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DAY 13

Another great day for a bike ride

DAY'S OVERVIEW: Last night we stayed at a Hampton Inn just off highway 310 but we were able to come in from the rear on a county road that dropped us off right at the front door.  Only problem I see in this area is that we didn't stay in the Holiday Inn Express right across the street...I'd be much smarter today if we did.  Actually, we really enjoyed our stay at the Hampton and the early morning hot breakfast they provided.  We were loading right at sunrise to get everyone on the road as early as possible to beat the heat and traffic of the early morning rush.  We took care of Ann who broke her bike yesterday.  Jim was in the van today so he let her ride his bike which was almost identical to hers.  With a quick switch of a seat she was on her way...not losing a day of riding despite breaking her chainstay yesterday (the second bike we've broken on this ride...Mike brought a new one several days ago).  She's having a bike sent to us tonight...one she sold to a friend who will let her borrow it back to finish her ride...only 4 more days to North Myrtle Beach.  Now that's a good friend I reckon.

Everything seemed to be going well in the early morning scurry so I decided to go out with the mechanics van to get ahead of the group and ride with the J-birds and T^² (Tore and Tom).  I needed a good push today so why not ride with the front group.  As we were driving through the group, it was really beautiful with the rising sun over the misty fields...quite serene, but the low sun was right in our eyes on several roads which indicated to me that it was also in the eyes of the drivers behind us.  Luckily, after a mile or two we turned away from the low angled sun and enjoyed smooth back roads to the James River where we probably got the biggest climb of the day on the bridge (below right). 

Today we rode on some of the best country roads you can imagine and only a time or two did we pop out on to a slightly busy section to get us to the next county road several of which wound through many Civil War Wilderness Campaign areas.  I think I said it before that this was one of the bloodiest areas of the entire Civil War...Cold Harbor through Petersburg.  As we rode by the many plaques that stood by the road indicating a battle or a march, it was easy to get lost in thought of a long time ago when canon blasts echoed across the meadows and deadly rifle fire put many brave soldiers in an early grave...hallowed ground indeed.  Today the land lays quietly growing soybeans, cotton, and corn while horses graze in the grassy areas as cars pass by impervious to what happened here over 140 years ago.

Box had a bit of a hang up at the motel this morning so the mechanics van had to cover the first SAG until it arrived on station.  The J-birds arrived at the SAG just as I was getting my bike out and getting it ready...geeze, so much for a warm up for the old guy.  I was planning on riding up the road a few miles at a steady pace to warm up, but when we left the SAG we were already cruising at 22 or so...wake up legs!  We pushed a pretty brisk pace to lunch and by the time we got there, I was starting to feel pretty good for a change.  We set up lunch at a small Mini Mart in Sussex (below left) that was very accommodating.  They had tables and shelter from the sun...wish we could have taken them with us for the rest of the way...nice folks.

It wasn't long before folks started to roll into lunch...what a difference a lack of big climbs make on a day like this.  Seemed everyone was enjoying the flatter terrain for a change and most of the roads were smooth surface too.  All's well so after a quick lunch, we were back on route for another borderline hammer fest to the motel.  Now I know why the J-birds and Tom beat the luggage truck in everyday...today we kicked out the 90 miles just after noon so it will be nice to have a little time to maybe even take a nap before maintenance and rap this afternoon...thanks for the brisk pace gang.  Don't know who is going to help unload the luggage everyday when they leave in North Myrtle Beach...and who will I chase then?

Things are going really well for the time being but we are watching the gas situation.  Seems there's shortages in the North Carolina area and last night the station across the street from the motel ran out of fuel.  We're scouting everyday down route to insure we can stay moving and we keep the tanks filled all the time.  I think if we can get through the Labor Day Weekend, we'll be OK.  Also in the news, some of the crew from the Mississippi Ride will join us for the rest of the ride so we'll have lots of help on the support side.  Karen and Susan from my North crew will supplement our staff after tomorrow...they think they are going to ride their bikes everyday...yeah right!  I've already got a list of things for them to do...like my laundry!  How's that for a command decision?  Plus, Karen has a nose for Wal Marts...she can find one in just about any town...even if the locals don't know they have one.

Another day's in the bag and everyone's starting to enjoy the less strenuous terrain.  Tomorrow we cruise into Rocky Mount.  We're planning on having a couple activities since it's a shortish day...our T-shirt swap and maybe a maintenance clinic to fill the afternoon.  And it they liked today, they should love tomorrow's terrain.  I don't remember a hill anywhere...maybe we can sleep in.  See you tomorrow if I wake up.

HEARD ON THE ROAD:  "I've noticed Judy of the J-birds has really mellowed out since riding on the fast ride.  Now she don't trample on the people she elbows out at the breakfast line."   

"You can't just give this to me."  "Sure I can."  "No you can't."  "Yes I can, I have another full bottle of it."  "But it's expensive!"  "OK, you'll just owe me forever." 

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