Day 4 -- Still in Staunton

We have been pretty fortunate in the weather department.  Just before supper last night the skies opened and poured.  Humidity was 100% this morning, but no rain just overcast skies.  At points today we had sun, when it would really get steamy especially for the climbing that was to be done.  We appeared, though, to be skirting the weather all day.  This was looking back at the direction we had come from just before we returned to Staunton, the clouds were hanging really low over the mountains:

There were two loop options today, both converged at the SAG stop located in the town of Middlebrook (the only incorporated town on today's routes).  We returned to Staunton for a second overnight.  There was 3,500' of climbing,  all rolling hills except that monster hill right out of the hotel (ugh).  

We had a new challenge following the sag stop, but nothing deters a touring cyclist. There was a bridge out on the route. We were able to walk the bikes through under the supervising eyes of the construction guys. The support vans had to find an alternate route.  Those on the front end, which were first upon the bridge, were without support for the remainder of the route today but went as a group to avoid issues.

You'll also find humor in the silliest things when on a trip.  We ran across this directional today:

The top was "North Pole", the bottom was "South Pole", and the very bottom was "Chesapeake Bay Tunnel."  All in the middle of nowhere.

This area is full of history, of course.  We rode past a church today that had a plaque that it had been organized in 1780, four years following the independence of the United States, and the church appeared to still be active.  

There are also many cemeteries.  I found this headstone today in a cemetery at one of today's turns:

The logistics of the day were a different routine to give riders a free afternoon and evening to see sites and take care of necessities (like laundry for me).  The tour bought lunch today instead of dinner, which was at the Pampered Palate. A group of us went to Emilio's Italian Restaurant for supper.  Both were exceptional.

Tomorrow we move onto Lexington, riding 57 miles.  It'll be difficult to leave the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, but the ride continues.

The Natural Chimneys On Route Today

This would have been a disappointment, but one has to ask how did they do this?  Tear down a whole building but leave the chimneys virtually untouched!

Here are the real Natural Chimneys

The Natural Chimneys are a natural rock structure located near Mt. Solon, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley. The rock "chimneys" formed from limestone that began to accumulate and harden into stone about 500 million years ago when the region was underwater. Over time, enormous upward pressures of magma and widespread geologic upheaval, which created the Appalachian Mountains, combined with erosive forces of water and destroyed weaker layers of stone.  This created the rock towers which are 120 feet above ground level.  

Did You Know?
The Natural Chimneys Park hosts the largest jousting match in the eastern United States the third Saturday in August since 1821?

Today's route was about 52 miles including the ride into the park.  We climbed about 3,527 feet, all rolling hills with the max grade of 12%.

Walt and Jim let me ride with them today.  Both are strong riders.  Walt from Atlanta and Jim from California.  Makes the day pass quick.  We were able to walk to the Beverly Cafe when we arrived, and had an excellent meal.  I had baked ham on a homemade roll that reminded of the rolls our Aunt Verna used to make.

We are in Staunton for two nights, and will be doing loop rides.  We'll find out more at rap tonight.  The area is full of history.  It sounds like some riders are planning time off the bike to take in some of the sites.

We're staying at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.  Pretty nice for a bunch of bikers.  Conveniently located in the downtown area.  The down side is no matter which way we go we'll have to climb out.

The hotel is so nice we wiped down bikes and cleaned chains before bringing them in. Anyone who has cleaned a chain knows what that means.  So, I walked my bike through the lobby (marble floors) and up to the third floor.  Wall coverings are all cream and beige.  Room doors are white.  So, especially if you have kids you know where this is going.  I carefully walked the bike into the room and caught the door with my hand -- yes, my greasy black hand from cleaning the chain.  Big fat grease marks all over the door!  Ugh!  The housekeeping staff happened to be a few doors down and were incredibly understanding.  Said if this was the worst thing they had to clean up today, it would be a good day.

Such is life on the road but I highly recommend the Beverly Cafe and Stonewall Jackson if you're ever in the area.

Today's bike joke by Linda Wilson
When is a bicycle not a bicycle?
A.  When it turns into a driveway

Had this one early today so we could chuckle through the whole route!  Thanks, Linda!

In the Light of Day...........

there were no takers for today's long route.  So short route it was, 47.7 mile loop out of Harrisonburg with today's SAG stop at Timberville.  We don't see many incorporated towns on route, only a few stores and gas stations.  We've rarely been completely away from areas with houses, whether neighborhoods or farms.  So far, it's been much more populated than I expected.

Roads were still fairly narrow with light traffic but any drivers we did meet or that passed us were courteous and patient given the hills and curves -- only one near crash today :-) Yesterday was different story when we had a driver stop in the middle of the road, on a curve of the big climb just to find out what we were doing.  Was it really that important?

We were more rural today among farms, a few corn fields and large pastures.  We saw a lot of cattle, including cow calve herds and dairy cows (Holstein and Jersey).  Mostly pasture I would assume because it was fairly hilly and probably not be tillable.

Happy cows!  Plenty to eat 

Look at that perfect barbed wire fence!

There are many poultry buildings in this area, possibly chickens.  

We've not seen many hogs but have seen a few exotic animals including camels and emus.

There were a few saw mills on today's route.  I love that smell!  Some appeared to be custom lumber, others ties.  I can't figure out where the lumber is coming from.  So far, we've not seen a single log truck nor evidence of logging.  So, where does it come from and how does it get to the mills?

The route was challenging but manageable today.  Constant rolling hills with one at an 18% grade but only 300' (seemed like a mile!).  All the gears were used today.  The ride leader told us last night that we'd climb 750' every 10 miles.  It takes a lot of rollers to make 750', and unfortunately here, the downs and ups are not usually close together.

Weather was a non-factor.  The Weather Channel and local weather are staples on a tour. They both sound like there are storms all around us but so far we're dry.  The important thing is that everyone is in, so if it rains now all the better and clear it out before tomorrow morning when we move to Staunton.

Did you know --
we need to be on the lookout for copperheads, rattlesnakes and black bears? Oh my!

So far there's only been evidence of possibly one rattlesnake.  There was a very squished snake shortly after this morning's start.  I didn't stop for many reasons to confirm the species, but it was the correct color and markings.  Consequently, when I had to stop for a chain issue later in the day I was looking around for all three (copperheads, rattlesnakes and black bears) before I stepped onto the weedy shoulder of the road.

I was in before noon and walked down the street to get some food.  On the way back I was watching the traffic and there was a van with a Wartburg College license plate.  Small world. They exited at the ramp for James Madison University, which is here in Harrisonburg.  I understand classes begin soon. 

The ride leader also has a blog where there'll be more photos.  You should be able to click on the hyperlink to go to the front page his blog at Bamacyclist.

Joke of the Day provided by Linda Wilson --
Why are bank tellers not allowed to ride bicycles?
A.  Because they tend to lose their balance!

Thanks, Linda!

Check in tomorrow as we move down the road to the next stop.  

Curves and hills.  Say no more.

Day 1 -- Charlottesville to Harrisonburg -- 65 miles -- It's in the Books

Everything we expected and more.  

The ride out of Charlottesville was uneventful.  Early Sunday morning, not much traffic or activity.  Breakfast was at the hotel.  We loaded at 7:00 (6:00 for most of you).  

Once out of town, the countryside was beautiful.  Homes are, generally, large.  Not many farms on today's route but did see a few corn fields, smaller than Midwest fields.  The greenness of the area really strikes me too.  Given that it's August I expected everything to be brown from the heat.

It was warmer and more humid than yesterday, so we were able to start out in sleeves and shorts this morning.  It was raining within 30 minutes and rained off and on for about 20 miles. But temps stayed in the 80's, so was comfortable all day.

The roads are quiet and tree lined.  Pavement is good.  The secondary roads are narrow. Support vans aren't always able to follow, so they go around and come in to meet us.  Photo opportunities aren't frequently available as there's no shoulder and no where to stop.  Maybe they call that motivation to keep moving!

Roads are so narrow, we actually had a hairpin climb today.  I have no idea how any car would make the turn.  Yes, we have been rural at times, but then you ride under the interstate!

30 miles to the sag stop.  In the Quad Cities that would take a little over two hours.  Well, today was a little different -- three hours!

The last four miles was the epic climb of the day.  It was full of switchbacks.  I have no idea on the grade, but you know when you have to stand up in granny gear to keep from falling over that it was steep.

I had to confess to the ride leader that I broke one of the cardinal rules to stop at all stop signs because I was going so slow when I got to the top and had a t-intersection there was no way I'd get out of the pedals. 

There was a small church at that corner occupying what had previously been a post office.  A couple of riders made a short stop in the parking lot and one of the church ladies came out asking all the normal questions about where they'd ridden from and whether they were going to the "Skyline Highway."  When they affirmed, her response was that they would be having services shortly and that she would pray for them.  Yes, it was that kind of climb.  Today's only photo is below with the folks involved telling the story at the sag stop.  God bless that lady at the church.  She knew we were going to need that kind of help!

Larry, Denise, Deb, Jan and Barb in the background

Tomorrow's ride has two options -- 47 and 74.  Climbing promises to be the same.  Weather could become an issue.

Did You Know --
The Parkway is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the world with about 100 varieties of trees; 1,600 plant species; 54 mammals; and 159 species of birds.

Today's bike joke by Linda Wilson --
What do you get if you cross a bike and a flower?

A.  Bicycle pedals

Time to Ride

14 riders and 3 support staff have assembled in Charlottesville, Virginia from various parts of the country, no international riders this time.  All but 2 are alumni of other America by Bike tours and all have been cross country at least once.  I have ridden with some of these folks before.

Tomorrow's route is 65 miles, and yes there are just a few climbs.  This is tomorrow's elevation profile which gets pretty interesting around mile 25.  It'll be time "to find it and grind it."

There are 35 cues, which means 35 opportunities for bonus miles.  One of the riders has the daily routes on Garmin Connect and graciously allowed us to download into our computers. This will be a first for me.  But never fear, always have a backup plan (the paper route sheet is already mounted to the handlebars.) The route ends in Harrisonburg where we'll spend two nights. 

This tour has a slightly different format.  Most ABB tours overnight in a different location each night, meaning everything is loaded up and moved each day.  This tour has multiple nights in the same hotel three different times.  From those locations there will be loop options on the following days which provides flexibility for the routes and gives extra time for sight seeing in this historic area.

From eastern Kentucky through West Virginia into Virginia really is beautiful.  Reminds me in some ways of southern Missouri.  I really look forward to riding the valleys!

The forecast looks a little sketchy after tomorrow afternoon, which will take the fun out of the descents.

Here's today's "Did You Know--"

The Blue Ridge Parkway contains three mountain ranges with 16 peaks above 5,000 feet, including Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,683 feet.

(Now there's something to look forward to!)

Preparing to Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Shenandoah Valley

Panic has officially begun, along with the piling and the to do list.  Creating the blog is amongst those things.

We'll be leaving soon and will be in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Lexington, Peaks of Otter (how cool is that!), Roanoke, Natural Bridge and Waynesboro during these last dog days of summer.  It will total almost 700 miles and when I asked for the daily elevations and profiles, I was told they weren't available......hmmmmmmm.  Last time I heard that it was not good!  Oh well, I'm committed (probably in more than one way) and trying to ride as often as I can.

Many have asked about August weather there.  Not as bad as I thought, and wind speed is down right exciting!!


Average Temperatures

  

Average Wind Speed -- aka Biker's Dream!


So I was researching the area a bit the other night, and will try to have a "Did You Know" each day, and if the twins aren't too busy with that kindergarten thing they might be able to supply some bike jokes! 

Today's "Did You Know" (in this case aka Your Daily Dose of Encouragement....or not) --

Make an honest evaluation of your abilities before beginning a bicycle trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In some sections, you will climb over one thousand feet in just a few miles.

I have to thank all riding partners for putting up with it all -- the crazy routes, climbing, etc.  Without you, the continued motivation would be tough.

And, the support of family, friends and colleagues for these adventures is always amazing.  Thank you!  The blog is a very small way to pay it back.

Let the fun begin!

Hope you enjoy!