DAY 06
Afton, VA to Lexington, VA
Only 60 miles to Lexington. Piece of cake, right? Oh, but we have to go over the Appalachian mountains. Five days in so far and the elevation profile has ranged from sea level and flat, to 1000 feet and flat. Today will separate the men from the boys. I'm beginning to sound like my dad. But it's true, today will be a challenge.
The day began with a massive climb to gain the ridge and join the Blue Ridge Pkwy. From there we traveled south along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains for nearly 30 miles. Weather had been moving in and we were concerned of the possibility of wet roads. Specifically while we descend a treacherous section of road which gives up 2500 feet in 3 miles. These are future problems, we first have to climb 3500 feet over the formidable mountains.
Afton, VA to Lexington, VA
Only 60 miles to Lexington. Piece of cake, right? Oh, but we have to go over the Appalachian mountains. Five days in so far and the elevation profile has ranged from sea level and flat, to 1000 feet and flat. Today will separate the men from the boys. I'm beginning to sound like my dad. But it's true, today will be a challenge.
The day began with a massive climb to gain the ridge and join the Blue Ridge Pkwy. From there we traveled south along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains for nearly 30 miles. Weather had been moving in and we were concerned of the possibility of wet roads. Specifically while we descend a treacherous section of road which gives up 2500 feet in 3 miles. These are future problems, we first have to climb 3500 feet over the formidable mountains.
Put your time in on the bike, that's my philosophy. As long as you're on the bike moving forward, regardless of your pace, then you're making progress. Eventually you'll meet your mileage. Easy to say, harder to do. Today was very very hard. But on the positive side it was the prettiest day as of yet. Numerous viewpoints gave us ample rest stops to break up the climbs. The dense deciduous trees glow with their spring colors. It's a forest which stands in stark contrast to the dark evergreens we're used to in the west.
Lauren and Eric capturing the view
As the day progresses and the relentless climbing persists, one's mind can go crazy bouncing between the optimist angel on your left shoulder and the doom and gloom devil on your right. A challenge like this is equal parts mental and physical. In my opinion it's not truly an extreme adventure unless sometime during the adventure there is at least one "Why the f*** am I doing this" moment.
 Wishing the climb would end |  A much needed break! |
We survived the climbs and the deadly descent from the parkway. Lexington is still 20+ miles away. My left knee has been giving me a dull pain, which occasionally screams at me from within. I don't think it's anything serious.
Tonight again we're utilizing the Warm Showers network. A wonderful couple on the outskirts of Lexington has taken all seven of us in (the night before we gained an older couple who ride a tandem bicycle). Our hosts Rebecca and Lee have a beautiful farmhouse on 25 acres. Becky makes the group a delicious pasta dinner and afterwords Rebecca serves us all banana splits. Oh yeah, this is why the f*** I'm doing this!
Tonight again we're utilizing the Warm Showers network. A wonderful couple on the outskirts of Lexington has taken all seven of us in (the night before we gained an older couple who ride a tandem bicycle). Our hosts Rebecca and Lee have a beautiful farmhouse on 25 acres. Becky makes the group a delicious pasta dinner and afterwords Rebecca serves us all banana splits. Oh yeah, this is why the f*** I'm doing this!
Spaghetti dinner!
Buddy the dog outside of Rebecca and Lee's beautiful farm
Stats:
Miles: 60.74
Average speed: 9.2 mph
Max speed: 37.8 mph
Miles: 60.74
Average speed: 9.2 mph
Max speed: 37.8 mph
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