Day 11 Breaks, VA to Hindman, KY

Yorktown, VA to Hindman, KY Completed 638 Miles

Biking Detail Breaks, VA to Hindman, KY

We learned this morning that Jen had decided to return to her home in Washington DC. We will miss her and wish her the best. Mary drove 10 hours roundtrip to Lexington, Ky to drop Jen off at the airport where Jen rented a car to DC. Mary needed to pick up some medical supplies in Lexington so it worked out for Jen's needs too. So now Stephen and I are the only riders left from the original group. We do have Andreas so the three of us started out to Hindman on Day 11.

We quickly passed into Kentucky after leaving our motel in Breaks. Here are the Statistics for Virginia:

Days: 10.1
Miles: 573.2
Elevation Gain: 34,963 feet
Average Speed: 10.71 MPH
Lowest Speed: 2.4 MPH
Max Speed: 43.1 MPH

We had 4 steep climbs today and covered almost 67.4 miles in 6 hours and 52 minutes. The climbs were pretty similar in gradients each starting out slowly at 2% or so, then quickly running up to 9%-12% and with some 14%-16% sections. Our total gain for the day was over 4,700 feet.

Near the end of our ride we met three bikers and their support lady (like Margie). They were doing a 3,300 mile ride from San Diego to Virginia Beach using a combination of Adventure Cycling routes. They were on day 39 and shooting to finish in the next couple weeks.

When we arrived at the Quiltmaker Inn where we are staying we met Junellen, the live-in manager. Very nice lady. I asked her if she was born in June (due to her name). She said "no" and told us the story of her name. She was named after her father's bookkeeper. "Strange", she says. "Not as strange as my mother is now married to the bookkeeper's husband. We are in Kentucky you know." We all laughed.

No sure this is open, check out the barb wire on the fence

In Kentucky it's good luck if you survive riding under a bucket truck doing electrical work

Looks like something that could be restored

Our new RV

Yes, there is a Poor Bottom, Kentucky

Top of the climb (our lunch spot)

Yeah! Kentucky

Our First City in Kentucky

The roads are smaller

But the pavement is nice and little traffic

Nice and shady

Back to lined roads but still a shady ride

Lookout grocery now closed

This is for Daryl

We think this is David Malcolm Ratliff's place

Memorial Day is coming up in Kentucky too

Me at the top of Lookout climb

Floyd County is "DRY"

Last Chance for Beer before entering Floyd County

At the top of Lookout Climb (Andreas, Stephen, me)

Checking out the view

Lunch at the top

Bikers we met that were on the way East

We biked through the campus

Dairy Queen stop in Hindman

Celebrating arrival in Hindman (Andreas, me, Stephen)

We are in Knott County

Here's some Knott history

Our bikes should be safe

Staying at the Quiltmaker Inn

From the street

It's in historic Hindman

Lobby pic

Our room is up the stairs

This is Margie, me and Junellen (the live-in manager) in the common area

Day 10 Rosedale, VA to Breaks, VA

Yorktown, Va to Breaks, Va Completed 571 Miles

Biking Detail Rosedale, Va to Breaks, Va

Got a late start today due to some heavy rain in the morning. As we waited out the rain we met Bob, the church volunteer and music director. A very nice gentleman who also volunteers for Hospice and the local library. The rain turned to a moderate drizzle about 9 am and we headed out. The ride was fairly easy to Honaker at about 14 miles. Then we had four pretty good climbs of 30 minutes each at 9%-12%. The entrance to Breaks State Park is up a steep incline of 9% or so with a max of 15% (ouch). After leaving the State Park it's downhill for about 2 miles to the Gateway Motel where we are staying. Just a note: I set a new low speed record on one of the climbs today 2.4 MPH.

Along the way we stopped in Davenport, Va for some hot coffee and warm up after the fast and wet decline from the misty top of the hill between Honaker and Davenport. The girls at the convenience store were super nice. The coffee was on the house and they gave Margie free pens and one with a light on it. From Davenport to Haysi we met the "Dog Angel", David Malcolm Ratliff who watches over the Transamerica trail in the area and chases wild dogs away. A very colorful person who talked our legs off. He said "check out my videos on UTube but don't die laughing, 'cause I don't want to be charged with murder." Haven't checked them out but may do so at some point.

Waiting for the rain to stop (Andreas, Stephen, me)

Mary and the two vehicles

Meet Bob (and my photo bomb)

Wore my rain slicker most of the day for warmth, visibility and to keep dry

No flat spots in Virginia

Clouds are building

Top of big climb, downhill into the fog

Do I have to go?

Rest stop for me and Andreas

Pink Herbie at the Gateway Motel

Guess it's a love bug

Yes there is a Sandlick, Virginia

A lot of logs for the trucks

Meet David Malcolm Ratcliff (Trail Angel)

Another stop for me and Andreas

It's pronounced "Hay" + "Sigh"

Photo op for David, Stephen, Andreas, Me and Jen

Stephen carved the roasted chicken and I ate (Good)

The park sits on the border between Virginia and Kentucky, the Schnitner's camped here

At the Gateway, it's "Miller Time"

Our Hotel for the night

Very nice accomodations

Cheers, to day 10

Little store across the street from the motel where we bought the brewskis

We found out that the Kentucky county we ride into tomorrow is "DRY"
so this little store has a huge beer and wine selection. It's sells the only beer and wine within 15 miles.