22 July 2008
50 riding days, and we made it! We rode the last 59 miles, past Jamestown, through Williamsburg, and finally to Yorktown.
Benji, a friend of mine since we were tiny, was able to come down from D.C. and ride with us for the last day. I talked to him yesterday, and he said he wasn't going to be able to miss any more work. But this morning early he called and said he was on his way. It was great to have him along. This trip has been something that both of us have wanted to do for a long time. When I planned this trip, I was really torn because I knew he wouldn't be able to do it with me. So I'm really glad he could make it for the last day.
Starting in Jamestown, we got on the Colonial Parkway, which goes from there to Williamsburg and then Yorktown. It was this incredibly bumpy rock and cement road, which I'm sure the Jamestown settlers would have been very appreciative of, but was very hard to ride on :)
It feels great to have done it. I still can't believe we've ridden from the Pacific to the Atlantic. What an amazing ride it has been.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
day 49
21 July 2008
The weather forcast said it was going to be 97 degrees today, with lots of sun. So we decided to go very early to try to beat the heat a bit (I think it was only supposed to get down to 75 or so for the low, so we figured it would heat up pretty quickly). We got up at 4 am and got on the trail as quickly as we could, which was around 5:30 (we had to drive about an hour to get from the hotel back to where we left off).
We picked up the pace a bit, but still didn't finish until about 1. We stopped at one of the Civil War battlefield sites, which was pretty amazing. There are still embankments all over from the trenches they dug. The battle was called the battle of Cold Harbor, I think. The Union troops charged the well entrenched Confederate troops, and 7000 Union troops were basically mowed down. Most of the killing took only 30 seconds. It's crazy to think about how many people died in that war.
We rode 84 miles, and ended a little past Glendale, which is a little way East of Richmond.
The weather forcast said it was going to be 97 degrees today, with lots of sun. So we decided to go very early to try to beat the heat a bit (I think it was only supposed to get down to 75 or so for the low, so we figured it would heat up pretty quickly). We got up at 4 am and got on the trail as quickly as we could, which was around 5:30 (we had to drive about an hour to get from the hotel back to where we left off).
We picked up the pace a bit, but still didn't finish until about 1. We stopped at one of the Civil War battlefield sites, which was pretty amazing. There are still embankments all over from the trenches they dug. The battle was called the battle of Cold Harbor, I think. The Union troops charged the well entrenched Confederate troops, and 7000 Union troops were basically mowed down. Most of the killing took only 30 seconds. It's crazy to think about how many people died in that war.
We rode 84 miles, and ended a little past Glendale, which is a little way East of Richmond.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
day 48
19 July 2008
I think today was the hottest day we have ridden in so far. The hills have really flattened out. I think we are out of the mountains, and the rest of the ride to the coast should be easier as far as hills go. The weather, however, looks like it will just get hotter and hotter.
We rode 79 miles and ended in Mineral, VA. We couldn't find a hotel to stay at there, so we drove on to Richmond. We'll stay here for the rest of the time. Mondays ride ends very close by, and then Tuesday we'll reach the coast! (assuming all goes well) I can't believe how close we are. I'm getting very excited!
I think today was the hottest day we have ridden in so far. The hills have really flattened out. I think we are out of the mountains, and the rest of the ride to the coast should be easier as far as hills go. The weather, however, looks like it will just get hotter and hotter.
We rode 79 miles and ended in Mineral, VA. We couldn't find a hotel to stay at there, so we drove on to Richmond. We'll stay here for the rest of the time. Mondays ride ends very close by, and then Tuesday we'll reach the coast! (assuming all goes well) I can't believe how close we are. I'm getting very excited!
day 47
18 July 2008
Today we rode about 27 miles along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Park that is pretty much just the road and a few overlooks. It runs along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains all through Virginia and North Carolina. At the visitor center they said it's the most visited National Park in the country.
To get up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, we had a 4 mile climb that was super steep. It was definitely one of the toughest climbs we've done. The Parkway was very pretty, and we got some great downhills at the end.
In Afton, right after the Parkway, we stopped and visited "The Cookie Lady". She's had bikers staying at her "Bike House" for years, and the house is chuck full of memorabilia left by bikers. She's famous among TransAm bikers, and everyone told us we should stay there. We didn't end up staying there because we have the van and trailer, and didn't really want to impose, but my dad and I visited with her for a while. She has had a stroke a little while ago, and a fall just barely, and is reaching the point where she probably won't be able to keep housing bikers much longer. I think she said she's 83 or so. She has had over 14000 bikers stay there, and has binder after binder of photos to prove it. It really was quite the place, and she is an amazingly nice lady.
We rode 70 miles today, and stopped at a campground near Greenwood, VA.
Today we rode about 27 miles along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Park that is pretty much just the road and a few overlooks. It runs along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains all through Virginia and North Carolina. At the visitor center they said it's the most visited National Park in the country.
To get up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, we had a 4 mile climb that was super steep. It was definitely one of the toughest climbs we've done. The Parkway was very pretty, and we got some great downhills at the end.
In Afton, right after the Parkway, we stopped and visited "The Cookie Lady". She's had bikers staying at her "Bike House" for years, and the house is chuck full of memorabilia left by bikers. She's famous among TransAm bikers, and everyone told us we should stay there. We didn't end up staying there because we have the van and trailer, and didn't really want to impose, but my dad and I visited with her for a while. She has had a stroke a little while ago, and a fall just barely, and is reaching the point where she probably won't be able to keep housing bikers much longer. I think she said she's 83 or so. She has had over 14000 bikers stay there, and has binder after binder of photos to prove it. It really was quite the place, and she is an amazingly nice lady.
We rode 70 miles today, and stopped at a campground near Greenwood, VA.
day 46
17 July 2008
We rode 73 miles to Natural Bridge, VA. We followed the freeway pretty closely again today.
After we got in to the campground, we went to see the natural bridge that the town is named after. It was purchased from Britain by Thomas Jefferson for 20 shillings in 1774. Unfortunately it's privately owned, and they charge more than they should to get to it, but I'm glad we got to see it. It is very impressive. Legend says that George Washington carved his initials in the rock. And they have a highway that goes over the bridge, just to give an idea of the size. They say it is taller than Niagara Falls.
We rode 73 miles to Natural Bridge, VA. We followed the freeway pretty closely again today.
After we got in to the campground, we went to see the natural bridge that the town is named after. It was purchased from Britain by Thomas Jefferson for 20 shillings in 1774. Unfortunately it's privately owned, and they charge more than they should to get to it, but I'm glad we got to see it. It is very impressive. Legend says that George Washington carved his initials in the rock. And they have a highway that goes over the bridge, just to give an idea of the size. They say it is taller than Niagara Falls.
day 45
16 July 2008
We rode 73 miles today, to Christiansburg. We basically just followed next to the freeway, although the roads we were on had a lot more hills than the freeway :) So far it doesn't seem to be as humid as I had expected it to be, but it's getting fairly hot.
We rode 73 miles today, to Christiansburg. We basically just followed next to the freeway, although the roads we were on had a lot more hills than the freeway :) So far it doesn't seem to be as humid as I had expected it to be, but it's getting fairly hot.
day 44
15 July 2008
Today we rode 78 miles to Rural Retreat Lake. We rode through some really pretty canyons today. We rode next to a river for a long time that was lined with these bushes that had big bunches of white flowers, and leaves that looked like magnolia leaves. I'm not sure what they were, but they were very pretty hanging out over the river and lining the road.
We are staying in a campground next to Rural Retreat Lake. It has been fairly hot today. There is a pool here, and while we were getting ready to go swim, the ice cream truck came by! So we had ice cream and swam in the pool.
Today we rode 78 miles to Rural Retreat Lake. We rode through some really pretty canyons today. We rode next to a river for a long time that was lined with these bushes that had big bunches of white flowers, and leaves that looked like magnolia leaves. I'm not sure what they were, but they were very pretty hanging out over the river and lining the road.
We are staying in a campground next to Rural Retreat Lake. It has been fairly hot today. There is a pool here, and while we were getting ready to go swim, the ice cream truck came by! So we had ice cream and swam in the pool.
day 43
14 July 2008
8 down, 1 to go! We made it through Kentucky, and into Virginia. On the border we went through Breaks Interstate Park. They call the area the Grand Canyon of the South. It was a very pretty ride.
We rode 63 miles to Rosedale, Virginia. We are staying at the Elk Garden United Methodist Church. Nobody is here, but we talked to a guy who told us that bikers have been staying at the church since 1976 when the trail first started. We stayed in our tent trailer in the parking lot, but bikers can sleep inside and there is a full kitchen with stocked cupboards and everything. It's a great place to stay.
8 down, 1 to go! We made it through Kentucky, and into Virginia. On the border we went through Breaks Interstate Park. They call the area the Grand Canyon of the South. It was a very pretty ride.
We rode 63 miles to Rosedale, Virginia. We are staying at the Elk Garden United Methodist Church. Nobody is here, but we talked to a guy who told us that bikers have been staying at the church since 1976 when the trail first started. We stayed in our tent trailer in the parking lot, but bikers can sleep inside and there is a full kitchen with stocked cupboards and everything. It's a great place to stay.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
day 42
12 July 2008
We rode 70 miles, to Lookout, Kentucky. We are just a few miles from the Virgina border, so we'll cross it on Monday. We rode over a few mountains today. We ride these tiny back roads, and they are STEEP!
As we've talked to other bikers along the way, many have mentioned that Eastern Kentucky is the worst place for dogs. So we've been on our guard. We've been chased by dogs off and on since Missouri, actually. Kentucky has a lot more mean dogs, but so far the really mean ones have been chained up. So the number of dogs that have actually come after us is about the same as Missouri was. And I'm hoping we're through the worst.
We drove up North a ways to stay in Pikeville for the weekend. Some of the famous Hatfield McCoy Feud events happened in Pikeville. Also, Pikeville is the location of the second biggest engineering project in the world - second to the Panama Canal. They made this huge cut through a mountain to re-route the river that flowed through the town.
We rode 70 miles, to Lookout, Kentucky. We are just a few miles from the Virgina border, so we'll cross it on Monday. We rode over a few mountains today. We ride these tiny back roads, and they are STEEP!
As we've talked to other bikers along the way, many have mentioned that Eastern Kentucky is the worst place for dogs. So we've been on our guard. We've been chased by dogs off and on since Missouri, actually. Kentucky has a lot more mean dogs, but so far the really mean ones have been chained up. So the number of dogs that have actually come after us is about the same as Missouri was. And I'm hoping we're through the worst.
We drove up North a ways to stay in Pikeville for the weekend. Some of the famous Hatfield McCoy Feud events happened in Pikeville. Also, Pikeville is the location of the second biggest engineering project in the world - second to the Panama Canal. They made this huge cut through a mountain to re-route the river that flowed through the town.
day 41
11 July 2008
The Kentucky mountains are these beautiful steep hills covered in trees. It reminds me of West Virginia. We rode 102 miles to a hotel just north of Hazard. The ride was really enjoyable, until the end. We had to ride this busy highway that felt like a freeway. The shoulder was covered in gravel, with rumble strips, so it was not a pleasant ride. We rode as fast as we could to get through it, and really wore ourselves out. We have about 6 more miles on the same busy road tomorrow, so hopefully it will be better early in the morning.
The Kentucky mountains are these beautiful steep hills covered in trees. It reminds me of West Virginia. We rode 102 miles to a hotel just north of Hazard. The ride was really enjoyable, until the end. We had to ride this busy highway that felt like a freeway. The shoulder was covered in gravel, with rumble strips, so it was not a pleasant ride. We rode as fast as we could to get through it, and really wore ourselves out. We have about 6 more miles on the same busy road tomorrow, so hopefully it will be better early in the morning.
day 40
10 July 2008
We rode 82 miles to Berea. We rode against headwinds most of the day. It was very tiring. We rode mostly through rolling hills. Supposedly tomorrow is when the mountains start.
We rode 82 miles to Berea. We rode against headwinds most of the day. It was very tiring. We rode mostly through rolling hills. Supposedly tomorrow is when the mountains start.
day 39
9 July 2008
I forgot my camera today, so I am putting up some pictures that Mary took. We got to see the places were Abraham Lincoln was born, and where he lived as a boy. Where he was born they have a memorial that is older than the Lincoln Memorial. I guess it was originally going to be the only Lincoln Memorial, but then they decided they needed one in D.C.
We rode 75 miles today. We are staying in a parking lot in Lincoln Homestead State Park, which is where Lincoln's father was raised.
I forgot my camera today, so I am putting up some pictures that Mary took. We got to see the places were Abraham Lincoln was born, and where he lived as a boy. Where he was born they have a memorial that is older than the Lincoln Memorial. I guess it was originally going to be the only Lincoln Memorial, but then they decided they needed one in D.C.
We rode 75 miles today. We are staying in a parking lot in Lincoln Homestead State Park, which is where Lincoln's father was raised.
day 38
8 July 2008
We did a short ride today of 45 miles to Sonora, KY, then met up with the family and drove down to Mammoth Cave National Park. I had no idea how big the cave is. There are over 360 miles of cave that they know about. We went on the New Entrance Tour. Mammoth cave is mostly undecorated (no formations like stalactites, etc.), because it's under a layer of sandstone, which prevents water from seeping into the cave. The New Entrance Tour goes past some of the decorated sections of the cave. The whole thing is fascinating, and the kids loved it, of course.
We did a short ride today of 45 miles to Sonora, KY, then met up with the family and drove down to Mammoth Cave National Park. I had no idea how big the cave is. There are over 360 miles of cave that they know about. We went on the New Entrance Tour. Mammoth cave is mostly undecorated (no formations like stalactites, etc.), because it's under a layer of sandstone, which prevents water from seeping into the cave. The New Entrance Tour goes past some of the decorated sections of the cave. The whole thing is fascinating, and the kids loved it, of course.
day 37
7 July 2008
Today we rode a bunch of extra miles so that tomorrow we could make it a short day and go see Mammoth Cave. We rode 116 miles, and rode for a little over 8 hours. It was very tiring, but I was happy to see that my legs were able to keep going that long. I don't think we'll try another day like it, though.
We rode to Rough River Dam State Park. It started out looking like a very hot day, but some clouds rolled in and cooled things off a bit. We didn't get rained on at all, but the roads were wet for much of the ride, so we must have just missed the rain. Kentucky grows a lot of corn, and is very pretty and green, like Missouri and Illinois were.
Today we rode a bunch of extra miles so that tomorrow we could make it a short day and go see Mammoth Cave. We rode 116 miles, and rode for a little over 8 hours. It was very tiring, but I was happy to see that my legs were able to keep going that long. I don't think we'll try another day like it, though.
We rode to Rough River Dam State Park. It started out looking like a very hot day, but some clouds rolled in and cooled things off a bit. We didn't get rained on at all, but the roads were wet for much of the ride, so we must have just missed the rain. Kentucky grows a lot of corn, and is very pretty and green, like Missouri and Illinois were.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
day 36
5 July 2008
We made it to Kentucky today! We woke up to lots of fog at the campground, but it cleared up soon after we started riding, and it was sunny and hot the rest of the day. Our ride took us on lots of fun back roads through the rest of Illinois. We crossed the Ohio River in a ferry over to Kentucky. The Ohio river didn't seem to be higher than normal. I thought that was interesting, since the Mississippi was so high.
We rode to Marion, Kentucky, but drove off route to Princeton, so we could stay in a hotel and be close to a church. We rode 71 miles.
We made it to Kentucky today! We woke up to lots of fog at the campground, but it cleared up soon after we started riding, and it was sunny and hot the rest of the day. Our ride took us on lots of fun back roads through the rest of Illinois. We crossed the Ohio River in a ferry over to Kentucky. The Ohio river didn't seem to be higher than normal. I thought that was interesting, since the Mississippi was so high.
We rode to Marion, Kentucky, but drove off route to Princeton, so we could stay in a hotel and be close to a church. We rode 71 miles.
day 35
4 July 2008
It was raining quite a bit this morning, so we took it easy and had a big breakfast and waited for the rain let up a bit. Illinois is very pretty, and more so because of the rain. We rode past farmland, forests, and lakes. It was an especially pretty ride today. We rode 78 miles.
We are staying in Goreville tonight, in a State Park. We went out for pizza, and saw the fireworks show in town, to celebrate the 4th.
It was raining quite a bit this morning, so we took it easy and had a big breakfast and waited for the rain let up a bit. Illinois is very pretty, and more so because of the rain. We rode past farmland, forests, and lakes. It was an especially pretty ride today. We rode 78 miles.
We are staying in Goreville tonight, in a State Park. We went out for pizza, and saw the fireworks show in town, to celebrate the 4th.
day 34
3 July 2008
It rained most of the night last night. It rained on us for the first part of our ride, too. We drove back to were we left off and started from there. A little before we got back to where we stayed last night, we hit a really busy section of highway. Tons of semis were flying past both ways, it was raining, and the shoulder was very torn up and basically unrideable. My dad tried to go up onto the road, off the shoulder, to miss a torn up spot, and there was a lip between the road and the shoulder, and he went down. He skinned his elbow up pretty bad, and got some road rash on his leg. Since we hadn't reached where we camped yet, we were able to stop off and get him patched up. Fortunately he didn't get hurt too bad, and was fine to keep riding.
We crossed the Mississipi River today! It is very high. There were some flooded roads down next to the river. I can't tell how much higher the river s than normal, but my guess is at least 6 feet. Now we're in Illinois. We're staying in Chester, which is the birthplace of the guy who created Popeye! We rode 84 miles. We are camping in the city park here. We talked to the Sheriff and the police about staying here, but two cops still showed up and wanted us to leave. We had to explain things, and then they let us stay.
It rained most of the night last night. It rained on us for the first part of our ride, too. We drove back to were we left off and started from there. A little before we got back to where we stayed last night, we hit a really busy section of highway. Tons of semis were flying past both ways, it was raining, and the shoulder was very torn up and basically unrideable. My dad tried to go up onto the road, off the shoulder, to miss a torn up spot, and there was a lip between the road and the shoulder, and he went down. He skinned his elbow up pretty bad, and got some road rash on his leg. Since we hadn't reached where we camped yet, we were able to stop off and get him patched up. Fortunately he didn't get hurt too bad, and was fine to keep riding.
We crossed the Mississipi River today! It is very high. There were some flooded roads down next to the river. I can't tell how much higher the river s than normal, but my guess is at least 6 feet. Now we're in Illinois. We're staying in Chester, which is the birthplace of the guy who created Popeye! We rode 84 miles. We are camping in the city park here. We talked to the Sheriff and the police about staying here, but two cops still showed up and wanted us to leave. We had to explain things, and then they let us stay.
day 33
2 July 2008
Today we rode through the Ozark Mountains, which was interesting. We started in what they call the Missouri Highlands, which were at around 1500 feet. Then we went DOWN a ways to the "mountains", which were essentially a ton of killer hills to ride, but mostly lower than where we were riding before we reached them. All that Kansas riding seems to have made my legs forget how to ride hills. I got really worn out today. The Ozarks are very pretty, though. I am amazed at how dense and green everything is here.
We stopped at a campground along the road, just after Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park (which was closed for renovation, or we would have stayed there). But the campground we had planned to stay at turned out not to be a great spot. So we ended up driving further, to St. Joe State Park. I'm glad we did, it is much nicer. Mary will just drive us back in the morning to start off where we stopped. We rode 77 miles.
Today we rode through the Ozark Mountains, which was interesting. We started in what they call the Missouri Highlands, which were at around 1500 feet. Then we went DOWN a ways to the "mountains", which were essentially a ton of killer hills to ride, but mostly lower than where we were riding before we reached them. All that Kansas riding seems to have made my legs forget how to ride hills. I got really worn out today. The Ozarks are very pretty, though. I am amazed at how dense and green everything is here.
We stopped at a campground along the road, just after Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park (which was closed for renovation, or we would have stayed there). But the campground we had planned to stay at turned out not to be a great spot. So we ended up driving further, to St. Joe State Park. I'm glad we did, it is much nicer. Mary will just drive us back in the morning to start off where we stopped. We rode 77 miles.
day 32
1 July 2008
We rode through an area with lot of Amish people today. They had signs up warning of carriages. We passed one going the other way but I wasn't able to get a picture until it was way down the road. It was a very hot day.
Dallin and Haley have been really excited to ride with us, so we tried to make it happen today. The roads for the last couple days have been narrow, with no shoulder, and lots of cars. So we tried to pick a spot that was ok for them to ride. In the end we met up with them in one of the towns on the route and they rode on the sidewalk next to the road for a bit.
We've seen armadillos killed on the road the last few days. I had no idea they were in this area. We talked to someone who said that they have only come into this area in the last few years. She also said there's not much hope of seeing one during the day, because they only come out at night.
We are staying at a Family Youth Center, in Summersville, MO. It has a roller rink, and horses, and a playground and grass area. It is very neat. The owner runs it mainly off donations, I guess, and charges next to nothing for kids to come use it. We took the kids over to rollerskate for a bit. They had a lot of fun.
We rode 89 miles.
We rode through an area with lot of Amish people today. They had signs up warning of carriages. We passed one going the other way but I wasn't able to get a picture until it was way down the road. It was a very hot day.
Dallin and Haley have been really excited to ride with us, so we tried to make it happen today. The roads for the last couple days have been narrow, with no shoulder, and lots of cars. So we tried to pick a spot that was ok for them to ride. In the end we met up with them in one of the towns on the route and they rode on the sidewalk next to the road for a bit.
We've seen armadillos killed on the road the last few days. I had no idea they were in this area. We talked to someone who said that they have only come into this area in the last few years. She also said there's not much hope of seeing one during the day, because they only come out at night.
We are staying at a Family Youth Center, in Summersville, MO. It has a roller rink, and horses, and a playground and grass area. It is very neat. The owner runs it mainly off donations, I guess, and charges next to nothing for kids to come use it. We took the kids over to rollerskate for a bit. They had a lot of fun.
We rode 89 miles.
day 31
30 June 2008
We rode 85 miles to Marshfield, MO. Missouri has lots of hills! Lots of areas have signs that say 'impassable during high water', so I'm sure glad they aren't experiencing high water, or we wouldn't be getting very far :)
In Marshfield we are staying at the city park. They have a rodeo arena, or whatever you call it, here that they are getting ready for the 4th. We talked to a nice lady that got the showers opened up for us, and showed us where to set up. She said that they have the longest running 4th of July celebration West of the Mississipi, and that George Bush (not W) attended the 4th of July celebrations there once while he was president.
We rode 85 miles to Marshfield, MO. Missouri has lots of hills! Lots of areas have signs that say 'impassable during high water', so I'm sure glad they aren't experiencing high water, or we wouldn't be getting very far :)
In Marshfield we are staying at the city park. They have a rodeo arena, or whatever you call it, here that they are getting ready for the 4th. We talked to a nice lady that got the showers opened up for us, and showed us where to set up. She said that they have the longest running 4th of July celebration West of the Mississipi, and that George Bush (not W) attended the 4th of July celebrations there once while he was president.
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