Category Archives: Bike Touring

67 miles (108 km) – Total so far: 659 miles (1,061 km) Today’s routing was much more successful than yesterday’s. I accomplished my goals with nearly zero traffic, moderate climbs, and moderate to long distance. As I suspected, the canine element was outside my control. More on that later.Just a few miles outside of myContinue reading “Day 12: Konfederates & Kanines: Duffield,VA to Cumberland Gap National Park, VA”

59 miles (95 km) – Total so far: 592 miles (953 km) Today, I broke away from the ACA route completely and started heading straight west in an effort to get to an annual get together with my brothers North of Nashville. Though, honestly, several folks have told me that breaking away from the ACAContinue reading “Day 11: Jangled nerves and Jaw dropping scenery: Rosedale,VA to Duffield,VA”

69 miles (111 km) – Total so far: 533 miles (858 km) A note from Mike on time travel by bike: Delays between blog posting time and real time will shrink as the rest days pass. Now, onto the blog… Going to bed last night, I had been pretty anxious about a weather report thatContinue reading “Day 10: Improvised Routing and Inspirational People: Whytheville, VA to Rosedale, VA”

57 miles (92 km) – Total so far: 464 miles (747 km) The plan today was for solid mileage and a moderate recovery from yesterday’s 80+ mile hilly bonanza. The reality was that the accumulated fatigue really hit me hard. I had a good ride up until the last 20 miles, but my body hasContinue reading “Day 8: Helpful Thomas & Heat Exhaustion: Christianburg,VA to Wytheville,VA”

81 miles (130 km) – Total so far: 407 miles (655 km) Right out of the gate I felt much stronger than any day up to this point. I was back to taking the uphills with some aggressive cadence instead of just hoping and praying the top would come soon. I credit the change toContinue reading “Day 7: Geology, and high Ground: Natural Bridge, VA to Christianburg, VA”

36 miles (58 km) – Total so far: 326 miles (525 km) The theme of today was leisurely riding. Perhaps a little too leisurely. I woke up around 4:30 with my body telling me it was time to start rolling. Unfortunately, the B&B didn’t serve the &B until 8:30. Rather than toss and turn, IContinue reading “Day 6: Farmland, Friends, and Foals: Vesuvius, VA to Natural Bridge, VA”

31 miles (50 km) – Total so far: 290 miles (467 km) Leaving Afton this morning, I was filled with dread for the upcoming crossing of the Eastern Appalachian range. The route goes up to and then along the Blue Ridge parkway for about 25 miles and then over a pass and into the townContinue reading “Day 5: Elevation: Afton, VA to Vesuvius VA”

81 miles (130 km) – Total so far: 259 miles (417 km) Knowing today was going to be a long day with a moderate amount of vertical climbs into the foothills I got an early start. 10.5 hours later, I want to smack that snotty little twerp that used the words “moderate” and “foothills” toContinue reading “Day 4: Determination and Developing Muscles: Mineral, VA to Afton, Va”

40 miles (64 km) – Total so far: 178 miles (286 km) Last night, as I rolled into the campground I met three fellow bike tourers. John, from Peoria and a married couple from Switzerland, Ruedi & Heida. We all headed out to a Pizza Hut for dinner. Where I proceeded to convince them toContinue reading “Day 3: Choices and County Fairs: Ashland, VA to Mineral, VA”

63 miles (101 km) – Total so far: 138 miles (222 km) Camping the first night after a strenuous ride was great. I slept soundly and woke up with only minor soreness. As I mussed about with getting my stuff all organized and packed away I thought again, ‘I’ve got too much crap’. Less stuffContinue reading “Day 2: Battlefields and Bailing Weight: Jamestown, VA to Ashland,VA”