Dropped Emma of at university to begin her freshman year. Sad to leave her but excited about the next five months. John and I are on sabbatical. Our house has been rented and we are on the road. Two and a half weeks in campgrounds between North Carolina and Quebec plus four months in France.
Leaving Chapel Hill, it didn't take long to leave behind the urban and enter beautiful Virginia. After riding for 4 hours we camped at Peaks of Otter, along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We got in at dark, made Mac and cheese, and drank cocoa. No showers in campground-- fine with me. Freed from the tyranny of hygiene.
Our annual bike tour, hosted by Paul Gordy. This year we rode from Lancaster, Pa. to Washington, D.C. to Baltimore to Philadelphia and back to Lancaster. 512 mile in eight days.
We ride with this group every year and have a great time. We talk about cycling and food-- never about work or politics. For me, the trip is all about freeing my mind and challenging my endurance.
This was actually an easy tour compared to the other annual rides. Every other year, the tour is on the Blue Ridge Parkway-- a grueling yet rewarding ride.
Great mix of highway, bike paths, back roads, and urban riding. Highlights included professional baseball games in all three cities, eating at Chick and Ruth's in Annapolis, a rainy day of riding/sightseeing in D.C., hospitality at Darryl and Sandy's house, Gettysburg, riding the train into Philadelphia, and Valley Forge.
The Boone Town Rats headed to Morrisville in Eli's VW bus, eating much food along the way. Woke up to clear skies and Waffle House. My brake cable came disconnected three miles into ride, told John I was heading back to hotel but in true randonneur
spirit, I was able to fix and continue. John was surprised to see me pull up to control 50 miles into ride.
My brakes were one of several technical challenges faced by Boonies, including slow leaks ands Eli's losing all the bolts from his chainring-- John P. came through with an extra bolt, allowing Eli to finish.
Thoughts-- I do not like riding in the dark, almost hit a opossum, ate way too much but just enough, if someone gives you a free honeybun you don't have to eat it, there are worse things than a rainstorm in the last ten minutes of a 17 and a half hour ride, and I feel fortunate that John P. introduced me to the wonderful world of randonneuring.
We completed our 1st Brevet of the season, a 200 km ride from Morrisville to Siler City and back to Morrisville. It was a great ride over rolling hills.
John finished in under ten hours and Beth finished in 10 hours, 45 minutes. Other Boone Town Rats in photo are John P. (our Randonneur mentor) and Eli P. Much eating by all and only minimal discomfort towards end of ride.
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.
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.
