundry. I do find a small fracture in my rear wheel..what to do? (sleep on it I suppose.)

Pisagh winds

Up at 7:15-much better than 6:30-and man, is it cool (53) and windy! The trees are bending over & the fog is going by at 30 mph, or so it looks. Start packing up our things before walking over for our "free" breakie at the Pisagh Inn restaurant. Once again, it is a great meal & partially offsets the high price (140)..pancakes, sausage, coffee. back to the room to finish packing, load up & head out north bound. I've got on tights, long sleeves & a jacket..Don only has a jacket & he's shivering. It's pretty nasty and really windy, but dry. George is driving today so off he goes, 70 or so miles up the Parkway. A massive downhill to start the day & lots of tunnels..turn on yinz'z lights! The Asheville Visitor center is 24 miles away and we get there with an average speed of 20.5 and not much climbing. Get some water, Parkway pins & off we go & it's warmer so off comes the stuff. Now a big climb to 5600' at a small visitor center where it's much cooler & windy. (Back on with the stuff!) Where will George meet up with us? After a short rest, it's back on the BRP & another tunnel, ups & downs before we find George at about 58 miles into our portion. (Oh, there are 26 tunnels on the Parkway in NC!) A few stops at overlooks & pics of the local flora & fona, before rolling into the spot where our auto is parked. The otehers ride down & it's very heavy traffic. No problems for the day & 80 miles for me & 10,800' of climb! Don had 88 miles & 11,050' of climb & George had 48 miles & 5900'. I get in the car and drive to our hotel for the night-The Spruce Pine Inn, in Spruce Pine, NC. It's an old school house that has been renovated & is very nice. It's kinda tough to find but we come thru & hit the showers, log into the net & prepare for supper. We finally end up, after driving 20 miles, at the Western Sizzlin'. Not a great place, but their buffet is super & plenty of it, plus cherry cobbler! Back to the hotel to blog, and it takes me a while to get caught up, while the others check e-mails, watch the weather channel and chat about tomorrow. Don will sag & meet us at some point & probly end up with as many miles as we get.