DAY 08
Catawba, VA to Radford, VA
Our alarm went off at 6 AM. We fell back to sleep. It was clear our bodies were trying to tell us something. Sleep deprived and sore we ready ourselves for another long day on the road. 60+ miles today, at least that was the plan.
Within the first 10 miles on the bike I began to loosen up. I credit it to the three vitamin I, I took before breakfast. Becky was another story, she was hurting. No amount of ibuprofen can cure exhaustion. We were physically and mentally burnt out from seven days grinding out miles on the road. Early on Becky hints at the idea of stopping at a hotel in Christianburg. This would be a mere 30 miles for the day. Her argument for stopping is "I can't go on". How can I argue with that. The truth is my body could really use a break as well.
Catawba, VA to Radford, VA
Our alarm went off at 6 AM. We fell back to sleep. It was clear our bodies were trying to tell us something. Sleep deprived and sore we ready ourselves for another long day on the road. 60+ miles today, at least that was the plan.
Within the first 10 miles on the bike I began to loosen up. I credit it to the three vitamin I, I took before breakfast. Becky was another story, she was hurting. No amount of ibuprofen can cure exhaustion. We were physically and mentally burnt out from seven days grinding out miles on the road. Early on Becky hints at the idea of stopping at a hotel in Christianburg. This would be a mere 30 miles for the day. Her argument for stopping is "I can't go on". How can I argue with that. The truth is my body could really use a break as well.
We meet up with the others in Christianburg along the side of the road. They had decided to shorten their day as well, but continue on another 20 miles to Draper. We say goodbye to Allen, Lauren and Eric, with hopes of meeting up with them down the road. I convince Becky that we can ride another hour into Radford where there will be better accommodations and still arrive around 1 o'clock. The plan was to rest the remainder of today, sleep in and ride a short 45 mile day tomorrow.
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July 20, that's our deadline. We'll be getting married on the 26th. At the beginning of our journey this accounted for us to average 65 miles per day with seven rest days. After the airline misplaced our bicycles costing us a day, and only averaging 52 miles per day so far, we're clearly behind schedule. Worst case scenario we have someone pick us up from the trail, tie the knot in late July and return to complete the trail after.
I don't want to have to think of the logistical nightmare of getting off the trail then returning later, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. If after a few weeks on the trail, it becomes clear that a) we're not enjoying this pace or b) there is no way we're going to make our deadline; then we'll just plan to complete the trail in sections. There is no point in any of this if we're rushed and not enjoying ourselves.
Stats:
Miles: 39.30
Average speed: 9.8 mph
Max speed: 30 mph
Miles: 39.30
Average speed: 9.8 mph
Max speed: 30 mph
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