June 9 Crossing America

Cedar Springs (Rural Retreat) VA – Rosedale Church Hayters Gap. Distance 83 miles rode only 57.

Today started all wrong and went downhill (don’t I wish) from there.   As we had to be shuttled 1.7 mile back to the road from A.R.E. Church Camp, was done in two trips.  Unfortunately for me I was on the second shuttle.  It didn’t do me much good to
awake at 5:30 to be totally ready to ride at 6:45 as had to wait until 8:30 to finally get on the road, not good starting this late for the slowest rider of the group.  We were assured today’s 80 mile ride would be much easier then yesterday’s 83 mile ride, mostly downhill
we were assured.  Anybody interested in some ocean front property in Arizona?  Sure we started with a few rolling hills then came a 6 mile hill, up not down, took me more than an hour to reach the summit.  Ah, at least I’ll get a good downhill run.  No such luck, as an 18 wheeler passed me just as we crested the top.  I had to follow him at a mere 25-38 mph to the bottom, plus he would cut the curves throwing gravel from the shoulder at me.
Didn’t much matter as the downhill was only 2 miles.  At the bottom there was a café and I had a BLT.  My bad luck again as the sandwich was very slow to be served as they had to cook the bacon.  Ok, left there and almost immediately had another 5 mile hill to climb, followed by numerous rolling hills until 30 miles in finally the promised mostly downhill portion of the ride came up.  I was beginning to think I was on a different route than promised by Pepper our crew leader.  At least, I got my adrenalin rush for the day.   The end of this great run was Damascus, Pepper’s hometown.  I’m still having shifting problems so took my bike to a local shop where Pepper assured me there is a phenomenal bicycle mechanic Bill, a retired motorcycle mechanic turned bicycle mechanic.  Within 10 minutes Bill did figure out my shifting problem, it’s due to the rear wheel needing new
bearings and O-ring.  Bad luck again, special wheel no got parts for it.  I’ll try to find a shop in Carbondale, IL to rebuild my rear wheel, just as soon as I have phone service.  Have to admit the US Bi-Centennial Bicycle route keeps us on remote roads, which makes for fairly safe riding.

Speaking of safe riding, brings me to my continuing string of bad luck today.  Shortly after leaving Damascus it began raining.  Thus time to turn on my 4 flashing red taillights for passing motor vehicle drivers to see me easily.   Hwy 91, exception to my statement above is a fairly busy highway and I swear my red lights were a beacon for drivers to see how close they could come to me when passing.  Within 10 minutes I had to close calls.  Shortly after that a strong wind began blasting with such ferocity that I was actually blown from the very right side of the highway to near the center line.   Now my momma didn’t raise a total fool, it was time to get off the highway.  I spotted a home about 50 yards off the highway with a nice front porch which would provide protection from the storm as it was on the leeward side of the gale now blowing.  About halfway to the home it began raining
marble size hale.  Upon making it to the porch I discovered there was a little puppy on the porch shaking like a leaf and no one home.  A rug about 6’x2’ blew off the porch as I was climbing the stairs and I crabbed it flew by.  I took a seat up against the wall of the home, the puppy immediately climbed into my lap and I covered us up with the rug.  Shortly thereafter 3 of the gals in our crew came riding by and I yelled to them to join me on the porch.  The girls really liked my puppy friend and commented he was my buddy.  To which I replied, “yea I’ve always had that effect on puppies and little kids”.

After about 15 minutes the rain let up and we decided to continue on.  Made me sad as the puppy wanted to come with me and I had to be mean to him and yell for him to go home.  He looked so sad as he turned, tucked his tail and ran back to the porch, really hard mentally to have to be a mean to the poor little fella.

Gees, the rain may have lightened up to a sprinkle but there is still lightening all around.  I went about a quarter mile and a tree on the left side of the road about 80 yards
into a field was split in half and on fire.  Damm, I don’t like this scene.   Trying to keep my composure and trudging on my next bit of bad luck, I missed my turn and ended up going an extra couple miles out of my way.  Turned down a road which I checked on the map
would get me back on course.  Didn’t go a hundred feet and there were limbs, leaves and debris all over the road, had to weave in and out of the downed tree limbs as I made my way down a hill.  At the bottom of the hill, the road was 2/3 covered with rain run-off.  Great, next I’ll get caught in a flash flood but it didn’t happen.  Thank you God for taking care of me once again.

A couple miles down the road I saw Trish at the front porch of a home.  Asked her how she was doing, she said wait and she’d ride with me.   Once on the road Trish told me the lady she was talking to had offered to drive her to our over-night stop which was still about 25 miles away.  I told her she should have taken it.  To which she replied, “that would be cheating myself of saying I rode my bike across America”.   Sorry I’m not that much of a purist.  It’s now after 4:00 PM and we have to climb a 3 ½ mile mountain with over 1,800’ elevation gain.  That’s pretty steep for anyone to climb on a bicycle.  Not to mention we are cold, wet and miserable.  I’m having second thoughts as to my sanity and the purpose of my adventure.  Is it to enjoy the wonders of America or suffer miserable and dangerous conditions?   When we came to a wide spot in the road with a couple of convenience
stores, we decided to take a break and discuss our options.  Mine was to call it a quits and get a ride to the overnight and I think Trish was leaning toward the wisdom of my suggestion when 5 more of our riders arrived and the sweep rider today, George.  They all voted to keep going even though two locals said they doubted we could make it over the mountain to our destination before dark.  OK, I decided to continue on with the others.  Another mile down the road, the others were already ahead of me as usual, I came to an
intersection.  Tried to break to a full stop and slid on some loose gravel on the wet pavement and went down.  Got my first road rash on my adventure and definitely made my mind up to NOT continue on.  If it’s not fun and dangerous to ride I’m not a true purist to continue being a fool.  Thus, my day comes to anend with much disappointment and remorse but my body in one piece to continue on my journey tomorrow.

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