Day 2 Glendale, VA to Mineral, VA

Glendale, VA to Mineral, VA

Started the ride earlier (planned 7 am) in order to get most of the ride done by noon. We did pretty good in that we got off at 7:15 am. However, the ride was a little longer than expected and the speed was slower. We also got 2,873 ft of elevation gain. A little taste of what's coming up. Didn't finish the 88.25 miles till 6:30 pm. A long day.

Also we lost one rider today. Celia decided to continue her trip on her own as self-supported. We wish her the best.

We are staying at a real nice B&B tonight in Louisa, VA. About 10:30 pm Margie discovered she left her IPad at Patrick Henry's home which we visited during the day. Had to make a 70 mile round trip to retrieve it but all is good we got it back. Pictures will be coming. Can't seem to get the phones connected for data transfer.

Day 1 Yorktown, VA to Glendale, VA

Day 1 Yorktown to Glendale

Great start to our ride. Spent the night at a B&B in Yorktown, Virginia. Cute little village just down the road from Williamsburg. It never recovered completely from the Battle of Yorktown, which George Washington with help from the French Navy defeated General Cornwallis and ended the American Revolution. Ride was hot with wind in our face most of the day.

Ended the day at a little church near Glendale, VA. A wonderful place to spend the night with WiFi, rooms to sleep in, places for our bikes, hot showers, a kitchen to cook in and air conditioning too! They have about 200 bikers a year stay in the church.

The Five Riders Celia, Dennis, Stephen, Me, Jennifer at the Yorktown Memorial

The Back Tire Dip to Start the Journey

Checking the maps in Williamsburg, VA

Horse Carriage in Williamsburg

Ride through Jamestown, VA

Stephen and Jennifer check Bike Trail Map before we leave Jamestown

Countryside outside of Jamestown

Great Lunch stop at Charles City (pop 10)

Took Celia and Jennifer on a Bonus Ride after heading the wrong direction on Willis Church Road

The Church we stayed in for the First Night

The Swing Daddy in Action

The Schnitker RV and our SUV at the Church lot

The Drive to Yorktown, Virginia

Left about 3:30 pm and made it as far as Ridgeland, South Carolina about 381 miles. Had a surprise send-off from Brett and Johanna which was nice.

Bikes on Rack and Ready to Go

Send off with Brett and Johanna

Traveloge in Ridgeland, South Carolina

Biking the Transamerica Route

Transamerica Biking Trail 4234 Miles

As we get closer to taking off (we leave for Yorktown today), I'm thinking more and more of completing the Transamerica route rather than jumping to the Lewis and Clark trail as currently planned. Right now there is one other biker who has plans to continue on the Transamerica route.

I like the idea of biking through the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Park. We bought some bear pepper spray (also used for dogs) so I'm already prepared for the school question: "What if you are chased by a grizzly bear". No need to make our final decision until we hit the Mississippi River near Murphysboro, IL on the map above.

Last Training Ride in Florida

Last training ride in Florida. decided to take it easy and just do a "quick" 40 miles. Will have to check my Garmin. It was 20 miles to Troublecreek turn-around. Not sure why it was only 18 miles back. Mostly a cross wind from the east so was able to pick up the pace a little. Guess that should compensate for the shorter miles. Got started just before sunrise and had an enjoyable ride.

Troublecreek Road  North of Tarpon Springs

Bags are packed and ready to go. 

Bags Packed, Labeled and Ready to Load

Test Day, 13 Vultures and Ozona Blue

I thought we might do a test ride today simulating the riding conditions we might experience on the Ride Across America. That would include getting up at the crack of dawn, having breakfast out somewhere, then heading out for the day's ride. Planned rest stops would be every one and one half hours or about 20 miles or maybe less depending on conditions. The idea is to re-hydrate and refuel at the stops. Basically following the axiom of "eat before you are hungry and drink before you are thirsty".  It's hard to recover if you get depleted and if you get depleted you could "bonk". And that's not good.

Turned out to be a great day to ride. Temperatures in the low 70's and somewhat overcast. Just a little wind out of the NE in my face on the way out but it turned into a tailwind on the way back which was nice. Averaged 14.3 mph and 4 hours and 12 minutes of saddle time. Only 496 feet of elevation gain. Close to what one might expect in Kansas. Overall a good test ride. Margie and I had breakfast at Perkins about 7:00 am which is just a few blocks away. We were the only customers in the restaurant which was strange. Got on my bike and on the way out on McMullen Booth road I noticed 13 Vultures on a set of light poles watching me. Kind of a spooky sign but I tried to look alive as I went by. I made a point to sip on my water bottles every time I had to stop and got a breakfast sandwich at McDonald's at Hwy 54 and Trinity Rd. Also stopped at the Roadway Gas Station and picked up a bottle of gator aid and a small water. Decided to stop at Ozona Blue restaurant for lunch. I called Margie and she met me there. This is one of our favorite places to go when we are in Florida.

Coffee and Breakfast at Perkins

We were the only customers!

Joh Deer tractor at exit to Starkey Wilderness Park

Anclote River at Tarpon Springs

Our Table-side view at Ozona Blue

Cold Shock Top at Ozona Blue 

Back to Training

Finally back on the bike for a training ride. Weather was clear and warm. Started out at 70 degrees but warmed up to 84 in the afternoon and some good wind in my face up to 15mph on the way back. Wanted a longer ride so I headed out to the Suncoast Trail and back through the Starkey Park Wilderness area. Then on to Tarpon Springs and Palm Harbor via the Pinellas Trail and then to Clearwater Beach and back to home. Got some good saddle time and definitely tested out my water supplies. Total of 78 miles and 5 hours and 43 minutes. Did ok till about 60 miles and decided to take a lunch break. Biked more slowly to Clearwater Beach where I got some ice cream before heading back. Not much elevation gain but hey I'm in Florida.

Rest Stop at Trouble Creek and US19

Biking Thru the Starkey Park Wilderness

Clearwater Beach

Getting Ready

Swing Daddy 4

Bikes on the Rack

Lots to do in order to get ready for the trip. First needed to get a 2 inch hitch receiver put on Margie's SUV. Got it at U-Haul and they did a nice job and I was able to schedule it quickly. Next, I put on the Yakima Swing Daddy 4 Bike rack. I ordered this on Amazon and it arrived a little quicker than I thought. Was very easy to assemble. Just followed a U-Tube video. Was surprised at how heavy it was but I won't be taking it on and off very often. Put my two bikes on to test out. Got the Trek 520 assembled at the Trek shop since my normal shop was too busy to handle (one week turn-around).

Margie an I went out shopping for some food items and missing things. Turned out we had quite a load when we returned from shopping. Hope there is room for our other gear.

Maybe I went overboard on the power bars. Went to Costco and got 4 or 5 boxes, 120 plus bars. 21,000 calories if I eat them all.