October 3 Crossing America

Posted by Frank Briscoe on Oct 6, 2011 in Crossing America | No Comments

Edenton, NC – Smithfield, VA a distance of 73 miles.
Total miles traveled through today 6,293, on my bike for 5,225 of them.

It’s time to finish this ride as again today the temperature was in the low 40s when I started this morning. Once again I’m also heading straight into a 10-15 mph headwind. I did stop to take a couple pictures and try to warm up in the sun but I was drenched with sweat from the constant push to move forward and quickly began shivering from being wet and cold. The good news I covered the distance from Edenton to Suffolk in four hours.

Today Mark drove down from Charlottesville, VA to SAG my gear the last two days of the ride. Actually we thought we would connect well before Suffolk but I rode faster than anticipated and once again deviated from the Adventure Cycling map taking State Route 32 straight into to Suffolk cutting approximately 15 miles from the ride. Mark and I arrived at Road Angels Jim and Vickie’s home, our hosts for this night, in Suffolk within minutes of each other. I was happy to see Mark as he has become a good friend and a morale booster for me and I would be able to shed
the 65 lbs of gear I was carrying for the rest of my journey.

Since it was only 12:30 I told Mark it would probably be a good idea to continue riding for another hour or two today in order to assure I’d complete the final day’s ride early enough to get back to Charlottesville for the presentation of the Bike the US for MS check to the Miller Clinic at Virginia Tech University tomorrow night.
I had skipped a rest day and shortened the route to Wilmington a few days ago in order to be able to make it to the presentation. Bike the US for MS is the group I joined for the Trans-Am stage of my Crossing America. Mark thought it was a good idea. But first I told him I needed to eat, we drove to the nearest Mickey Ds
where I had two of the McDouble burgers and one of the dollar drinks, total cost $3.12. Eating at Mickey Ds has been one of primary places to eat to keep within my budget. Not the best tasting food but it’s fuel.

Boy was I glad Mark was carrying my gear as the ride from Suffolk to Smithfield had a few hills and the wind had picked up even more. The wind was strong enough it slowed me down by 5 mph in sections. Riding in the wind is much tougher than riding hills. At least, when you ride up a hill you get to ride down the other side but the wind is relentless, right Suzy? I called it a day after riding 23 additional miles as I was cold and exhausted. Plus, by the time we drove back to Jim and Vickie’s place in Suffolk they would be home. Eliminating 23 additional miles should make tomorrow a “piece of cake” to ride.

When we arrived at Jim and Vickie’s home they came out of their home as we drove in the driveway and gave us an enthusiastic welcome. I cannot stress enough how great it feels to be welcomed into someone’s home as an instant friend. Staying with the Cruse’s was an extra treat as Jim rode half the Trans-Am route last year. He had to quit in Eminence, MO due to a medical condition which
prevented him from being able to continue riding. He is planning on completing the ride next year. This time with Vickie serving as a SAG driver for him, he rode self-contained last year. Jim ordered out pizza and we enjoyed a few beers with our meal as we continued visiting about touring on a bicycle. I had contacted Jim and Vickie through www.warmshowers.org and recommend you to contact them either through there or directly call Jim’s cell phone 757-742-1137 if you need a place to stay in Suffolk while touring on a bicycle. They are fantastic hosts and as
an added bonus you will get to swap stories with Jim from the road.