Budget smudget

Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area

DAY 10
Wytheville, VA to Meadowview, VA

Pretty uneventful day, that is if you consider 75 miles uneventful! I was proud of us. We had a long day including two big climbs. We put our heads down and powered it out. Early on I had made a conscious decision to stay behind Becky on these climbs. It's the same technique I use while hiking. By ascending at her pace I am able to resist my natural urge to race ahead ultimately exhausting all my reserves. 

A stop at the local Family Dollar

Who would of ever thought gas station food would be so delicious? We'll it is when you're options are limited and you're cycling across the country. Hot dogs, fries, pizza, chicken patty sandwiches, I can't get enough! Our daily allowance for food is $20 per person per day. This budget is based off of precise mathematical calculations, based on nothing. The truth is, it is a very loose budget. Our true philosophy is, "I'm hungry, therefore I must eat... everything". We're frugal enough to take a whole summer off work, I'm sure we'll be able to eat like kings on only $20 a day. Yesterday we only spent $4.50 together, all day.

Taking a nap in a gas station parking lot

Our daily allowance for accommodations is equally complicated. $20 together per night. Again this is based on absolutely no information or financial constraints. "I'm tired, therefore I must sleep, anywhere." Preferably free or cheap accommodations, but if need be a hotel stay every now and again won't be denied. I hope this trend continues, but so far, averaged over the first 9 nights our accommodations have cost us $12.50 per night. As long as we maintain this thrifty average we'll be able to splurge for a hotel when necessary. 

Rural Retreat, VA

Route 76

Sitting at a Subway in Damascus, we'd cycled 50 miles today. 25 miles to go. Usually I'd say everything goes well until about mile 50. For some reason or another this is the moment that precedes the days meltdown. My left knee is still hurting me. It's a pain that grows stronger as the day grows longer. Both Becky's knees hurt her as well. Later in the day we rarely enjoy any part of this adventure. We both get short tempered and there is no time to smell the roses. A "lets just get there" attitude prevails. The lets just get there, got there at 5:30 pm. 7 hours and 30 minutes on the bike, not counting breaks. 75 miles from our starting location. I'm tired...

Stats:
Miles: 74.93
Average speed: 10.3 mph
Max speed: 33.3 mph