Overnight Trip to Damascus, Virginia, March 24-25

A wet, strenuous, pampered, and fun overnight adventure.

We left Boone at 3:00 on Friday, heading out for Damascus. We parked our car at a friend's house in Todd, N.C. in order to reach our B&B (total luxury) by dark. The ride was beautiful, along back roads with many abandoned houses. Some of the gravel roads were so steep, we had to push our bikes uphill.

(Specific Route: Three Top Road to 88 to Rich Hill Road to Willy Walker Road to East Big Springs Road to Coy Hamm Road to Tucker Road to Whelan Ridge Road to Farmer's Store Road to Dolinger to White Top.)

The real fun came at White Top, along the Virginia Creeper Trail. The last 18 miles of the 50 mile trip was in dusk-darkness, hurdling down the Virginia Creeper at 18-20 mph. Dark-dark upon arrival in Damscus.

Ate at Quincy's in Damscus. Soup Beans receive two thumps-up. Slept at The Hiker Inn in a dry, comfy bed.

Next morning we woke to rain and rode in rain. The streams were running high, few bikes on the creeper. Hung out by the side of road during a hail storm. 100 miles in all, adding to our appreciation of being warm and dry upon return home.

Spring Break, cycling among the reptiles in Florida

For Spring Break, beginning March 10, we headed out to Florida for some early season riding. Averaging only 30 miles a day (supplemented by car), we had some interesting rides. First, we did the 15 mile loop of Shark Valley, a scenic route with close-up and personal alligator encounters.

Such as this gator crossing the bike path.


Or these little guys hanging out with mom.
John had to keep reassuring me that the Parks would not let us so close to the alligators if they were truly dangerous.




     

On another ride, Old Ingram Road, a deserted dead end highway near Long Pine Campground, we came about two inches from running over snakes. Picture to the left, shows snake heading into bushes. This guy looked a lot less dangerous than the first...

John on Old Ingram Road.

But the most fun was riding along the highway into Key West. Beautiful and plenty of room to ride comfortably.