All I can really say about today is that it was windy and slow-paced. We were still getting some winds from the tropical storm I guess. We got a really late start today because we all went to a bar in Radford until around 11 or so. We had a great time at the bar, met some locals, had a few drinks. However, the continuous days of riding are beginning to take their toll. Motivation was difficult to come by today. We eventually left around 11 AM and hit the road pretty slowly. We met a guy a few days ago that was telling us around day 8 or 9 you'll hit a wall, and it will make you wonder why you are out there, what you are doing, and why you would ever want to do this to yourself. That day was today, but it wasn't quite as bad as I had imagined. We met some East-bounders today who started in California in April. They told us a little about what were were going to see in the next few days, riding conditions etc. That was a little encouraging, but it was also a little discouraging. They did tell us how to miss a whole section of climbing. I'm a little ambivalent about not going the actual route, but if I can miss hours of climbing by going a different way, I don't really care much about the route.
We battled with a headwind for what felt like all day. The mountains around the area weren't too bad, and we stopped in a rest stop for lunch where a lady told us how to bypass about 5 miles of the route so we could get to Wytheville a little sooner. I probably wouldn't have been so adamant about the detour if it wasn't quite so windy. You could put in as much effort as possible, and still only get going about 9 or 10 mph. Then a gust would come and knock you back down to 8 almost immediately. The one word I would use to describe today would have to be daunting.
Wythville (With-vill)Wythville is nice though. We set up camp by a small stream that flows through a tiny city park.
It seems like a really nice place to set up camp, except for all the bears...they eat humans you know...a lot...that's pretty much their main source of nutrients...human...
3 comments:
Hey Rich,
As thin as you are, those bears are going to be awful hungry! Hang in there.
Love Mom
yeah, it is your chapter headings that I like so much.. have you thought about being a book editor?
Mom Clites
rich, I am getting the Colbert joke with the bears, honey. ALSO we are going to MT and WY and word is, you have to wear Bear Bells. Greg has signed us up for a scary trip, I think... we miss you but you are not missing much here, really. We are doing the same ol' but we are sure glad to read your blog! you are the dude. keep on keepin' on. peace!
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